"I WILL bounce back stronger."
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That was the promise from Bathurst boxer Kylie Fulmer after suffering the first loss of her professional career on Wednesday night.
Off a limited three-week preparation Fulmer tried hard to match the more experienced Shannon O'Connell, a former WBO champion, as they fought at Townsville Stadium on the Tim Tszyu versus Jeff Horn card.
Fulmer had not fought since April 2019 and was the underdog, but she was still hopeful of being able to add to her record of seven wins from as many bouts to claim the vacant Australian Female Super Bantam Title.
"My boxing team and coaches are in Las Vegas ... I had to assemble a team and work as hard as I could to get ready to fight," she said.
However, after copping a left hook from O'Connell and being driven to the ropes 29 seconds into the seventh round, the fight was stopped.
O'Connell was declared the victor via technical knockout, taking her record to 19-6-1. She enjoyed the success and the Australian belt which came with it, but she also had praise for Fulmer.
"You're a tough girl and stepping up and testing yourself like you did [Wednesday] night is part of the journey. Keep killing it," O'Connell posted on Facebook.
Fulmer, who has long looked up to O'Connell, said it was "an honour to share the ring" with her.
While she would have liked the fight to been allowed to continue for the full eight rounds of two minutes, Fulmer tried to look at the positives of taking part in a fight which was broadcast across the globe.
"I am not disappointed with the result of our fight because when opportunity presents itself, no matter how disadvantageous, it is better to grab it rather than refuse to take your chance at glory," she said.
"Things did not go my way but I had fight left in me and would have liked the opportunity to go the distance. I will bounce back stronger and more determined than ever before."
