At the start of 2014 we approached a number of the UK`S most respected Officials, Commentators and Coaches with the intention of recognising both Male and Female "Fighter of the Year" awards. Judged along the same lines as the "Sports writers award" in Thailand the aim is to acknowledge each year, the outstanding athletes currently competing on the UK fight scene

Results will be taken from January to December with the criteria simple, all boxers based in the UK can qualify, there is no set amount of fights nor does winning all neccaserily guarentee being short listed, same can be said for a loss. Its simply down to quality of opposition

last years winners....

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Last years MALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 2014, Daniel McGowan (Liams Gym) what a great year going unbeaten both home and away...

Jordan Coe (Carnage) #5 @55kg A CLASS, WIN PTS 08/03
Kieran Mcaskill (POS) #4 @55kg A CLASS, WIN PTS 03/05
Paulo Da Silva (Lumpini Crawley) #1 A CLASS, WIN PTS 05/07
Rui Botelho (Portugal) A CLASS, WIN PTS 30/08
Nestor Rodriguez (Spain) A CLASS, WIN PTS 11/10
Daodang Buriram (Thailand) A CLASS, WIN PTS 17/12

Who is going to be 2015 winner...

Last years FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 2014, Christi Brereton

Alexis Rufus (Stars Gym) #1 A CLASS WIN PTS 22/02
Preciosaocaya (Phillipines) IFMA WORLDS, WIN 04/05
Elif Guney (Turkey) IFMA WORLDS, WIN 05/06
Saoto (Thailand) IFMA WORLDS, WIN 06/05
Kiznerova Ovescena (Russia) IFMA WORLDS, LOSS 09/05 SILVER MEDAL
Jemyma Betran (USA/Holland) A CLASS, LOSS TKO2 09/06
Soraya Bucherie (France) A CLASS, WIN PTS 19/10
Helen Wilson (Headhunters) A CLASS, TKO4 30/11

Who is going to be 2015 winner...

THIS IS NOT A FINAL LIST! please feel free to add names, results would help rather than just your mates from your gym but this is what i have noted so far...

MALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 2015

REECE McCALLISTER (PHOENIX) 69
Jesus Romero (SPAIN) A CLASS WIN TKO4 25/04

REECE THOMPSON (LUMPINI CRAWLEY) 55
Ross Cochrane (SMTC) A CLASS WIN PTS 25/04
Abdul Yalmani (BELGIUM) A CLASS WIN 30/05

IAN HOUILLEBECQ (LEGIONS) 61
Ross George (Knowlsey Academy) #9 A CLASS WIN KO 26/04
Paul Barber (Double K) A CLASS WIN PTS 26/04
Naqqash Kahn (Black Widow) A CLASS WIN TKO2 26/04
Harry Ettridge (Kao Loi) A CLASS WIN PTS 13/06

CHRIS SHAW (OB`S) 61
Stephen Meleady (Bad Company) A CLASS LOSS PTS 21/03
Bartosz Batra (POLAND) A CLASS WIN TKO4 25/04

BRAD STANTON (KIATPHONTIP) 69
Diogo Boa Morte (PORTUGAL) A CLASS WIN PTS 28/01
Ricky Sewell (Petchnoi/Petch Yin Dee) #8 @66, A CLASS WIN PTS 19/02
Raseesing Wor Wiwatananon (THAILAND) A CLASS LOSS 16/03
Noppakao Kor.Kasanont (THAILAND) A CLASS LOSS 10/05
Arnold Lokumu (ITALY) A CLASS WIN TKO2 13/06

SAM GOUGH (SHIN KICK) 79
Rob Chippy Allen (Superpetch) #8, A CLASS WIN TKO4 28/02
Chris Shaw (ULT) A CLASS WIN PTS 21/03

LOZ SMITHEN (KIATPHONTIP) 79
Roan Morrison (Hanuman Edinburgh) 81.5kg A CLASS WIN PTS 28/02

FILIP KULAWINSKY (BAD COMPANY) 76
Mikey Clarke (Kiatphontip) A CLASS WIN TKO2 28/02

MATTHEW TIEU (TEAM TIEU) 57
Nestor Rodriquez (SPAIN) A CLASS WIN ???? 01/03
Mondo Woodcock (GTBA) A CLASS WIN ???? 20/06

GREG WOOTTON (KO GYM) 63.5
Ridouane Bencher if (FRANCE) A CLASS WIN PTS 21/03
Rungrat Sasiprappa (THAILAND) A CLASS WIN PTS 23/05

LIAM HARRISON (BAD COMPANY) 66.6
Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigym (THAILAND) A CLASS LOSS PTS 21/03

KEITH MCLACHLAN (GRIPHOUSE) 59
Paul Karpowicz (2Technical) A CLASS WIN TKO3 21/03
Yannis Belacel (FRANCE) A CLASS WIN TKO2 20/06

JOSH TURBILL (SPITFIRE) 69
Jack Cooper (Chok Dee) A CLASS WIN PTS 21/03
Salah Abdul Salam (Minotaurs) A CLASS WIN TKO3 20/06

CHRIS WHITTLE (FRANKS GYM) 61
Ross George (Knowlsey Academy) A CLASS WIN PTS 21/03
Paul Barber (Double K) A CLASS LOSS PTS 25/04
TBC (ESTONIA) A CLASS WIN TKO4 06/06
Luke Bennett (MASDA) A CLASS WIN TKO2 13/06
Andrew Lofthouse (#OO) #6 A CLASS WIN TKO4 11/07

STEPHEN MELEADY (BAD COMPANY) 61.5
Chris Shaw (OB`s) A CLASS WIN PTS 21/03
Panicos Superpetch (Pra Chao Suua) #2 A CLASS LOSS PTS 23/05

DANIEL JEDRZEJEWSKI (HANUMAN) 69
Luke Imeson (Bad Company) #7 @66 A CLASS DRAW 01/03
Ally Smith (WOSSABAMA) #5 @72.5 A CLASS WIN PTS 28/03
Andy Folley (???) @72.5 A CLASS WIN KO1 ??/??

SAM BURUCA (ART OF 8) 53.5
Spencer Brown (Rama) C CLASS WIN PTS 21/03
Harris Hussain (Abusin Thai) B CLASS WIN PTS 25/04
Carlitos Delgado (Knowles Academy) C CLASS WIN PTS 13/06
Louis (Master Toddy THAILAND) A CLASS WIN PTS 03/07




FEMALE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 2015

GRACE SPICER (DOUBLE K) 52.5
Marina Zueva (PORTUGAL) A CLASS LOSS PTS 06/02
Nicola Kaye (Bad Company) #2 A CLASS LOSS PTS 23/05

LEONIE HARDMAN (SUPERGYM) 52.5
Sanne Strabbing (HOLLAND) B CLASS WIN PTS 21/02
Nongmuay (THAILAND) A CLASS WIN PTS 09/03
Francesca De Blasi (ITALY) B CLASS WIN PTS 03/05

ANNABELLE GELY (KEDDLES) 61
Sofia Teskou (GREECE) A CLASS WIN TKO3 01/03
Sophie Gallagher (SMTC) A CLASS WIN ???? 20/06

CHERIE STANDON (BAD COMPANY) 50
Tasha Mckeown (All Powers Gym) C CLASS WIN PTS 01/03
Sara Donghi (ITALY) A CLASS WIN PTS 04/07

BERNISE ALDISE (DOUBLE K) 57
Tanya Merrit (Eagles WALES) #2, A CLASS WIN PTS 21/03
Tiffany Van Soest (USA) A CLASS LOSS TKO4 23/05

AMY PIRNIE (INFERNO) 50
Jane Sandlan (Thai Style) #1,A CLASS WIN KO2 29/03
Anne Linne (NORWAY) A CLASS WIN PTS 04/07

DAKOTA DITCHEVA (NORTHERN SPIRIT) 48
Sophie Lowe (Jersey Thai) C CLASS WIN TKO1 21/03
Hongfah Kor. Jalanfak (THAILAND) A CLASS WIN KO1 24/04
Rebecca Caslin (Thai Style) #3 C CLASS WIN TKO3
Gabbie Naughton (Franks) #5 C CLASS WIN PTS 11/07

RUTH ASHDOWN (LUMPINI CRAWLEY) 52.5
Nadia Grivas (SINGAPORE) A CLASS WIN TKO3 04/06
Meryem Uslu (GERMANY) A CLASS WIN PTS 20/07

NICOLA KAYE (BAD COMPANY) 52.5
Grace Spicer (Double K) #4 A CLASS WIN PTS 23/05

Please do not moan if you are not listed, send your 2015 results to me!!

Either Reece McCallister or Josh Turnbill for me!

Panicos

Greg Wootton also beat Petchbonchu and lost a decision against Parkorn. He is also due to fight Saenchai before the end of the year. You definitely cant argue that he is mixing it with the very best in world.

100% Reece McCallister

@Sagat, both of those results were last year pal, this is the 2015 awards

I'm not sure Greg's win over Petchboonchu fight was even taken into consideration in 2014 as it came late in the year.

If this was "simply down to quality of opposition" ...

We amended the wording on the website a while ago Raymond, it could of been clearer I admit

...,We are looking for boxers who excede expectation and achieve a level of consistancy throughout the year.....

Greg had a fantastic win at the end of the year, both of his other two fights in 2014 however ended in a losses

Please also remember I have no affinity to these fighters therefore no agenda or friendship to effect my judgement, plus there were 12+ people voting none of which asked why Greg wasn't shortlisted

? that wording is still on the first post in this thread - July 20th

I can't find the 2014 thread... when were the 2014 votes collected?

Ok found the old thread and the point was made there too.

With all due respect to you for putting in the effort to create the award.

The problem is that if you want to be seen as coming to a decision based on objective criteria then choose them and stick to them, don't move the goalposts.

The fact that Greg fought better opposition in 2014 than anyone in the country ever had before, bar perhaps Liam and Jordan Watson, and beat Thailand's fighter of the year to boot, and yet can't even get short listed doesn't do much for the credibility of the award and it just ends up looking like a popularity contest.

To be fair I think rather than "move the goalposts" we actually just clarified the criteria a little better

The winners last year were Daniel McGowan and Christian Brereton, both had fantastic years beating a number of top fighters to boot. I think you would be hard pushed to find anyone who would agree that Greg was more deserving of the award, he had a good fight beating a top Thai, he lost to another Thai and if I remember correctly was ko'd in a round by a French? Or at least foreign opponent who was generally unheard of. He is a fantastic fighter and I have absolutely nothing against the lad but his YEAR just didn't stand out, if there was an award for RESULT of the year he would get it.... But there isn't

As I said, I'm impartial, I couldn't care less who wins as long as their YEAR is deserving, you have a connection to KO gym as your profile States so I can see why you are in such support of Greg but as I said it's not RESULT its YEAR

Just to be clear and this is only my opinion, I haven't been to the gym in a couple of years and have no idea of Greg or Bill's opinion on this or even if they have one. I'm sure they have more important things to think about. You rightly point out that I support Greg as a fighter and want to see him not only do well but be justly recognised for his achievements.

That said I still cannot accept anyone in the UK fought better opposition in 2014 than Greg. If I understand it correctly his loss that you cite was at a higher weight and wasn't even under Muay Thai rules... Under Muay Thai rules he fought Pakorn and he beat Thailand's Sportswriter's Fighter of the Year, Petchboonchu. I can understand that he didn't win the award, but not to be shortlisted? that is strange.

Quality of opposition was your most clearly stated objective criteria last year and again in your opening post of this 2015 thread just 2 weeks ago. So with the greatest respect this is still not clarified. The fact that you changed the criteria on your website during the course of the year, for what reason I don't know, is your prerogative but just ads to my confusion and to be honest to the award's credibility in my eyes.

Apologies Chris Baya fight was Muay Thai.

Mcgowan fought and beat the number 1 ranked fighters in England, Portugal and Spain if I remember rightly in 2014. Greg's a class act and 2015 could well be his year, he won in March and then at The Main Event in May. An upset against Saenchai in October, which he's definitely capable of achieving, would put him as the stand-out of this year I think.
But I don't think many can argue that Mcgowan didn't deserve this in 2014

Don't need to remember, its written at the top haha only just noticed that! Forgot about the win against Jordan Coe too who's another great fighter

Results will be taken from January to December with the criteria simple, all boxers based in the UK can qualify, there is no set amount of fights nor does winning all neccaserily guarentee being short listed, same can be said for a loss. We are looking for boxers who excede expectation and achieve a level of consistancy throughout the year.

I think that covers it quite well in my opinion

if we concentrate on one specific area as you are in this case "level of opposition" then by that logic I can fight Harrison, Wooton, Buakow, Watson, Pakorn ect ect get beaten as I surely would and say I faced a higher level of opponent I should win the award.

The fact is Greg lost 2 out of the three, one to an unheralded French man by first round stoppage, was it a fluke? should we not consider it? the same could be said about his win as both are based on opinion rather than fact.

If you believe the award in its first year has no credibility then that is your opinion which you are entitled to, If you have made your mind up then I'm not sure what the point of this is? But why not contact me and say "I think the award could be better, I'd like to get involved for the benefit of UK MT" moving forward you could contribute and work to make things better, I'm afraid that isn't the general attitude in the UK though, rather "that's shit" but I'm not going to do anything more than comment on a forum or Facebook ....and the cycle continues

Thank you for the clarification in your first paragraph.

"We are looking for boxers who excede expectation and achieve a level of consistancy throughout the year."

That is clear. It certainly matches the 2014 winner's track record.

However it is clearly and objectively not the same as "Its simply down to quality of opposition"

I thought nominations were originally submitted on the basis of the latter. It seemed the criteria changed mid process - I could be wrong but that's how it looked.

This is a public forum, I'm responding and giving an opinion and as we know every ars... has one. ;-)

Feel free to disregard my criticism but it is well meant and I believe you have the best interests of the sport at heart otherwise I wouldn't bother.

All the best.

I think it's fair to say the criteria evolved through the year and as it was the first time we or indeed anyone had attempted something like this it was always going to improve or even change as time went on. I'd say we have a much clearer statement this year so hopefully we will improve again and continue through the rankings and awards to benefit the UK Thai scene

Always a pleasure Raymond, I think we actually revived AX for a few seconds there 😉

We deserve an award :-)