Briton Ryan becomes two-weight world champion

Briton Sandy Ryan became a two-weight world champion with a hard-fought points win over Karla Ramos Zamora in Nottingham, claiming the vacant WBC light-welterweight title.

The 32-year-old was below her best in a high-tempo contest against the awkward Mexican at the Motorpoint Arena.

Zamora’s relentless output made several rounds difficult to score, but Ryan’s cleaner counters proved decisive with the judges.

Scores of 95-95, 97-93 and 97-93 gave the Derby fighter a majority decision.

“I knew Zamora was going to be tough, but my lord she is tough,” Ryan said. “I think I broke my right hand in round three and from there it became a bit more messy.

“I made it hard work for myself. But it’s because she’s tough as well.”

A former welterweight world champion, Ryan improves her record to nine wins, three defeats and one draw.

She was fighting on the undercard of Leigh Wood v Josh Warrington, who meet in their rematch later on Saturday.

Earlier, Molly McCann claimed her third professional win by outpointing Beata Dudek, while teenagers Leo Atang and Tiah Mai Ayton continued their unbeaten runs.

Heavyweight Atang, 19, stopped Dan Garber inside a minute to make it five from five, and Ayton, also 19, went the distance for the first time in her fifth bout, defeating Catherine Tacone Ramos on points.

Ryan returned to the world stage after considering retirement following back-to-back defeats by Mikaela Mayer.

She lost her WBO welterweight title in a close decision in September 2024 and was beaten again in their March 2025 rematch.

Ryan sprinted to the ring at 19:20 GMT to a quarter-full 8,000-seat arena, though a vocal pocket of Derby fans cut through the quiet.

The fight started at a quick pace. Zamora – fighting at world level for the first time – pressed forward and targeted the body.

Ryan responded with a sharp left hook in the second but was forced onto the back foot as Zamora kept the pressure on.

Although Ryan was landing with the cleaner counters, Zamora was more effective with her inside work. By halfway, it was tighter than expected.

Bruised around the eyes, Ryan traded in the seventh as blood streamed from Zamora’s nose, the visitor edging the exchanges.

Ryan boxed behind the jab in the ninth before they ended toe-to-toe, swinging at close range.

At the final bell, a case could be made for either fighter, or a draw.

The win, gritty rather than pretty, puts Ryan back in contention.

Undisputed champion Katie Taylor holds the division’s other belts but has yet to confirm her next move. At welterweight, unified champion Lauren Price may loom as a future target.