Francesca Hennessy: From overweight and dyslexic to viral star

Francesca, a two-time national amateur champion and winner of the Women’s Winter Box Cup and Sweden Girls’ Golden Box Cup, turns professional with Boxxer in August 2023.

By adopting the moniker “Billion Dollar Baby” — a reference to the multiple Oscar-winning film Million Dollar Baby, minus the tragedy — she entered the ranks of icons like Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields who changed the landscape of women’s boxing.

She was especially thrilled to be joining her hero, two-division champion and former undisputed super middleweight champion Savannah Marshall, on the professional scene.

Marshalls – which is managed by Francesca’s father Mick – was sharing tips with the teen as she hung out at the gym.

“Even now, I’ve been a bit taken aback by Savannah — ever since I was little, I’ve always looked up to it,” Francesca says.

She’s won fans outside the ring with her adoration, flair and determined ring walk, and backed it up inside the ropes with seven straight wins.

“I’m so confident in how I feel in the moment that no one can beat me,” she says.

“Francesca’s ultimate boxing dream is to become an undisputed multi-weight champion,” but first she must beat Butel, a relatively unknown Briton who has spent most of her career fighting in China.

A fight against the powerful and experienced Australian Johnson could catapult Francesca onto the world stage and show that her viral fame is backed by serious boxing ability.

She adds: “I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m proud of where I’m at.” “And yes, I will continue to make that little girl proud of me.”