Calzaghe is British boxer of the year

CALZAGHE TAKES TOP BBBC HONOUR

Friday 17th November 2006

Joe Calzaghe has been named British Boxer of the Year.

The WBO and IBF champion scooped the top honour at the annual Reebok British Boxing Board of Control awards night in Picadilly on Thursday night.

Calzaghe was a strong favourite following his classic dismantling of Jeff Lacy in March, which confirmed his standing as the best super-middleweight around.

Last year the award went to Ricky Hatton for his famous win over Kostya Tszyu and while Clinton Woods and Junior Witter both won world title fights, as well as the Hitman, in 2006, Calzaghe was always the favourite.

The Contest of the Year award went to the British welterweight title clash in June, which saw Scotland's Kevin Anderson turn it around to stop Young Mutley in the 10th round, with Jamie Moore's brutal win over Matthew Macklin missing out.

There was also plenty for the Atomic Spider, Tshifiwa Munyai, to celebrate, after scooping two awards.

He was voted Overseas Boxer of the Year for his splendid stoppage of Martin Power to claim the Commonwealth bantamweight title and then returnint to the York Hall to outclass Lee Haskins.

Munyai: double award
Munyai: double award
Those two performances also saw him become the first recipient of the Dennis Mancini Memorial prize, to be given to the person considered to have done most to further the aims of Commonwealth boxing over the year.

The Sportsmanship Award was shared this year between cruiserweight's Enzo Maccarinelli and Mark Hobson for their first meeting in March, while veteran promoter Jack Bishop was honoured with a Special Award for his services to the sport.

There was also some ground-breaking news as the British Boxing Board also confirmed it's first commercial sponsorship deal.

They have signed a five-year deal with RFE International, licensees of Reebok and adidas, who will now supply all gloves for sanctioned championship fights.

The exact amount involved was not revealed, by Sky Sports pundit Nicky Piper, now a marketing consultant to the Board said it was worth "five figures".

"The money will help research safety and medical issues and ease the financial pressure on boxers and other licence-holders," he said.