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THE VOICE OF GEDLING BOROUGH SINCE 2015

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Famous Gedling-born fighters you should feel proud about

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Gedling in Nottinghamshire has given birth to some of the most staunch boxers in the ring.

These athletes have made for their hometowns and entered the history of boxing, and their sensational ability and remarkable fight are truly memorable. That is why this blog is dedicated to the Gedling-born fighters and their success in the line of this critical and popular sport.

As for the modern-day newcomers, there is Leigh Wood, whose career took off only a few years ago. Before the fight against the WBA featherweight champion Łukasz Żygmunt, Wood said the same thing, and now, before the battle with Michael Conlan: “I will give the fans a night to remember in Nottingham in March”. The upcoming fight in the Motorpoint Arena is expected to attract many fans; some people want to risk their money to bet on who will win the fight. Leigh Wood, along with the others, have stories of progression from a local fighter to a world phenomenon fighter, a story that inspires listeners.

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Gedling’s Boxing Legacy

Gedling, in Nottinghamshire, has carved out a legacy in boxing with a lineage of formidable champions who have left an indelible mark on the sport. These fighters have risen to international reputations and have commanded respect for their hometown. Their achievements not only bring pride to their community but also serve as inspiration for aspiring boxers worldwide.

  • Leigh Wood: WBA featherweight titleholder with a dramatic 12th-round knockout of Xu Can.
  • Carl Froch: WBC super-middleweight title winner in 2008; known for his knockout win over George Groves at Wembley.
  • Jason Booth: Held the IBO super-flyweight title and competed for the IBF super-bantamweight title, multiple regional championships.
  • Jawaid Khaliq: First British Asian boxing champion, IBO welterweight titleholder.

Leigh Wood: The Rising Star

Wood originates from Gedling, and after a few years of his start, he quickly became one of the most famous boxers. Wood should be familiar to some British fans with a record of 25-0-2 in world championship fights as they extracted the WBA featherweight title in a dramatic knockout of Xu Can in the 12th round. This win increased his popularity even further and paved the way to his next fight, the match against the yet-unbeaten Mick Conlan.

Eddie Hearn, speaking about Wood’s previous comment, once commented that the crowds would die for it. According to Hearn, Leigh is on the verge of becoming one of the biggest stars in boxing. In his own words, Wood expresses the significance of headlining such a major event in Nottingham: A six-year-old boy once said, ‘It’s going to mean everything…’ This passion and dedication make Wood a true champion and a source of pride for Gedling.

Carl Froch: The Cobra

There is Carl Froch, “The Cobra”, a Gedling-born fighter who must be named the most famous Nottingham fighter of the present times, the WBC super-middleweight title winner of 2008. Perhaps his first win over Jean Pascal in his home was just the tip of the iceberg as he continued to switch between the winner and loser of the title. Froch had his best night as the boxing star when he defeated George Groves via a knockout in Wembley.

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Jason Booth: 2 Smooth

Another Gedling fighter who took the world by surprise is Jason Booth. He got the nickname ‘2 Smooth’ based on his fighting style. He has a Pro Boxing Record of 38-15-0 (Win-Loss-Draw). He was ‘the’ IBO super-flyweight, a title that he held between 2003 and 2004 and also the ‘the’ IBF super-bantamweight title that he sought for once in 2010. 

At the regional level, he was the British and Commonwealth flyweight champion between 1999 and 2001; the Commonwealth title in 2000; Commonwealth bantamweight between 2007 and 2008; the British super-bantamweight between 2009 and 2011; the Commonwealth super-bantamweight twice in 2010 and 2011. His career prosperity was at its zenith when he competed in the world championship in 2010; thus, he has gained great respect in the boxing fraternity.

Jawaid Khaliq: Too Sleek

Jawaid Khaliq, popularly known in the ring as “Too Sleek,” is another talented fighter from Gedling. He is reported to have become the first British Asian boxing champion after winning the IBO welterweight title in 2001 against American Willy Wise. 

He came into the limelight in the early 2000s and slowly became a regular panel member of Sky Sports, showcasing his skills. Khaliq was the head of the IBO title and preferred skilful battles in at Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre. He had many fight wins in his career and is widely known to be a strong boxer.

Rise to the Challenge

Gedling is rightly proud of its sporting history in boxing, especially its very successful fighters and personalities like Leigh Wood, Carl Froch, Jason Booth, and Jawaid Khaliq. They have all displayed heroism, commitment, and passion, which not only enhanced their hometown’s reputation but also paved the way for other upcoming boxers. 

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If you wish to become the next sports superstar or achieve any extraordinary dream, you have to know that no matter what, you should never give up. Remember that your success will rub on other people. Your success will bring credence and recognition to your society.

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