Why Jasmine ‘Jazzy’ Parr could be the ‘hero teenage girls need’ as she faces Shannon O’Connell

It’s taken years of hard work behind the scenes, but as Jasmine “Jazzy” Parr prepares to face another storied opponent, one member of her team believes she can be the role model girls need.

Jasmine Parr punches Nicila Costello during their WIBA Flyweight World Title fight at The Star Gold Coast on December 03, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Getty Images

As if the 30-year age gap wasn’t telling enough, another fact about Jasmine “Jazzy” Parrr’s bantamweight fight against Shannon “Shotgun” O’Connell on Friday night tells the story of the generational divide between them.

O’Connell has been around long enough that she sparred Parr’s mum.

A decorated fighter in her own right, Angie Parr remembers that day way back when.

“Shotgun and her friend passed through and did some rounds with us at the gym,” Angie said. “That was a long time ago – I’ve been retired for 13 years.”

Jasmine Parr lands a punch on Nicila Costello during their WIBA Flyweight World Title fight. Picture: Getty Images

Jazzy and O’Connell will now meet on No Limit’s last fight card of 2024, headlined by Brock Jarvis’ comeback at middleweight against Adrian Rodriguez.

Debutant Callum Peters has a new opponent after George Webb Rose was denied a license to fight, while every fighter made weight on Thursday afternoon.

While Jazzy is most closely linked to her legendary fighting father, Muay Thai veteran John Wayne, she said Angie was the hardest taskmaster.

“Mum’s way harder than my dad,” she said. “Mum is the bad cop, dad’s the good cop.

“She’s the boss, the scary alpha, and you don’t want to get on her bad side.

“But dad’s a bit more understanding and chill. I don’t think people would expect that.”

Jasmine Parr No Limit Fight Night Weigh In at The Star, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

Angie is also Jazzy’s fight manager and she said that while it was time for her daughter to take the next step in her professional career, a fight with the 24-8-1 O’Connell was too soon.

However, there’s just no one else around who wants to fight the rising star.

“I don’t want to be one of those people who’s afraid to keep my child or my boxer from getting fights that I don’t like,” she said.

“There are so many people who said ‘no’ or they needed more time.

“But Shannon kept popping her hand up. We just thought, ‘Let’s do it’. She needs to fight, she gets itchy knuckles.”

A 13-year professional, O’Connell said the Parrs were moving Jazzy too quickly.

“I have been boxing for longer than Jazzy Parr has been alive,” she said.

“I’ve heard this passing of the crown but I’m like, ‘Nah, sorry, earn your stripes’.

“I’m here to win and I was promised a world title at the end of this fight. That’s what I’m here for.”

In her third fight on No Limit in 2024, Parr could be manoeuvred into a world title bout as soon as next year as well.

Jasmine Parr celebrates winning the WIBA Flyweight World Title. Picture: Getty Images

Despite her rapid rise, there have been years of hard work behind the scenes.

“Teenage girls need to find a hero and that could be Jazzy,” Angie said. “She’s been so focused on boxing that she’s stayed away from the party life.

“I know so many kids with potential and they’re wasting every weekend drinking and smoking.

“My little girl is risking her life just to be a better person. That’s what Jazzy is all about these days.”

Many fighting fathers actively steer their daughters away from the ring or the cage.

Not John Wayne.

Jasmine Parr is the daughter of Australian kickboxer and boxer world champion John Wayne Parr. Picture: Glenn Hampson

An under-appreciated figure in Aussie combat sports, “The Gunslinger” has seen it all in a glittering 30-plus year fighting career.

He beams with pride talking about his daughter.

“A lot of people say it must be so intimidating watching your daughter fight but because I watch her train so hard – she’s here every day, I never have to ask her to go to training or anything – I don’t feel nervous whatsoever,” he said.

“I know that she’s fully focused on this. She wants to win for herself, not for me or anyone else.

“I wanted her to walk in my footsteps. She has the opportunity to see the world for free – or be paid for it – and to be a superstar for doing something she loves doing, and that’s priceless.”

Originally published as Why Jasmine ‘Jazzy’ Parr could be the ‘hero teenage girls need’ as she faces Shannon O’Connell