JANUARY 7 WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET BRITISH 2021 THE 2021 & WORLD RATINGS YEAR THAT 50 MOST POWERFUL Ranking themostinfluentialfiguresinboxingtoday

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FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 12 Which boxing star shone the brightest in 2020?

REVIEW OF THE YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

>> 14 FIGHT OF THE YEAR 14 >> 5 JOHN SCULLY There were some captivating contests Sorting out the sanctioning bodies and thrilling tussles to choose from >> 8 STEVE BUNCE >> 16 WOMEN’S BOXING Time to dust off the old crystal ball Selecting the best fighters and fights >> 10 BOXING MEDIA >> 18 OF THE YEAR Reviewing the previous 12 months Who scored the most sensational KO? >> 26 THE POWER LIST >> 20 EVENT OF THE YEAR The 50 most influential figures in boxing Standout shows and blockbuster bills >> 34 WORLD RATINGS >> 22 PROSPECT OF THE YEAR Ranking the top boxers on the planet Knocking on the door of the big time >> 36 BRITISH RATINGS SAVE £££ WITH A SUBSCRIPTION Every active fighter in Britain ranked >> 40 ROBERT McCRACKEN For more details visit The impact of COVID on WWW.BOXINGNEWSONLINE.NET/SUBSCRIPTIONS >> 44 HISTORIC VENUES The longest-established UK fight halls

>> 46 VLADIMIR SHISHKIN The super-middle contender speaks

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 3 EDITOR’S LETTER

Photo: AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

AMAZING: Time to Randall stuns the subscribe great Chavez l THERE are numerous ways to subscribe, including special offers.

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l FOR more information on all the subscriptions DON’T FORGET FRANKIE plus our special bookazines, The plight of Randall is all too common in the land of the ex-boxer please visit www.shop. kelsey.co.uk LL around us are a tight split decision. It should have been Chavez, Juan Martin Coggi. He will be or call 01959- boxers who used clear and unanimous. recognised for those accomplishments. 543-747. to be somebody. In the rematch, promoted by Don King, Everybody loved Frankie. Too often they’re Randall lost the WBC super- “We had fond memories in training l THE next A pushed to the side title in exceptionally controversial camp. He was a mechanic and liked to issue will be because their broken circumstances. The fight was stopped in work on cars. He loved to work with his in shops on bodies do not suit the eighth round and went to the cards hands. His favorite saying was, ‘I love my January 14 and the narrative we’re due to a cut over the Mexican’s right eye. job! I train because I love to do it.’ Even available to trying to promote. Under absurd WBC rules, Randall lost a when he was in training camp for some of download on We must not forget point despite the head-clash that caused his biggest fights he still wanted to work January 12. them. the wound being confirmed as accidental. and just be around people. It’s just what he Frankie Randall, The deduction resulted in Chavez, one of did, and he loved it.” The the former world King’s cash cows, winning a technical split Randall, like so many, was addicted to Opening Matt champion who died decision. Randall would bounce back to fighting. In the end, as he passed away in Bell... Christie at the age of just twice win the WBA championship. But care home, there was not an ounce of fight 59 two days before several drugs like cocaine and theophylline left in him. Brain damaged and ravaged by l The Boxing @MattCBoxingNews Christmas, was were found in his system after he beat Juan Parkinson’s, the fog thickened until there News podcast, Editor among the sport’s Martin Coggi for the second time in three was no way out. available every final casualties of bouts. But Randall, with his adoring family Wednesday 2020. The man who shocked the world Randall’s relationship with drugs close by, was one of the lucky ones. Too night, is when he became the first to beat the great blighted his career. He was released from many end up alone and forgotten. As attracting Julio Cesar Chavez in 1994 was getting prison in 1990 after serving 17 months we enter a new year, we must of course thousands of beaten up time and again by the turn of on drug charges. Chavez himself would focus on the future. Rebuilding the sport listeners. the century. Antonio Margarito stopped tumble into addiction as his own career after arguably the most difficult year in its l Every week him in the year 2000 before fighters like dwindled. They would fight one last time. history remains a huge task. we tackle Peter Manfredo and Marco Antonio In 2004, two deteriorating old men But think, too, of those fighters of the the biggest Rubio used the old man’s name to pad with marketable names creaked their way past who still need our help and who gave subjects, ask their records and his body to sharpen through 10 slow motion rounds in Mexico so much. Look at the long, long list of the difficult their weapons. By the time he retired in City. Chavez, the less damaged of the two, fallen heroes in this week’s issue (pages 25 questions, 2005, aged 44, his record read 58-18-1 won the decision. Randall should not have to 27) and raise a glass to them all. preview and (42). Thirteen of those losses occurred been anywhere near a ring by then. Old review, while after 1999, with 10 of them coming inside and eroded boxers often need saving from l THIS week’s issue went to press on looking back schedule. themselves. But the Morristown, Tennessee December 24. For those who do not through boxing At his peak, “The Surgeon” was a resident loved to fight. have access to our website, we will catch history. sublime and tenacious technician. Chavez “One thing we can remember is the up on the fights and news that occurred was slowly slipping from his peak when great times,” his trainer Aaron Snowell told between then and now in the January 14 l Listen (& rate Randall went to work on him. The 89-0-1 BoxingScene’s Jake Donovan. issue. Happy New Year, one and all. & subscribe) via Mexican was dropped in the 11th, the first “He was in a lot of great fights and won Apple, Spotify Follow us and keep up to date time he’d been put down in his career, a lot of great fights. Edwin Rosario [whom and all major before Frankie – a 15/1 underdog – won Randall split two bouts with], Julio Cesar @BoxingNewsED BoxingNewsOnline

4 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net GUEST COLUMN

FIVE STEPS TO A BETTER SPORT Photo: CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES

Each of the steps lead to one thing: Sorting out the sanctioning bodies

OR this column that needs to happen is that the four declare, “Oh boy! I’ve dreamed of outlined, my fourth wish is to ban the my instructions major bodies, the WBC, IBF, WBA and being the interim champion ever introduction of any more sanctioning were quite WBO, would have to actually follow since I was a kid!” bodies. There’s no room, irrespective simple: If you their own rules and guidelines to the Furthermore, I’ve been in the of their intentions. Again, the room F were granted letter, regardless of what high-profile boxing game for almost 40 years and for further confusion is zero. five wishes to promoter or boxer is trying to bend I literally could not tell someone – Five: This one is also directed make the sport them. Better still, they all follow the even if my life depended on it – what at the governing bodies and a better place same rules on everything, from drug these titles are and what they mean, athletic commissions: We have to what would cheats to making the right fights. so I’m quite sure most fans don’t stop sanctioning fights like Floyd they be and A sanctioning body can’t be a part- know either. Mayweather vs Conor McGregor. why? time boss who sometimes looks the Three: In a similar vein, get rid of At least when Pete Rademacher In truth, other way. There should be no grey Intercontinental, International, Youth challenged for the you’d need that areas, only black and white. Same and USNBC titles. All too often some world title back in his many wishes rules for anyone and everyone in kid will win a youth title by defeating 1957 debut he was coming off a gold John to sort out the the sport, from the lowest earning an opponent several years older than medal winning performance at the Scully sanctioning mini- champion to the the cut off age of 23. the previous year. Former world bodies. In many undefeated heavyweight champion of Intercontinental and International Although not an experienced title challenger ways they hold the world. belts sound the same and, if you professional, he was a very capable all the keys to Two: My second wish is that all break it down, they mean being boxer who had at least proven to a better sport so my five steps to a spurious ‘world titles’ are abolished champion across several continents be the best amateur in the world. better sport are all entwined to one immediately. That means no more or countries. Isn’t that the world? We Admittedly, it was far from ideal but overriding aim: A serious overhaul of regular, super, silver, interim, gold, have too many of those titles already. Mayweather vs McGregor and the the sanctioning bodies. franchise nonsense. There is not a People win a USNBC like are significantly worse. One: The sanctioning bodies have young boxer anywhere on the face of championship, which I am If there was ever an instance in generally lost control of the sport. this planet who lays awake at night understanding is some sort of the entire history of boxing that The stronger promoters and most dreaming of becoming a champion “national title” here in America, yet clearly, positively, and embarrassingly influential fighters have been running under any of those guises. virtually none of the guys who win illustrated that money has the power rampant for years, getting around At no point over the next 200 years this belt then defend it in their weight to literally make rules and integrity rules and sanctions and traditions will any boxer go on live television class. disappear it was the abhorrent on a frequent basis. The first thing to tell the world after a title win and Four: Given all the confusion I’ve Mayweather-McGregor circus.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 5 ON TWITTER ON FACEBOOK LETTERS @BoxingNewsED www.facebook.com/boxingnewsonline

LETTER OF THE WEEK RESPECT OVER MONEY

WHEN we all look back on our rightly held. They ducked no one and He put it quite frankly, unlike a lot of the respective careers, we won’t be whether they won or lost they are rightly other media. Worsell is just one of the counting how much cash we loved by us boxing fans. great writers that feature in Boxing News. have earned, but will want to look back Spence, for example, saying that he Personally, I thought that Tyson and and say to ourselves (we hope) that doesn’t need Crawford as much as he Jones didn’t disgrace themselves, although I was a bloody good estate agent, a great needs him will not be looked upon kindly there were clear signs that these guys policeman etc. in years to come if the fight doesn’t aren’t the same as they used to be – I’m pretty sure that 99 per cent of happen, as people will say, ‘Yeah, you as was to be expected. boxers will want to look back on their were good, but you never fought him.’ There are now also rumours of Tyson own careers and, importantly, will want Every time I think of , all carrying on and perhaps fighting Evander the public to look back and say that they I think about is that he ducked Lewis and Holyfield. That would no doubt be hyped fought the best of their era. That’s why threw his belt in the bin. up as a whole ‘Tyson-Holyfield III’ event. vs Errol Spence Jnr and Generally, a lot of boxers have huge Either that or Holyfield might fight Glenn vs simply egos, and they will not want a blot on McCrory and Tyson might fight Shannon have to happen. their copybook because they didn’t fight Briggs. Fighters who cherry-pick their the ‘other’ best fighter in their division. This all makes me come back to the opponents to gain an easy belt will not David Gibbs same question: Why? You guys have had receive the same kudos as fighters who your careers – incredibly successful ones, fight them all. You’ve only got to look TIME TO SIT BACK may I add – and now it’s time to sit back at the esteem in which fighters like Julio I JUST wanted to say that I really enjoyed and watch the younger generation. Please ENOUGH: Cesar Chavez, , Lennox Elliot Worsell’s article on the aftermath of stop this before someone gets seriously We should not Lewis, , Marvin Hagler, the -Roy Jones Jnr ‘exhibition’. hurt. encourage Calum Smith 50-somethings to Roberto Duran and are I agreed with everything Worsell wrote. get in the ring Photo: JOE SCARNICI/GETTY IMAGES/TRILLER

6 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net ON INSTAGRAM EMAIL POST boxingnewsonline [email protected] Boxing News Letters, Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL

10 COUNT

THE PANEL NEW YEAR WISHES WHAT WAS YOUR PERSONAL Picking out 10 dream fights for 2021 1. TYSON FURY vs ANTHONY JOSHUA BOXING HIGHLIGHT OF 2021? An all-British showdown for the ages. Fury and Joshua sharing a ring, preferably at a packed-to-the-rafters , would be a suitably fitting way to crown an undisputed heavyweight king.

2. TERENCE CRAWFORD vs ERROL SPENCE JNR Two of the most talented fighters on the planet, awesome Americans Crawford and Spence between them hold three-quarters of the crown. Predicting the winner would be devilishly difficult.

Mike Tris Robert Matt 3. CANELO ALVAREZ vs Costello Dixon Smith Christie The pound-for-pound supremo and a Mexican icon, Award-winning Journalist, author General Boxing News Canelo recently defeated Britain’s in impressive fashion. A super- unification commentator & podcaster Secretary, editor bout with Smith’s countryman Saunders would be The Tyson Fury- It’s always great BBB of C The moment Tyson fascinating. when new blood Simply getting Fury came to the fight week in Las emerges but the sport up and ring on a throne 4. vs Vegas showed the arrival of running again singing along to Regarded as a potential P4P leader of the future, that, with the Teofimo Lopez when for a while Crazy by Patsy former champ Stevenson is now looking right characters was a real shot in it looked like we Cline ahead of his to make his mark at super-featherweight, where his involved, the the arm for fight wouldn’t. In the rematch fellow American, the explosive Davis, is currently the heavyweight fans after what end, the sport with Deontay main man. division is still a was beginning achieved so much Wilder, you just big deal in the to look like an in 2020. I’d like to knew he was about 5. vs JOSE RAMIREZ USA. And Fury increasingly bleak thank all of our to do something With two belts each to their name at super-lightweight, delivered on his year. inspectors and special. Nearly 10 Scottish star Taylor and US livewire Ramirez must face pre-fight promise, officials for their months later, Sweet off for the undisputed title. Having just one recognised just like Teofimo patience, and Caroline being champion in a division would be a welcome rarity. Lopez later in year. thank my head sung by 1,000 6. vs DMITRY BIVOL Performances office staff from fans ahead of which would hold the bottom of my Joshua-Pulev was Cold, calm and calculated, Beterbiev and Bivol are up in any era. heart. special for different seemingly on a collision course, with the fearsome Russian light- holding three of the four reasons. titles in their weight category. IF YOU HAD ONE WISH FOR THE 7. TEOFIMO LOPEZ vs Last year, Lopez scored a sensational victory over SPORT IN 2021 WHAT WOULD IT BE? Vasiliy Lomachenko to earn undisputed status at lightweight. A fight against Haney, a fellow precocious American, would light up the sport. Mike Tris Robert Matt Costello Dixon Smith Christie 8. vs The return of For there to The last year has It has to be that After conquering the class, masterful crowds. When be one world shown everyone Fury-Joshua is Ukrainian Usyk wants to do the same at heavyweight. 1,000 fans sang heavyweight in the sport can made and ideally But would his wizardry be enough to overcome the Sweet Caroline champion but work together. in the UK. But unrelenting British “Juggernaut” that is Joyce? at Joshua-Pulev it there to be more There have of the top of the seemed to have than one world course been sport will look 9. vs JERMALL CHARLO a deeper impact heavyweight rivalries, and we after itself. It’s Still one of the most popular and exciting boxers than usual. Dillian championship need those. But imperative that around, Kazakh veteran Golovkin rules the roost at Whyte was with fight by the end of the sport must the many clubs middleweight, with Canelo currently operating at us on BBC 5Live the year. Oh, and continue to unite at grassroots super-middle. Could the USA’s Charlo, a fine athletic specimen, unseat him from the throne? and he said it as long as we’re and keep this level, the small signalled a return asking, a global going. My one hall fighters and 10. vs ROMAN GONZALEZ II to normality. commission to wish would be promoters and, This is one dream contest that looks like it will become Whatever the oversee and to get small hall of course, the reality this year. Mexico’s Estrada and Nicaraguan fight, the drama adjudicate promotions up wonderful EBAs Gonzalez are pencilled in to renew hostilities in a clash is heightened the sport’s and running again. up and down the of super-flyweight standouts in March. immeasurably by shenanigans. country, are not a crowd. forgotten.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 7 THE BUNCE DIARIES

Photo: GETTY IMAGES VISIONS FOR 2021

I’ve got my HERE was once a truly sad run crystal ball at of clairvoyant the ready to shop fronts on T the Atlantic City look ahead to boardwalk, each with dirty windows, what is already bad lights and a a fascinating woman hovering by the door offering to year tell you your future. In the days Steve before Lennox Bunce Lewis and Andrew Golota fought @BigDaddyBunce in 1997, I paid a Voice of boxing Russian woman 10 dollars in one of those fortune-telling palaces for the result of the fight. “Lets me see, honey,“ she told me from her seat behind a curtain, as her hands hovered with heat over her very own crystal ball. “I see a big nights for the Polish mans. He is winners.” Thanks for that, her prediction lasted longer than the 95-second fight. Poor Golota looked so shocked that night that I did wonder if he went to see the same woman. It was a look that never left Golota’s face after that fight. Anyway, I have 10 bucks to waste on a bit of gazing. And not all of it will be fun and in many ways that is the very essence of our business – not all of it will be fun, I like that. In the middle of the fairy tales, nightmares, lies, double-crosses, failings, blood and guts there will be great fights. Not much of a prediction, I know, but let me explain my thinking and in no particular order. We will see tested, we will watch Joe Joyce start as an underdog again, we will see the British super- write some new jobs, the British women will have a hard become a regular sight in our sacred history, if the Olympics collapse then year fighting each other early in their British rings. It is not a good look, trust the invasion of the 30 or more GB careers and plenty will lose, but bounce me. boxers will bloat our business. And the back better; the move is a side-effect will get his chance, invasion will give us real champions of both Covid restrictions on importing is not finished, from early 2023 – the squads are hopeless victims and the lack of depth. will have to take another hard fight, exceptional. It is, I admit, not fair, but it will help the more fighters will leave their trainers, More unbeaten prospects will get women’s sport. Women crawling away loyalty will diminish and a massive exposed by men with real jobs and just on their hands and knees after copping defection will rock the sport. There will enough ambition to overcome the hype for a single right hand must never be talk of disloyalty, of a fighter being

8 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net BOMBS AWAY: Lewis makes quick work of Golota and a mockery of certain predictions

My crystal ball is glowing red hot right now, but I have more. We will wait for Callum Smith to mend before his inevitable move up, for to get a doctor’s clearance to fight again and for to get his hunger back and agree, with his head slightly bowed, to a rematch with . Is Lyndon Arthur the most Seventies fighter we have at the moment? I think he is, look at his movement, his style – he looks like a contender from 1978. I’m not sure all of those things will happen. Felix Cash against Denzel Bentley would be nice for two titles. I still want against for the British title. I know that Nigel believes Conor has gone beyond the British, but I disagree. I like the fringe welters, really like the fighters. And don’t even get me started on the super- – that’s a tournament and not just a promotional collaboration. So, back to Atlantic City and the morning after Lewis beat Golota I was having breakfast with ringside photographer Mick Brennan (Mick’s new book of boxing photographs, They Must Fall, is quite brilliant). The waitress shuffled over. She looked familiar; she was my personal mystic. I told Brennan and he shook his head. “You paid her 10 bucks?” She arrived and asked what we wanted? And with perfect timing Brennan said: “You tell me, you’re the clairvoyant!” It was not the best breakfast. The memory of that Atlantic City fortune teller reminds me of the great Romark’s role in the fall of Richard Dunn against Muhammad Ali in 1976. Brennan has a beautiful picture of Dunn outside the boxer’s hotel in Scarborough in the book. Big Richard needed a bit of help to beat Ali and Romark, a man adored at the time by the tabloids in Britain, was sent to with his wizardry. Romark had dubious magic powers and put a spell on Ali and anointed Dunn’s fists. “I have seen Richard’s victory,” he told the press before the fight. When it was over, a distraught Romark went to ungrateful, but somewhere, somehow the experienced ones, remain convinced comfort Dunn. the voice of Mickey Duff will settle the they can train themselves. That is tricky “Richard, I let you down,” Romark argument: “If you want loyalty, get a and not true. There will be some conflict said. “I made your fists turn into iron – dog.” That axiom lives in any year. in the growing debate about just what but I forgot about your chin.” Dunn had And there will be more strength and qualifies a man or woman to be able been down five times. They were the conditioning coaches elevated from to take control of a training camp and last knockdowns of Ali’s career and the delivering date shakes and timing the the corner on the night of a big fight. last time Romark helped a boxer. interval sprints, to taking control of It seems that money is a factor, which I never got an apology from my seasoned boxers in important fights. It even by our crazy standards seems both egg-serving fortune-teller and I made is accepted now and fighters, especially dumb and dangerous. Brennan leave a big tip.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 9 BOXING MEDIA REVIEW Examining the best and worst of the sport’s weekly coverage

George Gigney’s review of the boxing EVER-CHANGING media in 2020

impressive schedules despite the had no live sport to show and reports BROADCASTS circumstances, with fights like Gervonta emerged that they were on the hunt for Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz and Jermall funding to keep themselves afloat, while TWENTY-TWENTY hasn’t been much Charlo vs Sergey Derevyanchenko also notifying organisations they held fun, but it has been revealing. We began standing out. rights to that they would be paying less. the year strong, with Tyson Fury and It was also a tumultuous year for Things looked bleak. Deontay Wilder squaring off for a second DAZN. At the beginning of the year the Those problems began to worsen time in February and Fury turning in a streaming service released impressive when it emerged Canelo Alvarez, career-best performance. It earned solid figures for 2019, reaching tens of millions boxing’s brightest star, was seeking to pay-per-view numbers in the US and of viewers. Early in 2020, they announced end his record-breaking contract with saw BT Sport move into the PPV sphere plans to launch globally – including in the streaming service. An ugly court in the UK as a legitimate operator and the UK. Then the pandemic hit. DAZN battle seemed inevitable, and while this competitor to . Photo: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK Of course, a month later, everything changed. Lockdowns were announced worldwide in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and boxing, along with all other sports, was put on hold. Major fight cards were scrapped or postponed, including Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce, Canelo Alvarez’ next fight, vs Teofimo Lopez and a third Fury-Wilder fight. At the time, no one knew how things would pan out. Then, in late April, an otherwise nondescript show in Nicaragua was held with relevant safety measures in place. The UFC had made plans to stage fight cards on ‘Fight Island.’ Suddenly, there was hope. What followed in boxing, as in other sports, was a display of perseverance, adaptability and courage. Top Rank led the charge, holding a couple of events in June in the US, airing on ESPN. followed suit in the UK with a lengthy series of weekly cards on BT Sport, while ’s Matchroom also kicked off their outdoors ‘Fight Camp’ series of shows on Sky Sports. There were, of course, teething problems - no crowds meant a diminished atmosphere and broadcasters piped in canned audience noise, which was just weird and quickly scrapped. Gaps in between fights were longer to allow for the ring to be properly cleaned. There were, by virtue of government rules, less fights on each card. Yet still, boxing was back, and we were treated to some excellent fights. Boxing had shown an uncharacteristic ability to roll with the punches and adapt to . However, there have obviously been casualties over the past year. Smaller promoters have struggled, and still are. While some have found success streaming on YouTube, countless others have not been able to stage shows without crowds. In the US, Showtime and FOX unveiled

10 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net WORLD

would have been equally damaging for Ultimately, boxing can be proud the flame-haired Mexican, DAZN were of how it responded to a hellish year. PODCASTS clearly not shaking up the game the way Broadcasters, promoters, fighters, they had intended. Before the year was managers, trainers and more all worked Naturally, most boxing podcasts out, however, the dispute was settled as hard as they could to keep the predominantly focus on weekly news and outside of court and Canelo ended up sport alive and kicking under torrid action, meaning for significant chunks of fighting on DAZN in December, when the circumstances. The work, of course, 2020 they’ve had to switch things up. The service finally rolled out globally. continues but there is now a clear Five Live with Costello and Bunce pod did WHAT A As we move into 2021 they seem blueprint on how to operate with these this particularly well, with their ‘Greatest PERFORMANCE: to be on sturdier footing, but in these restrictions in place. Fights’ series looking back on historic Lopez outboxes and outsmarts unpredictable times there’s no telling clashes with prominent names on the Lomachenko how long that ground will hold. show like Sugar Ray Leonard, , Evander Holyfield and . When it comes to looking back on past fights, Costello and Bunce are two of the best around and the content they’ve produced this year has been excellent. Similarly, Tris Dixon’s Boxing Life Stories has also been a potent tonic to everything that’s going on around us. Lengthy interviews with prominent - and some lesser known - names in boxing, looking back on their careers and experiences, makes for gripping listening. Standout episodes are those with Duke McKenzie, Mikkel Kessler and Nicky Piper. There’s obviously been plenty of action to respond to as well, and pods like The Fight Disciples and Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell have been entertaining to follow - both include plenty of personality and humour. And, of course, there was a welcome return for The Opening Bell – the Boxing News podcast. YOUTUBE

What has been noticeable this year is how some prominent fighters - such as Oleksandr Usyk, Vasyl Lomachenko and Anthony Joshua - are pivoting to their own YouTube channels to release interviews. Sitting down with a member of their team, or sometimes just to camera, they’re controlling their own narrative and speaking on what they want to speak on. It’s by no means a sea change in how content is created, but it’s worth keeping an eye on, especially if more fighters follow suit. Channels like IFL, Boxing Social and Seconds Out have continued to produce mountains of interviews, many of which have had to take place over video calls this year. Plenty of these exclusives have broken important news, and YouTube continues to be one of the key avenues of boxing figures getting the word out.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 11 REVIEW YEAR 2020

14 FIGHT OF THE YEAR 16 FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 18-23 KO, UPSET, EVENT, PROSPECT AND COMEBACK

Despite 2020 being a truncated year, these boxers certainly made their mark

ALEXANDER PETCHMANEE JERMELL POVETKIN CP FRESHMART CHARLO 10 Like the majority on this list, 9 Petchmanee scored three wins 8 Jermell needed a big showing the Russian only had one fight before upsetting the long- against live underdog Jeison in 2020 but what an impact he, and that left unbeaten Wanheng Meenayothin for the WBC Rosario and he got it, winning in eight rounds of his, made on . strawweight title via 12-round decision. to unify the WBC, WBA and IBF 154lb titles.

1. TYSON FURY 2. JOE JOYCE 3. LYNDON ARTHUR 4. MAXI HUGHES 5. JAZZA DICKENS 6. ANTHONY JOSHUA 7. 8. BRAD FOSTER ERROL MAIRIS 9. TED CHEESEMAN SPENCE JNR BRIEDIS 10. CONOR BENN 7 A triumphant return to dominate 6 Defeated Yuniel Dorticos to Danny Garcia over 12 rounds. prove he was the best at crusier.

12 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net 0

GERVONTA DAVIS ROMAN GONZALEZ CANELO ALVAREZ 5 Goodness gracious, what a finish 4 A return to form in 2020 for one 3 For so long it looked like the to his excellent matchup with Leo of the best fighters of the century. sport’s premier fighter would not Santa Cruz. The manner in which He stopped Kal Yafai in nine compete in 2020. But he returned “Tank” detonated the final left hand bomb was rounds to win the WBA super-flyweight belt in December with one of the best showings of boxing at it’s most skilful - and devastating. before beating Israel Gonzalez over 12 rounds. his career to dominate brave Callum Smith.

1

TEOFIMO LOPEZ Hard to look past Lopez when it comes to number one. He shocked almost everyone by cruising through the first eight rounds against Vasiliy Lomachenko, boxing beautifully and brilliantly, before winning a deserved TYSON FURY decision to unify Before Coronavirus took hold the lightweight 2 of the world, Fury obliterated division. Bravo, Deontay Wilder in a stunning Las Teofimo, just Vegas exhibition. The manner of his victory was bravo. an ominous sign for the rest of the division.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 13 2020 REVIEW

There were not as many bouts as usual this year, but there were still some crackers

JERMALL CHARLO SAMIR ZIANI w rsf 12 ADAM LOPEZ w pts 12 SERGIY ALEX DILMAGHANI w pts 10 LUIS CORIA 10 DEREVYANCHENKO 9 With the EBU super-featherweight 8 Back in June, inside The Bubble Exciting stuff at Mohegan Sun title on the line, Ziani and at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Casino in Uncasville as Charlo took the best Dilmaghani went hell-for-leather. Something Lopez finished his thriller with Coria nursing Derevyanchenko could muster en route to had to give and in the end it was the Brit, who damage to both eyes but he was a worthy winning a 12-round decision. should have been rescued sooner. winner after 10 give-and-take rounds.

1. POVETKIN-WHYTE 2. CHEESEMAN-EGGINGTON 3. ZIANI-DILMAGHANI 4. TAYLOR-TETLEY 5. JOYCE-DUBOIS 6. BENTLEY-HEFFRON 7. JUMAH-HYDE TED CHEESEMAN w pts 12 8. MAXWELL-HUGHES SAM EGGINGTON w rsf 5 DILLIAN WHYTE 9. McKENNA-MIMOUNE 7 It was great to watch Ted 6 Oh, the drama! Whyte looked Cheeseman and Sam Eggington to be on his way to a stoppage 10. DIGNUM-MELI as they engaged in furious warfare at the start victory over an old Povetkin, dropping him of Matchroom Fight Camp. It was a scrap that twice in the fourth, until the veteran suddenly reminded everyone how special boxing is. knocked the favourite cold in the fifth.

14 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net MURODJON AKHMADALIEV GERVONTA DAVIS W PTS 12 W KO 6 LEO SANTA CRUZ 5 In a delightfully-matched battle for the WBA & IBF super- 4 The final blow will rightly define this bout but there was titles, Akhmadaliev got the better of Roman. quality aplenty from both before Davis put the lights out.

3. MASAYOSHI NAKATANI JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA 3 w rsf 9 FELIX VERDEJO w rsf 11 A late entry into the reckoning but what a battle as Nakatani 2 So much quality, so much excitement, as WBC super- overcame the favoured Verdejo in scintilating humdinger. flyweight champion Estrada defeated Cuadras in Mexico. 1

1. w ko 5 IVAN BARANCHYK What else could it be? Knockdowns galore in the kind of fight that deserves to go down in history as one of the best, pandemic or no pandemic. The finish, which saw Zepeda iron out Baranchyk, will live long in the memory too.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 15 2020 REVIEW

These boxers excelled during a groundbreaking year for women’s boxing

5 4

CLARESSA SHIELDS Shields hinted at the Maker was due to be end of the year that one of the first leading she might be done with fighters to compete boxing. That would be after the worldwide a shame, particularly lockdown but a positive with Covid test ruled her out looming. While defeating in June. Subsequent , “T-Rex” 10-round points wins oozed quality as she won over Helen Joseph world belts in her third and Ewa Brodnicka , picking up (to win the WBO the vacant WBC and super-featherweight WBO super-welterweight championship) titles via a lopsided and highlighted the 2016 unanimous 10-round Olympian’s class. decision.

3 2

TERRI HARPER JESSICA McCASKILL A breakout year for the In one of the biggest inspirational Harper. shocks of the year, in She claimed the WBC both male and female super-featherweight boxing, McCaskill ended title with a dominant the long and decorated win over the solid Eva unbeaten run of Cecilia Wahlstrom in February Braekhus to capture the and was favoured to WBC, WBA, IBF and beat in WBO welterweight titles. her first defence. Perhaps McCaskill had previously fortunate to get the been juggling a day job draw in that one, though with being a fighter but it was unquestionably this victory could set up close, she bounced back a lucrative rematch with magnificently to halt in 2021. Katharina Thanderz in nine rounds.

16 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net 1

KATIE TAYLOR The supreme Taylor came through another gruelling 10-rounder with the dogged Delfine Persoon, in an August rematch she didn’t have to take, before dominating Miriam Gutierrez in a bout that attracted 2m viewers.

1. 2. SAVANNAH MARSHALL 3. CHANTELLE CAMERON 4. NATASHA JONAS 5.

Competition continues to grow in women’s boxing. Here we list the standout scraps from 2020

3. ELIN CEDERROOS w pts 10 ALICIA NAPOLEON-ESPINOSA WBA & IBF female super-middleweight titles – Ocean Resort Casino, Atlantic City, NJ

2. KATIE TAYLOR w pts 10 DELFINE PERSOON WBC & WBA & IBF & WBO female lightweight titles – Matchroom Fight Camp, Brentwood

1. TERRI HARPER d pts 10 NATASHA JONAS WBC female super-featherweight title – Matchroom Fight Camp, Brentwood

BRITISH FEMALE FIGHT OF THE YEAR 1. Terri Harper d pts 10 Natasha Jonas 2. Katie Taylor w pts 10 Delfine Persoon 3. Rachel Ball w pts 8 Shannon Courtenay

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 17

2020 REVIEW

Photo: SEAN MICHAEL HAM/ Gervonta Davis’ inch-perfect left uppercut that drove through the point of Leo Santa Cruz’s chin and caused him to collapse on his back in San Antonio, .

Claressa Shields becoming a three-weight world champion in just 10 fights – quicker than any other male or female fighter in history; Various figures raising money towards the Ringside Rest and Care Home for ex-boxers;

18 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net HONOURABLE MENTIONS that poleaxed in Brentwood; ALEXANDER POVETKIN’S ruinous left The massive right from Joe Smith uppercut that turned out Dillian Whyte’s Jnr, followed up by a stiff short left, that lights in Brentwood; Jose Zepeda’s sent Eleider Alvarez sprawling through shuddering left hand that brutally KO’d Ivan the ropes in Las Vegas; Filip Hrgovic’s right Baranchyk in Las Vegas; The cannoning hand over the top that completely clattered right cross from Anthony Joshua that Alexandre Kartozia in Struer, Denmark; Photo: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK sent Kubrat Pulev down for the count The thumping overhand right from Robin in Wembley [below]; Eleider Alvarez’s Krasniqi that left Dominic Boesel flat right hand that connected full force on on the floor in , Germany; Michael Seals in Verona, ; Ryan ’s tremendous right uppercut, Garcia’s short left hook that sent Francisco supplemented by a rapid three-shot burst, Fonseca crashing on his back in Anaheim, that deposited Genadij Krajevskij onto ; Damian Chambers’ right hand, the canvas in Stratford; The clattering bang on the button, that wiped out James left hook-right hook combo from Fabio Farrell in ; Felix Verdejo’s right Wardley that wrecked Richard Lartey hook-left uppercut-right hook combination in Wembley; Shannon Courtenay’s that dropped Will Madera to the mat, spectacular right cross that twisted Dorota with his right leg folded awkwardly beneath Norek off her feet and flung her into the him; The perfectly timed right hand from ropes in Wembley; Roman Gonzalez’s Dalton Smith that felled Nathan Bennett booming right hand upstairs that caused in Brentwood; Joe George’s cracking left Kal Yafai to crash hard on his back in uppercut that decked Marcos Escudero in Frisco, Texas; The powerful right from River dramatic fashion in Uncasville, Connecticut; Wilson-Bent that short-circuited Troy The hellacious left hook from Coleman in Redditch.

Photo: DAVE THOMPSON/MATCHROOM

TEOFIMO LOPEZ w pts 12 VASILIY LOMACHENKO LOPEZ told everyone what was going to happen, but there were not many out there who believed him. Nevertheless, he proved the doubters wrong by solving the Lomachenko conundrum – and in style.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS Jessica McCaskill w pts 10 Cecilia Braekhus; Jeison Rosario w rsf 5 Julian Williams; Alexander Povetkin w rsf 5 Dillian Whyte; Petchmanee CP Freshmart w pts 12 Wanheng Meenayothin; Roamer Alexis Angulo w pts 10 Anthony Sims Jnr; Petros Ananyan w pts 10 Subriel Matias; Jono Carroll w rsf 11 ; w rsf 4 Adam Kownacki; Mike Plania w pts 10 Joshua Greer Jnr; Joshua Franco w pts 12 ; Maxi Hughes w pts 10 Jono Carroll; Mario Abel Cazares w td 6 Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr; w ko 3 Dominic Boesel; Marc Leach w pts 10 ; Rylan Charlton w ko 3 Joe Laws; Damian Bonelli w pts 6 Derrieck Cuevas; Rosendo Hugo Guarneros w rtd 8 Tommy Frank; Masayoshi Nakatani w rsf 9 Felix Verdejo; Ionut Baluta w pts 8 TJ Doheny; Lourdes Juarez w pts 10 Guadalupe Martinez Guzman; Tomoko Okuda w td 6 Miyo Yoshida; Antonio Louis Hernandez w rsf 4 Destyne Butler; Carlos Gongora w ko 12 Ali Akhmedov.

Boxing paramedic Ged Carroll being on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic; providing some much-needed comic relief during the COVID-19-enforced lockdown with his humorous social media videos; Viddal Riley engaging in impressive work with the Teenage Cancer Trust;

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 19 2020 REVIEW

Photo: AL BELLO/GETTY IMAGES

RETIREMENTS IN 2020 ; Frankie Gavin; Thomas Stalker; ; William Warburton; ; Scott Quigg; Johnny Garton; Oleksandr Gvozdyk; Danny Williams; Jeff Thomas; Juan Manuel Lopez; ; Tom Little; Francisco Santana; Ashley Theophane.

Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II Before the coronavirus pandemic caused a sporting shutdown, Wilder and Fury renewed hostilities in a hugely anticipated Las Vegas rematch. Wilder entered the ring as the WBC heavyweight champion, but it was Fury who left with the belt after an emphatic victory.

Joe Smith Jnr; Maxi Hughes [below]; Ionut HONOURABLE MENTIONS Baluta; Petros Ananyan; Vladimir Hernandez; Callum Smith-Canelo Alvarez; Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez; Jermall Charlo- Robeisy Ramirez; Brad Foster; ; Sergiy Derevyanchenko & Jeison Rosario-Jermell Charlo (Charlo doubleheader); Leo Joshua Franco; Robin Krasniqi; Conor Benn; Santa Cruz-Gervonta Davis; Sam Eggington-Ted Cheeseman (Matchroom Fight Camp Umar Sadiq; Isaac Avelar; Germaine Brown; I); Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin (Matchroom Fight Camp IV); Daniel Dubois-Joe Rylan Charlton; ; ; Sam Joyce; Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev; Tommy Frank-Rosendo Hugo Guarneros (Dennis Maxwell; Lewis Crocker; Katelynn Phelan; Isaac Hobson’s drive-in boxing show). Cruz Gonzalez; Arslan Magomedov; Rachel Ball; Denzel Bentley; Fabio Wardley; Liam Davies; Petchmanee CP Freshmart; Lourdes Juarez; Gamal Yafai; Chris Bourke; Sebastian Fundora; Tomoko Okuda; Damian Bonelli.

Photo: SCOTT RAWSTHORNE

Ed Harrison; Stu Greener; Nathan Hardy; Alexander Zeledon; Chris Jenkinson.

Vince McNally being awarded an MBE for services to the community in Hereford; Colin Jones being awarded an MBE for services to boxing in ;

20 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net DRUG CONTROVERSIES Alexander Besputin; Yves Ngabu; Alejandra Jimenez; Jarrell Miller.

Jay Harris, face bloodied and swollen, putting in a valiant effort on foreign soil against in his first step up to world class; The marked-up Dec Spelman, gutsy in the extreme, plundering forward against Lyndon Arthur, despite having his head regularly clumped backwards; Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon going to war once again in their rematch and once again suffering significant facial damage; Samir Ziani and Alex Dilmaghani participating in a gruelling encounter brimming with courage, determination and non-stop action; Jose Zepeda and Ivan Baranchyk sharing eight knockdowns (four apiece) in their five-round barnburner; Juan Francisco Estrada and Carlos Cuadras putting it all on the line in a bruising, back-and-forth thriller; Miriam Gutierrez bravely soaking up sustained punishment from Katie Taylor to make it through the full 10 rounds [below].

Photo: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM

Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club and Empire Fighting Chance carrying out valuable community work.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 21 2020 REVIEW

Photo: TOM HOGAN/GOLDEN BOY

Another worryingly long list, just like last year

Photo: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM

Vergil Ortiz Jnr – The 22-year-old

Texan extended his perfect record by James Kinney ludicrously scoring Lederman scoring Teofimo Lopez knocking out in seven Jesse Hart as a 95-94 victor over an overly wide 119-109 victor Joe Smith Jnr; Rudy Barragan (100- against Vasiliy Lomachenko; Lewis rounds. All 16 of the exciting 89), Max DeLuca (99-90) and Chris Ritson being gifted a split verdict Migliore (97-92) making Alexis Rocha win over Miguel Vazquez, with welterweight’s victories have come a far-too-wide winner over Brad Michael Alexander tallying 115-113 Solomon; Dave Moretti marking the and Terry O’Connor handing in an inside the distance. Joshua Greer Jnr-Mike Plania bout as inexplicable 117-111 card [above]; a 94-94 draw, when Plania seemed Fernando Villarreal adjudging Elwin HONOURABLE MENTIONS to win clearly; Giovani Santillan Soto as an excessively wide 119- ; Chris Colbert; Edgar Berlanga; looking fortunate to pip Antonio 109 winner against ; Tim Tszyu; Filip Hrgovic; ; Michel Rivera; DeMarco to a majority decision being awarded a Tony Yoka; Conor Benn; Ali Izmailov; Sebastian Fundora; thanks to two scores of 96-94 from pair of too-generous 80-72 scores Richardson Hitchins; ; Carlos Gongora. Tim Cheatham and Steve Weisfeld; from Rudy Barragan and Lou Moret Zak Chelli, despite seeming to be a in her fight with Sulem Urbina; Ian comfortable victor over Jack Cullen, John-Lewis inexplicably notching having to settle for a split draw due a shambolic 117-111 scorecard in to the cards of Victor Loughlin (96- favour of Anthony Yarde against 95 to Cullen) and Ian John-Lewis (95- Lyndon Arthur; Florian Marku having 95); appearing lucky to to make do with a 76-76 draw get the split nod over Abass Baraou (from Marcus McDonnell) against owing to the tallies of Iko Bebic Jamie Stewart, despite knocking (115-114) and Peter Milord (115- his opponent down and looking 113); Lou Moret’s consternation- like the winner; Don Ackerman ERROL SPENCE JNR causing 117-111 scorecard in strangely scoring the Richardson Spence returned from a horrific car favour of Abel Ramos over Yordenis Hitchins-Argenis Mendez fight for accident in October 2019 – which Ugas; Don Trella somehow having Mendez by 97-93; John Rupert initially left him in intensive care Cobia Breedy a 115-111 winner marking John Ryder a too-close – to successfully defend his WBC against Tugstsogt Nyambayar; 96-94 victor over Mike Guy; Don and IBF welterweight titles with a John Hedges receiving a fortunate Trella (116-112) and John McKaie thoroughly deserved unanimous 39-37 victory from Ian John-Lewis (115-113) posting baffling cards in decision over former two-weight over Jan Ardon; Rudy Barragan favour of Reymart Gaballo against world champion Danny Garcia. posting a much-too-wide 100-90 Emmanuel Rodriguez, resulting in a tab in favour of Mark Magsayo controversial split decision win for against Rigoberto Hermosillo; Julie Gaballo.

22 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net OBITUARIES REST IN PEACE Paying tribute to the members of the boxing fraternity who passed away in 2020. Apologies for those we may have missed

Johnny Lewis (Jan 1, 1932 – 2020 – Trainer); Danny Enifer (1938 – Area heavyweight title challenger); Tina Davis (Feb 7, 2020 – Essex 2020 – Amateur boxer); Freddie McCarthy (2020 – Navy County Secretary); Sammy McCarthy (Nov 5, 1931 – Feb 10, 2020 featherweight champion); Eric Seccombe (2020 – Trainer); Fred – British featherweight champion); Jimmy Thunder (Feb 3, 1966 – Cummings (2020 – Midlands County Head Ringside Official); Al Feb 12, 2020 – Two-time Commonwealth heavyweight title White (Jan 1, 1945 – Jan 2020 – Pro lightweight); Carlos De Leon challenger); Conrad Lugo (Feb 16, 1969 – Feb 16, 2020 – Pro super- (May 3, 1959 – Jan 1, 2020 – Four-time WBC cruiserweight featherweight); Danny Savala (Jan 22, 1963 – Feb 18, 2020 – Pro champion); Juan Botta (Jan 16, 1941 – Jan 1, 2020 – New lightweight); Art Oubre (Oct 19, 1931 – Feb 19, 2020 – Pro middleweight title challenger); Harvey Reti (Sep 14, 1937 – Jan 3, lightweight); Frank Reiche (Dec 1, 1949 – Mar 2020 – European 2020 – 1964 light-welterweight Olympian); Tony Foster (Jul 9, 1964 middleweight title challenger); DeAndrey Abron (Jul 31, 1972 – – Jan 4, 2020 – Central Area lightweight champion); Dick Turner Mar 7, 2020 – WBO light-heavyweight title challenger); Barney (Jan 14, 1937 – Jan 5, 2020 – Pro welterweight); Ronnie Rowe (Jan Eastwood (Mar 26, 1932 – Mar 9, 2020 – Promoter & manager); 6, 2020 – Trainer & manager); Bernard Hart (Mar 19, 1937 – Jan 8, Roger Mayweather (Apr 24, 1961 – Mar 17, 2020 – Two-weight 2020 – Pro welterweight); Jackie Brown (Mar 2, 1935 – Jan 12, 2020 world champion); Ray Jones (Mar 17, 2020 – Kingswood Boxing – British & Commonwealth flyweight champion); Hank Cisco (Nov Club founder); Frank Young (Oct 6, 1946 – Mar 19, 2020 – Pro 9, 1923 – Jan 14, 2020 – Referee); Brian Nickels (Aug 17, 1965 – Jan welterweight); Ron Ross (Mar 23, 2020 – Journalist); Barry Sponagle 16, 2020 – Southern Area super-lightweight title challenger); Peter (Jan 19, 1947 – Mar 25, 2020 – Canadian lightweight champion); Mathebula (Jul 3, 1952 – Jan 18, 2020 – WBA flyweight champion); Tony Hopper (Mar 18, 1973 – Mar 25, 2020 – Judge & inspector); Perry Evans (Nov 16, 1958 – Jan 21, 2020 – Western Canadian Nelson Cuevas (Sep 17, 1939 – Mar 27, 2020 – Cutman/trainer/ welterweight title challenger); Garbis Zakaryan (Jun 2, 1930 – Jan manager); Vic Bowyer (Mar 27, 2020 – Two-time ABA flyweight 25, 2020 – Turkish welterweight champion); Andy Gill (Feb 2020 finalist); Angelo Rottoli (Dec 14, 1958 – Mar 28, 2020 – WBC – Amateur boxer); Don Bartlett (Feb 2020 – BBBofC inspector); Eric cruiserweight title challenger); Colin Webster (Mar 29, 2020 – Pudney (Feb 2020 – EBA stalwart); Johnny Bumphus (Aug 17, 1960 Amateur boxing stalwart); Hedgemon Lewis (Feb 25, 1946 – – Feb 3, 2020 – WBA super-lightweight champion); David Taranto Mar 31, 2020 – Three-time world welterweight title challenger); (1952 – Feb 3, 2020 – Judge); Hernan Rosas (Feb 3, 2020 – Pro Gary Chippendale (Sep 15, 1939 – Apr 2020 – Pro middleweight); flyweight); Dave Roden (Jan 30, 1950 – Feb 5, 2020 – Midlands Ron Bebbington (Aug 26, 1929 – Apr 2020 – Pro middleweight);

QUALITY: Hedgemon Lewis was a three-time world welterweight title challenger

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 23 OBITUARIES

Dennis Flynn (Apr 9, 1947 – Apr 2020 – Pro super-featherweight); welterweight); Pedro Alvarez (Jul 7, 1930 – May 5, 2020 – Pro Richard Williams (Apr 2020 – Double ABC chairman); Roy welterweight); Evaristo Perez (1950 – May 6, 2020 – Mexican Barbor (Apr 2020 – Solihull Boxing Club founder); Abraham bantamweight title challenger); Jimmy Glenn (Aug 18, 1930 – May Chavarria (1925 – Apr 1, 2020 – Referee & judge); Nelson de 7, 2020 – Trainer/cutman/manager); Daren Zenner (May 30, 1971 Oliveira (Oct 1, 1929 – Apr 5, 2020 – Brazilian lightweight title – May 13, 2020 – WBO light-heavyweight title challenger); Franco challenger); Alex Trottier (Jan 24, 1952 – Apr 5, 2020 – Promoter/ Nenci (Jan 25, 1935 – May 15, 2020 – 1956 Olympic light- matchmaker); Carmen Williamson (May 5, 1925 – Apr 5, 2020 – welterweight silver medallist); Hector Thompson (Jun 24, 1949 – Amateur referee); Skënder Kurti (Apr 5, 2020 – Trainer); Bill Fleming May 20, 2020 – Two-weight WBA title challenger); Pat Brogan (May (Apr 6, 2020 – Amateur boxer); Leonard “Nipper” Read (Mar 31, 20, 2020 – Promoter/manager/trainer); Bobby Garcia Jnr (Apr 3, 1925 – Apr 7, 2020 – BBBofC chairman); Mohammed Jeéracks (Apr 1925 – May 24, 2020 – Pro welterweight); Jimmie Sykes (May 30, 7, 2020 – Amateur boxer); Mick Haughton (Apr 11, 2020 – Amateur 1952 – May 28, 2020 – Pennsylvania State middleweight champion); referee & judge); Rudolph Vaughan (Oct 13, 1939 – Apr 12, 2020 Curtis Cokes (Jun 15, 1937 – May 29, 2020 – World welterweight – Pro heavyweight); Gerry Tessier (Feb 15, 1936 – Apr 12, 2020 – champion); Dave Brandon (May 2, 1931 – Jun 2020 – Pro New England light-heavyweight title challenger); Billy Graydon welterweight); Laurits Jensen (Jul 25, 1946 – Jun 1, 2020 – Pro (Jan 14, 1934 – Apr 13, 2020 – Pro featherweight); Nate Brooks super-welterweight); Donald “Biff” Cline (Jul 3, 1947 – Jun 2, 2020 (Aug 4, 1933 – Apr 14, 2020 – North American bantamweight – Pro light-heavyweight); Jim Strickland (Feb 24, 1930 – Jun 3, 2020 champion); Ian Cahill (Apr 14, 2020 – Amateur referee & trainer); – Trainer & cutman); Pete Rademacher (Nov 20, 1928 – June 4, Dick DiVeronica (Jan 26, 1938 – Apr 16, 2020 – Pro welterweight); 2020 – World heavyweight title challenger); Blackie Zamora (Jan 5, Tom Shaughnessy (Jun 6, 1943 – Apr 16, 2020 – Pro welterweight); 1940 – Jun 6, 2020 – Texas State lightweight champion); Vince Eddie Cotton (Apr 17, 2020 – Referee); Billy Walker (Feb 25, 1938 Shomo (Jul 30, 1940 – Jun 9, 2020 – Pro welterweight); Doug – Apr 18, 2020 – Pro bantamweight); Ali Salaam (Apr 19, 2020 – Harper (Dec 5, 1929 – Jun 10, 2020 – Canadian light-heavyweight Trainer); Pat Gutteridge (Dec 23, 1932 – April 22, 2020 – Pro champion); Emiel Sarens (Jul 1, 1937 – Jun 14, 2020 – 1960 welterweight); Miguel Calderin (Aug 2, 1936 – Apr 24, 2020 – middleweight Olympian); Juan Diaz (Jun 24, 1935 – Jun 15, 2020 – Spanish featherweight champion); Les Stevens (Mar 1951 – Apr 25, 1960 featherweight Olympian); Fermin Soto (Jun 15, 2020 – Three- 2020 – Southern Area heavyweight champion & amateur trainer); time Mexican lightweight title challenger); Andre Mauguin (Mar 15, John Pollock (Apr 25, 2020 – Amateur trainer); Jo-Jo Jackson (Feb 1928 – Jun 16, 2020 – Pro welterweight); Mario Olmedo (Jun 16, 10, 1945 – Apr 29, 2020 – Four-time Canadian title challenger); 2020 – Pro welterweight); Geoff Hopcraft (Apr 1945 – Jun 18, 2020 Renaldo Victoria (Jun 20, 1944 – Apr 29, 2020 – Two-weight New – Crawley Boxing Club chairman); Boston Blackie (Jul 20, 1937 – England champion); Alex McMillan (Sep 28, 1936 – May 2020 – Pro Jun 21, 2020 – Bahamas & West Indies heavyweight champion);

LEADER: Alan Minter ruled the world at middleweight

24 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net DECORATED: Frankie Randall won three world super-lightweight championships

Makwedinana Matiti (1969 – Jun 21, 2020 – Two-time Eastern Cape (Oct 4, 1995 – Sep 3, 2020 – WBC Youth Intercontinental super- featherweight title challenger); Jose Juan Guerra (Jun 24, 1933 – Jun flyweight champion); Daniel Gonzalez (Apr 29, 1998 – Sep 7, 2020 22, 2020 – Referee/judge/inspector/supervisor); Vic Graffio (May – Pro featherweight); Alan Minter (Aug 17, 1951 – Sep 9, 2020 – 25, 1938 – Jun 23, 2020 – Texas State lightweight champion); World middleweight champion); Evgeny Gorstkov (May 26, 1950 Howard Freeman (Oct 17, 1943 – Jun 26, 2020 – Pro middleweight); – Sep 12, 2020 – 1977 & 1979 European heavyweight gold Ernesto Marcel (May 23, 1948 – Jun 29, 2020 – WBA featherweight medallist); Ron “Ponty” Davies (Oct 19, 1937 – Sep 17, 2020 – 1957 champion); Alfred Kotey (Jun 3, 1968 – Jun 30, 2020 – WBO European flyweight bronze medallist); Bert Sommers (Feb 26, 1917 bantamweight champion); Rab Bannan (Jul 2020 – Amateur – Sep 17, 2020 – Pro welterweight); Ackson Nyirenda (1974 – Sep trainer); Tim Cowen (Jul 2020 – Hogarth Boxing Club stalwart); 20, 2020 – Zambian heavyweight champion); Ralf Jensen (Jan 1, Courtney Richards (Oct 19, 1992 – Jul 3, 2020 – Pro cruiserweight); 1945 – Sep 24, 2020 – Pro light-heavyweight); Marlon Pineda (Nov Mahmoud Fadel (Jul 10, 1948 – Jul 6, 2020 – Pro heavyweight); 9, 1984 – Sep 29, 2020 – Nicaraguan flyweight title challenger); Travell Mazion (Jul 24, 1995 – Jul 15, 2020 – NABF super- Fleming Mosely (Jun 15, 1937 – Oct 2, 2020 – 1965 National AAU welterweight champion); Daniel Guanin (Feb 26, 1937 – Jul 15, heavyweight finalist); Al Malcolm (Apr 10, 1958 – Oct 11, 2020 – 2020 – Ecuadorian super-lightweight title challenger); Dick Cole Midlands Area heavyweight champion); J.D McCauley (Mar 24, (Feb 22, 1931 – Jul 18, 2020 – Referee/judge/inspector/supervisor); 1945 – Oct 19, 2020 – Trainer); Isidoro Cabeza (Jun 23, 1950 – Oct Naazim Richardson (Nov 26, 1965 – Jul 24, 2020 – Trainer); Johnny 22, 2020 – European super-featherweight title challenger); Stan Gause (Apr 8, 1945 – Jul 25, 2020 – Pro heavyweight); Eddie Bishop (Jun 21, 1934 – Oct 25, 2020 – Pro super-lightweight); Peter Springer (Nov 7, 1929 – Jul 31, 2020 – Pro middleweight); Tony Lavery (Feb 28, 1937 – Oct 26, 2020 – Northern Irish Area Doyle (Jul 3, 1944 – Aug 4, 2020 – California State heavyweight title featherweight champion); Pasquale Curcio (Jul 13, 1932 – Oct 26, challenger); Kelly Wright (Oct 22, 1976 – Aug 4, 2020 – Delaware 2020 – Two-time Victoria State featherweight title challenger); State & Montana State welterweight title challenger); Wilbert Miguel Angel Castellini (Jan 26, 1947 – Oct 27, 2020 – WBA super- “Skeeter” McClure (Oct 29, 1938 – Aug 6, 2020 – 1960 Olympic welterweight champion); Juan Javier Guerrero (Dec 31, 1990 – Oct light-middleweight gold medallist); Chris Silvas (Aug 28, 1960 – Aug 28, 2020 – Pro super-featherweight); Noel Trigg (Nov 28, 1934 – 6, 2020 – Pro super-featherweight); Chuck Lincoln (Jul 26, 1932 – Oct 29, 2020 – Welsh Area light-heavyweight champion); Craig Aug 7, 2020 – Pro middleweight); David Vazquez (Feb 8, 1977 – Aug Adams (Mar 3, 1961 – Nov 3, 2020 – Pro featherweight); Fernando 10, 2020 – NABF featherweight champion); Fred Taupola (Sep 27, Atzori (Jun 1, 1942 – Nov 9, 2020 – Two-time European flyweight 1938 – Aug 10, 2020 – South Pacific middleweight champion); Sam champion); Amir Yavari (Dec 5, 1931 – Nov 10, 2020 – 1960 Bezzina (Aug 10, 2020 – Amateur trainer); Morgan Maphosa (Aug welterweight Olympian); Nash Karahan (Feb 14, 1926 – Nov 12, 12, 2020 – Commonwealth bantamweight title challenger); Rudy 2020 – Pro heavyweight); Nick Grimaldi (Mar 24, 1929 – Nov 13, Richardson (Dec 7, 1935 – Aug 12, 2020 – Pro lightweight); George 2020 – Pro super-lightweight); George Silvas (Feb 22, 1923 – Nov Price (Feb 22, 1927 – Aug 14, 2020 – Pro welterweight); Jimmy 17, 2020 – Pro welterweight); Juan Roldan (Mar 6, 1957 – Nov 18, Cable (Sep 7, 1957 – Aug 15, 2020 – British & European super- 2020 – Three-time world middleweight title challenger); Joe welterweight champion); Ronnie Cichon (Jul 11, 1945 – Aug 21, Barrientes (Oct 30, 1947 – Nov 19, 2020 – Pro lightweight); John 2020 – Pro middleweight); Sandro Mazzinghi (Oct 3, 1938 – Aug 22, Mason (Mar 9, 1942 – Nov 20, 2020 – Pro light-heavyweight); Greg 2020 – Two-time world super-welterweight champion); Jerry Steene (Nov 21, 2020 – Promoter/manager/matchmaker); Bill Williams (Jul 10, 1950 – Aug 28, 2020 – Pro heavyweight); Fritz Engel (Jun 14, 1929 – Nov 30, 2020 – Promoter/referee/judge); Chervet (Oct 1, 1942 – Aug 29, 2020 – Two-time WBA flyweight title Sandy Risley (Dec 2, 2020 – British boxing stalwart); Henryk Kukier challenger); Jean-Baptiste Mendy (Mar 16, 1963 – Aug 31, 2020 – (Jan 1, 1930 – Dec 5, 2020 – Three-time flyweight Olympian); Two-time world lightweight champion; Terry Daniels (May 1, 1946 Frankie Randall (Sep 25, 1961 – Dec 23, 2020 – Three-time world – Sep 3, 2020 – World heavyweight title challenger); Jose Quirino super-lightweight champion).

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 25 Examining and rating the most powerful and influential figures in the world of boxing today By RON LEWIS

Photo: ED MULHOLLAND/MATCHROOM

26 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 27 50 49 48 BOB LOGIST MATT ROSE BRIAN DUNN Logist has been president of the There could be interesting times The head of boxing in Nebraska, EBU since 2007, a period that has ahead for Australian boxing, so you but more importantly the president seen the organisation’s power and might soon be hearing more of Matt of the Association of Boxing importance diluted as the likes Rose, a former schoolteacher, who Commissions, as close to a national of the WBO and IBF throw their is the promoter of the country’s federation as boxing in the United “regional” belts at every market new boxing face, Tim Tszyu, the son States gets. they can, although as an umbrella of Kostya. Just seven years ago he group of federations, it does better staged his first show in a social club than most to retain credibility. in the New South Wales town of Dubbo. 47 46 45 ROBERT SMITH YVON MICHEL The General Secretary of the It has been a quiet year for boxing Still best known for his work with British Boxing Board of Control in Canada, and a difficult one for , Roach remains played a huge, if understated, role Michel’s GYM group, who found the go-to trainer for top-class in bringing boxing back in the midst themselves the subject of a 15-day fighters wanting a change or hot of the pandemic. His other role in suspension in the summer from the prospects needing an experienced 2020 was to answer some difficult authorities. Michel has a proven head to guide them. questions about the performance track record for building up stars of certain British officials. Faces in his Quebec base, however, and it a perilous 2021 with the cash- attached to several prospects. strapped Board if the current restrictions continue. 44 43 42 SAM WATSON BRUCE TRAMPLER DANIEL KINAHAN

Sam Watson, along with his Senior matchmaker with Top Rank, Once content in the shadows as sons, Brandon and Marcus, have a company he has worked for since an advisor, a glowing testimonial effectively been the public face the days they were promoting from Bob Arum and a claim by of Al Haymon, the secretive Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns. Fury that he had sealed a deal manager/adviser for the past 20 He has been in the International for a Fury-Joshua fight prompted years. Watson has been a friend of Boxing Hall of Fame since 2010 widespread press attention about Haymon since the 1980s, working and he’s one of the most-respected his links to an organised crime firstly with him in music then, from figures in the entire industry. group. A co-founder of MTK Global, the 1990s in boxing. although they claim he has no role with them now. It has recently been reported he has nothing to do with the sport at all anymore, but his reputation still looms large.

28 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net 41 40 39 JOE TSAI KATIE TAYLOR ANDREY RYABINSKY The billionaire co-founder of A good year for women’s boxing Best known as the promoter of Alibaba – the Asian version of and Taylor, the undisputed world Alexander Povetkin and Denis Amazon – Tsai’s company became lightweight champion, remains Lebedev, entrepreneur-turned big players in the boxing business at the forefront, with two wins, promoter Ryabinsky and his when it bought the including settling previous company, World of Boxing, are as part of their acquisition of the differences with Delfine Persoon. involved with a strong of top talents Brooklyn Nets basketball team, including Dmitry Bivol. whether Tsai has any actual interest in boxing or not.

DANA WHITE’S interest in the sport seems to have waned (for now)....THOMAS HAUSER is always one story away from making waves. 38 37 36 UMAR KREMLEV ERIC GOMEZ KIM SUMBLER The new president of AIBA has Gomez is president of Golden Boy New York’s boxing scene has been a massive task sorting out the Promotions, having been with the decimated by COVID, but it would finances of the amateur code’s company from its start in 2002. be wrong to ignore Sumbler, who governing body and trying to get Now he is the main man in most has put the state at the forefront back its Olympic status in time of the contract negotiations, from of boxing safety during her spell as for the Games in 2024. That fighters to TV networks as well as executive director of the athletic a Russian was elected to the role being in charge of the day-to-day commission, implementing some in the same week that Russia was running of the company. of the most advanced policies thrown out of the Olympics some for tackling concussion and head would call ‘typical AIBA’. injuries. 35 34 33 ANDREAS BENZ FRANK SMITH /JAKE PAUL

The new CEO of World Boxing Eddie Hearn’s right-hand man at While YouTubers’ boxing might not Super Series AG, the Swiss Matchroom and likely successor in be here to stay, it is not going away company that owns and runs the charge of boxing, should Hearn ever soon. So, while Logan Paul is getting much-loved WBSS. Season III looks move upstairs to take on his father’s ready for an exhibition with Floyd set to be announced in February. role as company chairman. Shows in Mayweather, brother Jake flattened the UK, US, Mexico, and Spain a retired basketball player and is keep him busy enough. now calling out Conor McGregor and it is getting huge attention, much to our dismay. Possibly the most 2020 thing of all has been the idea that it is now Conor McGregor standing up for boxing integrity. Groan.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 29 32 31 30 DAVID McWATER BOB BENNETT ALEXANDER KRASSYUK A year ago, few would have known A former FBI agent and marine, The head man now at K2 McWater, who set up Spit-T Bennett is the executive director Promotions and a key figure in management in 2014, but he hit of the State Athletic the career of Oleksandr Usyk, the jackpot this year when his star Commission, making him one of the who will be getting a shot at the signing Teofimo Lopez beat Vasiliy sport’s important administrators. WBO heavyweight title next year, Lomachenko to become undisputed He’s familiar with controversy: This whether Anthony Joshua keeps world lightweight champion. As year’s big talking point was the hold of that belt or not. well as Lopez, his exciting stable Joshua Franco-Andrew Moloney includes the likes of Charles fight and instant (or not-so-instant) Conwell and Antonio Vargas. replays, when a failure to find a head clash to support a referee’s decision, did not stop them backing the seemingly unbackable. 29 28 27 FRANCISCO VARCARCEL DARYL PEOPLES GILBERTO MENDOZA JNR Once the lawyer of Wilfredo If any group are fussy sticklers It has been some time since Gomez, the Puerto Rican became for a rule, it is the IBF, hence their Mendoza promised to clear up involved with the WBO when it continued insistence on low-grade the mess of the WBA’s “super“ was set up in 1988 and has been mandatory challengers, which and “regular” world champions, president since 1996. has gone on this year despite the something he is a long way from still COVID pandemic. fulfilling. But if an organisation goes out of its way to be adaptable for promoters, they cannot at the same time have firm standards.

VADIM KORNILOV is the baby-faced Russian manager based in California with an impressive and growing client base. 25 26 GEORGE KLIAVKOFF Las Vegas is likely to look to boxing to help attract millions of lost MARGARET GOODMAN travellers. Kliavkoff took over from the long-serving Richard Dr Goodman was elected to the Sturm as the MGM’s president of International Boxing Hall of Fame entertainment and sports, which this year, a mark of her work is not only puts him in charge of all setting up VADA – the Voluntary their Las Vegas venues – T-Mobile Anti-Doping Association – the Arena, MGM Grand and Mandalay sport’s first real serious attempt to Bay among them – but also the likes tackle a drug problem in the sport. of the MGM National Harbor near Most believe the surface is only Washington DC. being scratched on the problem.

30 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net 24 23 22 SHELLY FINKEL EDDY REYNOSO One of the great survivors in the When Canelo Alvarez split from The departure of Canelo Alvarez industry, Finkel was last spotted Golden Boy and took DAZN to from Golden Boy is a tough arguing for Deontay Wilder’s rights court, Eddy Reynoso, his manager blow for De La Hoya’s company, for a third fight with Tyson Fury. and co-trainer was the one taking which was already having public Whether he proves successful in centrestage calling the odds. A disagreements with Ryan Garcia. that is one matter, but it never pays growing influence over Canelo is to De La Hoya had rebuilt the to write Finkel off. be expected, but others are coming company behind Canelo after De La to him now, notably Ryan Garcia – a Hoya’s split with Richard Schaefer young man who has had his own and is vowing to do so again. fallouts with Golden Boy – and Andy Ruiz Jnr. 21 20 MIKE TYSON FLOYD MAYWEATHER Yes, it is 2020. But reports that Tyson’s Mayweather seems to be exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jnr did re-engaging in the sport in a 1.6 million pay-per-view buys means it is big way, with an exhibition with unlikely to be the end of that adventure. Logan Paul, a big year for his star Indeed, it is not hard to see a meeting fighter, Gervonta Davis, and a new with Evander Holyfield and, sadly, it is not friendship with Anthony Joshua. beyond the bounds of imagination that, having got through the exhibition, some commission would sanction it as a real fight.

LEONARD ELLERBE is not the force he was when Floyd Mayweather was active but his role in guiding Gervonta Davis could be huge. 19 18 17 TYSON FURY ANTHONY JOSHUA MAURICIO SULAIMAN

What a year for the Gypsy King. He Realistically, not many expected It has been a difficult year for the did not get the December run-out Kubrat Pulev to derail Joshua in WBC’s president, who tries to he had hoped for, but his demolition what was the WBA, WBO and strike a difficult balance between of Deontay Wilder to win the IBF heavyweight champion’s only trying to make everyone happy and WBC heavyweight title removed fight of 2020, keeping the big fight attempting to push the best fights any question marks that that hung with Tyson Fury alive, although the and the best boxers. The WBC are over him. If a fight with Anthony pandemic will have hit his global far from the only organisation to Joshua for the undisputed world brand. get in a mess with a multitude of heavyweight title takes place in belts, but the situation with their 2021 (perhaps twice), he will make ‘franchise’ champions makes him an more money next year than most easy target. The introduction of a have ever dreamed of. bridgerweight division in 2020 did not go down well, either.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 31 16 15 AKIHIKO HONDA “Mr Honda” has been a leading TODD DUBOEF figure in Japanese boxing for the Best known as Bob Arum’s son-in- past half-century. The man behind law, Duboef is Top Rank’s president the famed Teiken gym brand, who who makes the world’s biggest was elected into the International promotional company running Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009, is smoothly, often having to put out probably more responsible than a few fires Arum starts. Duboef anyone for Japan remaining at the did the deal that brought Top Rank forefront of the sport. , back to ESPN, a deal that kept whom he co-promotes with Top them ahead of the field in such a Rank, is among his current stars. turbulent year.

TEOFIMO LOPEZ had an incredible year and he has genuine star appeal as well as significant fighting ability. Watch him go. 14 13 12 EGIS KLIMAS SIMON GREEN ROB WEBSTER Klimas has become the first stop for With the value of sports TV rights The managing director of Sky many former Soviet Bloc fighters likely to fall in the wake of the Sports, which remains the biggest who want to make it is the United pandemic, it is vital that boxing has broadcasters in British boxing. An States, following his successes with its supporters in high positions. It interesting year lies ahead with , Vasyl Lomachenko certainly has a friend in Green, the the exclusive deal with Matchroom and Oleksandr Usyk. Born in head of BT Sport and a former CEO due to expire and pressure to cut Lithuania, his first job in the US was of BoxNation, whose long-term deal licensing costs in a COVID world. folding pizza boxes. Two years ago with Frank Warren’s Queensberry he bought Robert Garcia’s Oxnard Promotions, ensured a good stream gym as a base for his fighters and, of quality action for subscribers this despite Lomachenko’s loss to year despite the lack of fans and Teofimo Lopez, he is still a major security going ahead. player. 11 10 9 BOB YALEN FRANK WARREN PRINCE ABDULAZIZ From small beginnings in Marbella, BIN TURKI AL FAISAL It was a tough finish to the year MTK Global now have a truly with losses for two of Warren’s worldwide reach, promoting shows With big crowds seemingly some best hopes in Daniel Dubois in the UK, Europe. Middle East way off, promoters are likely to go and Anthony Yarde, but his and even , with gyms far and wide in search of finance Queensberry Promotions have opening up all over the place, TV for big fights. Prince Abdulaziz, dealt with a bad year as well as deals in the US and UK as well as a chairman of the General Sports anyone, showing the benefit of a host of big names under contract. Authority in Saudi Arabia, put rock-solid long-term TV deal with Yalen, who has a background in together a deal to bring Anthony BT Sport. It means he has a stable sports TV at NBC and ESPN, was Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz packed with young talent as well as a director at the Mohegan Sun, Jnr to the outskirts of Riyadh, and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson became MTK president in 2018. is likely to be on speed-dial to talk Fury. about a Joshua-Tyson Fury fight.

32 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net 8 7 6 BURKE MAGNUS KALLE AND NISSE SAUERLAND STEPHEN ESPINOZA As ESPN’s executive vice president of In the messy world of boxing, Kalle’s The bidding war caused by the arrival programming and scheduling, Magnus brainchild of the World Boxing Super of twin streaming services DAZN and was close to putting together the Series has proved a guiding light for the ESPN+ may have done for HBO in deal with Top Rank that made the sport and constantly delivered, with boxing, but Showtime are still about and cable channel and attached streaming a new season likely to be announced looking in good shape under Espinoza’s network, ESPN+, central to a new age in February. The brothers’ bread stewardship. With Errol Spence, the of ambitious boxing programming. In a and butter business remains among Charlos and Gervonta Davis, among recent reshuffle of the seats at ESPN’s Europe’s promotional powerhouses. others, they could stage some big shows boardroom level, Magnus’s position in 2021. seems to have been strengthened as he was also put in charge of ESPN’s original content and films division. 5 4 3 JOHN SKIPPER AL HAYMON EDDIE HEARN With ticket-sellers not a thing right Haymon is never one to make public Hearn’s Matchroom invested big during now, boxing is very much a case of pronouncements, so it was no great the lockdown to ensure they would the haves and have-nots. The haves surprise that the shutdown on world hit the ground running when crowds are the ones with TV deals and with sport led to Haymon’s PBC almost returned, losing a seven-figure sum on DAZN’s global expansions back on vanishing. They came back strongly the Fight Camp series, but managing track, the amount of money being in the second half of the year, though, to find the finances to put on Joshua- ploughed into the sport is still high. with a string of impressive shows, which Pulev as part of their residency at the The dip in live sport will have had a big promised great things for next year SSE Arena, Wembley, from October impact on subscriber numbers, while for the likes of Gervonta Davis, Errol to December. An interesting year lies there have been rumours this year of Spence and the Charlos. ahead, with Matchroom’s Sky deal due Skipper, the executive director of DAZN for renewal, DAZN’s planned global parent company, the Perform Group, roll-out and two Joshua-Tyson Fury looking for outside investors. Even so, fights to look ahead to. confidence remains high in the product. 2 1 BOB ARUM SAUL “CANELO” ALVAREZ At 89, Arum keeps on rolling, not only as a figurehead and mouthpiece for Top At one point it seemed Canelo might spend more time in court Rank, but as a man capable of making than the ring in 2002, but he underlined his place as the world and breaking deals. The ongoing bubble No 1 by beating Callum Smith to become the WBC and WBA in Las Vegas has become the heart super-middleweight champion, to finish the year on a high. He of the business, ensuring Top Rank’s also goes into 2021 as a promotional free agent. He broke away biggest names have been able to remain from Golden Boy and the biggest deal in sports history with busy. Lopez-Lomachenko was huge, and DAZN, only to negotiate his own deal with DAZN for the Smith underscored Lopez’s position as the fight. He might not be able to match his previous deal with company’s latest big name. DAZN in a post-pandemic world, but he will be in demand.

RICHARD SCHAEFER joined forces with Al Haymon and PBC in the summer... LOU DIBELLA is plotting a big 2021 and MORINARI WATANABE, the head of the Olympic boxing task force, has a huge year approaching (presuming the Games take place, of course).

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 33 RANKINGS WORLD RATINGS

POUND-FOR-POUND The best of the best LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT 175lbs/12st 7lbs SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT 154lbs/11st LIGHTWEIGHT 135lbs/9st 9lbs 1. Canelo Alvarez | (54-1-2) | (MEX) 1. Artur Beterbiev | (15-0) | (RUS) 1. Jermell Charlo | (34-1) | (USA) 1. Teofimo Lopez | (16-0) | (USA) 2. Naoya Inoue | (20-0) | (JPN) 2. Sergey Kovalev | (34-4-1) | (RUS) 2. Jeison Rosario | (20-2-1) | (DOM) 2. Vasiliy Lomachenko | (14-2) | (UKR) 3. Terence Crawford | (37-0) | (USA) 3. Dmitry Bivol | (17-0) | (RUS) 3. Julian Williams | (27-2-1) | (USA) 3. | (20-3) | (ENG) 4. Oleksandr Usyk | (18-0) | (UKR) 4. Joe Smith Jnr | (26-3) | (USA) 4. Jarrett Hurd | (24-1) | (USA) 4. Richard Commey | (29-3) | (GHA) 5. Teofimo Lopez | (16-0) | (USA) 5. Jean Pascal | (35-6-1) | (CAN) 5. | (27-3-3) | (CUB) 5. Devin Haney | (25-0) | (USA) 6. Errol Spence Jnr | (27-0) | (USA) 6. | (23-1) | (USA) 6. Brian Castano | (16-0-1) | (ARG) 6. Javier Fortuna | (36-2-1) | (DOM) 7. Vasiliy Lomachenko | (14-2) | (UKR) 7. Badou Jack | (23-3-3) | (SWE) 7. Tony Harrison | (28-3) | (USA) 7. | (46-5-1) | (FRA) 8. Tyson Fury | (30-0-1) | (ENG) 8. Robin Krasniqi | (51-6) | (GER) 8. | (29-2-1) | (ENG) 8. George Kambosos Jnr | (19-0) | (AUS) 9. Gennady Golovkin | (41-1-1) | (KAZ) 9. Eleider Alvarez | (25-2) | (COL) 9. Patrick Teixeira | (31-1) | (BRA) 9. Ryan Garcia | (20-0) | (USA) 10. Gervonta Davis | (24-0) | (USA) 10. Gilberto Ramirez | (41-0) | (MEX) 10. Erickson Lubin | (23-1) | (USA) 10. Masayoshi Nakatani | (19-1) | (JPN) Fighter of the Year: Joe Smith Jnr Fighter of the Year: Jermell Charlo Fighter of the Year: Teofimo Lopez HEAVYWEIGHT Over 200lbs/14st 4lbs Fight of the Year: Gilberto Ramirez Fight of the Year: Ted Cheeseman Fight of the Year: Masayoshi Nakatani 1. Tyson Fury | (30-0-1) | (ENG) w rsf 10 Alfonso Lopez w pts 12 Sam Eggington w rsf 9 Felix Verdejo 2. Anthony Joshua | (24-1) | (ENG) 3. Deontay Wilder | (42-1-1) | (USA) SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT 168lbs/12st WELTERWEIGHT 147lbs/10st 7lbs SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT 130lbs/9st 4lbs 4. Andy Ruiz Jnr | (33-2) | (USA) 1. Canelo Alvarez | (54-1-2) | (MEX) 1. Errol Spence Jnr | (27-0) | (USA) 1. Gervonta Davis | (24-0) | (USA) 5. Alexander Povetkin | (36-2-1) | (RUS) 2. Callum Smith | (27-1) | (ENG) 2. Terence Crawford | (37-0) | (USA) 2. Miguel Berchelt | (38-1) | (MEX) 6. Dillian Whyte | (27-2) | (ENG) 3. Billy Joe Saunders | (30-0) | (ENG) 3. Shawn Porter | (31-3-1) | (USA) 3. Rene Alvarado | (32-8) | (NIC) 7. Joe Joyce | (12-0) | (ENG) 4. Caleb Plant | (20-0) | (USA) 4. Manny Pacquiao | (62-7-2) | (PHL) 4. | (22-2) | (USA) 8. Joseph Parker | (27-2) | (NZL) 5. John Ryder | (29-5) | (ENG) 5. Danny Garcia | (36-3) | (USA) 5. Joseph Diaz | (31-1) | (USA) 9. Oleksandr Usyk | (18-0) | (UKR) 6. Lionell Thompson | (22-5) | (USA) 6. | (40-1) | (USA) 6. | (30-5-1) | (USA) 10. Michael Hunter | (19-1-1) | (USA) 7. Anthony Dirrell | (33-2-1) | (USA) 7. Keith Thurman | (29-1) | (USA) 7. Leo Santa Cruz | (37-2-1) | (MEX) Fighter of the Year: Tyson Fury 8. Juergen Braehmer | (52-3) | (GER) 8. Yordenis Ugas | (26-4) | (CUB) 8. Shakur Stevenson | (15-0) | (USA) Fight of the Year: Alexander Povetkin 9. Fedor Chudinov | (23-2) | (RUS) 9. Egidijus Kavaliauskas | (22-1-1) | (LTU) 9. Andrew Cancio | (21-5-2) | (USA) w rsf 5 Dillian Whyte 10. Daniel Jacobs | (37-3) | (USA) 10. Jamal James | (27-1) | (USA) 10. Masayuki Ito | (26-2-1) | (JPN) Fighter of the Year: Canelo Alvarez Fighter of the Year: Errol Spence Jnr Fighter of the Year: Gervonta Davis CRUISERWEIGHT 200lbs/14st 4lbs Fight of the Year: Carlos Gongora Fight of the Year: Liam Taylor Fight of the Year: Gervonta Davis 1. | (27-1) | (LVA) w ko 12 Ali Akhmedov w pts 10 Darren Tetley w ko 6 Leo Santa Cruz 2. Yuniel Dorticos | (24-2) | (CUB) 3. | (26-0) | (FRA) MIDDLEWEIGHT 160lbs/11st 6lbs SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT 140lbs/10st FEATHERWEIGHT 126lbs/9st 4. Ilunga Makabu | (28-2) | (COD) 1. Gennady Golovkin | (41-1-1) | (KAZ) 1. Josh Taylor | (17-0) | (SCO) 1. Gary Russell Jnr | (31-1) | (USA) 5. Krzysztof Wlodarczyk | (58-4-1) | (POL) 2. Jermall Charlo | (31-0) | (USA) 2. | (25-1) | (USA) 2. | (30-0) | (ENG) 6. Thabiso Mchunu | (22-5) | (RSA) 3. Ryota Murata | (16-2) | (JPN) 3. Jose Ramirez | (26-0) | (USA) 3. | (27-1) | (ENG) 7. Noel Gevor | (25-2) | (GER) 4. | (29-0) | (USA) 4. Viktor Postol | (31-3) | (UKR) 4. Can Xu | (18-2) | (CHN) 8. Kevin Lerena | (26-1) | (RSA) 5. Sergiy Derevyanchenko | (13-3) | (UKR) 5. Jose Zepeda | (33-2) | (USA) 5. Tugstsogt Nyambayar | (12-1) | (MNG) 9. Aleksei Papin | (12-1) | (RUS) 6. Chris Eubank Jnr | (29-2) | (ENG) 6. Ivan Baranchyk | (20-2) | (BLR) 6. Oscar Escandon | (26-5) | (COL) 10. | (15-0) | (ENG) 7. Rob Brant | (26-2) | (USA) 7. Pablo Cesar Cano | (33-7-1) | (MEX) 7. Emanuel Navarrete | (33-1) | (MEX) Fighter of the Year: Mairis Briedis 8. Liam Williams | (23-2-1) | (WAL) 8. | (29-2) | (RUS) 8. Eduardo Ramirez | (24-2-3) | (MEX) Fight of the Year: Mairis Briedis 9. Jaime Munguia | (36-0) | (MEX) 9. Mario Barrios | (26-0) | (USA) 9. Jessie Magdaleno | (28-1) | (USA) w pts 12 Yuniel Dorticos 10. Maciej Sulecki | (29-2) | (POL) 10. Jose Pedraza | (28-3) | (PRI) 10. Joet Gonzalez | (24-1) | (USA) Fighter of the Year: Jermall Charlo Fighter of the Year: Jose Zepeda Fighter of the Year: Gary Russell Jnr Fight of the Year: Jermall Charlo Fight of the Year: Jose Zepeda Fight of the Year: Adam Lopez w pts 12 Sergiy Derevyanchenko w ko 5 Ivan Baranchyk w pts 10 Luis Coria

*The officialBoxing News world ratings (as of December 24, 2020), *If a fighter has been inactive for over 18 months, he will be removed including the 2020 Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year for each from the rankings, unless he has a fight officially scheduled. Once division. removed due to inactivity, a fighter cannot be reinstated until he has fought again.

34 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Photo: MIKEY WILLIAMS/TOP RANK SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT 122lbs/8st 10lbs FLYWEIGHT 112lbs/8st 1. | (34-0) | (MEX) 1. Julio Cesar Martinez | (17-1) | (MEX) 2. Murodjon Akhmadaliev | (8-0) | (UZB) 2. | (15-0) | (JPN) 3. Daniel Roman | (28-3-1) | (USA) 3. Artem Dalakian | (20-0) | (UKR) 4. | (27-3) | (JPN) 4. Moruti Mthalane | (39-2) | (RSA) 5. Isaac Dogboe | (21-2) | (GHA) 5. | (21-0) | (JPN) 6. Brandon Figueroa | (21-0-1) | (USA) 6. Cristofer Rosales | (31-5) | (NIC) 7. | (31-0) | (MEX) 7. Vincent Legrand | (32-0) | (FRA) 8. | (32-3) | (USA) 8. | (18-1) | (WAL) 9. Tomoki Kameda | (36-3) | (JPN) 9. | (24-2) | (PHL) 10. Azat Hovhannisyan | (18-3) | (ARM) 10. Maximino Flores | (25-4-2) | (MEX) Fighter of the Year: Murodjon Akhmadaliev Fighter of the Year: Julio Cesar Martinez Fight of the Year: Murodjon Fight of the Year: Julio Cesar Martinez Akhmadaliev w pts 12 Daniel Roman w pts 12 Jay Harris

BANTAMWEIGHT 118lbs/8st 6lbs LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT 108lbs/7st 7lbs 1. Naoya Inoue | (20-0) | (JPN) 1. Ken Shiro | (17-0) | (JPN) 2. | (30-4) | (PHL) 2. | (14-0) | (JPN) 3. | (40-6) | (PHL) 3. Elwin Soto | (18-1) | (MEX) BIG YEAR: 4. Nordine Oubaali | (17-0) | (FRA) 4. Felix Alvarado | (35-2) | (NIC) Joe Smith Jnr 5. Emmanuel Rodriguez | (19-2) | (PRI) 5. Edward Heno | (14-1-5) | (PHL) 6. | (13-1) | (JPN) 6. Reiya Konishi | (17-2) | (JPN) Photo: SEAN MICHAEL HAM/MAYWEATHER PROMOTIONS 7. Mike Plania | (24-1) | (PHL) 7. Tetsuya Hisada | (34-10-2) | (JPN) 8. | (20-1) | (CUB) 8. Tibo Monabesa | (20-1-2) | (IDN) 9. Jason Moloney | (21-2) | (AUS) 9. Agustin Gauto | (16-0) | (ARG) 10. Oscar Negrete | (19-2-2) | (COL) 10. Sivenathi Nontshinga | (9-0) | (RSA) Fighter of the Year: Naoya Inoue Fighter of the Year: Elwin Soto Fight of the Year: Ronald Malindi Fight of the Year: Daniel Matellon w pts 12 Lwandile Sityatha w pts 12 Erik Omar Lopez Garcia

SUPER-FLYWEIGHT 115lbs/8st 3lbs STRAWWEIGHT 105lbs/7st 5lbs 1. Juan Francisco Estrada | (41-3) | (MEX) 1. Knockout CP Freshmart | (21-0) | (THA) 2. | (49-5-1) | (THA) 2. Petchmanee CP Freshmart | (35-1) | (THA) 3. Roman Gonzalez | (50-2) | (NIC) 3. Wanheng Meenayothin | (54-1) | (THA) 4. | (25-2) | (JPN) 4. Wilfredo Mendez | (16-1) | (PRI) 5. | (32-1-2) | (PHL) 5. | (20-4) | (PHL) 6. Kal Yafai | (26-1) | (ENG) 6. Byron Rojas | (27-4-3) | (NIC) 7. Fernando Martinez | (12-0) | (ARG) 7. Pedro Taduran | (14-2-1) | (PHL) 8. Joshua Franco | (17-1-2) | (USA) 8. Nkosinathi Joyi | (29-5-1) | (RSA) 9. Andrew Moloney | (21-1) | (AUS) 9. Joey Canoy | (16-4-1) | (PHL) 10. Gideon Buthelezi | (22-5) | (RSA) 10. Ginjiro Shigeoka | (5-0) | (JPN) RISING FAST: Fighter of the Year: Roman Gonzalez Fighter of the Year: Petchmanee CP Freshmart Gervonta Davis Fight of the Year: Juan Francisco Fight of the Year: Pedro Taduran Estrada w rsf 11 Carlos Cuadras d td 4 Daniel Valladares

*Each fighter is ranked on the results they have achieved in their common sense will (hopefully) prevail. own specific weight division (excluding the pound-for-pound list). *If a fighter is suspended for failing a drug test, he will be removed *Each fighter is ranked in the division in which their most recent from the rankings. He will be eligible for reinstation after completing significant fight took place. With regards to fights, a ban.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 35 RANKINGS BRITISH RATINGS

HEAVYWEIGHT Over 200lbs/14st 4lbs 12: Jordan Thompson (), 10-0 17: Sebastian Slusarczyk* (Nottm/Pol), 8-1 SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT 168lbs/12st 1: Tyson Fury (Wilmslow), 30-0-1 13: Damian Chambers (Dukinfield), 11-1 18; Tommy Philbin (), 13-1 1: Callum Smith (Liverpool), 27-1 2: Anthony Joshua (Watford), 24-1 14: Rhasian Earlington (Newc-under-Lyme), 7-1 19: (Darwen), 26-9-2-1T/D 2: Billy Joe Saunders (Hatfield), 30-0 3: Dillian Whyte (Brixton), 27-2 15: Tony Conquest (Romford), 18-4 20: Diego Costa* (Manchester/Brz), 7-0 3. John Ryder (Islington), 29-5 4: Joe Joyce (Putney), 12-0 16: Nathan Thorley (), 14-1 21: Boris Crighton (Aberdeen), 6-1 4. (Liverpool), 28-2 5: Dereck Chisora (Finchley), 32-10 17: Dan Cooper (Ruskington), 9-1-1 22: Thomas Whittaker-Hart (Liverpool), 5-0 5: Martin Murray (St Helens), 39-6-1 6: Daniel Dubois (Greenwich), 15-1 18: Mick Learmonth (), 10-0 23: Ryan Hatton (Tamworth), 7-0 6: (Woodville), 19-0 7: Hughie Fury (Manchester), 25-3 19: Nick Parpa (Palmers Green), 9-1 24: Jordan Joseph (Hemel Hempstead), 8-4-1 7: (New Maldon), 14-0 8: (Nantwich), 17-1 20: Daniel Mendes (Silvertown), 11-2 25: Charlie Duffield (Rainham), 7-2 8: Lennox Clarke (Halesowen), 19-1-1 9: Fabio Wardley (Ipswich), 10-0 21: Jamie Hughes (Bentley), 8-1 26: Dana Zaxo (Hammersmith), 6-0 9: Willy Hutchinson (Carstairs), 13-0 10: (Liverpool), 26-7 22: Ellis Zorro (Bromley), 9-0 27: Michael Fafera (York), 6-0 10: Umar Sadiq (Ilford), 10-2 11: Robin Dupre (Dagenham), 15-2 23: James Branch (Hainault), 7-0 28: Jake Barton (Southport), 5-0 11: Jack Cullen (Little Lever), 19-2-1 12: Kash Ali (), 18-1 24: Nathan Quarless (Liverpool), 7-0 29: Olly Newham (), 7-1 12: Kody Davies (Pontllanfraith), 10-0 13: (Chertsey), 16-2 25: David Jamieson (East Kilbride), 5-1 30: Jermaine Springer (), 7-2 13: Zak Chelli (Fulham), 9-1-1 14: Simon Vallily (Middlesbrough), 17-3-1 26: James Farrell (Liverpool), 9-2 31: Louis Lye (Iver), 4-0 14: Germaine Brown (Kingston), 9-0 15: Mark Bennett (), 7-1 27: Iain Martell (Marsham), 9-0 32: Jamie Mitchell (), 4-0 15: John Docherty (Montrose), 9-1 16: Josh Sandland (Halifax), 5-3-1 28: Chezerae Nihell (Aldershot), 4-0 33: Derek Renfrew (Fleet), 8-1-1 16: Padraig McCrory (), 11-0 17: Dominic Akinlade (New Cross), 9-3-1 29: Michael Webster (Middlesbrough), 4-0 34: Casey Connelly (), 6-1 17: Mickey Ellison (Darwen), 12-3 18: Kamil Sokolowski* (Plym/Pol), 10-20-2 30: Andrius Ruzas* (Hull/Lit), 1-2 35: Lewis Edmondson (Southampton), 4-0 18: Mark Jeffers (Eccleston), 11-0 19: Ellis Machin (Huthwaite), 4-1-1 31: Mark Little (Romford), 12-1 36: Tommy Fury (Manchester), 4-0 19: Chris Davies (Richmond on Thames), 14-0 20: Jay McFarlane (), 12-5 32: Ossie Jervier (Willesden), 6-14 37: Connor Seymour (Hull), 9-1-2 20: Anthony Fox (Westbury), 8-13-4 21: David Adeleye (Ladbroke Grove), 4-0 33: Jose Lopes* (Stratford/Ang), 9-3 38: Paul Brown (Ramsgate), 5-0 21: Charlie Schofield (Ashton-under-Lyne), 15-1 22: Danny Whitaker (Silsden), 4-2 34: Sonny Taylor (Hull), 5-0 39: Michael Stephenson (Luton), 4-1 22: Nicolie Campbell (), 8-1 23: Jonathan Palata (Sydenham), 7-1 35: Jone Volau (), 5-6 40: Jamie Bates (Newcastle), 1-0 23: John Telford (Manchester), 11-3-1 24: Chris Healey (Stockport), 8-8 36: Michael Watson (Sedgefield), 2-0 41: Yailton Neves* (Manchester/Por), 4-15 24: Christian Kinsiona (Sheffield), 9-2-1 25: Robert Ismay (Newcastle), 9-0 37: Matt Sen (Oldbury), 5-3 42: Bryce Goodridge (Basingstoke), 4-0 25: Callum Hancock (Eckington), 10-0 26: Naylor Ball (Iver), 7-1 38: Adam Gair (Durham), 5-0 43: Ian O’Connor (Glasgow), 1-0-1 26: Luke Caci (Newcastle-under-Lyme), 10-0 27: Dilbag Singh (Coventry), 6-0 39: John McCallum (Galashiels), 12-2 44: Callum Simpson (), 3-0 27: Jake Anthony (Ammanford), 6-1 28: Lucian Atana* (Harrow/Rom), 4-0 40: Aroon Fiaz (Telford), 3-0 45: Johnny Ward (Chippenham), 2-0 28: Sam Smith (Swindon), 8-3 29: Viktoras Razma* (Greenford/Lit), 1-3 41: Ben Vickers (Battersea), 2-0 46: Ziggy Macauley (Croydon), 2-0 29: Charlie Shane (Chatham), 9-0 30: Ryan Charles* (Edmonton/St Luc), 7-1 42: Anees Taj (Watford), 2-0 47: Paul McCullagh (Belfast), 1-0 30: Mike McGoldrick (Barrow), 7-1 31: George Fox (Mill Hill), 3-0 43: Jamie Smith (Amersham), 2-0 48: Lester Daniel* (Bedford/Ken), 1-0 31: Ryan Robinson (Plaistow), 6-0 32: Dorin Krasmaru* (Sidcup/Ukr), 3-0 44: Antony Woolery (), 2-3 49: Ben Thomas (), 2-4-3 32: George Farrell (), 5-0 33: Mohammad Saleem (Dumfries), 2-0 45: Perry Howe (Sheffield), 2-0-1 50: Sam Horsfall (Frimley), 4-2 33: Idris Virgo (), 9-0-0-1T/D 34: Steve Robinson (Newcastle), 3-0 46: Elvis Dube (Derby), 10-84-2 51: Dylan Courtney (Penzance), 1-1 34: JA Metcalfe (Barnsley), 1-0 35: Josh Quailey (Melton Mowbray), 3-2 47: William Hamilton (Rainham), 2-0 52: Asad Riaz (Derby), 4-1 35: Darryl Sharp (Middleton), 5-72-1 36: Sean Anthony Turner (Liverpool), 2-0 48: Tyrone Williams (Balham), 1-2 53: Jack Owen (Bromley), 3-0-1 36: Harry Woods (Liverpool), 4-1 37: Karl Tierney (Liverpool), 2-0 49: Michael Ibrahim (Harlow), 0-3 54: Callum Beardow (Sheffield), 2-0 37: Jack Hutsby (Heanor), 4-0-1 38: Phil Williams (Swindon), 3-27-1 40: John Shearer (Gillingham), 0-1 55: Dominic Felix (Northampton), 3-1-1 38: James Heneghan (Liverpool), 4-0 39: Tommy Welch (), 1-0 50: Howard Kehoe (Sheffield), 0-1 56: Darrell Church (Chelmsford), 7-4-1 39: Robert Studzinski* (Llanelli/Pol), 5-42 40: Ishmael Oladipo (Swanscombe), 1-0-1 51: Ben Croft (Leeds), 0-1 57; Kola Koyejo (Watford), 2-0 40: Bradley Spencer (Bedfont), 4-0 41: Mitchell Barton (Berwick), 1-0 52: Zach Thompson (Newark), 0-4 58: Karol Itauma (Chatham), 1-0 41: Jack McGann (Liverpool), 4-0-1 42: Harry Armstrong (Whetstone), 1-0 59: Ezra Taylor (Nottingham), 1-0 42: Eric Nwankwo* (Portsmouth/Nig), 1-7 43: Miles Willington (Grantham), 1-11 LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT 175lbs/12st 7lbs 60: Wycombe King (Chester), 1-0 43: William Webber (Dunmow), 6-1 44: Colin Goldhawk (Hoddesdon), 2-9 1: Lyndon Arthur (Manchester), 18-0 61: Lee-Adam Barnett (Catford), 1-0 44: Geraint Goodridge (Port Talbot), 4-10-3 45: Matt Gordon (West Bromwich), 2-5-1 2: Callum Johnson (Boston), 18-1 62: Conor Doherty (Belfast), 1-0 45: Paul Greenidge (Abbots Langley), 4-1 46: Aidan Anderson (Dewsbury), 0-1 3: Anthony Yarde (Ilford), 20-2 63: Billy Scott (Clipstone), 1-0 46: Ermal Dida* (Bedford/Alb), 3-1 4: Joshua Buatsi (Croydon), 13-0 64: Dexter Makaza (Liverpool), 1-0 47: Jack Booth (Stockport), 3-0 CRUISERWEIGHT 200lbs/14st 4lbs 5: (Manchester), 25-2 65: Lewis van Poetsch (Lydney), 9-124-2 48: Vladimir Georgiev* (WestonSM/Bul), 4-1 1: Lawrence Okolie (Hackney), 15-0 6: (Barrow), 18-6-1 66: Jordan Grant (Hamilton), 2-0 49: Darren Tarr (Houston), 2-0 2: Richard Riakporhe (Walworth), 10-0 7: Craig Richards (Crystal Palace), 16-1-1 67: Burim Ahmeti* (Thamesmead/Kos), 1-0 50: Ben Douglas (Nottingham), 2-1 3: Tommy McCarthy (Belfast), 17-2 8: Shakan Pitters (Solihull), 14-1 68: Rob Parry (Manchester), 1-0 51: Nathan Halton (Torquay), 3-4-1 4: Deion Jumah (Chelsea), 13-0 9: Dan Azeez (Lewisham), 12-0 69: Nathan Junor* (Derby/Spa), 1-8-1 52: Julio Cesar* (Belfast/Ang), 3-4 5: Jack Massey (High Peak), 17-1 10: Chad Sugden (Newark), 11-2-1 70: Josh Chapman (Nottingham), 1-0-1 53: Luca Micheletti* (Inverness/Ita), 2-0 6: Chris Billam-Smith (Bournemouth), 11-1 11: Dec Spelman (Scunthorpe), 16-5 71: Genadij Krajevskij* (Liverpool/Lit), 0-12 54: Sean McGlinchey (Derry), 2-2 7: Mikael Lawal (Shepherds Bush), 13-0 12: Andre Sterling (New Cross), 11-3 72: Ryan Hibbert (Irlam), 1-8 55: Conor Hinds (Charlton), 3-0 8: Sam Hyde (Sale), 15-2-1 13: Ricky Summers (Wombourne), 17-2-1 73: Richard Harrison (Chessington), 4-44 56: Pete Nurdin (Bournemouth), 2-0 9: Steven Ward (Belfast), 13-1 14: Pawel Augustynik* (Taunton/Pol), 12-0 74: Andy Bishop (), 0-14 57: Mohammed Sameer (Peterborough), 1-0 10: (Brixton), 12-1 15: Lawrence Osueke (Newcastle), 9-1-1 75: Guycha Muele (Enfield), 0-2 58: Marc Osborne (Leighton Buzzard), 1-0 11: Craig Glover (Liverpool), 10-3 16: Ollie Pattison ( Colney), 10-0 76: JJ Smith (Maidstone), 0-3 59: Dan Blackwell (Trowbridge), 7-69

36 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net Compiled by Andy Whittle on December 24, 2020. * = Not eligible to box for the British title. Only BBBofC-licensed boxers have been included. Boxers who have not fought since July 1, 2019 have not been included.

60: Robert Green (Yeovil), 1-0 38: Gerome Warburton (Colwyn Bay) 6-0 15: Navid Mansouri (Rotherham), 20-4-1-1T/D 75: Ryan Gall (Dundee), 2-1 61: Ryan Whitehead (Telford), 1-0 39: Troy Coleman (Burntwood, Staffs), 6-1 16: Jack Flatley (Bolton), 16-1-1 76: Neon Samuels (Watford), 1-0 62: Kenan Brown-Wingfield (), 1-0 40: Owen Jobburn (Stoke), 5-6-2 17: Jeff Saunders (Sedgefield), 14-0 77: Inder Bassi (Basildon), 2-1 63: Umar Anjum (Telford), 1-0 41: Craig Kelly (Paisley), 11-14-1 18: Dean Richardson (South Ruislip), 12-0 78: Zygimantas Butkevicius* (Hull/Lit), 2-32 64: Joe-Louis D’santos (Aldershot), 1-0 42: Paul Allison (Stranraer), 6-5-1 19: Serge Ambomo* (Sheffield/Cam), 7-20-2 79: George Mitchell (London), 1-0 65: Matt McCallum (Morpeth), 1-0 43: Rod Douglas Jnr (Bow), 3-4 20: Adam Harper (Tewkesbury), 9-2 80: Paul Cummings (Warminster), 2-47 66: Dominic Sheppard (Nottingham), 1-0 44: Robert Asagba (Chadwell Heath), 5-3-1 21: Sean Robinson (Seven Kings), 10-1-1 81: Mark Taylor (Newcastle), 2-0 67: Kieron Spice (Sittingbourne), 1-0 45: Davis Pagan (Basildon), 10-3 22: Ryan Kelly (Birmingham), 14-3 82: Martin Jones (Wrexham), 2-1 68: John Hedges (Takeley), 1-0 46: Terry Conroy (Poplar), 5-0 23: Joshua Ejakpovi, (Marylebone), 13-2 83: Simeon Preddie (Tooting), 2-0 69: Kevin Reavell (South Ockendon), 1-0 47: Dan Catlin (Fleetwood), 5-0 24: John Brennan (Slough) 12-6-2-1N/C 84: Declan Cairns (Worksop), 2-0 70: Ryan Bithell (Stoke), 1-0 48: Ben Fail (Northampton) 1-0 25: Paul Kean (Dundee), 12-2 85: Kieran Leinster (Teddington), 2-1 71: Mick Mills (Gillingham), 1-12-1 49: Robbie Chapman (Chalk Farm), 6-6 26: JJ Evans (Cardiff), 9-0 86: Terry Maughan (Nottingham), 10-8-3 72: Gianni Antoh* (Cambridge/Ita), 1-15 50: Josh Adewale (Slough), 3-1 27: Nathan Graham (Aylesbury), 20-10-1 87: Craig Sumner (Blackpool), 1-0 73: Kearon Thomas (), 1-9-1 51: John Joyce* (Moate/Ire), 2-0 28: Adrian Martin (Ingatestone), 11-1 88: Luke Middleton (Worksop), 2-11 74: Tim Ventrella (Nottingham), 0-1-1 52: Tom Cowling (Newark), 4-0 29: George Lamport (Farnborough), 9-0-1 89: Danny Murrell (Denaby Main), 1-0 75: Shaunn Watt (Brockley), 1-9-1 53: Ashlee Eales (Nuneaton), 2-0 30: Jordan Cooke (Coventry), 12-2 90: Fynnlie Judd (Basingstoke) 1-0 76: Callum Ide (Bognor Regis), 0-30-2 54: Ben Ridings (Bury), 3-1 31: Konrad Stempkowski (Reading), 9-4 91: Dale Arrowsmith (Hyde), 2-39-1 77: Scott Williams (Manchester), 0-9 55: Billy Underwood (Islington), 4-0 32: Danny Craven (Warrington), 7-2 92: Shafqat Khan (Aylesbury), 1-0 78: Thomas Barrett (South Ockendon), 0-2 56: Jordan Blake (Ilford), 3-0 33: Joe Steed (Wisbech), 7-0 93: Brandon Stansfield (Leeds), 1-0 79: Scott Hillman (Eastbourne), 0-47 57: Tashan Dwyer (Wembley), 3-0 34: Kingsley Egbunike (Acton), 5-1-1 94: Lewis Everson (Plymouth), 1-0 80: Rob Garvey (Clapham), 0-1 58: Ish O’Connor (Ipswich), 2-1 35: Dan Sarkozi (), 12-3 95: Sam Spooner (Nottingham), 1-0 59: Kyle Hughes (Ilkeston), 2-2 36: Sean Ben Mulligan (Prestwich), 10-1 96: Abie Tweedlie (Lesmahagow), 1-0 MIDDLEWEIGHT 160lbs/11st 6lbs 60: Dalton Miller (Acton), 8-9-2 37: Tony Bange (Wraysbury), 7-1 97: Saif Zahoor (Bradford), 0-4 1: Chris Eubank Jnr (Brighton), 29-2 61: Paddy Pollock (Coltness), 7-10-3 38: Harley Benn (Hornchurch), 8-1 98: Adam Bannister (Torquay), 1-12 2: Liam Williams (Clydach Vale), 23-2-0-1T/D 62: Amar Kayani (Slough), 2-0 39: Sion Yaxley (Ruthin), 6-0 99: Gary McGuire (Glasgow), 1-17 3: Denzel Bentley (Battersea), 14-0-1 63: Jordan Grannum (Islington), 5-73-2 40: Lewis Syrett (Tonbridge), 7-1 100: Karim Khan (Sheffield), 1-13 4: Mark Heffron (), 25-2-1 64: Chavez Campbell (Wood Green), 3-1 41: Ryan Amos (Nottingham), 5-0 101: Joe Fisher (Harwell), 0-1 5: Felix Cash (Wokingham), 13-0 65: Kurt Grieve (), 8-2-1 42: Michael Hennessy Jnr (Sevenoaks), 5-1-1 6: Andrew Robinson (Redditch), 24-5-1 66: Constantine Williams (Hackney), 2-0 43: Stanley Stannard (Harby), 3-0 WELTERWEIGHT 147lbs/10st 7lbs 7: Marcus Morrison (Manchester), 23-3 67: Josh Gooding (Nottingham), 2-0 44: Kaan Hawes (Witham), 5-2-1 1: (Sheffield), 39-3 8: Linus Udofia* (Luton/Nig), 16-0 68: Billy Stanbury (Barnstaple), 1-0 45: Nathan Bendon (Sutton Coldfield), 3-3-1 2: Amir Khan (Bolton), 34-5 9: Danny Dignum (Bowers Gifford), 13-0 69: Jack Simpson (Poole), 2-0 46: George Rhodes (Scarborough), 6-1-1 3: Chris Jenkins (Garnant), 22-3-1-2T/D 10: Conrad Cummings (Coalisland), 17-4-1 70: Chris Onwuegbusi (Peckham), 1-0 47: Owen O’Neill (Belfast), 4-0 4: (), 9-0-1 11: Alfredo Meli (Belfast), 17-1-1 71: Tom Brennan (Burford), 1-2 48: Cameron Kaihau (Doncaster), 4-0 5: Conor Benn (Ilford), 17-0 12: Derrick Osaze (Nottingham), 10-0 72: Kaylem Foreman (Carshalton), 2-0 49: Max Mudway (Stroud), 4-0 6: Liam Taylor (Middleton), 22-1-0-1T/D 13: Brad Pauls (Harlow), 14-0 73: Jordan Withers (Ystrad), 2-0 50: Jack Martin (Southminster), 4-0 7: Ekow Essuman (Nottingham), 14-0 14: Jason Welborn (Tividale), 24-9 74: Kevin McCauley (Brighton), 15-209-12 51: Mitchell Frearson (Hornchurch), 5-0-1 8: Larry Ekundayo (Stoke Newington), 16-1 15: Tyler Denny (Rowley Regis), 12-2-2 75: Jan Ardon* (Manchester/Cze), 2-6 52: Scott James (Bicester), 6-7-1 9: Lewis Crocker (Belfast), 12-0 16: Grant Dennis (Chatham), 15-3 76: Cory Hardy (Pinxton), 1-2-1 53: Jordan Dujon (Barnet), 4-0 10: Louis Greene (Strood), 12-2 17: Caoimhin Agyarko (Belfast), 8-0 77: Spencer Thomas (Llanelli), 0-2-1 55: Luke Kelly (Leeds), 4-0 11: Freddy Kiwitt* (Islington/Lib), 17-2 18: Mick Hall (Preston), 15-3 78: Victor Edagha* (Southwark/Ita), 2-71-3-1N/C 55: Alex Farrell (Newcastle), 4-0 12: Chris Kongo (Bermondsey), 12-0 19: Nathan Heaney (Stoke), 10-0 79: Liam Griffiths (Bognor Regis), 5-86-1 56: Lloyd Germain (Cardiff), 4-0 13: (Huddersfield), 37-7-2 20: Macaulay McGowan (Wythenshawe), 14-2-1 80: Josh Hodgins (Birmingham), 0-2 57: George Davey (York), 3-0 14: Darren Tetley (Bradford), 20-1 21: River Wilson-Bent (Coventry), 8-0 81: Bryn Wain (Yeovil), 0-31 58: Callum Stuart (Macduff), 3-0 15. Anthony Tomlinson (Sheffield), 12-0 22: Jack Kilgannon (Oldham), 10-0 59: Jabran Bilal (Halifax), 1-1 16: Paddy Gallagher (Belfast), 16-6 23: Bradley Rea (Manchester), 9-0 SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT 154lbs/11st 60: Chris Jenkinson (Bolton), 12-74-3 17: Danny Ball (Kingswinford), 9-0-1 24: Jez Smith (Harrow Weald), 12-2-1 1: Liam Smith (Liverpool), 28-2-1 61: David Thompson (Liverpool), 2-0 18: Kaisee Benjamin (Birmingham), 11-1-1 25: Aaron Sutton (Bristol), 10-0 2: (Preston), 14-0 62: Kristaps Zulgis* (Basildon/Lat), 5-16-3 19: Tony Dixon (Mountain Ash), 12-3 26: Lee Cutler (Bournemouth), 7-0 3: Ted Cheeseman (Bermondsey), 16-2-1 63: Mussab Abubaker (Birmingham), 3-0 20: John Quigley (Liverpool), 17-2 27: Drew Brown (Northampton), 12-0 4: (Northampton), 16-1-1 64: Muhammad Ali Zahid (Rochdale), 5-0 21: Shaquille Day (Bexley), 13-1 28: Alistair Warren (Huddersfield), 11-29-3-2T/D 5: Sam Eggington (Stourbridge), 29-7 65: Danny Little (Driffield), 8-68-2 22: Jack Rafferty (Shaw), 13-0 29: John Harding Jnr (New Cross), 8-2-1 6: James Metcalf (Liverpool), 21-0 66: Sam Omidi (Manchester), 6-26-3 23: Samuel Antwi (Stockwell), 12-1 30: Kyle Lomotey (Leigh), 8-0 7: Kieran Smith (Greenrigg), 16-0 67: Duane Green (Norwich), 6-47-7 24: Sam Gilley (Walthamstow), 11-0 31: Trigger Wood (Dumfries), 8-0 8: Anthony Fowler (Liverpool), 13-1 68: Ricky Heavens (Ealing), 8-1-1 25: Martin Harkin (Dumbarton), 13-1 32: Shaka Thompson (Birmingham), 7-0 9: (Darlington), 15-0-1 69: Ryan Copland (Ipswich), 3-0 26: Louis Adolphe (Wimbledon), 10-2 33: Fred Evans (Cardiff), 7-1 10: Hamzah Sheeraz (Ilford), 12-0 70: Jay Munn (Rhoose), 3-0 27: John Thain (Edinburgh), 17-5 34: Ishmael Davis (Leeds), 6-0 11: Steven Donnelly (Ballymena), 9-0 71: Jake Whittaker (Oldham), 3-0 28: Dean Sutherland (Aberdeen), 10-0 35: Sean Phillips (Gravesend), 7-1-1 12: Harry Scarff (Derby), 8-2 72: Joshua Frankham (Reading), 2-0 29: Sohail Ahmad (West Brompton), 14-1-1 36: Kelcie Ball (Dordon), 10-2 13: John O’Donnell (Shepherd’s Bush), 33-3 73: Randal Barlow (Crawley), 2-0 30: Mason Cartwright (Ellesmere Pt), 16-2-0-1T/D 37: James Hawley (Bromley), 6-0 14: (Blackpool), 31-6-1 74: James Rayworth (Sheffield), 2-0 31: Lewis Booth (Doncaster), 12-0

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 37 RANKINGS

32: James Moorcroft (Wigan), 13-1 98: Danny Evans (Leeds), 1-0 31: Kane Gardner (Manchester), 11-1 LIGHTWEIGHT 135lbs/9st 9lbs 33: Liam Wells (Rainham), 7-1 99: Shane Medlen (Paignton), 3-3 32: James Flint (Doncaster), 8-0-1-1N/C 1: Luke Campbell (Hessle), 20-3 34: (Swindon), 13-2-1 100: Connor Ward (Manchester), 3-0 33: Terry Wilkinson (Newcastle), 8-0 2: Lee Selby (Barry), 28-3 35: -kain Iremiren (Eltham), 4-3-2 101: Mohammed Ali Malik* (Luton/Pak), 3-0 34: Sonny Price (Sheffield), 8-0 3: (Coatbridge), 43-8-1 36: Conah Walker (Wolverhampton), 8-0-1 102: Michael Williams (Wigston), 2-17 4: (Cromer), 23-1 35: Alex Fearon (Derby), 9-2 37: Tom Young (Leeds), 8-2 103: Alex Bellingham (Orpington), 3-0 5: Maxi Hughes (Rossington), 22-5-2 36: Dalton Smith (Sheffield), 6-0 38: Stewart Burt (Newton Mearns), 13-2-1 104: Ryan Watson (Ulverston), 3-1 6: (Belfast), 28-3 37: Kaash Buttery (Stoke), 7-0 39: Sahir Iqbal (Bolton), 8-0 105: Norris Thompson* (Enfield/Gha), 2-0 7: (Manchester), 36-2 38: Alex (Ledbury), 6-0 40: Rob Hunt (Stafford), 26-6-2 106: Osian Williams (Conwy), 2-0 8: (Blackwood), 20-3-2 39: Darren Reay (Bedlington), 6-0-2 41: Curtis Felix Jnr (Milton Keynes), 10-2 107: Ruben Campbell (Dudley), 2-0 9: Paul Hyland (Belfast), 21-2 42: Luke Evans (Salford), 10-0 108: Jensen Irving (Swindon), 3-0 40: Levi Kinsiona (Sheffield), 7-1 10: Stephen Smith (Liverpool), 28-4 43: Tommy Silcox (Tamworth), 8-0 109: Jack McKinlay (Liverpool), 2-0 41: Nathan Bennett (Liverpool), 9-2 11: Sean McComb (Belfast), 11-0 44: Maredudd Thomas (Barry), 11-1 110: Constantin Ursu* (Plymouth/Mol), 2-0 42: Irvin Magno* (Buxton/Phi), 5-3-1 12: Gavin Gwynne (Treharris), 12-2 45: Lenny Fuller (Maidstone), 10-1 111: Jacob Gabriel (Basingstoke), 2-0 43: Andrew Fleming (Wigan), 7-1 13: Myron Mills (Derby), 14-1 46: Levi Ferguson (Walsall), 5-1 112: Lee Hallett (Canning Town), 1-32 44: Robbie Vernon (Bridgend), 5-0 14: Mark Chamberlain (Southsea), 7-0 47: Jumaane Camero (Mitcham), 10-7 113: Jimmy Peckham (Maidstone), 1-0 45: Ishmael Ellis (Birmingham), 11-3 15: Atif Shafiq (Rotherham), 21-3 48: Jamie Stewart (Stoke), 2-0-1 114: Dylan Draper (Braintree), 1-43 46: Harry Limburn (Eastleigh), 6-0 16: Lance Cooksey (Rhoose), 12-0 49: Ellis Corrie (Darlington), 5-1-1 115: Naheem Ali (Blackburn), 2-66-0-1T/D 17: Alfie Price (Hoddesdon), 7-0 47: Denis Denikajev* (Barking/Lit), 6-0-1 50: Tom Hill (Redcar), 9-2 116: Darren Townley (Plymouth), 10-3 18: Hamed Ghaz* (Bradford/Afg), 16-0 48: Cory O’Regan (Heckmondwike), 4-0 51: Nathan Hardy (Sheffield), 10-31-5 117: Brooklyn Tilley (Rainham), 2-0 19: Zuhayr Al-Qahtani* (Mitcham/S.Ara), 8-0 49: Liam Shinkwin (Bushey Heath), 9-1-1 52: Connor Vian (Croydon), 12-2-1 118: Ben Demmery (Bristol), 2-0 20: Craig Woodruff (Newport), 10-6 50: Regan Glackin (Glasgow), 4-0 53: Jamie Robinson (Bolsover), 10-4-1 119: Atal Khan (Stoke), 2-0 21: Jack O’Keeffe (Birmingham), 10-0 51: Anesu Twala* (Lewisham/Zim), 6-1 54: Ryan Stevenson (Doncaster), 8-0 120: Dan Sabastonelli (Weston SM), 1-3 22: Gerard Carroll (Liverpool), 11-1 55: Sajid Abid (Derby), 9-1 121: MJ Hall (Brierley Hill), 2-58-2 52: Jonathan Walsh (Liverpool), 4-0 23: Liam Berrisford (Stoke), 5-0 56: Rylan Charlton (Norwich), 6-0-1 122: Carl Chadwick (Hull), 5-4 53: Henry Turner (High Wycombe), 4-0 24: Matty Fagan (Ellesmere Port), 14-4 57: Jake James (Manchester), 6-0 123: Bailey Donald (Portsmouth), 2-0 54: Chris Adaway (Plymouth), 10-68-4 25: Abdon Cesar* (Stockton/Cam), 4-13 58: Luke Fisher (Scunthorpe), 5-0 124: Jake Demmery (Bristol), 2-0 55: Matthew Rennie (Douglas), 5-0-1 26: Steve Brogan (Skelmersdale), 14-2-2 59: Bradley Townsend (Witney), 8-0 125: Richard Samuels (Thornton Heath), 1-12 56: Khaleel Majid (Bolton), 6-0 27: Shaun Cooper (Willenhall), 10-2 60: Joe Laws (Newcastle), 9-1 126: Qasim Hussain (Sheffield), 4-104-2 57: Simon Corcoran (Wembley), 5-0 28: Henry Janes (Cardiff), 13-24-3 61: Basi Razaq (Newcastle), 8-2-1 127: Sergio Gugliotta (Lincoln), 0-7 58: Luke Gibb (Maidstone), 5-1 29: Reece MacMillan (Morecambe), 12-1 62: Chad Ellis (Spennymoor), 9-0 128: Paul Ducie (Blackwood), 0-17 30: Lucas Ballingall (Portsmouth), 13-1 59: Nathan Farrell-Mather (Middleton), 3-0 63: Callum Blockley (Leicester), 7-0 129: Michael Likalu* (Tottenham/DRC), 0-2 31: Justin Newell (Leeds), 13-0 60: Connor Ireson (Leicester), 5-0 64: Aaron Collins (Fleet), 7-1 130: Carl Turney (Bognor Regis), 0-11 32: Kieron McLaren (Stoke), 13-1-1 61: Alex Jones (Tiverton), 3-0 65: Nathanael Wilson (Croydon), 8-2-1 131: Ilias Liokaftos* (Guildford/Gre), 0-3 33: Lee Glover (Tipton), 11-4 62: Jimmy Cooper (Totton), 9-1-1 66: Faheem Khan* (Exeter/Pak), 14-11-2 34: Joe Fitzpatrick (Belfast), 10-1 63: Eithan James (Northampton), 4-0 67: Kyle Fox (Doncaster), 7-1 SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT 140lbs/10st 35: Calvin McCord (Ayr), 8-0 68: Ryan Oliver (Ashton-under-Lyne), 7-2 1: Josh Taylor (Prestonpans), 17-0 64: Angelo Bevilacqua* (Haringey/Ita), 5-1 36: Darren Traynor (Aberdeen), 16-4 69: Tom Ansell (Hitchin), 8-1 2: (), 26-0 65: Joe Ducker (Shepshed), 7-8-2 37: Marek Laskowski* (Aberdeen/Pol), 9-10-2 70: Liam Goddard (Norwich), 7-0 3: Ohara Davies (Hackney), 22-2 66: Jacob Quinn (Huddersfield), 4-1 38: Dean Dodge (Yeovil), 9-0-1 71: Jake Tinklin (Risca), 6-0 4: (Forest Hall), 21-1 67: Aaron Prospere (Sutton, Surrey), 1-0 39: Daniel Khan (Loughton), 10-0 72: Justin Menzie (Barling), 5-4-0-1T/D 5: Robbie Davies Jnr (Kirkby), 20-2 68: Stu Greener (Devizes), 3-5 40: Jake Bulger (Failsworth), 10-0 73: Neil Parry (Canterbury), 7-1-1 6: Sam Maxwell (Liverpool), 14-0 69: Kris Pilkington (Gateshead), 2-8-1 41: Levi Giles (Grimsby), 8-0 74: Yaser Al-Ghena* (Finchley/Spa), 5-0 7: (Malmesbury), 17-6-1 70: Michael Mooney (Worcester), 9-75-2 42: Aqib Fiaz (Oldham), 6-0 75: Connor Lynch (Middleton), 6-0 8: Akeem Ennis-Brown (Matson), 14-0 43: Kane Baker (Birmingham), 14-7 71: Youssef Al Hamidi* (Dews/Syr), 16-125-4-1T/D 76: Lee Gunter (Cannock), 4-10 9: Philip Bowes (Leytonstone), 20-4 44: Brian Phillips (Liverpool), 9-1 72: Rhys Saunders (Cardiff) 3-22-1 77: Harry Webb (Clyst Honiton), 6-1 10: Kay Prospere (Luton), 14-1-1 45: Martin McDonagh (Isle of Sheppey), 8-2 73: Tom Aitchison (Skelmersdale), 3-0 78: Micky Mills (Bedford), 5-0 11: Harlem Eubank (Brighton), 11-0 46: Nathan Kirk (Nottingham), 13-5 74: Tommy Collins (Birmingham), 2-0 79: Micky Burke (Bexley), 4-0 12: Sam O’maison (Sheffield), 16-3-1 47: Lewis Sylvester (Hull), 6-0 75: George Pawley (Frome), 2-0 80: Elliot Whale (Sidcup), 3-0 13: (Birkenhead), 17-5-1 48: Sean Fennell (Manchester), 7-1 81: Tommy Broadbent (Leeds), 8-8 14: Bilal Rehman (Rochdale), 13-2 76: Liam Richards (Melksham), 12-64 49: Kyle Scully (Halifax), 6-0 82: Anth Ornsby (Wallsend), 4-0 15: Tom Farrell (Liverpool), 18-3 77: Dempsey Wale (Barnsley), 2-0 50: Cole Johnson (Stoke), 6-0 83: Corey McCulloch (Arbroath), 4-1 16: Connor Parker (Woodville), 13-1 78: Jake Spring (Sittingbourne), 2-0 51: Jamie Chamberlain (Portsmouth), 3-0 84: Des Newton (Bere Alston), 8-17 17: Craig MacIntyre (Glasgow), 12-0-1 79: Sean McKiddie (Dundee), 2-1 52: Mo Gharib (Islington), 6-1 85: Sam Jones (Bournemouth), 6-3 18: Darren Surtees (Thornley), 12-1 80: Josh Thorne (Bexleyheath), 1-15-2 53: Dean Evans (Hereford), 8-34-3 86: Dan Morley (Epsom), 6-0 19: Chris Conwell (Manchester), 11-4 81: Taylor Watkins (Doncaster), 2-0 54: Tyler Davies (Bristol), 7-1 87: Regis Sugden (Newark), 4-0 20: Lee Appleyard (Rotherham) 16-5-1 82: Jahid Munim (Luton), 1-0 55: Josh Padley (Doncaster), 4-0 88: Michael Green (Coventry), 5-1 21: Ben Capps (Manchester), 17-5-2 56: Sam Noakes (Maidstone), 4-0 83: James Verbeeten (Crawley), 2-0 89: Jack Ewbank (Ashford), 4-0 22: Kieran Gething (Pontyool), 9-2-2 57: Jordan Ellison (Seaham), 11-31-2 84: Kofi Donker (West Norwood), 2-0 90: Dom Hunt (), 5-0 23: Siar Ozgul* (Hackney/Tur), 15-5 58: Harry Fryer (Leeds), 3-0 85: Clayton Bricknell (Wolves), 3-2-0-1T/D 91: Owen Cooper (Worcester), 3-0 24: Mikey Sakyi (Romford), 8-3 59: Sean Davis (Birmingham), 14-14 86: Paul Murphy (East Kilbride), 1-0 92: Simon Bowater (Wednesbury), 5-1 25: Adam Hague (Glossop), 16-1-0-1T/D 60: Meshech Speare (Liverpool), 5-1 87: Daryl Pearce (Birmingham), 1-11 93: Dan Booth (Manchester), 4-1 26: Idris Hill* (Westcliff/Nig), 9-3-1-1T/D 61: Conner Downs (Northampton), 2-0 94: Alex Ananivi* (Edgware/Gha), 4-1 27: Daniel Egbunike (Chessington), 6-1 88: Paul Scaife (Sheffield), 0-5 62: Lee Connelly (Killamarsh), 7-55-4-1N/C 95: Liam O’Reilly (Keighley), 2-0 28: Billy Allington (Egham), 8-1-1-1T/D 89: Gary Hughes (Stevenage), 0-1 63: David Birmingham (Portsmouth), 9-6 96: Bernardo Marime* (March/Moz), 2-0 29: Ahmed Mweva (Glasgow), 13-2-1 90: Lee Devine (Camden), 0-6 64: Michael Hedges (Liverpool), 2-0-1 97: Muma Mweemba (Sheffield), 4-2 30: Ben Fields (Birmingham), 10-9-2 91: Connor Oliver (Newbridge), 0-1 65: Owen Blunden (Norwich), 5-0

38 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net 66: Connor Lee Jones (Dudley), 5-0 25: Ryan Wheeler (Frome), 15-1-1 22: Jake Pettitt (Erith), 6-0 8: Liam Davies (Telford), 8-0 67: Delmar Thomas (Nottingham), 5-0 26: Kristian Touze (Swansea), 9-0-2 23: Monty Ogilvie (Killin), 9-2 9: Duane Winters (Bristol), 11-2 68: Jacob Quinn (Huddersfield), 4-0 27: Andrew Cain (Liverpool), 6-0 24: Jack Hillier (Southampton), 7-0 10: Scott Allan (Shotts), 9-5-1 69: Bradley Haxell (Maidstone), 4-0 28: Jack Daniel (Leeds), 7-0 25: Craig Morgan (Kelty), 7-0 11: Gary Rae (Barrhead), 10-1 70: Lewis Smith (Basildon), 4-0 29: (Shepshed), 14-7-1 26: Fuaad Husseen (Hayes), 7-0 12: Ryan Walker (Newham), 11-3 71: Chris Ogbonson (Leeds), 3-0 30: Artif Ali (Accrington), 14-3 27: Omar Dusary* (Blackburn/Kuw), 7-1-1 13: Sam Cox (Islington), 5-0 72: Andrew Smart (Elgin), 3-0 29: Dennis Wahome (Northolt), 7-0 28: Jack Raines (Sittingbourne), 6-0 14: Sean Cairns (Liverpool), 7-3 73: Dylan Evans (Manchester), 3-0 30: Angelo Dragone (Carmarthen), 5-2 29: Liam Gaynor* (Bolton/Ire), 5-1 15: Lee Clayton (Heywood), 10-5-0-1N/C 74: Sean Gerard Duffy (Keady), 3-0 31: Louis Fielding (Tamworth), 9-6 30: Ivan ‘Hopey’ Price (Leeds), 3-0 16: Stephen Jackson (Chorlton), 1-0 75: Mathew Fitzsimons (West Belfast), 5-1 32: Josh Baillie (Tamworth), 6-6 31: Jack Budge (Lambourn), 4-1 17: Sam Cantwell (Bexleyheath), 7-2-1 76: Keanan Wainwright (Sheffield), 5-1 33: Frank Arnold (Hackney), 7-0-1 32: Cam Shaw (York), 4-0 18: Connor Edney (Portsmouth), 1-0 77: Mace Ruegg (Bournemouth), 3-0 34: Jerome Campbell (Kingsbury), 6-1 33: Aaron Sinclair (Maidenhead), 4-0 78: Jack Roberts (Doncaster), 4-0 35: Donte Dixon (Sheffield), 5-0 34: Ismail Khan (Leeds), 4-0 SUPER-FLYWEIGHT 115lbs/8st 3lbs 79: Connor Marsden (Chelsea), 4-1 36: Kane Salvin (Sheffield), 6-0 35: Aaron Hayden (Rawtenstall), 3-0 1: Kal Yafai (Birmingham), 26-1 80: Marcos Molloy (Liverpool), 2-0 37: Jonny Phillips (Camberley), 5-5 36: Mohammed Aziz (Bedford), 3-0 2: (Epsom), 16-1-0-1N/C 81: Joe Kavanagh (Liverpool), 3-0 38: Brad Daws (Nottingham), 6-0 37: Martin Hillman (Orpington), 14-6 3: (Sheffield), 15-0 82: Adam Azim (Slough), 1-0 39: Paul Holt (Birmingham), 7-9 38: Muhammad Ali (Bury), 2-0 4: * (Wolves/Cam), 10-6-0-1T/D 83: Ed Harrison (Blackpool), 2-5 40: George Brennan (), 10-3-1 39: Mark McKeown (Coatbridge), 3-0 5: (Liverpool), 20-4 84: Mohammed Bilal Ali (Beckton), 4-1 41: Piotr Mirga* (Westcliff-on-Sea/Pol), 5-1 40: Ibrahim Nadim (Keighley), 2-0 6: Quaise Khademi* (East Ham/Afg), 8-0 85: Joe Roswell (Margate), 1-0 42: Joe Underwood Hughes (Nottingham), 4-0 41: Ricky Starkey (Liverpool), 2-18-2 7: Marcel Braithwaite (Liverpool), 9-3 86: Jamie Speight (Kingsteignton), 15-46 43: Josh Holmes (Earby), 5-0 42: Connor Adaway (Plymouth), 1-0 8: Craig Derbyshire (Bentley), 7-28-3 87: Joseph Butler (Portsmouth), 3-0 44: Brandon Ball (Rochester), 6-1 43: Joshua John (Port Talbot), 2-0 9: Ricky Little (Southampton), 5-2-1 88: Greg McGuinness (Ramsbottom), 2-0 45: Sufyaan Ahmed (Sheffield), 5-1 44: Jules Phillips (Islington), 2-24 10: Connor Butler (Liverpool), 4-0-0-1T/D 89: Jordan Flynn (Oxford), 2-0 46: Marcus Hodgson (Launceston), 3-0-1 45: Ricky Leach (Westbrook), 3-52-1-1N/C 11: Blane Hyland (Liverpool), 3-1 90: Jamie Quinn (Stockport), 7-106-2-1N/C 47: Lewis Coley (Birmingham), 3-0 46: Jeff Nesham (Gateshead), 2-0 12: Liam Dring (North Wingfield), 3-0 91: Tony Vincent (Virginia Water), 2-0 48: Jamie Whelan (London), 2-0 47: Aadam Hussein (High Wycombe), 1-0 13: Paul Roberts (Chard), 3-2-1 92: Anton Haskins (Bristol), 2-0 49: Alireza Ghadiri* (Maida Vale/Iran), 3-0 48: James McCann (Leeds), 1-0 14: Oliver Simpson (Leeds), 1-0 93: Ben Bartlett (Dingwall), 2-0 50: Connor Burton (Manchester), 3-0 49: Jake Pollard (Bradford), 0-19 15: Steven Maguire (Middleton), 0-20-0-1T/D 94: Andy Harris (Gloucester), 3-73-1 51: Zak Miller (Ashton-under-Lyne), 3-0 50: Nabil Ahmed (Batley), 0-8 95: Gary Ducie (Glasgow), 1-0 52: Conner Short (Nottingham), 2-0 FLYWEIGHT 112lbs/8st 96: Kashif Khan (Walsall), 1-0 53: Jordan Yates (Batley), 1-0 SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT 122lbs/8st 10lbs 1: Jay Harris (Swansea), 18-1 97: Levi Smith (Doncaster), 1-0 54: Danny Quartermaine (Leamington), 1-0 1: Gavin McDonnell (Doncaster), 22-2-2 2: Tommy Frank (Sheffield), 13-1 98: Matt Hunter (Sheffield), 1-0 55: Luke Fash (Hull), 2-59-2 2: Gamal Yafai (Birmingham), 18-1 3: Kyle Yousaf (Sheffield), 9-1 99: James Roberts (Blackburn), 1-0 56: Nathan Owen (Sheffield), 1-0 3: Thomas P Ward (West Rainton), 29-0-1 4: Joe Maphosa (Thornaby), 10-0 100: Daniel Alder (Thamesmead), 1-8 57: Max Brown (Chelmsford), 1-0 4: Brad Foster (Lichfield), 13-0-2 5: Harvey Horn (Chigwell), 8-0 101: Dean Jones (Telford), 1-27 58: Waqas Mohammed (Birmingham), 2-5-1 5: Lucien Reid (West Ham), 8-1-1-1T/D 6: Ijaz Ahmed (Birmingham), 7-2 102: Stephen Webb (Belfast), 1-1 59: Zeki Hussein (Gillingham), 1-1 6: Tyrone McCullagh (Derry), 14-1 7: David Seymour (Coventry), 8-1 103: Michael Horabin (Mottram), 2-19 60: Joe Beeden (Swindon), 2-76-1 7: Chris Bourke (Streatham), 9-0 8: Sheldon Purdy* (Leicester/Zim), 5-1 104: RE Walsh (Slough), 0-1 61: Taka Bembere* (Oldham/Zim), 1-16 8: Marc Leach (Salford), 15-1-1 9: Matt Windle (Birmingham), 5-3-1 105: Alec Bazza (Belfast), 0-47-2-1T/D 62: Uzzy Ahmed (Birmingham), 0-3-1 9: Qais Ashfaq (Leeds), 9-1 10: Neil McCubbin (Drongan), 5-0 10: Jason Cunningham (Doncaster), 28-6 11: Benn Norman (Shepshed), 3-0 63: Edward Bjorklund* (Lewisham/Swe), 1-34-1 11: (Glasgow), 16-2 12: Reiss Taylor (Birmingham), 2-6 SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT 130lbs/9st 4lbs 64: Robbie Forster (Caerphilly), 0-11 12: Jack Bateson (Leeds), 12-0 1: (Belfast), 28-2 65: Levi Dunn (Prestwich), 0-2 13: James Beech Jnr (Bloxwich), 12-1 FEMALE lb-for-lb 2: (Cardiff), 11-0 14: Billy Stuart (Macduff), 10-0 1: Terri Harper (Denaby Main), 11-0-1 3: Martin J Ward (Brentwood), 24-1-1-1T/D FEATHERWEIGHT 126lbs/9st 15: Ramez Mahmood (Ilford), 11-1 2: Savannah Marshall (), 9-0 4: Anthony Cacace (Belfast), 18-1 1: Josh Warrington (Leeds), 30-0 16: Shabaz Masoud (Stoke), 7-0 3: Chantelle Cameron (Northampton), 13-0 5: Sam Bowen (Ibstock, Leicester), 15-1 2: Kid Galahad (Sheffield), 27-1 17: (Bristol), 14-10-1-1T/D 4: Natasha Jonas (Liverpool), 9-1-1 6: Zelfa Barrett (Manchester), 24-1 3: James Dickens (Liverpool), 30-3 18: Michael Ramabeletsa* (Preston/SA), 18-18 5: Rachel Ball (Aldridge), 7-1 7: Archie Sharp (Welling), 19-0 4: (Brownshill), 26-3-2 19: Brad Watson (Guernsey), 12-3 6: Shannon Courtenay (Watford), 6-1 8: Alex Dilmaghani (Crayford), 19-2-1 5: Isaac Lowe (Morecambe), 20-0-2-1T/D 20: Brad Strand (Liverpool), 4-0 7: Cherrelle Brown (Islington), 6-0 9: Jeff Ofori (Tottenham), 10-3-1 6: (Nottingham), 23-2 21: Brett Fidoe (Evesham), 13-64-4-1T/D 8: (Glasgow), 9-5 10: Jordan McCorry (Cambuslang), 18-7-1 7: Jordan Gill (Chatteris), 25-1 22: Conner Kelsall (Denaby Main), 1-0 9: Amy Timlin (Southam), 4-0-1 11: Nick Ball (Liverpool), 13-0 8: (Manchester), 17-4-1 23: Arran McGarvie (Dailly), 2-0 10: Carly Skelly (Liverpool), 3-0-1 12: Zeeshan Khan (Bradford), 9-0 9: Reece Bellotti (South Oxhey), 14-4 24: Luke Pearson (Redhill), 2-0 11: Eftychia Kathopouli (Glenrothes/Gre), 4-1 13: Youssef Khoumari (Wembley), 11-0-1 10: Reece Mould (Doncaster), 13-0 25: Matt Craddock (Birmingham), 2-1 12: Lisa Whiteside (Preston), 3-0 14: Ryan Garner (Southampton), 9-0 11: (Barnsley), 31-11-1-1T/D 26: Adam Hutchinson (Darlington), 2-7 13: Jade Taylor (Salford), 3-0 15: Liam Dillon (Chingford), 9-0-1 12: Michael Walsh (Cromer), 13-0 14: Rhiannon Dixon (Wigan), 2-0 16: DP Carr (Sidcup), 11-0-1 13: Zahid Hussain (Leeds), 16-1 BANTAMWEIGHT 118lbs/8st 6lbs 15: Ellie Scotney (Catford), 1-0 17: Rhys Edwards (Tonypandy), 10-0 14: Raza Hamza (Birmingham), 13-0-1 1: (Ellesmere Port), 32-2 16: Stevi-Ann Levy (Spalding), 2-0 18: Joe Eko (Oldham), 7-1 15: Osman Aslam (Bolton), 14-0 2: (Barry), 13-1 17: April Hunter (Wallsend), 2-0 19: Lewis Adams (Basildon), 8-1 16: Louie Lynn (Banstead), 8-0 3: Lee McGregor (Edinburgh), 9-0 18: Emma McCulloch (Lochgelly), 2-1 20: Connor Coghill (Hull), 8-0 17: Nathaniel Collins (Glasgow), 7-0 4: Ukashir Farooq (Glasgow), 14-1 19: Lauren Parker (Stevenage), 4-1-1 21: Luke Jones (Chasetown), 7-3-0-1T/D 18: Ross Cooksey (Barrow), 7-0 5: Kyle Williams (Wolverhampton), 11-3 20: Kirstie Bavington (Pensnett), 3-1-2 22: Muheeb Fazeldin (Sheffield), 13-1-1 19: Razaq Najib (Sheffield), 11-4 6: Dennis McCann (Maidstone), 8-0 23: Michael Gomez Jnr (Manchester), 12-1 20: Jacob Robinson (Cardiff), 8-0 7: Sean McGoldrick (Newport), 10-1 24: Andre Grant (Farnborough), 7-0 21: Amin Jahanzeb (Bradford), 8-0

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 39 AMATEURS

The very best action, previews and news from Olympic-style boxing AMATEURSCENE With JOHN DENNEN | @BoxingNewsJD 2020:SEND us your club's news, results or upcoming A events to [email protected] or 0195 9541 444

ADAPTATION: Rob McCracken’s GB programme has had to face a new world

40 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net LIKE NO OTHER

2020 has been an unprecedented year for the sport. John Dennen speaks to GB performance director Rob McCracken and more about the impact of the last 12 months

Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

MATEUR boxing has never experienced a They enjoy it, it’s a great experience for them as well. year like 2020. The coronavirus pandemic “One of the positives is the Olympic medal is huge. It’s still huge shut down the amateur sport. It ended club in boxing. It gives you a platform, not just if you turn professional, shows and domestic championships. The it also gives you a platform in life and gives you opportunities. The A Olympic Games was expected to dominate Olympic medal is still a huge deal in boxing. We have boxers with us this year. Instead Tokyo 2020 has moved to six, seven years, waiting to go to an Olympic Games and obviously 2021. Two continental qualification events with it being postponed for them to stay and still want to get the were completed, one was shut down three Olympic medal was brilliant, was fantastic for everybody concerned. days into the tournament and the rest still need to be finished. “They’re all driven really, they’re desperate to become an Olympic It wouldn’t be fair to select boxers of the year when amateur medallist.” competition was so drastically restricted. But honourable mentions At first the English Institute of Sport had to close but when elite should go to Great Britain’s Galal Yafai and Peter McGrail. They sport was permitted to return, the GB Boxing programme could secured qualifying places for the Tokyo Games under tremendous begin to come back. “It was a great job by our medical team getting pressure mere hours before the European qualifier in London had to us back up and running, one of the first Olympic sport’s to come be suspended. With so much on the line both boxed well and Yafai back in. The organisation was excellent. The support was good and secured a notable win over Russia’s heavy-handed Rasul Saliev to we were able to bring the boxers back in,” McCracken said. “It’s an become a two-time Olympian. ongoing task and it’s not easy, it’s daily and it’s hourly really For the rest of the team their tournament had barely but we’ve got good people in Sheffield that will do the best to begun. The cancellation came just the support and protect everybody there. day before Luke McCormack would “Certainly in Sheffield the boxers and have boxed for his Olympic place. “It the staff have been great with the social was horrible,” Luke said. “I just wanted AN OLYMPIC MEDAL distancing, the discipline of it all. They to get the fight on. I got a bronze at the took it all in their stride really. You’ve , I got a silver at the GIVES YOU A PLATFORM got to find positives in things and the European championships, I feel like that positives are our boxers, when it got was my time to get the gold at London called off the Olympic qualifier, it gives at the qualifier.” IN LIFE AND GIVES YOU them another year to develop.” “I was confident of winning the full “It normally takes a bit of time to thing,” he continued. “That’s why I OPPORTUNITIES” adapt and be successful against the trained so hard for it, for the Olympics, top,” he explains. “You have to be it’s the last hurdle.” confident. It’s elite boxing. It’s tough. This disappointment was followed by the news that for the first Hopefully we can instil confidence in them. But there’s a group of time the Olympic Games would be postponed a year. people there that will support them, give them every chance to GB performance director Rob McCracken had to keep the squad develop and learn how to be a successful Olympic boxer and achieve together. “It was tough for some. Some have been here for six, for themselves, their families and the programme. The support is seven, eight years. 10 years one of them,” he said. “Most of them all there for them. If you’re good and you get an opportunity at GB hadn’t even boxed in the qualifier. Boxing and you’re serious and you work hard, then Anthony Joshua “I think the team’s worked well with them. Me and the coaches shows the world’s your oyster. You’ve had numerous ones go on have had good conversations with them, very positive. It’s an extra and become genuine world champions in the pros. They’ve spent year they’ve got to wait, which isn’t great but they can be better. They four, five, six, seven years at GB Boxing, learning their trade, boxing can be a better prepared boxer going to Tokyo a year later than they Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Russians, Cubans, and they’re not phased then might have been going this year.” when they do eventually go to an Olympic Games or a Worlds or a “It’s tough for them,” he continued. “When you’ve been around Europeans and as they move on into the pros, they’re not phased. and you’ve been to a million tournaments and the Olympics is just They’ve been developed well and at the right pace and it’s got them taken further away from you. They’ve got good mindsets and they to where they get then, which is being very successful. But it’s a understand what they can achieve and what it can create for them, learning experience at GB Boxing. You have to believe in yourself for the men and women. That’s why I believe they’ve all stayed on. and you have to believe in what’s being offered to you and the

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 41 AMATEURS

DENIED: Luke McCormack was about to box for his Olympic place, when the entire sport was put on hold

42 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net THE SHUT DOWN: The qualifier was suspended as events beyond thesport dominated the year for amateur boxing

advice being given to you at GB from vastly experienced coaches “We’ve got a date for qualifiers, it boosted everyone back up,” she and support staff.” adds. “It’s done our bodies good as well to have rest and refresh the , the European and World middleweight champion, brain as well to go again. It’s made us a lot hungrier to win.” was set to shine at the London qualifier. But she exemplifies that It’s welcome that international boxing has been brought back. attitude of seeking out any advantages in their situation and looking But for the sport in this country all amateur boxers who aren’t on to improve. “I told myself I need to work on the things I’m not so GB find themselves in a position where their training is constrained, good at and improve that way. In my head I tried to stay positive limited without sparring and padwork and with no competition to and turn the negatives into positives,” the Welsh star said. “It’s been train for. “Unfortunately it’s an indoor sport and it’s close contact. my dream for so long. Tokyo’s the only thing I’m really concentrating There’s not a lot you can do about it but that’s the main thing, getting on so far and obviously the qualifiers. I’m just glad we’ve been given the actual contact back and getting the competitions up and running a date for them and I’m just really over the moon that the Olympics and having something to aim for,” Graeme Rutherford, head coach are back on to be honest with you. That’s the biggest thing for me. at Birtley said. “Because at the minute you’re just soullessly ambling “I always had faith that it would happen, because there’s too much along from one month to the next wondering what’s going to involved I suppose.” happen, when it’s going to happen, is it going to improve, is it going The European qualifier has been rescheduled for April to get any better?” 22-26 at the Copper Box in London. The Olympic squad had The financial impact on the domestic sport is massive, but so two international camps, with gym bouts, before the close of too is the current suspension of contact training. “I think more 2020 and is scheduled to compete in than anything what everybody’s missing February to prepare themselves. “Gym is that contact. That nitty gritty of the bouts are really good. They’re not fights IT WAS HORRIBLE. I contact,” Rutherford said. “It’s that one but they’re not far off with the countries on one, physical contact, pitting yourself that we work with. They’ve kept the against somebody else and seeing boxers on their toes, learning stuff TRAINED SO HARD FOR who’s better or trying to work with each as well, different styles as well, that’s other and trying to learn. important. Going into Christmas the IT, FOR THE OLYMPICS “[That’s] what sets boxing apart and squad’s in a really decent position. And I think that’s what’s missing and it’s not then it’s crucial there’s competition and going to be the same until you get that training camps between now and the IT’S THE LAST HURDLE” back.” qualifiers in 2021 to prepare the boxers That point is especially pertinent as best,” McCracken said. “Certainly it is crucial for not just us but all tier four restrictions come into effect in certain areas, shutting down Olympic boxing teams that between January and February there’s gyms there yet again, and clubs in other places cannot conduct training camps and there’s competitions on the calendar. That then sparring or padwork sessions. The situation remains dire. “It’s a real creates a level playing field and gives everyone an equal chance at shame, it’s been really tough for clubs all over the ,” being successful and that’s what we’ll be looking to do.” Rob McCracken adds. “It’s been really, really difficult. We’re fortunate Having these fixed dates to train for makes a tremendous we’ve been able to get back in and operate and have the squad back difference. “I’m just happy I’ve got a date now. Something to focus in and start working on things, get them fit, develop them and look on. I think that’s the biggest thing. When you haven’t got no dates at what’s coming up. For the clubs it’s been really, really tough and for tournaments and that, it’s so hard being an elite athlete training hopefully we see the back of Covid soon and hopefully all the clubs three times a day. Training for qualifiers and Olympics, it lifts you, can get up and running because it’s been really, really difficult.” you’re driven. When you’re just training and you haven’t got no Yet despite the extraordinary challenges clubs are facing, many dates, it’s very hard to motivate yourself,” Lauren Price said. “I’m still are still performing remarkable services to their communities, world number one… I’ve just took it as a positive. It’s given me extra especially so over the Christmas period. In Boxing News we will time to work on little things. In my own head switched on and I know continue to highlight the work these clubs and their volunteers are when the qualifiers do come round I’ll be more than ready.” doing as the sport strives to get back on its feet in 2021. bn

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 43 YESTERDAY’S HEROES Historic venues

Picking out HAVE been thinking FAMILIAR FACE: a lot recently about Eric Skidmore was a the UK fight the hall in the UK Walsall Town Hall stalwart halls that that has held boxing I tournaments for have been the longest period of time. There are staging many large halls that have been hosting tournaments for close to 100 years – the Royal Albert Hall being an for the obvious example. The first tournament that I can trace at this iconic venue took longest time place on December 11, 1918 when an Inter-Services King’s Trophy competition was held. Among the many top-flight competitors from the allied services who took part were Harry Greb, Eddie McGoorty, Augie Ratner, Mike O’Dowd, Pal Moore, Johnny Basham, Joe Beckett, , Ted Kid Lewis and Jimmy Wilde. A star-studded line-up if ever there was one. The most recent event, on September 27, 2019, featured Daniel Dubois and . The SSE Arena in Wembley, host to last month’s Anthony Joshua-Kubrat Pulev contest, first featured professional boxing in 1934, when Len Harvey drew with the German heavyweight Walter Neusel. There are a number of similar examples for large-scale halls of this Miles type. Of more interest to me are the Templeton small halls. If you were to ask most Boxing modern-day fans then I am sure that historian York Hall would feature highly on their HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let’s hope that A VERY happy New Year to everyone. for instance, he regularly attends London The latest Scottish EBA newsletter 2021 will be far Last year was a testing time, to say the EBA’s Annual Awards Lunch, which sadly recalls a remarkable fight between more fruitful least – let’s hope for better things in 2021. won’t be taking place next month. Nonpareil Jack Dempsey and John I received a charming Christmas The current Central (Midlands) EBA Reagan, in December 1887 – remarkable than 2020 message, to all EBAs, from BBBofC newsletter has an in-depth feature by because it was staged in two venues! It General Secretary Robert Smith. Craig Birch on women’s boxing, featuring began on the shore of Long Island Sound Unfortunately, BN’s printing schedule interviews with Jane Couch MBE, Nicola but was abandoned after 15 minutes, meant it couldn’t be published in the Adams, Savannah Marshall, Natasha owing to the rising tide and the snow. So December 24 issue, but Robert says: Jonas, Terri Harper and Chantelle another venue was found, some 25 miles “I would like to thank all the Ex-Boxers’ Cameron. It describes in detail the away, and the ring was set up again – Associations for the great work they do, problems Jane had in getting a licence, and the “Nonpareil” won when Reagan’s especially in these tough times. I hope and the difficulties in getting women corner retired their man after 44 rounds. everybody involved have as good a accepted into boxing. As I’ve said many There’s also a detailed analysis, division Christmas as they can. Unfortunately, times, it’s so important that EBAs show by division, of the Scottish boxing scene I am unable to attend the meetings but that they’re interested in today’s scene, in 1952. Simon hopefully will be able in the future.” not simply in reminiscing about the past. Of course, one of Scotland’s all-time Euan-Smith Robert’s so right about the EBAs – they It’s also vital that EBAs support one greats is , and I recently simonoldtimers always pull together to help those in another, and the newsletter mentions heard from Arthur McCann, from the @googlemail.com need, and have really been pulling out that Central hope to continue to work famous fighting family, as follows: EBA the stops during the present crisis. And closely with North Staffs again next year. “Ken has been my boxing idol since correspondent Robert’s a great supporter of the EBAs - That’s good to hear. I was a young lad (I’m now 63). Along

44 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net LOCAL LAD: Bunty Doran regularly boxed at Belfast’s Ulster Hall lists. However, the first professional were Joe Erskine and Wally Swift. In show at London’s most famous current 1962, like many others of a similar venue took place as recently as 1967. type, the hall closed for nearly 30 years. There are halls dotted around the In 1991 it reopened, featuring Richie country with a considerably longer Woodhall in his fourth contest, and the pedigree than that. place has been used regularly for boxing The Borough Hall in Hartlepool, for ever since, the most recent show taking instance, has been hosting events since place in September 2019. 1929 and was in regular use throughout The Ulster Hall goes back even the 1930s. Boxing was revived there further. Jack Harrison of Stafford in 1980 when locals George and John outpointed local man Billy Maguire over Feeney and Stuart Lithgo were making 15 rounds on November 20, 1912 and waves. Neil Fannan had a number of the place became the stalwart of small his early bouts at the venue and he has hall boxing in the city from the late since taken some of his current stars to 1930s onwards, and especially during this wonderful old hall in his capacity as the 1950s. Some great fighters boxed one of the North-East’s leading trainers. there, including, during a particularly The two venues which I think have rich period of its history in the 1980s, the longest pedigree are Walsall Town Barry McGuigan, Hugh Russell, Dave Hall and the Ulster Hall in Belfast. McAuley and Eamonn Loughran. The The first tournament that I can trace most recent show took place in February at Walsall took place on February 5, 2020, nearly 108 years after the first. 1920, and a number of regular events Around the country there are quite took place there throughout the 1920s, a number of other venues that have a featuring Jack Kirby, Drummer Hall long and rich tradition and are still used, and Len Tiger Smith. By the end of that even if only occasionally, and these decade the place fell out of favour when include the Tower Circus in Blackpool, two venues, the Hatherton Street Rink King George’s Hall in Blackburn and and the Navigation Road Arena, became Leeds Town Hall. I am not aware of any, the location of weekly shows in the however, with a longer heritage than town. the two featured in Walsall and Belfast, In 1942, boxing returned to the and as I have not deeply researched Town Hall and it has been held there the matter, some readers may care to regularly ever since. Among the many enlighten me about others that I have high-class performers who boxed there missed. It is a most interesting topic.

LEICESTER MAN: Greaves, pictured in his fighting days

with my brother Pat (former Southern timekeeper and a regular attendee at Area light-heavy champ), I used to box LEBA meetings. for the Fitzroy Lodge ABC, whose colours The latest Leicester EBA newsletter are black shorts and white vest with two looks back to December 1961, when black hoops. But coming from a Scottish Leicester’s President and Chairman, Mick family, I had a pair of shorts made for me Greaves, boxed an eight-round draw with in exactly the same tartan colour as Ken’s Sheffield’s Billy Calvert at the National shorts, which I proudly wore instead of Sporting Club. Calvert went on to the black ones. Happy memories! challenge Howard Winstone for the British “I got to meet Ken when he attended and European featherweight titles in 1963, the LEBA meeting some time ago (last but was outpointed over 15 rounds. year?), when he kindly signed his two There’s also a tribute to late member books for me. I would love to send him Jim Layshley, who died in October. “Jim a ‘Get Well’ card.” That’s a kind thought, was a regular attendee at our monthly Arthur, and an email to Scottish EBA meetings and also supported our outings Secretary Janice Craig elicited Ken’s care and social events along with his late wife, home address. Glenys.” My condolences to Jim’s family Sadly, Pat McCann (whom I saw many and friends. times, and actually interviewed in my first few weeks at BN) is no longer with us – EMAIL [email protected] but another brother, Peter, is a BBBofC with your ex-boxer association news.

www.boxingnewsonline.net JANUARY 7, 2021 l BOXING NEWS l 45 SIXTY SECONDS VLADIMIR SHISHKIN

Paul Wheeler talks to a man who relies only on himself

When and why you started boxing: ’THE WORST I started training when I was 11 THINGS A BOXER years old because I wanted the girls to like me! CAN BE IS LAZY Favourite all-time fighter: Muhammad Ali was an AND ARROGANT’ extraordinary boxer. Currently, I think Terence Crawford is where I’m based now. exceptional. Other sportsperson you would Best fight you’ve seen: like to be: I’ve watched a lot of great fights I’d like to be me, but with a world over the years. I like to see a championship belt strapped around struggle during a fight, like in my waist. the -Erik Last film/TV show you saw: Morales fights, the Shane Mosley- I don’t really watch TV in the US, Oscar De La Hoya fights and but I used to watch the Sherlock Terence Crawford vs Jose Benavidez Holmes TV series in Russia. Jnr. Who would play you in a film of Personal career highlight: your life: I don’t have a standout highlight I’d pick Leonardo DiCaprio. yet, but my eighth fight, against Have you ever been starstruck: Nadjib Mohammedi [w rsf 10 – I remember being in awe when October 2018], was important I lived in for a year when because it introduced me to I was 16. a physically hard struggle in Last time you cried: the clinches. That was a good I can’t remember the last time introduction to professional boxing I cried. for me. Best advice received: Toughest opponent: Rely only on yourself. Again, it’d have to be Mohammedi, Worst rumour about yourself: simply because of the physical I think the worst rumour that I’ve factor. heard about me is that I’m selfish. Best and worst attributes as a Something not many people boxer: know about you: My best attributes are my discipline Something not many people know and strong will. I think that the about me? I’d rather show it, not worst attributes a boxer can have say it. are laziness and arrogance, but I don’t have these. Training tip: Make sure you pick the right coach. Age: 29 Twitter: n/a Nickname: n/a Nationality: Russian From: , MI Favourite meal/restaurant: Stance: Orthodox Record: 11-0 (7) Division: Super-middleweight Titles: WBA I’m happy eating anything because Continental Next fight: Following two wins in 2020, Shishkin is aiming to progress I know what it’s like cutting weight! further up the super-middleweight rankings in 2021. Best friends in boxing: FACTS FAST I’ve got lots of good friends both back home in Russia and in the US

[ NEXT ISSUE ON SALE JANUARY 12, 2021 (DIGITAL) AND JANUARY 14, 2021 (PRINT) ] ESTABLISHED 1909 BOXING NEWS Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL EMAIL [email protected] DIGITAL & PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS https://help.kelsey.co.uk / +44 (0)1959 543 747 / www.shop.kelsey.co.uk/boxingnews EDITOR Matt Christie ART EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Nick Bond ONLINE EDITOR John Dennen ASSISTANT EDITOR Paul Wheeler SENIOR WRITER Elliot Worsell MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin McCormick PUBLISHER Pat Eggington ADVERTISING Tandem Media / 01233 228 750 PRINTING William Gibbons & Sons Ltd DISTRIBUTION Marketforce (UK) Ltd, 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9AP / 0330 390 6555; Distribution in Northern Ireland and the Republic Of Ireland – Newspread +353 23 886 3850 PUBLISHED BY Kelsey Media 2020 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers.

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46 l BOXING NEWS l JANUARY 7, 2021 www.boxingnewsonline.net COMPETITION OF 16 DREAM FIGHTS! Pick your winner and the mode of victory for the fantasy fights listed below and win £100! All scheduled for 15 rounds. Please consider that all boxers are in peak condition! BOXER WINNER DECISION RSF BOXER WINNER DECISION RSF TICK DEC RSF TICK DEC RSF JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ VS JACK ‘KID’ BERG TED ‘KID’ LEWIS VS MICKEY WALKER OSCAR DE LA HOYA VS KOSTYA TSZYU ROY JONES JNR VS RANDY TURPIN VS JAKE LAMOTTA RUBEN OLIVARES VS MANUEL ORTIZ VS HARRY WILLS VS TOMMY HEARNS MIKE TYSON VS VS SAM LANGFORD VS MANNY PACQUIAO TYSON FURY VS JACK JOHNSON ABE ATTELL VS SALVADOR SANCHEZ KID GAVILAN VS JOSE NAPOLES CARLOS ZARATE VS EDER JOFRE VS

* One point for the correct winner with an extra point for the mode of victory. * Winner is person with most points, £100 – runner up £50. * £5 Per entry – all profits to Ringside Charitable Trust. * Judge is Colin Hart, who has his answers in a sealed envelope and has sent them through to Dave Harris. * Payment to - PayPal.cm/gb/fundraiser/charity/3795439 Or cheques payable to Ringside Charitable Trust, sent with entries to: Mr Dave Harris, Willow Stream, Fourteen Acre Lane, Hastings TN35 4NB. * Closing date January 11, 2021. Winner & runner up notified by January 13. * Download forms from our Facebook page or contact Karen Knight 07766886580.

PREVIOUS COMPETITION RESULTS: Dempsey beat Marciano (ko/rsf); Willard beat Carnera (pts); Graziano beat Minter (ko/rsf); Charles beat Patterson (ko/rsf); SR Leonard beat Mayweather Jnr (ko/rsf); Moore beat Bob Foster (ko/rsf); Monzon beat Hagler (pts); Robinson beat Greb (pts); Ali beat Louis (pts); Pep beat Hamed (pts); B Leonard beat Duran (pts); Robinson beat Mayweather Jnr (pts); Tyson beat Marciano (ko/rsf); Buchanan beat Hatton (pts); Calzaghe beat Froch (pts); Wilde beat Lynch (ko/rsf). Est. 1909

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