European boxing champion Shauna Browne ready for the future

As sporting comebacks go, it would be difficult to surpass this one.

Having undergone three surgeries on her left arm, successful boxer Shauna Browne was told by the medical profession that the injury she had suffered was career-ending. It appeared as if she had reached the end of the road as a boxer, having won several national amateur titles.

She stepped away from the sport, and in her own words “never put a glove on” between 2017 and 2022.

However, the comeback that she launched three years ago, when she won the National Senior Elite title in 2023, scaled new and glorious heights a few weeks ago when she won the WBO European Lightweight Championship.

Beating French fighter Lilia Cherifi in a bout in Brentwood, Essex, the Clonmel boxer with the nickname ‘The Carrigeen Queen’ (a nod to her home estate) achieved a series of firsts. She has become Ireland's first European Professional Female champion, and the first male or female professional European champion from Clonmel, and possibly Tipperary. She scored two knockouts in the third round before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

“I finally have something to show for my hard work and determination in the last two and a half years (since turning professional),” she told The Nationalist during her recent homecoming to celebrate her famous success.

The decision to join the pro ranks has turned out to be an inspired one.Since turning professional in December 2023 she has won eight of her nine fights, including five knockouts.

“I wanted to become a professional since I was 15, it was always my dream,” she says.

“My coach Martin Fennessy told me I had a professional style since I was 14 or 15.

“I literally owe everything I am today in my career to Martin Fennessy. He took me back to the club in 2022, and I owe it all to (coach) Keith (Bobby) Galvin and the other lads in the club as well”.

After stepping out of the ring nine years ago, Shauna became a personal trainer and opened a gym in Clonmel. “Boxing took a back seat completely, I never thought I would get back,” she says.

However, in her own words she eventually rediscovered “the fire in her belly. The fire was lit again” and after a spell in Dublin she moved back to her home town.

“I trained twice a day every day and won the Irish Elite title in 2023. Katie Taylor, Kellie Harrington and Amy Broadhurst were making waves, and I said if they can do it why can’t I.

“I went back training and gave it everything to ensure I would get back, and I did”.

Despite her outstanding victory a few weeks ago, Shauna says that 2026 has also been a tough year. She admits that she came close to quitting when she got “nervous, it was a little wobble” in April, when a fight was called off, despite her completing a full training camp.

However, she kept her focus on the bigger picture. “I had a chat with myself and got back to work”.

She was feted on her recent return to Clonmel, with the people of her town sharing in the sheer joy of her groundbreaking triumph.

“I tried as much as I could to bring the buzz to the town, it’s something for the town to be proud of,” she says, as she thanked everyone for their great support.

So what does the future hold for the Clonmel boxer, who is based in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire?

“I’ll take a shot at whatever comes up,” she says.

“It’s up to my team. I won’t turn down any opportunity that comes my way.

“When I’m fully prepared mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally, I don’t think anyone beats me on my day”.

Since her interview with TipperaryLive, it was announced that ‘The Carrigeen Queen’ will take on Jade Burden at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Sunday October 25 for the vacant WBO Gold and IBF International Lightweight titles.