THE Midlands boxing awards – a celebration of our region’s finest fighting men and women – predictably belonged to Wolverhampton warrior Conah Walker.
At Cannock’s Premier Suite on Sunday, Walker received both the prestigious fighter of the year gong and outstanding achievement award.
In truth, the honours were predictable. The 30-year-old enjoyed a truly outstanding 2025, coming from behind to halt Harry Scarff in the 11th round for the British welterweight title, then overpowering Liam Taylor in the seventh with his Lonsdale Belt on the line.
Walker closed the year with a 12th round stoppage of Pat McCormack in Monte Carlo. From small halls, Conah – a pitbull of a fighter – is within touching distance of a world title.
Of the late round victories, Walker laughed: “I got lucky, they were all flukes.” They were far from that: he sets a relentless pace, doesn’t allow opponents time to breath and suffocates them down the stretch.
Clutching his awards, Walker added: “I’m shocked. It’s hard doing what we do, so recognition like this is really something. It’s a great honour.”
Scott Murray, who hosted the event, and Midlands Board of Control boss Matt Harris have turned the annual boxing Oscars into a memorable, major occasion. The weekend’s event was packed and the list of famous faces in attendance included legendary American Hall of
Fame trainer Jesse Reid who has produced over 30 world champs.
Nicola Hopewell, from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, received the female fighter of the year trophy.
It was well deserved: last year, the 34-year-old claimed the IBO world flyweight title by outpointing champ Marie Connan, adding to the Commonwealth belt already in her possession.
It was good to see Dudley featherweight Ryan Griffiths receiving recognition.
Griffiths, soon to fight for the English title, was presented with the “area champion of champions” belt following a busy 2025 that saw him fight five times and defend his Midlands featherweight title twice – and both contests were crackers. He drew with Jack Dillingham and Lewis Morris.
The male prospect of the year award – in the past, bestowed on a string of top champions – went to Stoke 21-year-old Lewis Lawton following a debut year that saw him notch-up three wins, two by stoppage. The light-middle looks a real talent.
Gemma Richardson, from Gainsborough Lincolnshire, was selected as female prospect. The 25-year-old won two, one inside distance.
Coventry claimed silverware in the fight of the year category. Aaron Bowen’s thrilling, bloody split decision defeat to Tom Cowling, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, staged at the NEC in November with the Midlands middleweight title on the line, was the best scrap of 2025. Few could argue with that assessment.
In the female category, the six round battle between Grimsby’s Kirsty Hill and Jade Pearce, from Middlesbrough, took top spot. Pearce won that contest, staged in Newark last November.
The afternoon featured a new belt, bestowed on a past Midlands champ who the Board felt did not receive the recognition he or she deserved at the time.
The inaugural winner was John Ashton, from Alfreton, Derbyshire. John packed 23 fights in a top level career that ran from 1986 to 1993.
In 1988, John outpointed Kid Milo for the Midlands light-middleweight belt, then, two years later, beat Kesem Clayton for the middleweight title.
John would challenge for bigger titles. Sumbu Kalamby stopped him in Italy for the European title, he was beaten by Herol Graham and Frank Grant for the British, Richie Woodhall outpointed him in a crack at the Commonwealth.
The Board’s Matt Harris said of the occasion: “It went really well. There were some well-deserved awards and the future looks good for Midlands boxing.”
That it does.
