My choice for the big Midland fight awards
DJ Tollerton….he and Danny Williams get my “fight of the year” vote
CREDIT where credit’s due.
In the past, I’ve attended the Midlands area Boxing Board of Control awards and, in all honesty, felt a little underwhelmed. The nights, a tribute to the game’s local warriors, were a little flat, even understated.
This year’s occasion was different. It oozed razzmatazz and the red carpet treatment that the occasion deserves.
June’s gathering was a five star event for fighters and fans. It showed the BBofC’s Midland Council has moved with the times and embraced an age in which social media dictates headlines. It has evolved.
The triumph is down to two men: Scott Murray, who staged the occasion at his Premier Suite, Cannock base, and Matt Harris, now at the helm of the area council.
The next awards – celebrating this year’s ring achievements – takes place at the Premier Suite on February 25.
A shortlist for awards has yet to be released, but I’ll put forward some of my nominations. I want readers of this site to give their own opinions.
FIGHT OF THE YEAR. It has to be DJ Tollerton’s four round epic victory over Danny Williams in the Top Boxer tournament last month. I’ve written about boxing for 50 years and this was one of the best contests I’ve covered.
The two brave warriors simply attempted to punch holes in each other from first bell to last. I spoke to Tollerton after the war, I didn’t meet Williams – and that’s a shame. He contributed to one of the few small hall fights in recent years that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. The man, who clambered off the canvas, is one very tough customer.
The bill for Conah Walker’s upset victory over Pattinson
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR (male). I don’t envy the judges. Usually, there’s a clear favourite, but this year fans have been spoiled.
Sam Eggington defied the odds by overpowering big punching Joe Pigford in May. Pigford was unbeaten and had built a long, knockout record. Eggington bullied the beast.
Middleweight Tyler Denny dominated Brad Pauls and snapped his unbeaten streak, then outpointed Macauley McGowan for a version of the European title.
European and British super-bantam champ Liam Davies, from Telford, faced potentially his stiffest test in former titleholder Jason Cunningham, yet destroyed him in a round.
Wolverhampton’s Conah Walker was provided as a stepping stone for Geordie star Cyrus Pattinson, yet overwhelmed the prospect in eight rounds.
It’s a tough one, but I’m leaning towards Walker, even though he also suffered a loss in the year. I’ll be honest, I expect him to be stopped by Pattinson – that’s the scale of the upset he registered.
Niall Farrell…prospect of the year, in my book
PROSPECT OF THE YEAR. It has to be Birmingham’s former star amateur Niall Farrell, who turned over this year. The lightweight has, to date, peeled off four wins and looks better with each performance. Tell me judges, who’s a better bet for professional titles?
Kirsty Hill…mightily impressive in victory over Vicky Wilkinson
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR (female). It’s been a year when the biggest Midlands names in women’s boxing have suffered setbacks. But Kirsty Hill impressed me last month by travelling to Wolverhampton and dominating home town favourite Vicky Wilkinson for the Commonwealth junior-lightweight crown. She gets my vote.
It’s an opinion – and there’s still over two months to go in the year. I want fans’ opinion – and I urge them to be at the ceremony and mingle with the champs.
For more information on tickets or sponsorship, contact: harris.matthew95@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07805103279.