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BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hickey embraces 'honour' of Calzaghe comparison
Scottish boxing hope Sam Hickey is embracing the "great honour" of being compared to a young Joe Calzaghe, but intends to make "a name for myself" by building on his impressive start as a a glittering amateur career, including a gold medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Dundonian middleweight has won all three of his fights since joining the senior ranks last has been his impact, former WBO cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson revealed Hickey reminds him of former undefeated world super-middleweight champion Calzaghe."He is like the best British fighter we have ever had," said Hickey, 25 of Calzaghe. "You have got maybe three fighters who really standout in British boxing - Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis and Carl Froch and to be compared to Calzaghe is crazy but that is a great honour."It gets eyes on you because people think, 'what is he talking about, Johnny Nelson?' I don't necessarily need the comparison because I am going to make a name for myself and do good things hopefully." 'Tannadice or Dens would be amazing' Hickey's most recent victory was against Harley Hodgetts at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium last Saturday."It has really given me aspirations to want to do this in my home city or anywhere in Scotland in the future doing big arena shows," he said."I know years ago there was boxing at Dens Park, with 20,000 people watching. Tannadice or Dens would be amazing."Hickey is trained by Robert McCracken in Sheffield."Rob is a straight shooter and he doesn't blow any smoke or anything," Hickey explained. "He just keeps it straight, he is a really tough man to please so when I tell people that they say, 'that is good, that is what you want'."I want to be in big fights, world title fights and box at the highest level. Also, I want to make money and seal my future when I finish boxing because I have been doing this since I was nine years old and it is the toughest game."Another son of Dundee, Dick McTaggart, passed away earlier this year, aged 89, and Hickey described the 1956 Olympic lightweight gold medal winner as an "inspiration". McTaggart also earned a Commonwealth gold two years later."He did an article after the Commonwealth Games saying how proud he was and stuff like that that I had won the Commonwealths," said Hickey."It is great to be from the same city as probably the greatest amateur boxer Britain has ever had and emulating just a small bit of his success is great."
Arab News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Muslim Boxing Awards return to Birmingham this month to honor British Muslim fighters
LONDON: Top British Muslim boxers will be honored at an awards event on March 22 in Birmingham, which organizers describe as a celebration of fighters' careers and the values of fairness within the sport. The Muslim Boxing Awards 2025 will take place at the city's Grand Botanical Suite and be presented by Amir Khan, a former Olympian and two-time world champion, and Johnny Nelson, a former world cruiserweight champion. This year's awards ceremony follows the inaugural event in April last year. It is once again organized by Legal Blows, a pro bono legal organization that helps boxers deal with the complexities of business contracts, which said the evening will unite champions, rising stars and boxing legends for a memorable celebration. 'The event will honor the dedication, excellence and values that make Muslim athletes true role models, both inside and outside the ring,' it added. It will also include a fundraiser in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and a four-course Ramadan iftar. Legal Blows said the lineup it has assembled for the awards features some of Britain's top boxers and other leading lights in the sport, including: Shabaz Masoud, holder of the IBO super-bantamweight title; Hamza Uddin, a former Team GB fighter and eight-time national champion; Haseebah Abdullah, England's first hijab-wearing boxing coach; and Mehek Khalil, an amateur boxer and actress. The Muslim Boxing Awards is the brainchild of solicitor Adil Hussain, the founder of Legal Blows, in collaboration with renowned boxing figures, including Khan and other top-tier talent. 'Many athletes are unaware that they have the ability to negotiate contracts to obtain more favorable terms,' Hussain said of his work with boxers. 'My goal is to empower them with the tools to protect their interests and maximize their careers.'
