Joshua, Tyson Fury, Usyk battle for British Boxing Award
Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Okeksandr Usyk have been shortlisted for the British Boxing Awards next month. The awards ceremony will host some of the biggest names in British boxing and the celebrity world on November 8 in London as it celebrates the achievements in the sport. It is the first time that all levels of British boxing, from the grassroots gym volunteers to the international superstars, will be recognised at one flagship event. Former Team GB and professional boxing star Nicola Adams has been named as the host for the event, with some breakthrough stars also bidding to win some of the awards on offer. Now, the shortlist has been revealed for the awards up for grabs, with the categories sweeping through multiple levels of the sport. In some of the top awards, Joshua and Fury are among those shortlised to win Male British Boxer of the Year, as well as the likes of Jack Catterall, Callum Smith and Lawrence Okolie. Also in the running for the award are Chris Billam-Smith, Liam Smith, Joshua Buatsi, Nick Ball and Chris Eubank Jnr. In the Women’s Award, Katie Taylor is the lead name, with the likes of Natasha Jones, Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron also hopeful. The other names on the list include Caroline Dubois, Ellie Scotney and Sandy Ryan. Usyk comes into the conversation in the International Boxing Champion of the Year category, with Joshua, Fury and Deontay Wilder also shortlisted. Canelo Alvarez, Billam-Smith and Imane Khelif are also on the list. There are plenty more commendations up for grabs in the Grassroots Boxing Hero, Out of the Ring Award, Best Brand of the Year, Inspirational Role Model and a Lifetime Achievement Award categories. Michael Buffer and Lennox Lewis are both shortlisted in the British Boxing Broadcaster or Journalist category, while Lewis is again mentioned, alongside the likes of Amir Khan and David Haye in the Insprational Role Model shortlist. Khan and Frank Bruno are shortlisted for the Out of the Ring Award for their work with their foundations, and Misfits make the Business of the Year shortlist alongside the likes of Queensberry and Matchroom – Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn are also sortlisted for the Promoter of the Year Awards. ‘This is an incredible shortlist,’ host Adams said following the announcement. ‘The British Boxing Awards is shining a light on the people and organisations contributing to the phenomenal growth of the sport. Boxing champions, both in and out of the ring, will be recognised. ‘This is a major first for the sport in the UK and I am incredibly excited to be hosting this event. It is going to be a special night. Good luck to all of the nominees.’