Nicky Piper

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(born 5 May 1966) is a retired Welsh

super middleweight Super middleweight, or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing In professional boxing, super middleweight is contested between the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, in which boxers can weigh between 160 pounds ( ...

and

light heavyweight Light heavyweight, also referred to as junior cruiserweight or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruise ...

boxer Boxer most commonly refers to: * Boxer (boxing), a competitor in the sport of boxing *Boxer (dog), a breed of dog Boxer or boxers may also refer to: Animal kingdom * Boxer crab * Boxer shrimp, a small group of decapod crustaceans * Boxer snipe ee ...

from

Culverhouse Cross Culverhouse Cross ( cy, Croes Cwrlwys) is a district straddling the boundary between Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, in the community of Wenvoe. The district is centred on a major traffic roundabout that links West Cardiff to the M4 mo ...

Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...

. His career was at its peak in the 1990s; he became the Commonwealth Light-heavyweight champion in 1995. He was trained by Charlie Pearson and managed by Frank Warren. Since retiring from boxing, Piper has become a notable administrator in British boxing and currently works for The City Hospice as their Corporate Partnerships Manager.

Boxing career

Piper's first professional fight is recorded as being against fellow Welshman Kevin Roper. Piper won the match in the second round via a

knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

. Piper then won nine of his next ten encounters, all scheduled for either six or eight rounds. Of the ten bouts, only one, against future British Heavyweight champion

Maurice Core Maurice Core (born 22 June 1965) is British former Boxing, boxer and now a boxing trainer. He won the British light-heavyweight title in 1992 and went on to fight for the European title. Career Born in Manchester, Core started boxing at the Cham ...

, went the full distance, resulting in a draw. Piper stopped his other nine opponents through retirement, knockout, or technical knockout. Piper's first professional loss was to future World Cruiserweight Champion Carl Thompson at

York Hall The York Hall, officially known as York Hall Leisure Centre, is a multi-purpose indoor arena and leisure complex in Bethnal Green, London, and is situated on Old Ford Road. The building opened in 1929 with a capacity of 1,200 and is now an inte ...

on 4 September 1991, Piper being stopped by technical knockout in the third round. The next month, Piper was back in the ring, beating Franky Moro in a contest at the Royal Albert Hall. He completed 1991 with a sixth-round knockout over Carlos Christie. Piper won his first three fights of 1992, all on points decisions, the first of which, over Frank Eubank, was an eliminator for the British Super Middleweight title. Another eliminator for the Super Middleweight belt saw Piper stop Johhny Melfah by technical knockout in the fifth at the

G-Mex Manchester Central Convention Complex (commonly known as Manchester Central or GMEX (Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre)) is an exhibition and conference centre converted from the former Manchester Central railway station in Manchester, Engl ...

centre in Manchester. Piper's next fight was against WBC Super Middleweight champion

Nigel Benn Nigel Gregory Benn (born 22 January 1964) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight ti ...

, in a challenge for the title. The twelve-round contest was held at the

Alexandra Palace Alexandra Palace is a Grade II listed entertainment and sports venue in London, situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey. It is built on the site of Tottenham Wood and the later Tottenham Wood Farm. Origi ...

in London on 12 December 1992. Benn stopped Piper in the eleventh round on a technical knockout. Despite the loss to Benn, Piper's very next match was another title fight; this time for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental light heavyweight belt. The fight against Argentinean Miguel Angel Maldonando went the distance, with Piper being given the title by unanimous points decision. Two months later, on 10 April 1993, Piper successfully defended his title against

Chris Sande Christopher Joseph Sande (born 10 February 1964) is a Kenyan former professional boxer. As an amateur, he won the bronze medal in the Middleweight division at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He shared the podium with Pakistan's Hussain Sha ...

in Swansea. Piper completed the year with a victory over Trevor Ambrose, and a drawn match with Frank Rhodes. Piper started 1994 with a challenge for the WBO Light-heavyweight title, then held by

Leeonzer Barber Leeonzer Barber (born February 18, 1966 in Detroit) was an American professional boxer who held the WBO light-heavyweight title from 1991 to 1994. Professional career Barber turned pro in 1986. In just his 13th fight he won the vacant WBO light ...

. Piper failed in his bid when he was again stopped by technical knockout, this time in the ninth round. Piper fought twice more in 1994, a win over Charles Oliver, and a failed bid for the vacant Commonwealth Light-heavyweight title, where he was beaten by Crawford Ashley. Piper's next fight was a win in an uneven contest against American Tim Bryan in June 1995, followed by a victory over John Keeton, both fights held in

. Then, on 30 September, he faced

Noel Magee Noel Magee (born 16 December 1965) is an Irish former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1997. He held the Commonwealth light heavyweight title in 1995. Background Magee grew up in the strongly nationalist Ardoyne area of Belfast and ...

for the Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title. Held at the

Cardiff Arms Park Cardiff Arms Park ( cy, Parc yr Arfau Caerdydd), also known as The Arms Park, is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. It is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green. The Arms Park was host to the British ...

, the fight lasted until the ninth round, when Magee was knocked out, giving Piper his most senior belt of his career. In 1996, Piper fought in two bouts: a win over Danny Juma in Cardiff, and a successful defence of his Commonwealth belt to Bruce Scott at

Tylorstown Tylorstown (Pendyrus) is a village and community located in the Rhondda valley, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It is neighboured by the villages of Blaenllechau, Ferndale, Penrhys, Pontygwaith and Stanleytown. History B ...

. The following year saw Piper's final two fights. In June he defeated Stephane Nizard in Norwich, before a title attempt for the WBO Light-heavyweight against

Dariusz Michalczewski Dariusz Tomasz Michalczewski (born 5 May 1968) is a Polish former professional boxer who competed from 1991 to 2005. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the WBA, IBF, WBO and lineal light heavyweight titles ...

in Hanover. Piper was retired by his corner after the seventh round and soon after retired from boxing.

Professional boxing record

, - , align="center" colspan=8, 26 Wins (21 knockouts, 5 decisions), 5 Losses (4 knockouts, 1 decision), 2 Draws''

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, TKO , 7 , 4 October 1997 , align=left, ,

Hanover Hanover (; german: Hannover ; nds, Hannober) is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Its 535,932 (2021) inhabitants make it the 13th-largest city in Germany as well as the fourth-largest city in Northern Germany ...

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Stephane Nizard Stephane may refer to: * Stéphane, a French given name * Stephane (Ancient Greece), a vestment in ancient Greece * Stephane (Paphlagonia) Stephane ( grc, Στεφάνη) was a small port town on the coast of ancient Paphlagonia, according to Arri ...

, PTS , 8 , 28 June 1997 , align=left, ,

Norwich Norwich () is a cathedral city and district of Norfolk, England, of which it is the county town. Norwich is by the River Wensum, about north-east of London, north of Ipswich and east of Peterborough. As the seat of the See of Norwich, with ...

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Bruce "Lionheart" Scott The English language name Bruce arrived in Scotland with the Normans, from the place name Brix, Manche in Normandy, France, meaning "the willowlands". Initially promulgated via the descendants of king Robert the Bruce (1274−1329), it has been ...

, TKO , 7 , 30 November 1996 , align=left, ,

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Danny Juma Danny is a masculine given name. It is related to the male name Daniel. It may refer to: People * Danny Altmann, British immunologist * Danny Antonucci, Canadian animator, director, producer, and writer *Danny Baker (born 1957), English journal ...

, TKO , 2 , 26 April 1996 , align=left,

Welsh Institute of Sport The Sport Wales National Centre ( cy, Canolfan Genedlaethol Chwaraeon Cymru) is a sports facility in Cardiff, Wales, set up to assist the development of elite athletes in Wales. The Centre, owned and operated by Sport Wales, was established by ...

, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, KO , 9 , 30 September 1995 , align=left,

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John Keeton John Keeton (born 19 May 1972) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2009. He held the British cruiserweight title and challenged twice for the Commonwealth cruiserweight title between 2006 and 2007. Boxing career Ea ...

, RTD , 2 , 7 July 1995 , align=left, Wales National Ice Rink, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, "Terrible" Tim Bryan , TKO , 1 , 17 June 1995 , align=left, Wales National Ice Rink, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Crawford Ashley , PTS , 12 , 19 November 1994 , align=left, Wales National Ice Rink, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, "Prince" Charles Oliver , TKO , 5 , 21 September 1994 , align=left, Star Centre, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left,

, TKO , 9 , 29 January 1994 , align=left, Wales National Ice Rink, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Draw , , align=left, Frank "Colossus" Rhodes , PTS , 8 , 23 October 1993 , align=left, Wales National Ice Rink, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Trevor Ambrose , TKO , 5 , 10 July 1993 , align=left,

Wales National Ice Rink The Wales National Ice Rink (WNIR) was an ice rink in Cardiff, Wales. It was the former home of the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team. The WNIR was opened in September 1986, and was inaugurated by the Duchess of York on 27 April 1987. Meat Loaf per ...

, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

, TKO , 9 , 10 April 1993 , align=left,

Swansea Swansea (; cy, Abertawe ) is a coastal city and the second-largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Swansea ( cy, links=no, Dinas a Sir Abertawe). The city is the twenty-fifth largest in ...

, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Miguel Angel Maldonado , UD , 12 , 13 February 1993 , align=left,

Free Trade Hall The Free Trade Hall on Peter Street, Manchester, England, was constructed in 1853–56 on St Peter's Fields, the site of the Peterloo Massacre. It is now a Radisson hotel. The hall was built to commemorate the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. T ...

, Manchester, England , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left,

, TKO , 11 , 12 December 1992 , align=left,

, London, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Johnny Melfah Johnny is an English language personal name. It is usually an affectionate diminutive of the masculine given name John, but from the 16th century it has sometimes been a given name in its own right for males and, less commonly, females. Varian ...

, TKO , 5 , 25 July 1992 , align=left, G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Larry Prather , PTS , 8 , 16 May 1992 , align=left, Alexandra Pavilion, London, England, United Kingdom , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Ron Amundsen Ron is a shortening of the name Ronald. Ron or RON may also refer to: Arts and media * Big Ron (''EastEnders''), a TV character * Ron (''King of Fighters''), a video game character *Ron Douglas, the protagonist in ''Lucky Stiff'' played by Joe ...

, PTS , 10 , 11 March 1992 , align=left, Star Centre, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Frank Eubank Frank or Franks may refer to: People * Frank (given name) * Frank (surname) * Franks (surname) * Franks, a medieval Germanic people * Frank, a term in the Muslim world for all western Europeans, particularly during the Crusades - see Farang Curre ...

, PTS , 10 , 22 January 1992 , align=left, Star Centre, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Carlos Christie Carlos may refer to: Places ;Canada * Carlos, Alberta, a locality ;United States * Carlos, Indiana, an unincorporated community * Carlos, Maryland, a place in Allegany County * Carlos, Minnesota, a small city * Carlos, West Virginia ;Elsewhere ...

, KO , 6 , 20 November 1991 , align=left, Star Centre, Cardiff, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Franky Moro , TKO , 4 , 29 October 1991 , align=left,

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

, London, England , align=left, , - , Loss , , align=left, Carl Thompson , TKO , 3 , 4 September 1991 , align=left,

, London, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Simon "Says" Harris , TKO , 1 , 3 July 1991 , align=left, ,

Reading, Berkshire Reading ( ) is a town and borough in Berkshire, Southeast England, southeast England. Located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the rivers River Thames, Thames and River Kennet, Kennet, the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 mot ...

, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Martin "Tino" Lopez , KO , 1 , 22 May 1991 , align=left, New London Arena, London, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Serge Bolivard , TKO , 1 , 8 May 1991 , align=left, New London Arena, London, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, John Held , TKO , 3 , 5 March 1991 , align=left, New London Arena, London, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, John Ellis , KO , 1 , 12 November 1990 , align=left, s,

, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Paul "The Beatle" McCarthy , TKO , 3 , 23 October 1990 , align=left,

Granby Halls Granby Halls was a popular live music, exhibition and sports arena in Leicester, England, also notable as the long serving home of professional basketball team, the Leicester Riders, from 1980 until 1999. It was located in a triangle of prime ...

Leicester Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest settlement in the East Midlands. The city l ...

, England , align=left, , - , Draw , , align=left,

, PTS , 6 , 22 May 1990 , align=left,

City Hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or a municipal building (in the Philippines), is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses ...

, Saint Albans, United Kingdom , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, "Boxing" Darren McKenna , RTD , 4 , 17 April 1990 , align=left, New London Arena,

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left,

Dave Owens Dave may refer to: Film, television, and theater * Dave (film), ''Dave'' (film), a 1993 film starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver * Dave (musical), ''Dave'' (musical), a 2018 stage musical adaptation of the film * Dave (TV channel), a digital ...

, KO , 1 , 19 December 1989 , align=left, Ocean Rooms,

Gorleston Gorleston-on-Sea (), known colloquially as Gorleston, is a town in the Borough of Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, England, to the south of Great Yarmouth. Situated at the mouth of the River Yare it was a port town at the time of the Domesday Bo ...

, England , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Gus Mendes , TKO , 3 , 17 October 1989 , align=left, Star Centre,

, Wales , align=left, , - , Win , , align=left, Kevin Roper , KO , 2 , 6 September 1989 , align=left,

Afan Lido Sandfields (Welsh: ''Traethmelyn'') is a mainly residential district of Port Talbot, Wales. The area is located in South Wales on a narrow coastal plain between Mynydd Dinas and the sea. The M4 motorway, A48 road, A48 trunk road and South Wales M ...

Port Talbot Port Talbot (, ) is a town and community in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, situated on the east side of Swansea Bay, approximately from Swansea. The Port Talbot Steelworks covers a large area of land which dominates the south ...

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Personal history

After his retirement from boxing, Piper became a sports commentator, and in 1997 a member of the

British Boxing Board of Control The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. History The British Boxing Board of Control was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff. ...

. Piper served as Chairman of the Professional Boxing Association, and in 2005 he was awarded the MBE for his services to the sport. Piper is a member of Mensa, and currently works for The City Hospice (formerly George Thomas Hospice Care) as their Corporate Partnership Manager.

References

External links

Audio commentary of the Nicky Piper v. Nigel Benn fight from 1992
BBC.co.uk * , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Piper, Nicky 1966 births Living people Welsh male boxers Super-middleweight boxers Boxers from Cardiff Members of the Order of the British Empire Mensans