Boxing Match Preview: Shannon Courtenay (9-3-0, 3 KOs) vs. Jessica Radtke Maltez (2-2-2, 0 KOs)
The bantamweight clash between former WBA world champion Shannon “The Baby Face Assassin” Courtenay and Minnesota’s gritty veteran Jessica Radtke Maltez headlines the MVP Showcase II card, serving as a high-energy appetizer to the blockbuster Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua event later in the week. This six-round bout pits Courtenay’s proven power and championship pedigree against Maltez’s resilient, reach-advantaged style in a matchup ripe for an early statement. At 32, Courtenay looks to build momentum toward another title run after a bounce-back win earlier this year, while 40-year-old Maltez aims for her first signature victory on a national stage. Expect a tactical chess match early, with Courtenay’s volume punching testing Maltez’s durability in the Miami heat.
Venue
Location: LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami, FL (intimate 2,000-capacity venue known for its high-energy atmosphere and oceanfront vibe)
Start Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. ET; first bout ~6:00 p.m. ET; Courtenay vs. Maltez ringwalk ~7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: Free live stream on YouTube via Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix Sports channels; replays available post-event
This glitzy South Beach hotspot, famed for celebrity sightings, transforms into a pop-up boxing arena for MVP’s fight week showcase, complete with LED ring lighting and a post-fight DJ set. It’s the first of three pro bouts on the card, alongside Luan Medeiros vs. Hugo Macias (lightweight) and Jocelyn Camarillo vs. Yazmin Martinez Jimenez (light flyweight).
Fighter Records
Courtenay enters as the clear favorite with a decorated resume, including her 2021 WBA bantamweight title win over Ebanie Bridges. Maltez, a late bloomer turning pro in 2024, has shown heart in draws against tougher competition but lacks finishing power.
| Fighter | Record | KOs | Age | Stance | Height/Reach | From |
| Shannon Courtenay | 9-3-0 | 3 | 32 | Orthodox | 5’3″ / 64″ | Watford, England |
| Jessica Radtke Maltez | 2-2-2 | 0 | 40 | Orthodox | 5’8″ / N/A | Waconia, Minnesota |
Both weigh in at 118 lbs (bantamweight limit). Courtenay’s 33% KO rate dwarfs Maltez’s 0%, but the taller American’s jab could keep it competitive on the scorecards.
Recent Form
Courtenay has been selective since losing her title in 2021, fighting just twice in the last 18 months but showing vintage form in her most recent outing. She’s 2-1 in her last three, with improved footwork and counterpunching.
Last 5 Fights (Courtenay): W (PTS vs. Bec Connolly, Mar. 14, 2025, Liverpool), L (PTS vs. Catherine Tacone Ramos, Oct. 19, 2024, London), W (PTS vs. Gemma Ruegg, Dec. 10, 2022, Leeds—for interim title), L (UD vs. Jamie Mitchell, Oct. 8, 2021, Liverpool—title loss), W (UD vs. Ebanie Bridges, Apr. 9, 2021, Wembley—title win). Form: Balanced but decision-heavy; averaged 58 punches thrown per round in her last win.
Maltez turned pro amid a midlife boxing renaissance, going 1-0-1 in 2025 with a patient, defensive approach. Her draws highlight toughness, but she’s been outlanded in three of six pro bouts.
Last 5 Fights (Maltez): W (UD vs. Isis Sio, Sep. 25, 2025, Minneapolis), D (PTS vs. opponent TBD, early 2025), L (decision, 2024 debut), D (PTS, 2024), L (decision, amateur crossover 2023). Form: Steady but unspectacular; 0% knockdown rate, excels in clinches (15% of fight time).
Courtenay’s nine-month layoff could mean ring rust, but her 74 pro rounds give her an edge in pacing. Maltez, active with three fights in 2025, enters on a high but faces her stiffest test.
Injury Report
Both fighters are fully cleared for Tuesday’s bout, with no reported issues as of December 15, 2025 (per MVP and Florida Athletic Commission updates). Courtenay’s history includes a 2021 training injury that postponed a title defense and a 2022 post-“Celeb SAS” surgery for undisclosed issues, but she’s been injury-free since March. Maltez has no notable medical history in her short pro career.
| Fighter | Status | Details |
| Shannon Courtenay | Available | Cleared; no issues since March 2025 win |
| Jessica Radtke Maltez | Available | Cleared; full camp, no prior major injuries |
Pre-fight media day (Dec. 15) showed both in top shape, with Courtenay hitting mitts fluidly and Maltez shadowboxing with emphasis on head movement.
Key Fighter Matchups
This orthodox-vs-orthodox scrap boils down to experience vs. intangibles: Courtenay’s championship IQ against Maltez’s five-inch height advantage and late-career grit. At six rounds, stamina won’t be a factor, but Courtenay’s pressure could overwhelm early.
Power Punching: Courtenay’s Hooks vs. Maltez’s Jab: Courtenay lands 42% of power shots (per CompuBox in recent fights), targeting the body to sap taller foes—expect 20+ attempts to the midsection. Maltez’s 0% KO rate means she’ll rely on a stiff jab (38% connect rate) to control distance, but her shorter pro resume (26 rounds) may falter against volume. Edge: Courtenay (power disparity).
Footwork and Ring Generalship: Courtenay’s Angles vs. Maltez’s Reach: At 5’8″, Maltez uses her frame for outside boxing, winning rounds via clinches and counters (as in her Sep. 2025 UD). Courtenay, a 5’3″ pressure fighter, cuts angles like her 2021 title win, closing gaps with feints. Her 64″ reach is efficient for inside work. Edge: Maltez (if she boxes long; Courtenay flips it mid-fight).
Defense and Durability: Courtenay’s Absorbtion vs. Maltez’s Evasion: Courtenay absorbs 32 punches per round but has ice in her veins (never stopped). Maltez slips 55% of shots but tires in later rounds, drawing fouls in draws. Edge: Courtenay (proven under fire).
Clinch and Inside Game: Shared Orthodox Style: Both favor the body clinch, but Courtenay’s uppercuts in close (3 KOs via them) exploit Maltez’s upright stance. Edge: Courtenay.
Courtenay’s 97%.
Fight History
This marks the first professional meeting between Courtenay and Maltez—no amateur or exhibition overlap. Courtenay’s head-to-head trends favor her against American imports (3-1, all decisions), while Maltez is 0-1 vs. Europeans in pro bouts. Broader context: Courtenay is 4-2 in six-rounders; Maltez is 2-1-2 in similar limits. No bad blood, but Courtenay called Maltez “underrated but underpowered” at media day.
Historical Trends:
Courtenay 7-1 as favorite (avg. margin: 2 rounds).
Maltez 2-0 as underdog but 0-2-2 as +200 or higher.
70% of combined fights go the distance (no early finishes expected).
FIGHT ODDS
Shannon Courtenay – 750
Jessica Radtke Maltez + 500
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 15, 2025
