Boxing: Francesca Hennessy digs deep to beat Elie Butel on points

Hennessy arrived at the brass box with momentum behind her and, as always, walked into the ring smiling as she relished the occasion.

The Kent fighter has gained a strong fan base, with the help of a viral video charting her journey from overweight young woman to bantamweight contender on the cusp of world honours.

The speedy Hennessy settled into her rhythm, working behind a powerful jab, but Butel, 29, was not in London to make up the numbers.

She pressed forward to close the distance, with both fighters cut off after an accidental head collision – Hennessy on her forehead, and Boutell under her right eye.

Hennessy landed a sharp combination in the fourth, but Butel continued to push forward, landing heavy hooks in the middle rounds.

Promoter and manager Mick Hennessy cheered his daughter on from ringside, while the Bootell family, watching her compete in the UK for the first time, made their voices heard.

Obviously, Bootle’s punches had more impact but Hennessy summoned her resilience and met her opponent’s punch with punch in the final rounds.