Take back little Molly’ – McCann embraces pay cut to chase boxing dream
At 35, Molly “Meatball” McCann is starting a new chapter. Six months after retiring from MMA and 16 years since she last boxed, she steps into the professional boxing ring this Saturday, aiming to fulfill a lifelong dream.
Before MMA, McCann was a rising star in amateur boxing, even claiming an ABA title. Now, she’s chasing what many have yet to attempt: a world title within her first eight fights, potentially becoming the first UFC fighter to achieve a boxing world championship.
“I’ve always dreamed of being a boxing world champion,” she says. “I’m not letting anyone put down my ambitions anymore. I want to reclaim who little Molly was and why I started fighting.”
Training at No Limits Boxing Gym in Liverpool, McCann balances discipline with focus, asking for quiet moments before interviews and pushing through grueling sessions. Despite retiring as one of the UK’s most famous female MMA fighters, she’s prepared to start fresh in a sport that has grown significantly for women in recent years.
Money isn’t her motivation. McCann acknowledges she’s taking a pay cut to follow her passion. “I don’t think people should enter combat sports just for money. It’s dangerous. I’m doing this because I love it.”
Her journey into boxing wasn’t impulsive. Months before retirement, she committed to a 10-fight deal with Matchroom and had to convince her family—especially her mother—that she wasn’t done fighting. “I told her, ‘I’ve signed, bye,’” she recalls, laughing at her mum’s repeated calls.
Adjusting from MMA to boxing has been challenging. Range, stance, and muscle memory are all hurdles. “Sometimes I want to lift my knee like in MMA. I’ve got to stay disciplined—there are no kicks or takedowns here,” she explains.
Guided by mentors like retired world champion Tony Bellew, McCann has reshaped herself into a boxing athlete she calls “Molly McCann on Red Bull,” blending lessons from the fighters she admires—Katie Taylor, Roy Jones Jr., Natasha Jonas, and more.
She’s ambitious: world champion within eight fights, targeting 8st 10lb divisions, and ultimately eyeing a headline at Goodison Park in 2026.
“I don’t want to retire without fulfillment. This is the last goal I wrote down as a kid. I don’t have the luxury of time—it’s now or never. Have I got the balls to do it? Let’s see.”
