Cliff Henry…ring return at Holiday Inn. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB
AT the age of 45 and after one-and-a-half years away from the ring, incredible Cliff Henry is returning to the professional ring.
The light-heavy who has defied Father Time will fight on Scott Murray and Jon Pegg’s December 10 show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport. An opponent has yet to be announced.
Henry, a Hereford based serving soldier, will step through the ropes as the Board of Control’s oldest licenced boxer by a long chalk.
And there is no sign of the man’s near unbelievable adventure coming to an end. Manager PJ Rowson told me: “Jon Pegg said he’s getting better, he’s better than ever. I just wish I’d had him earlier.”
In middle age, Henry is an imposing physical specimen, chiselled and muscular. At a time of life when most men are at least considering slippers and bags of Werther’s Originals, he trains like a 20 something athlete, looks like a 20 something athlete.
What he’s achieved as a professional nears beggar’s belief. Henry turned pro at 40, gained the Midlands title by outpointing Michael Stephenson in his fifth fight – injury forced him to surrender the belt - and is currently 6-0. He last fought in June, 2025, outpointing Tomasz Felsz over four.
PJ hasn’t ruled out another title fight for Henry. “I wouldn’t rule out anything that man can achieve,” he said. “The only constraints are the demands of his job, not his age.
“He’s amazing. He’s intelligent, well spoken, he’s a trained and educated medic to the highest standard.”
Not surprisingly, the Board of Control had some concerns when Henry announced his intentions to punch for pay.
PJ recalled: “When he came to see me at the start, he said, ‘I just want a couple of fights to see if I could’ve made it as a pro’. I sometimes have to remind him of that conversation.
“When he turned pro, the Boxing Board of Control said, ‘what are you doing bringing a 40-year-old for a pro licence?’ I said, ‘you tell him that’. He had to do a trial bout with an inspector present and that inspector told the Board, ‘you have to give this guy a licence’. The rest is history.
“Back then they said he had the physique of a 28-year-old. Five years on, he still has the physique of a 28-year-old.”
Legendary world light-heavyweight champ Archie Moore famously fought until he was 50. Henry may not have the great’s ability, but I’ll wager he’s in better condition than Archie was.