Record 15 Midlands title fights in 2025

Brandon Bethell…Midlands champ in 2025. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB

THE stats prove it – Midlands boxing is in the grips of an unprecedented boom.

That’s largely down to the Boxing Board of Control’s Midlands Council, which has insisted its area titles are regularly contested.

And 2025 saw a near avalanche of area title fights. There were an astonishing 15 in all, seven of which saw champs defending their belts.

That is a record.

Not only that, but across the spectrum – from Midlands to world level – there were 27 local champions crowned.

The 2025 Midlands champs were:

Midlands. Brandon Bethell, David Butlin, Carl Fail, Minaaz Gurung, Craig Nelson, Ibraheem Sulaimaan, Tom Cowling, Gabriela Strikaiyte.

English. Nyall Berry, Hamza Uddin.

Commonwealth Silver. Jess Barry, Kyle Davies.

Commonwealth. Conah Walker, Kieron Conway.

EBU European. Shabaz Masoud.

WBA Asia South. Raza Hamza.

IBO European. Kyle Davies.

IBF International/Intercontinental. Liam Davies, Conah Walker.

WBC International. Sam Eggington

WBC Silver. Ben Whittaker

WBA Continental. Ezra Taylor,  Hamza Uddin, Conah Walker.

WBO Global. Ekow Essuman.

IBO World. Nicola Hopewell.

A spokesman for the Midlands Board said: “The Midlands Area Council would like to thank boxers, trainers, managers and all licence holders for another fantastic year in the Midlands area.

“We look forward to a successful 2026 with new champions, continued journeys and for those ready to start their boxing careers.”