Shannon Courtenay has been stripped of her WBA Bantamweight World Title this evening after failing to make weight ahead of her defence against Jamie Mitchell tomorrow.

The Watford boxer came in 2 1/2 lbs over the required limit and was given two hours to make the necessary reduction.

However, she was unable to do so and as a result has had her belt taken away from her.

While her fight with Mitchell will still go ahead tomorrow, only the American is able to claim the title.

In a statement on her Instagram, the 'Baby Face Assassin' said she was "devastated" and explained that the weight issue was due to her beginning her menstrual cycle yesterday. She added that it had not been a problem throughout her training camp.

"Thank you to everyone that’s been messaging to check on me & send me love ," she wrote.

"We had no weight issues during camp & all week I’ve been in a really good place & ready. We was on weight & ready to go yesterday & then last night unexpectedly my menstrual cycle started which for obvious reasons makes woman gain weight.

"To say I’m devastated is understatement because this has never happened before I’m always professional but this was physically out of my control. It’s happened & I can’t change it but what I can do is go out there tomorrow night get the win & get my belt back straight after & that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

"Im switching off now I have a fight to get ready for."