Board to give award for champion of year

Cliff Henry…could he take the trophy? Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

AN interesting new gong has been added to Midland boxing’s big awards night.

For the first time, a Midlands champion of 2024 will be announced – and that’s a tough field to pick a winner from.

The gala event, which will again be staged by promoter Scott Murray at his Premier Suite, Cannock, venue on Sunday afternoon, February 9, has become very big news.

Traditional categories include male and female fighter of the year, fight of the year and the brightest prospect.

Not surprisingly, the gathering is a sell-out.

All the 2024 Midlands titleholders will be honoured – and one will be named champion of the year.

Matt Harris, Midlands Boxing Board of Control boss, said: “The award is not necessarily for the best, it is for the boxer who has impressed and progressed the most.

“A lot of boxers win a Midlands title and then vacate, we hope this will encourage them to defend the belt.”

There were a lot of Midlands title fights and a lot of champions last year. It’s a packed awards category.

Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

A few names spring to mind when looking for the ones  who impressed in 2024.

Hereford’s serving soldier Cliff Henry set a record by becoming the Midlands oldest champ. Aged 43, he took the light-heavyweight title by outpointing Michael Stephenson.

And let’s not forget Coventry’s Jess Barry. After halting Beccy Ferguson for the junior-lightweight title, she dropped down to feather and took the English belt. In March, she bids for the Commonwealth silver crown.

Northampton puncher Ben Vaughan must also be in with a shout. He won the welter title with a one round blast out of Liam Gould and, after registering another early stoppage, featured in an absolute epic with former British champ Ekow Essuman.

Richard Carter’s Wolverhampton gym also has two contenders for the trophy. Ollie Cooper really came of age with impressive inside-distance victory over defending super-middle champ Liam O’Hare.

And Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards’ light-welterweight title win over Jamie Stewart was a Cinderella story.

There are many more with great stories. Who is your Midlands champ of the year?