Ashley Brace


Ashley Brace is a Welsh bare-knuckle boxer and former professional boxer. During her professional boxing career she held the European female super-flyweight title, while as an amateur she won a bronze medal in the 57kg category at the [European Amateur Boxing Championships|2008 European Youth Boxing Championships].

Amateur career

Brace started kickboxing at the age of eight after being bullied at school and initially tried boxing to improve her hand speed. Having switched sports, she won a bronze medal, representing Wales, in the 57kg category at the 2008 European Youth Boxing Championships in Yambol, Bulgaria.
Brace defeated Lynsey Holdaway by split decision to win the 51kg division at the 2014 Welsh Elite Boxing Championship. She was subsequently selected for Wales team to compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. However, Brace was dropped from the squad when the International Boxing Association ruled her ineligible as she had previously taken part in professional kickboxing, a claim she denied.

Professional career

Brace turned professional in 2015, defeating Bojana Libiszewska on points over four rounds on her pro-debut in Newport on 30 October that year.
Unbeaten in her first five paid fights, she faced Alexandra Vlajk for the vacant WBC International female bantamweight title in Ebbw Vale on 22 April 2017, winning the contest by stoppage in the ninth round.
Brace fought Melania Sorroche for the vacant European female bantamweight title in Merthyr Tydfil on 15 December 2017. After the full 10 rounds were completed, her opponent was announced as the winner via majority decision. However, whilst Sorroche was celebrating her triumph, a recount of the scorecards took place and a calculation error was discovered leading to the result being changed to a split draw with one judge favouring each boxer and the third ruling the bout a tie.
On 14 April 2018, Brace got a second shot at a European championship, this facing time Xenia Jorneac for the vacant super-flyweight title at Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff. She won by unanimous decision.

Bare knuckle boxing career

In September 2024, BYB Extreme Fighting Series announced it had signed Brace to a multi-fight contract. She made her debut for the promotion at BYB 36: Cardiff Brawl 2 on 1 February 2025, taking on Bianca Daimoni. Brace lost the five-round super-welterweight contest by split decision.
She faced Hatice Özyurt at Bristol Ice Arena in Bristol on 6 September 2025, winning the fight when the ringside doctor decided her opponent was unfit to continue at the end of the third round.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
9Win8–0–1Xenia Jorneac1014 Apr 2018Ice Arena Wales, Cardiff, WalesWon vacant European female super-flyweight title
8Draw7–0–1Melania Sorroche1015 Dec 2017Merthyr Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, WalesFor vacant European female bantamweight title
7Win7–0Nevenka MikulicPTS626 May 2017Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff, Wales
6Win6–0Alexandra VlajkTKO9, 0:5622 Apr 2017Leisure Centre Ebbw Vale, WalesWon vacant WBC International female bantamweight title
5Win5–0Galina Koleva IvanovaPTS68 Oct 2016Rhondda Fach Sports Centre, Tylorstown, Wales
4Win4–0Klaudia Ferenczi5, 1:5923 Jul 2016Merthyr Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
3Win3–0Gabriella Mezei3, 1:2211 Mar 2016Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
2Win2–0Petra CastkovaPTS624 Feb 2016Royal Lancaster Hotel, Bayswater, England
1Win1–0Bojana Libiszewska430 Oct 2015Newport Centre, Newport, Wales

Bare knuckle boxing record