Prizefighter Heavyweights 1 scoops British Boxing award - 19/11/2008

THE eight fighters in the first Prizefighter tournament have been celebrated at the 2008 British Boxing Board of Control Awards.

Prizefighter Heavyweights 1 scooped the Sportsmanship Award as a result of the professionalism shown by each boxer.

The ceremony, held at the New Connaught Rooms in central London, featured a number of past and present stars from the boxing world, including David Haye and Joe Calzaghe, who won Boxer of the Year.

Former Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Nicky Piper presented David Dolan and Alex Ibbs with their trophies, with the other fighters to receive their trophies shortly.

Alex Ibbs (left) and David Dolan with their trophies. Picture: Philip Starkey

“These eight boxers were an example to what the sport is about,” said Piper.

“Each of them conducted themselves perfectly before, during and after the competition.”

Prizefighter Heavyweights 1 took place at the York Hall, London in April and featured seven fights in one night with each contest lasting a maximum of three rounds.

The format proved hugely popular with the event securing Sky Sports’ highest viewing figures for any of their boxing programmes in 2008.
It has also led to more Prizefighter competitions with successful tournaments at heavyweight and welterweight with the middleweight version taking place on Saturday, November 22.

Sunderland-based Dolan, who lost in a thrilling final to Belfast’s Martin Rogan, said: “There was good sportsmanship, no bickering, everyone got on and there was a good atmosphere so it’s a worthy award to win.

“This was the first tournament of its kind so no one knew what to expect but there was no nastiness. Once in the ring we were there to fight but we shook hands afterwards and made some good friends. We met up a couple of times for the photo shoots and press conferences so you got to know the lads.

“It was a good tournament; really exciting and entertaining and it will be remembered. I’ve been to different parts of the country and people recognise me and ask about Prizefighter so it was well received by everyone.

“Prizefighter is good for boxing, it gets people interested in boxing and that’s what we want.”

Alex Ibbs was the youngest of the eight competitors at only 22 but believed Prizefighter had changed his life.

“I have a baby daughter who was born five weeks ago and Prizefighter is only second to that,” said Ibbs.

“Being in Prizefighter is the best thing that has happened to my career and it has given me a shot at the Midlands Area title in January or February. The lads who were in Prizefighter were the best I’ve ever met in my life and even afterwards I’m still in touch with a lot of them – you can’t buy that.”

The eight competitors in Prizefighter Heavyweights 1 were Billy Bessey (Portsmouth), Paul Butlin (Melton Mowbray), David Dolan (Sunderland), David Ferguson (North Shields), Alex Ibbs (Stoke-on-Trent), Colin Kenna (Southampton), Darren Morgan (Swansea), Martin Rogan (Belfast).

Date posted: November 19, 2008