Julius OkorieNigeria born former two-time heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, is the running for Boxer of the year, at the inaugural British Boxing Awards set for March 28, 2025.
Joshua who recorded mixed fortune in the outgoing year with a win over Francis Ngannou and a defeat to Daniel Dubois afterwards has been listed in the star-studded nominations expected to attract boxing die-hards from far and near.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe list which also includes British Heavy Weight boxer, Tyson Fury, include Josh Kelly, Lawrence Okolie, Joshua Buatsi, Chris Billam-Smith, Dennis McCann, Fabio Wardley, Nick Ball and Dubois.
In the female category boasts of Ireland’s Katie Taylor, still basking in the euphoria of her recent title defence of the undisputed super-lightweight crown against Amanda Serrano in November, headlines the nominations alongside Savannah Marshall
READ ALSO :AFtermath Of Dubois Defeat: Anthony Joshua Nose Dives In Latest Ranking
Other female contenders include Natasha Jonas, Charley Davison, Lauren Price, Terri Harper, Sandy Ryan, Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney.
The awards ceremony, sponsored by Applied Nutrition, will recognise excellence across multiple categories including Business of the Year, Boxing Journalist/Pundit of the Year, Out of the Ring Award and Coach/Trainer of the Year.
Boxing legends, Ricky Hatton and Nicola Adams, will host the event, which also features the Outstanding Contribution to the Sport of Boxing award. Promoter Eddie Hearn and Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority Chairman,Turki Alalshikh are among the nominees in this category.
“This is an incredible shortlist. The British Boxing Awards will shine a light on the people and organisations contributing to the phenomenal growth of the sport,” Adams said.
Hatton added, “This is a landmark moment for UK boxing, highlighting the incredible talent and hard work that’s driving the sport forward. It’s going to be a wonderful event.”
The ceremony marks the first time the boxing industry will be recognised at one flagship event, celebrating achievements both in and out of the ring.
Joshua, who has been ruled out of immediate fight of any kind by injury, is however expected to bounce back in June next year.
His promoter Eddie Hearn said: “We had a very awkward call. He wanted to fight on February 22 and basically was told that there is no way you can start camp and be 100% for February 22, physically.
So Hearn believes Joshua will return to the ring in May or June of 2025, but negotiations with Dubois have tailed off.
Joshua’s overall record is 28 wins and 4 losses, with 25 wins by knockout. He was the world heavyweight champion from 2016 to 2019.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
