Midland awards: the roll call of winners
Liam Davies receives his award from Board of Control boss Charlie Giles and former world lightweight king Ray Mancini. Pics: Julie Lockley
LIAM Davies, Telford’s British and European super-bantam champ, has been crowned men’s Midlands boxer of the year.
His well-deserved gong capped a memorable Midlands area awards dinner, held at the Premier Suite, Cannock, this afternoon (Sunday).
The Board of Control’s Matt Harris and Premier Suite boss Scott Murray should be applauded for transforming an event I always felt understated when considered the talent being honoured. This year it received some much needed fizz.
Today’s (Sunday’s) ceremony was attended by over 300 people, including the cream of the region’s boxing talent. It was glitzy, ran smoothly and among the long list of VIPs were former lightweight great Ray Mancini and broadcasting legend Gary Newbon.
For 27-year-old Liam, the top trophy capped a truly outstanding 2022. He defended his domestic title with a masterful display against Marc Leach and outpointed dangerous Romanian Ionut Baluta for the European belt.
He faced tough competition for the coveted award, with Black Country middleweight maestro Tyler Denny and Nottingham’s super British welter champ Ekow Essuman also shortlisted.
Liam said: “It’s a good award to get. I’m grateful and, down the line, I’d also like something like Sam Eggington got (Stourbridge’s “Savage” received a gong for his outstanding contribution to boxing). Now it’s all about keeping it going.”
Best female fighter…Bavington with Mancini on the podium
For Pensnett welter Kirstie Bavington, the disappointment of losing last month’s historic British title fight with Lauren Price was eased by receiving the best female boxer award.
The 30-year-old had two fights in 2022. “Bavvo” outpointed Timea Belik in font of her Wolverhampton fans to take the European title, then successfully defended the belt with a distance win over Naomi Mannes in Rotherham.
Wolverhampton’s Katie Healy, who lost a world bantam title shot last month, and Vicky Wilkinson, the Wombourne junior-lightweight who became the first female Midlands champ in 2022, were shortlisted.
Star line-up…Bavington, Healy and Wilkinson with Boom Boom Mancini
Bavington, Healy and Wilkinson all fight under the BCB promotional banner and today’s event underlined the outfit’s dominance in women’s boxing.
Best male prospect…Nyall Berry with former champ Wayne Elcock
Only three days after scoring a memorable second round knockout, Chelmsley Wood’s Nyall Berry was named the Midlands best men’s prospect. The 23-year-old is now unbeaten in eight and carries lights-out power.
Owen, Quartermaine and Berry with former British champs Wayne Elcock and Martin Gethin at the Premier Suite event
He gained the coveted trophy against a shortlist of fighters that illustrated the talent bursting through in our region. Junior-lightweight Danny Quartermaine, from Leamington, is 9-0, Telford’s Macauley Owen is 6-0. Big things beckon for all three.
Nyall’s Eastside gym-mate Eggington, who, last month, again defied the odds against him to demolish huge punching Joe Pigford, received the biggest cheer of the night after collecting his trophy. It’s well deserved: Sam, aged 29, has won an incredible 11 belts in his 42 fight career. I’m not aware of a British boxer who’s collected more silverware. That is not only outstanding, but historic.
Sam Eggington…outstanding fighter, outstanding record
“Boom Boom” Mancini, from Ohio, name-checked both Eggington and Berry as his current favourite UK fighters. From the podium, he said: “You can’t not root for a fighter like Sam – and Nyall, you will be a champion one day. The kid belongs in the world rankings.”
Jon Pegg, who manages both Sam and Nyall, said: “I’m very happy for Sam and it’s well deserved. It’s nice to be recognised.
“Nyall Berry has started the same journey as Sam and I expect it to take him to the same places it has taken Sam. That is how much I believe in Nyall.”
One of the top talents…Owen Cooper with trainer Malcolm Melvin
Worcester’s Owen Cooper, who captured the Midlands welter title in style last year and is currently 8-0, also received a recognition award for his sterling pro start. He, too, is a star in the making.
Female prospect Kirsty Hill with shortlisted Jessica Barry, Nicola Hopewell
Grimsby’s Kirsty Hill, aged 31, was named best female prospect, beating shortlisted Jessica Barry (Coventry, 2-1) and Nicola Hopewell (Worksop, 3-0).
Junior-lightweight Kirsty told me: “I feel really proud and the awards was unexpected. I’d love a Midlands title fight. Women’s boxing is on the up and the fighters here in the room today shows that.”
Jamie Stewart (centre) and Alex Fearon received the best fight gong. Tyler Denny is far left
There was real quality in the best bout of 2022 (male) category, with three outstanding contests on the shortlist: Jamie Stewart (Stoke) wpts 10 Alex Fearon (Derby), vacant Midlands welter title; Tyler Denny (Rowley Regis) wpts 10 River Wilson-Bent (Coventry), vacant English middleweight title; Ben Norman (Shepstead) wpts 10 Liam Dring (Chesterfield), vacant Midlands flyweight title.
Stewart and Fearon took the honour for their barnstormer at Stoke’s Manor Sports Complex on March 4.
Wilkinson’s war with Beccy Ferguson (left) was female fight of the year
Best female bout was judged to be Vicky Wilkinson’s war with Stoke based Beccy Ferguson at Hangar Events Venue, Wolverhampton, on November 13. After 10 stirring rounds, Vicky collected the Midlands junior-lightweight belt.
Jessica Barry…shortlisted tor fight of the year
Jessica Barry was also nominated for her tough six round points win over Wendellin Cruz at Sports Connexion, Coventry, on November 25.
Recognition awards were received by the following.
Olympic reps. Galal Yafai (gold medal), Ben Whittaker (silver), Frazer Clarke (bronze).
Commonwealth reps Aaron Bowen and Niall Farrell with Mancini
Commonwealth reps: Lewis Williams (gold), Delicious Orie (gold), Aaron Bowen (bronze), Niall Farrell.
Midlands champs. Ishmael Ellis, Jamie Stewart, Ben Norman, Vicky Wilkinson, Joe Ducker.
Recognition for one of the game’s true unsung heroes, Kevin McCauley
Pro fighters (past and present). Elvis Dube, Kevin McCauley, MJ Hall, Alex Fearon, Sandy Ryan, Derrick Osaze, Harry Scarff, Ekow Essuman, Gully Powar, Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, Tyler Denny, James Beech Jnr.