Mary Spencer vs. Femke Hermans set for December 16

The goal was clear for Olympian and three-time amateur world champion Mary Spencer when she made the leap to the pros and joined the ranks of Eye of the Tiger: move up the world rankings quickly in order to secure a short-term world title fight.

In her eighth fight as a pro, the super welterweight returns on December 16 at Center Gervais Auto as she takes on #12 contender, Belgian Femke Hermans.

"I am very excited to be able to fight for my first world title, and the idea of sharing it with EOTTM, my trainer Ian and all my teammates at DonnyBrook makes me even happier," underlines Spencer.

"I know that if I get this opportunity, it's first and foremost because of my first position in the IBO, but this position, I owe it to my team who kept me active all the time, all year in fights against highly ranked opponents. I'm more motivated than ever and I can't wait to put on an unforgettable show for spectators in Shawinigan.

Following her victory by unanimous decision at the expense of champion Hannah Rankin in Nottingham on September 24, Briton Terri Harper won the IBO super welterweight belt, a title she then decided to vacate.

The International Boxing Organization has thus agreed to sanction the duel between Spencer (7-0, 5 KOs) and Hermans (13-4, 5 KOs) for the newly vacant 154 lb world title.

"It's no coincidence that Mary has had such a meteoric rise in the world rankings. His performances have all been more spectacular and expeditious than each other, thus giving us all the ammunition to negotiate with the sanctioning organizations. Her legitimacy to the title is unequivocal and we are very happy to be able to contribute to her career and her influence on the international scene. There is no doubt for us that Mary will accomplish great things, and September 16th is only the beginning of this new chapter in her career," mentions the president of EOTTM, Camille Estephan.