After signing with Probellum, ambitious lightweight contender Estelle Mossely from France tells Boxing Social’s Luke G. Williams she is targeting further Olympic glory as well as undisputed world champion status…
Estelle Mossely has achieved so much in boxing, but she is also clear when speaking to Boxing Social that her ambitions are far from sated – both in the pro and amateur ranks.
“I’ve fought exclusively in France since I turned pro,” the 29-year-old says, as she reflects on her link-up with fast expanding promotional behemoth Probellum. “Now’s the right time to speak to the widest possible audience.
“Probellum works around the world and has a strong desire to grow. I chose to trust Probellum president] Richard [Schaefer] who is a promoter that I have known for a few years. He has been on the boxing circuit for a very long time. We have the same desire, to grow and show that we are the best!”
Mossely is clear about her immediate objectives within the professional ring: “To gain more experience in key and balanced fights and to consider a fight for all the belts from 2023. I have some names in mind, including some I met as an amateur like Natasha Jonas.
My next fight will certainly be in March and the date and opponent will be communicated soon.” [Subsequent to this interview it was announced that she will fight Argentinian Yanina del Carmen Lescano in Dubai in March].Most observers rank Mossely in the female lightweight top five on account of her serene, if somewhat low-key, progress in the pro ranks since turning over in 2018.
Her professional record currently stands at 9—0 (1 KO).If she is to achieve her ambition of becoming a unified world champion (currently Mossely holds the IBO title), then it may well be necessary for the Frenchwoman to renew acquaintances with her old amateur rival, Katie Taylor.
Certainly Mossely believes that the Irish icon will emerge from her mooted fight with seven-weight titlist Amanda Serrano with her unbeaten pro record intact. “Katie should win,” she argues.
“Amanda is a very good boxer and the fight will certainly be very interesting but for me what can make the difference for Katie is her speed.”Alongside her pro career, and ambitions of gaining the unified title, Mossely is also determined to secure further glory in the unpaid ranks – following the lead of pro boxers such as Keyshawn Davis and Bakhodir Jalolov who medalled in Tokyo last year – by targeting Olympic gold in her home Paris games in 2024.“I will make my appearance on the Olympic circuit again for the world [amateur] championships in May,” she explains.
“The Olympics is a competition that I must compete in again because of all that it has brought me and all that a victory like that brings to boxers.
“Becoming an Olympic champion again as well as becoming a unified champion in professional boxing and living my life as a woman and a mother will bring inspiration to many other women.”
Mossely harbours warm memories of her golden year of 2016, when she triumphed in both the world amateur championships – toppling Katie Taylor along the way – and the Rio Olympics.
“Gold at the world championships was an essential step to arrive confident at the Olympics,” she reflects. “I became the best and that reinforced me in my work, Katie was at that time the only one who prevented me from having gold and I beat her.“At that moment I knew that I would become world champion and that there was a good chance that I would become Olympic champion too.
The games were a very enriching experience for me, both on a human and a sporting level. The final was the most intense fight of my life and the best memory of my career.”In her quest to win a second Olympic gold, Mossely is convinced her hopes will be bolstered by improvements she has made to her boxing since turning professional.“I’ve integrated a lot of changes into my boxing to better adapt to the professional rhythm,” she says.
“I’ve focused on the physical management of the rounds as well as the search for greater efficiency in exchanges.
”With her thirst for improvement, her determination to succeed and the backing of a massive promotional outfit, it certainly wouldn’t be wise to bet against Estelle Mossely.