SHANNON RYAN was juggling a career as a boxer and flogging phones at O2 when Anthony Joshua made her his protege.
Boxers don't usually sell sim-only phones deals in the buildup to their first professional fight.
Ryan, a Watford-born actor, has had an extraordinary journey to sign for Joshua's 258 Management Agency and secure a major sponsorship deal from O2.
The love of fighting started at the age of five in Bushey's kickboxing gym.
Ryan won every title in taekwondo, and was selected for the Team GB squad. However, Ryan switched to boxing to make ends met.
She began her career at the Finchley ABC in Barnet, where Joshua's stardom journey began. He took her under his wing from there.
Ryan spoke out ahead of her pro debut Saturday: "The family knows him because we're both from Watford."
"How it all came together was that I started at Finchley ABC, where they must have seen my there.
"I won 2019's Winter Box Cup." It was a natural opportunity that came along because of my talent and skills.
He gives direction and we stay in touch. His best advice was to get to know yourself and to have a vision of boxing and what you want.
More information on HOAR
It's great to work with an athlete and a manager who share the same goal and vision. He is always available to me if I have any questions."
Ryan now works with Joshua Buatsi and Ramla Ali at 258 Management.
She continues to balance training and her part-time job at O2's Watford retail store.
The Watford ace had only quit full-time work in February 2013 and Sandeep, the store manager, helped her secure her first major sponsorship deal.
Super-flyweight Sandeep said, "I look back at when I was full-time and I don’t know how it happened. But the support that I receive from my manager Sandeep is absolutely incredible."
He supports me if I have to make any changes with my shifts.
"I would train in the evening when I was full-time because I couldn't get up at dawn.
"But now, I work three days a week and train once a morning. Then when I'm not at work, I train twice daily."
Ryan will make a switch from the shop floor to the Wembley Arena tonight as part Boxxer and Sky Sports Fight Night. There will be many stars watching her fight.
Ryan will be most proud of her teammates, who will cheer her on and serve as a reminder about where it all started.
She stated that five colleagues from the store were coming to observe, which is fantastic.
"When you have conversations with customers and sell them deals, you can get on to topics about what you do in life.
"When I mention that I am a boxer, they all get out their phones and start to root for me.
"It's amazing to receive so much love from my family, friends and loved ones. I am grateful and extremely blessed."
Gareth Griffiths Director, Partnerships and Sponsorship, Virgin Media O2 added that Shannon's dedication to reaching this point in her career has impressed everyone at O2.
It is an inspiring story of how she supported herself in O2 Watford to pursue her boxing dreams.
