Che Kenneally, a documentary filmmaker and professional female boxer who now holds the WBA light-heavyweight champion. As she gets ready to defend her title, she’s hit with a major financial burden. Ever since achieving that victory lap on stage in June 2024, Kenneally has worked tirelessly. She navigates her new superhero life like a boss single-mum-stevedore, full-time on the Port of Brisbane docks. She is now taking on that difficult task of raising over $25,000. This money is important to pay the sanctioning fees necessary to be allowed to enter the ring for her next title fight.
Kenneally’s ordeal illustrates the plight that many women athletes face when they turn professional. As a professional boxer, she has no access to government grants. This money is typically not open to professional athletes. Instead, Kenneally has to depend on grassroots community fundraising campaigns and sponsorships, in addition to personal loans, to fund her boxing dreams.
The fiscal weight is only compounded as Kenneally juggles her training schedule with her full-time work and responsibilities as a parent. She is determined to fit in at least two proper training sessions each day. Concurrently, she’s making a very real play for the money necessary to defend her title. If she isn’t able to gather the necessary submission fees by the mid-July cut-off date, Kenneally risks losing her crown. She will not receive an opportunity to defend it.
A Balancing Act
Kenneally’s new life as an athlete and mother is admittedly a tough juggling act. Despite her commitment to the sport, she makes raising her two-year-old daughter, Havana, a priority. Her experiences and challenges grow ten-fold by the grueling nature of work environment at the port.
“I still have to fit in two training sessions per day and try to find the funds to fight,” – Che Kenneally
Despite these obstacles, Kenneally remains resolute. She admits that she’s put this level of pressure on herself by choosing to pursue both motherhood and a professional athletic career.
“Being an athlete is hard … but I’ve chosen to be an athlete and I’ve chosen to have a baby, so I’ve put the pressure on myself,” – Che Kenneally
Kenneally’s determination is commendable, as she strives to excel in a sport that continues to face challenges in achieving legitimacy and support compared to male counterparts.
Community Support and Advocacy
As a result of her unexpected financial distress, Kenneally has relied on grassroots arts fundraising campaigns. This strategy proactively works to assure she’s got the money she needs to defend her title. It furthermore advocates for empowering the advocacy for female athletes, pointing out the barriers women athletes have endured.
Dr. Erin Nichols, a national sports expert, said Kenneally’s readiness to go out and fundraise publicly is meaningful.
“Her willingness to fundraise publicly to maintain her title defence and speak openly about the barriers she faces makes it not just a personal triumph, it’s a form of advocacy.” – Dr. Erin Nichols
The larger repercussions of Kenneally’s tale are being felt even further—impacting all sports, and even individuals who aren’t athletes. Dr. Nichols points out that women’s boxing is still striving for recognition among promoters and broadcasters despite growing fan interest.
“Women’s boxing is still building legitimacy, unfortunately, in the eyes of promoters and broadcasters, despite the evidence of growing fan interest,” – Dr. Erin Nichols
According to colleague sports analyst Geoff Dickson, in general female athletes have a more difficult road than their males.
“The pathway to the top for elite female athletes is slightly narrower, steeper, and fundamentally more treacherous than it is for male athletes,” – Geoff Dickson
The Broader Landscape of Female Athletics
Kenneally’s journey reflects a troubling problem that female athletics face today. Behind every successful women athlete lies financial instability, as their struggles continue to be drowned out by a male-dominated sports narrative. The gap in funding and resources makes it an uphill battle for young women looking to become boxers.
“You’re either at one end of the spectrum where you’re killing it as an athlete … or you’re on the other end, living pay cheque to pay cheque,” – Dr. Nichols
Though these challenges could deter other athletes, Kenneally’s dedication to her sport will not falter. She continues to work hard in hopes of defending her title and achieving greater recognition for herself and female athletes as a whole.
