With June Set To See Some Vital Fights, Boxing Rightly Nods To UK Past

Last weekend was a big and important one for world boxing fans, as on Sunday in Canastota, New York, a couple of extremely well-known British boxing names attended a ceremony to mark their official induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

British legends and former world champions Jane Crouch and Ricky Hatton learned they would be honoured many months ago. Still, they have now received their accolades following their own, long and successful careers in the ring.They have now joined boxing icons such as Muhammed Ali, Joe Frazier and Floyd Mayweather in being internationally recognised for their talents, skill and heart. For fans who bet on upcoming MMA fights with Lottoland Sports, for those who are more boxing-specific, there will be thoughts on who might feature in 20 years.

British Boxing Honoured Ahead of Billam-Smith vs. Riakporhe

British Female Trailblazer Honoured

The Fleetwood-born, 55-year-old, Crouch became the first British woman to be inducted into the honorary list, and in the modern incarnation of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. She becomes only the tenth woman to be recognized by the organization. For the women’s fight game in the United Kingdom, in particular, she was a trailblazer. At age 27 years old she took on the boxing world simply for the right to fight in the professional ranks.

Read More: Ten Most Memorable Ricky Hatton Fights

Crouch paved the way for those talents who have since followed in the last two-plus decades. When the honour was announced, she quickly barbed ‘I’ve got a habit of being the first, haven’t I?’ 39 pro fights, 28 wins, five world titles, an MBE and a game-changing legal fight – the Hall of Fame is the right place.

“The Hitman” Also Honoured

45-year-old, Stockport born, Hatton also needed little introduction given his career at light welterweight and welterweight and the world titles he won. “The Hitman” had 48 fights, with 45 wins, securing 32 knockouts. His talent and successes are there for all to see. Still, he was one of England’s most popular boxers to boot and with only three career defeats, it is worth stating that he was 43 unbeaten before the Floyd Mayweather encounter. His nine world titles over the years were richly deserved.

The 2024 shortlist of inductees was drawn up by the Boxing Writers Association of America and an international panel of boxing historians. Joining Crouch and Hatton in the 2024 class list were American Michael Moorer, Mexico’s Ana Maria Torres, Puerto Rican Ivan Calderon, and a posthumous recognition for the career of 29-year-old two-weight American world Champion Diego Corrales, who tragically died in 2007 following a motorcycle accident.

Read More: Reliving Ricky Hatton vs. Luis Collazo for the WBA Welterweight Title at TD Garden

With two incredibly worthy entrants to the International Boxing Hall of Fame from the perspective of the United Kingdom, boxing fans still have plenty of cards to look forward to in June, with Selhurst Park Football Ground (Crystal Palace) set to host the grudge match between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe.

There are plenty of European and International fight card schedules that fans can enjoy from the comfort of their settees before we even look at what July has in store.