By Shaun Brown
After hours upon hours of deliberation, fall-outs and too much alcohol (you should’ve been there, honestly) the Boxing Scene UK team has had their heads banged together to give you, our reader(s), the results from the 2015 Boxing Scene UK awards.
Elliot Foster @freelancefoz drank the bar dry, John MacDonald @jamacd2011 kept singing Rod Stewart songs, Chris Glover @ChrisGlover28 kept shouting "I could've been a contender!" while the rest of us sat there worrying if we had to actually had to produce trophies for this!
So, ladies and gentleman, with a Keith Moon drum roll these are the categories and winners of The Boxing Scene UK Awards 2105 with words from our UK writers.
The “Carl Froch Is Now Retired So Someone Else Can Be” Fighter of the Year award.
Winner: Tyson Fury.
John MacDonald @jamacd2011 said: “In a year where several British fighters have turned in stellar performances on the road in world title fights, it shows just how impressive Fury's achievement was that this award isn't even up for debate. Forget his views, his performance against Wladimir Klitschko was impressive.”
The “John Murray Would Be Proud Of This” Fight of the Year award.
Winner: Jorge Linares TKO 10 vs. Kevin Mitchell (WBC World lightweight title). May 30, 2015 at the O2 Arena, London.
Miguel Assuncao @Migass21 said: “From supreme technical skill to immense courage, Mitchell’s latest world title challenge against Venezuelan Linares had a bit of everything. The Londoner floored the champion in round 5 only to be stopped late in the fight, having been troubled with horrendous-looking swelling around the eye. A fight that showcased boxing at its bruising best.”
The Jim Watt “Bang On The Chen” KO of the Year award.
Winner: Zolani Tete KO 8 vs. Paul Butler (IBF World super flyweight title). March 6, 2015 at the Echo Arena, Liverpool.
George Ogier @george_ogier said: “A perfect uppercut that left Butler in a puddle on the floor. The dictionary definition of devastating knockout.”
The Steve Robinson Upset of the Year award.
Winner: Yvan Mendy W SD12 vs. Luke Campbell. December 12, 2015 at the O2 Arena, London.
Matt Bevan @MBevs68 said: “One of British boxing’s “Golden Boys” was expected to breeze past the French champion in Mendy and continue to press on towards a world title to add to the Olympic gold medal he won at London 2012. Unfortunately for the Hull man, Mendy had other ideas, and showed that Campbell isn't ready for that level, yet. Campbell was dropped in the fifth and lucky to even get a split decision.”
The "I Don't Press The Mute Button When They Talk" Pundit of the Year award.
Winner: Gary Lockett (Boxnation).
John MacDonald said: “The Welshman is fast forging a reputation as one of Britain's best coaches but is also providing to be an invaluable member of the Boxnation broadcast team. He offers astute tactical observations rarely seen on British television. Whereas some further the promoter's agenda, Lockett calls it as he sees it.”
The "Oi Where's Your Mask!?" Robbery of the Year award.
Winner: Anthony Crolla vs. Darleys Perez 1 (WBA World lightweight title). July 18, 2015 at Manchester Arena.
Elliot Foster @FreelanceFoz said: "Easy. Pérez-Crolla in July. Crolla won the fight easily –– by at least three points –– to me. The judges, through pure ineptitude, scored it a draw. Thankfully, justice was done in the rematch as Crolla, who completed one of the sport's biggest Cinderella stories, stopped the Colombian inside five rounds with a peach of a body shot.”
The "His L Plates Are Off" Prospect of the Year award.
Winner: Andrew Selby.
Ben Jacobs @Ben2012_London said: ”Has burst onto the scene with three wins in just over a month including an impressive victory over experienced Everth Briceño who recently went eight rounds with Kiko Martínez.”
The "We're Expecting Even Better From You Next Year" Promoter of the Year award.
Winner: Mick Hennessy.
George Ogier @george_ogier said: “Possibly a romantic choice but countless people (myself included) considered him crazy three or four years ago for his suggestion that Fury would one day be the man. Mick stood by his fighter and Fury’s world title win is his reward.”
And with that, and what has been a successful year for British boxing at home and abroad, we wish everyone a Happy New Year and may your 2016 be a corker!
