Summary

  • Francesca Hennessy and Ellie Bouttell meet at a news conference in London

  • Use 'watch & listen' tab to rewatch

  • Hennessy fights Bouttell in WBC final eliminator for bantamweight title on Saturday

  • Dutchman Gradus Kraus faces Scotland's Boris Crighton in light-heavyweight co-main event

  • Undercard starts from 18:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer and main card from 20:00 on BBC Two

  1. No fireworks in face-offspublished at 13:46 GMT 29 January

    The face-offs bring an end to the news conference.

    Check back with us tomorrow for the weigh-in, beginning from 13:00.

    See you all then!

    Francesca Hennessy and Ellie Bouttell face offImage source, Boxxer
    Gradus Kraus faces off with Boris CrightonImage source, Boxxer
  2. How to watch Hennessy v Bouttell on BBC & what is the running order?published at 13:32 GMT 29 January

    You can watch all the undercard action from 18:00 GMT before the main card kicks off at 20:00.

    From 20:00, you can also follow live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app.

    From 18:00 on BBC iPlayer:

    • Archie Sharp v Angelo Dragone (light-welterweight)
    • Derrick Osadolor v Ben Vickers (heavyweight)
    • Joel Kodua v Joe Garside (welterweight)
    • Hassan Azim v Sean Murray (middleweight)

    From 20:00 on BBC Two:

    • Gradus Kraus v Boris Crighton (light-heavyweight)
    • Francesca Hennessy v Ellie Bouttell (bantamweight)
  3. 'Boxing has been in my life my entire life'published at 13:30 GMT 29 January

    Hennessy v Bouttell

    Francesca Hennessy sits down with BBC Sport to tell her story.

    She is the daughter of renowned promoter Mick Hennessy and reveals how boxing changed her life.

  4. Hennessy v Bouttell - what's your prediction?published at 13:24 GMT 29 January

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  5. Form guide for Hennessy v Bouttellpublished at 13:22 GMT 29 January

    Ellie Bouttell's past five fights  WIN - TKO, 4th round. WIN - Points, eight rounds. WIN - TKO, 2nd round. WIN - Points, ten rounds WIN - Points, six rounds.
    Francesca Hennessy's past five fights  WIN - Points, 10 rounds WIN - Points, eight rounds. WIN - Points, eight rounds WIN - Points, eight rounds WIN - Points, six rounds. WIN - Points, six rounds.
  6. Who is Ellie Bouttell?published at 13:19 GMT 29 January

    Hennessy v Bouttell

    Media caption,

    Check out Ade Adedoyin's in-depth chat with Ellie Bouttell

    We're sure lots of you are asking who is Francesca Hennessy's opponent Ellie Bouttell?

    Bouttell is British, born Nottinghamshire but is based in Shanghai in China.

    During a difficult period as a teenager, she went to live with her father in China before returning to England to study Chinese at university.

    At university, Bouttell took a boxing class to improve her cardio and her love for the sport was born. She later returned to China and took the decision to turn professional.

    Her contest with Hennessy will be the first time she has fought in the UK since she was an amateur.

    Ellie Bouttell wearing an orange beanie at a news conferenceImage source, Boxxer
  7. Kraus making Boxxer debutpublished at 13:15 GMT 29 January

    Kraus v Crighton

    Gradus Kraus raises his arms in celebrationImage source, Getty Images

    Gradus Kraus signs with Boxxer with a big reputation behind him.

    Light-heavyweight is one of the most talented and stacked divisions in boxing but Kraus is being tipped as a top contender in waiting.

    "This is a fighter we believe has all the ingredients to become a global superstar," Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom said.

    "He has a great team around him and the potential to become a future pound-for-pound star."

    The 24-year-old has nine wins to his name, with eight of those coming via knockout.

    Scotland's Boris Crighton has a big task on his hands not to become another stoppage on Kraus' record, but with 101 rounds under his belt compared to the Dutchman's 18, he should have experience on his side.

    Kraus is now co-main event alongside Crighton after the withdrawal of Adam Azim.

    Graph comparing Gradus Kraus v Boris Crighton in numbers.  Fights - 9 Kraus, 19 Crighton. Wins - 9 Kraus, 13 Crighton. Knockouts - 8 Kraus, 7 Crighton. Rounds boxed - 18 Kraus, 101 Crighton. Knockout % - 89% Krus, 54% Crighton.
  8. Hennessy's last victorypublished at 13:11 GMT 29 January

    Hennessy v Bouttell

    Francesca Hennessy is undefeated in seven fights and is yet to be really tested in her professional career.

    Last time out in November she breezed by Fabiana Bytyqi in ten rounds.

    Check out her performance below!

  9. How an inspiring home video launched a main event fighterpublished at 13:08 GMT 29 January

    Hennessy v Bouttell

    Kal Sajad
    BBC Sport

    Francesca Hennessy grins wearing sunglassesImage source, Boxxer

    From egg-slaps to tables being hurled, boxing rarely struggles for viral moments. Every now and then, though, one cuts through for very different reasons.

    Promoter Mick Hennessy dusted off a camcorder, took his daughter to the running track and filmed her going around at her own pace. Francesca Hennessy, nine years old and a little overweight, kept running.

    "Go on, champ," Mick encouraged as she began her eighth lap.

    The video - viewed more than four million times on Instagram - then fast-forwards more than a decade to a fit, athletic Francesca sprinting on the track and, moments later, slipping and sliding shots as an unbeaten bantamweight contender.

    Boxing royalty such as Laila Ali were moved by the video, as fathers spoke of watching it in tears and young prospects said it gave them belief.

    The impact stretched even further, taking Francesca to the Houses of Parliament, where she was invited by Chris Webb MP to speak about the positive role boxing can play in the lives of young people.

    Standing in the corridors of power, she advocated for boxing as a tool for social change, sharing her own journey from insecure schoolgirl to a role model for the next generation.

    "I just want young boys and girls to know that they can do whatever they want to do. They can succeed no matter where they are in life," she tells BBC Sport.

    "I want them to believe in themselves and kind of get that from my story because I've been that young, insecure girl who didn't believe in herself."

    At just 21, however, Francesca's story is far from finished.

    Read more about Hennessy's story.

  10. Welcome!published at 13:03 GMT 29 January

    Francesca Hennessy faces off with Ellie BouttellImage source, Boxxer

    Hello everyone and welcome back to another big week of boxing.

    Saturday night is packed with action with Francesca Hennessy's bantamweight bout against Ellie Bouttell headlining on BBC Two before Josh Kelly goes for the IBF light-middleweight world title live on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    You will be able to follow all the action on BBC Sport website and app and today we are bringing you Hennessy's news conference.

    Use the 'watch live' icon at the top of this page to follow along.