Gunnedah-based boxer Emylie Murrell is ready to make her debut in the professional ranks.
A member of Black ‘n’ Blue gym, the 20-year-old Emylie will step into the ring at the Yagoona-based Arena Sports Club on April 18.
Natasha Tuuta is scheduled to travel from her native New Zealand to square off with Emylie in the cruiserweight division, with Natasha also making her professional boxing debut.
While Natasha has had a few amateur boxing bouts in addition to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights such as Muay Thai, Emylie has virtually been fast-tracked into the professional ranks due to a lack of opportunities at amateur level.
Emylie’s first exhibition fight was at the 2023 instalment of the annual Gunnedah-based Bad Intentions night, before she missed the following year’s Bad Intentions due to injury.
While Emylie has had five exhibition bouts, her only official amateur bout was at last year’s Bad Intentions when she earned an interstate novice title as she won her battle with Sara Longo.
Emylie had hoped to have at least one amateur bout in the first three months of this year, but four possible opponents pulled out.
“I would’ve liked to have more (amateur) bouts,” Emylie said.
“I’ve always wanted to make the step up, but I didn’t think it would be this soon.
“At first it felt a bit daunting, but I’ve put in the work and hours.
“It’s good to take that next step, and hopefully I’ll get more opportunities.”
Emylie said there would be numerous differences in the professional ranks compared to the amateur ranks, although the bouts would still feature four rounds of two minutes each.
“The plan will be similar,” she said.
“Use the first round to work things out, then pick up the pace in the other three and finish strong.”
Changes which Emylie identified included the use of 10-ounce gloves instead of 16-ounce gloves, and the absence of headgear along with the weigh-in occurring the day before the bout rather than the same day as the bout.
“You’ve got to be a lot more aware because you don’t have extra protection,” she said.
Emylie said she needed to eat healthily and hydrate as usual, while there was a little extra time to reduce or gain weight in the lead-up to the fight if necessary.
Emylie continues to train six days each week, including three at the Black ‘n’ Blue gym.
Wade Ryan and David ‘Spike’ Syphers have trained Emylie a lot with the boxing side of things, while Enja Ryan has helped out with strength work.
With Wade and Enja having won Australian titles in past years, Emylie said “there’s that opportunity” for her to achieve similar feats “if things go to plan”.
Emylie nonetheless said she had to take it “one fight at a time” and “can’t look too far ahead”.
With Emylie also a motorbike rider, she said she started boxing a few years ago for fitness purposes and didn’t necessarily plan to take up boxing.
After sparring, she said things “took off from there” while it was a case of boxing finding her rather than her pursuing something she might have planned.
“It’s definitely a mental thing,” she said of boxing.
“You’ve got to be strong mentally, not just physically.
“It’s definitely a mind game.”
Despite the nature of boxing, Emylie said she always respected her opponents because “it takes a lot for anyone to step into the ring”.
Wade meanwhile said Emylie’s bout on April 18 would be “a really good gauge to see where she’s at”.
Wade said Emylie had sparred against other Black ‘n’ Blue boxers at training, while her work ethic and commitment put her in good stead.
“At the Australian titles at the Gold Coast last year, she sparred against a professional boxer,” Wade said.
“Emylie held her own against her, and took a lot out of it.
“It was an eye-opener and a good confidence booster.”