SAS Who Dares Wins competitor Jordan Barker Porter is set for a special mission in the environment she knows best – the boxing ring.
The 30-year-old is heading to Italy to challenge for the vacant European Silver lightweight title against unbeaten Italian Pamela Noutchco Sawa on April 5.
Barker Porter goes there off the back of a successful 2023 when she outpointed Vaida Masiokaite live on the BBC before a shut-out decision against Bojan Libiszewska in Liverpool, while she also appeared as a contestant on the hit (and brutral) Channel 4 series SAS: Who Dares Wins.
April’s assignment in Bologna against a hometown opponent is one the new Team JBP is relishing – the fighter is now part of the ever-expanding Twins gym in Trimdon.
New coach Jordan Williams said: “It’s a good fight – if she does the things she needs to do, I can us coming home with the title.”
Talking of all things new, we are likely to see a new Barker Porter at the PalaDozza Arena, or certainly a changed boxer.
There is no doubting that the former Lambton Street ABC star has the skills and the movement, but it would not be unfair to say that she sometimes does not impose herself enough in fights.
It is a situation which is likely to alter following the Newcastle fighter’s switch to Twins.
“Jordan just needs to be a bit more ruthless,” said Williams.
“Boxing-wise, she is pleasing on the eye and capable of some great stuff, but at times she’s not spiteful enough. But that will come.
“I’m enjoying working with her. She’s really coachable, works very hard and I’m looking forward to it.”
This boxing marriage of two Jordans looks an exciting union – the Twins gym is buzzing with Northern Area champ Adam Hepple preparing for an English title eliminator and Kai Richmond building towards a Northern Area fight.
JBP has a 7-2 record, having previously been at the WBA, the Wallsend Boxing Academy under the tutelage of the excellent Nik Gittus.
Her opponent for the European Silver belt has reeled off six straight wins at the start of her career, with one stoppage to her name. Cameroon-born Sawa became Italian lightweight champion last time out when she defeated Nadia Flalhi by a unanimous decision.
Warrington’s Rhiannon Dixon is the current owner of the European lightweight title so, presumably, a silver victory for Barker Porter in Bologna will earn a chance to go for gold.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
