British Boxing Board of Control announces Clean Sport Ambassadors as part of its commitment to help support UK Anti-Doping’s Clean Sport Week, the national annual awareness-raising campaign for all sports.

BBBoC is pleased to announce the four representatives who will act as Clean Sport Ambassadors as part of its ongoing anti-doping efforts in support of UKAD.

George Groves, Natasha Jonas, Martin Bowers and Josh Wale have signed up to support Clean Sport Week and to boost clean sport awareness in professional boxing across the rest of the year.

Robert Smith, BBBoC General Secretary, said “George, Natasha, Martin and Josh are well known throughout professional boxing having operated at the highest level. We hope that the power of their voices will encourage and inspire more boxers, trainers, and licence holders to fully embrace the principles of clean sport while supporting us to ensure the integrity of boxing is protected, and free from doping behaviours.”

All four have positioned themselves as role models within professional boxing and will endorse UKAD’s clean sport mandate, using their platforms to share their experiences and knowledge of clean sport.

George Groves, a former WBA World Super-Middleweight Champion, is looking forward to taking on his role as an ambassador. He added “I’m one of the new BBBoC Clean Sport Ambassadors . I’m looking forward to taking on this role because I believe our sport should be clean, fair and boxers should be able to enter the ring knowing their opponent is clean.”

Natasha Jonas, current IBF World Welterweight Champion and IBF, WBC and WBO World Super-Welterweight Champion said “All sport should be contested fairly, especially boxing. We are not crossing a line, scoring a goal, try or point, ours is a dangerous sport. As an elite boxer I'm accountable to make sure I compete clean and I want to box against clean opposition. I believe I have a responsibility to help keep my sport free from doping and to raise awareness around the anti-doping values, procedures and framework.”

As a Manager and Trainer operating out of the long established Peacock Gym, Martin Bowers is keen to ensure the next generation of boxers are armed with knowledge on how to compete clean from the moment they are granted a licence. He said, “Clean sport education is vital for those coming into the sport, all licence holders need to be informed so they are able to assess the need, assess the risk and assess the consequences for themselves.”

Josh Wale, former British Bantamweight Champion and now Trainer / Manager is delighted to be appointed as a Clean Sport Ambassador, “Right from when I started as a boxer through to winning the British title and now training boxers coming through, I have always felt very strongly about maintaining a level playing field. Doping robs clean boxers of the spoils of their hard work. I am proud to support the BBBoC’s work to protect the integrity of our sport and will do so at every opportunity.”

Groves, Jonas, Bowers and Wale will produce a series of social media posts across the year promoting the work BBBoC is doing in relation to clean sport and anti-doping, reinforcing and sharing UKAD’s campaigns. and will work alongside UKAD accredited educator, Sue Potts to further enhance their role as an ambassador.

Sue Potts joined the team at BBBoC in November and is delivering Clean Sport Education to all licence holders through gym visits, one to ones and Zoom sessions.

To arrange an education session please email cleanboxing@bbbofc.com

Since the turn of the year, we’ve already seen 75 tournaments held around the country, including nine British title contests and 6 new champions.

In January the BBBofC held a Ring Officials Seminar, in Birmingham, for all Referees, Inspectors, Council Members, Timekeepers and Area Secretaries, with around 100 attendees. Speakers included Head Office Medical Advisor, Neil Scott, on the signs, symptoms and biomechanics of concussion, Les Potts on the Role of the Inspector, and the application process for licence holders, and BBBofC UKAD Educator, Suzanne Potts, who outlined anti-doping and the testing procedure. Former international rugby referee, Nigel Owens MBE, also joined us as Guest Speaker.

The BBBofC Annual Awards were held on Sunday 17th March, where Leigh Wood picked up ‘Boxer of the Year’. ‘Contest of the Year’ went to Artur Beterbiev and Anthony Yarde, whilst other winners included Zhilei Zhang (Overseas), Sam Gilley v Louis Greene (Sportsmanship), Shane McGuigan (Boxing News Trainer of the Year).

As of April, BBBofC UKAD Educator, Suzanne Potts had already given training to over 300 licence holders, raising awareness on anti-doping procedures and responsibilities. This has included gym visits and online sessions.

We were pleased to hear Mail Sport’s Jeff Powell, received an MBE for his contribution to sports journalism. Congratulations to him on well-deserved recognition.

The BBBofC were saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former British and Commonwealth Champion, Willie Limond, as well as former European Championship challenger, John Westgarth. Our sincere sympathy and thoughts go to Willie and John’s families and friends at this difficult time.

Robert W. Smith

This year’s 'Undisputed' BBBofC Awards took place on Sunday 17th March in London. Listed below are winners and nominees from the afternoon:

Boxer of the Year – Leigh Wood (Chantelle Cameron, Chris Billam-Smith, Joe Cordina, Nathan Heaney)

Contest of the Year – Artur Beterbiev v Anthony Yarde (Joe Cordina v Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov, Leigh Wood v Josh Warrington, Sam Gilley v Louis Greene, Jack Martin v CJ Challenger)

Overseas Boxer of the Year – Zhilei Zhang (Artur Beterbiev, Luis Alberto Lopez, Jai Opetaia)

Sportsmanship Award - Sam Gilley v Louis Greene

Services to Boxing – Hugh Russell Snr (posthumously)

Special Recognition – Lady Mary Peters LG, CH, DBE

Boxing News Trainer of the Year – Shane McGuigan (Ben Davison, Errol Johnson, Jamie Moore, Tony Sims, Steve Woodvine)

CBC Dennie Mancini Trophy – Nathaniel Collins

General Secretary Robert W. Smith said ‘Congratulations to all Award winners and nominees this year. It was a very successful year in regards to contests taking place in the UK. Thank you to everyone who attended this year's event.’

Boxer of the Year, Leigh Wood, thanked his team and promoter on social media.

If you were at this year’s Awards, and missed out on the opportunity to buy photographs, head over to www.charlesalbert.co.uk

This year’s ‘Undisputed’ BBBofC Annual Awards in association with Boxing News will take place on Sunday 17th March 2024.

General Secretary, Robert W. Smith said of the upcoming Awards, 'We'd like to thank this year’s sponsors, Steel City Interactive for their involvement in the 2024 Awards and are sure that the 'Undisputed' game will be a great success. We hope all guests have an enjoyable afternoon next month, whilst celebrating the achievements of British boxing in 2023'

“We're delighted to be a part of this year's awards to celebrate some outstanding boxers. We've had tremendous support from the world of boxing and hope that our game 'Undisputed' will play a part in expanding the audience for the sport.” – Ash Habib, CEO of Steel City Interactive.

Full list of nominees at this year's Awards are as follows:

Boxer of the Year: Chantelle Cameron, Chris Billam-Smith, Joe Cordina, Nathan Heaney, Leigh Wood

Contest of the Year : Artur Beterbiev v Anthony Yarde, Joe Cordina v Shavkat Rakhimov, Leigh Wood v Josh Warrington, Sam Gilley v Louis Greene, Jack Martin v CJ Challenger

Boxing News Trainer of the Year: Ben Davison, Errol Johnson, Shane McGuigan, Jamie Moore, Tony Sims, Steve Woodvine

Overseas Boxer of the Year: Artur Beterbiev, Luis Alberto Lopez, Jai Opetaia, Zhilei Zhang.

Awards will also be presented in the following categories - Special Recognition, Sportsmanship, Services to Boxing, whilst Commonwealth Boxing Council will present the Dennie Mancini Trophy.