15-year-old Briton Rianna Doforo Wins Boxing Pro Debut In Mexico

British 15-year-old boxer, Rianna Doforo defeated Hernandez Gonzalez on points in a four-round contest in Naucalpan, Mexico.

It was strange that while Mexico cleared Doforo to fight, the British Boxing Board of Control do not grant pro licenses to boxers under the age of 18.

Gonzalez had zero wins and six losses on her record. Doforo has won two amateur national titles but will have to wait to fight as a pro in the UK.

Talented amateur heavyweight star Moses Itauma waited until he was 18 to make his pro debut in the UK, fighting six times in 2023.

Multiple weight world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez was 15 when he turned pro and had 22 fights in Mexico. When he turned 18 he made his first appearance in the US.

Doforo managed by Stefy Bull trains in Doncaster alongside the likes of two-weight world champion Terri Harper.

Bull said he had no concerns about Doforo’s age and that the youngster had “superstar” potential.

“Age is just a number,” Bull told BBC Look North. “Some people won’t agree with it but Wayne Rooney was playing Premier League football at 16 years old, Amir Khan won Olympic silver at 17 years old. That’s just because they were good enough.”

Doforo, speaking last month, said: “When I’m in the ring I just get this confidence and it’s what I enjoy doing every day.

“It excites me, putting my name out there and being able to do what no-one has ever done before.”