Richie Woodhall (born 17 April 1968) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2000.[1] He held the WBC super-middleweight title from 1998 to 1999, as well as the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1992 to 1995, and the European middleweight title from 1995 to 1996. As an amateur, Woodhall won a gold medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 1988 Summer Olympics, both in the light-middleweight division.

Richie Woodhall
Born (1968-04-17) 17 April 1968 (age 56)
Birmingham, England
NationalityEnglish
Statistics
Weight(s)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights29
Wins26
Wins by KO16
Losses3
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Great Britain
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul Light-middleweight
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1990 Auckland Light-middleweight

Following his retirement from the sport, Woodhall has developed a broadcasting career with both the BBC and BT Sport as a sports pundit, on both television and radio. He currently co-commentates with Mike Costello on radio for some shows, while co-commentating with John Rawling on Setanta Sports at other times. He was also involved with the 2012 Olympics held in London, commentating on the fights alongside Jim Neilly and coaching the Olympic boxing squad. After appearing as a body double for Brad Pitt in the 2000 film Snatch, he has dedicated himself to developing as a performer.

Amateur career

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Olympic results

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Professional career

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Woodhall turned pro in 1990 and was undefeated as the Commonwealth Middleweight Champion from 1992 to 1995. He was then undefeated as the European Middleweight Champion from 1995 to 1996.

Woodhall defeated a number of useful fighters during this period, including; Future World Super Middle and World Light Heavyweight Champion Silvio Branco, Art Serwarno, Heath Todd, Jacques LeBlanc, Zdravko Kostic, Derek Wormald, Vito Gaudiosi and Royan Hammond.

In late 1996 he fought WBC middleweight title holder Keith Holmes. Woodhall went into this fight carrying an injury, but took the fight anyway. Woodhall did not perform as well has he might otherwise have, losing by 12th-round TKO.

In 1998 he moved up to Super Middleweight and after a tune up against Bernice Barber captured the WBC super middleweight title with a unanimous decision win over Thulani Malinga. He successfully defended the title twice, defeating fellow Briton and future World Champion Glenn Catley and former World Champ Vincenzo Nardiello before losing it to Markus Beyer by decision in 1999, a fight in which Woodhall was down in the 1st and twice in the 3rd. Woodhall rallied late in the fight and came close to stopping Beyer, however his revival came too late.

Woodhall bounced back with a win over the experienced Errol McDonald, setting him up for his final bout against Joe Calzaghe for the WBO super middleweight title.

Woodhall was TKO'd in 10 rounds by Joe Calzaghe in an exciting fight in which Calzaghe always had the edge.

Woodhall retired after this bout which took place on 16 December 2000.

Personal life

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Woodhall grew up in Woodside, Telford and attended the local William Reynolds Primary and Junior School and Abraham Darby School. He is also a keen supporter of West Bromwich Albion F.C.[1] He currently resides in Lightmoor, Telford, Shropshire.

Woodhall also is a reporter for BBC Midlands' Inside Out Programme . He is married to childhood sweetheart Jayne and has 3 children, Jack, Jake and eldest daughter and aspiring actress Amy Woodhall, who has appeared in television shows such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

In film

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Woodhall was a body double for Brad Pitt in a fight scene in the movie Snatch, directed by Guy Ritchie. He trained Matthew Marsden for his role in the movie Shiner.

Professional boxing record

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29 fights 26 wins 3 losses
By knockout 16 2
By decision 10 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
29 Loss 26–3   Joe Calzaghe TKO 10 (12), 0:28 16 Dec 2000   Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England For WBO super-middleweight title
28 Win 26–2   Errol McDonald TKO 8 (10) 6 May 2000   Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
27 Loss 25–2   Markus Beyer UD 12 23 Oct 1999   Ice Rink, Telford, England Lost WBC super-middleweight title
26 Win 25–1   Vincenzo Nardiello TKO 6 (12), 1:44 13 Feb 1999   Telewest Arena, Newcastle, England Retained WBC super-middleweight title
25 Win 24–1   Glenn Catley MD 12 5 Sep 1998   Ice Rink, Telford, England Retained WBC super-middleweight title
24 Win 23–1   Thulani Malinga UD 12 27 Mar 1998   Ice Rink, Telford, England Won WBC super-middleweight title
23 Win 22–1   Bernice Barber TKO 3 (10), 2:48 11 Sep 1997   Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England
22 Loss 21–1   Keith Holmes TKO 12 (12), 2:32 19 Oct 1996   The Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, US For WBC middleweight title
21 Win 21–0   Derek Wormald TKO 10 (12), 2:10 31 Jan 1996   Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham, England Retained European middleweight title
20 Win 20–0   Zdravko Kostic UD 12 25 Oct 1995   Ice Rink, Telford, England Retained European middleweight title
19 Win 19–0   Silvio Branco TKO 9 (12), 1:36 22 Feb 1995   Ice Rink, Telford, England Won vacant European middleweight title
18 Win 18–0   Art Serwano TKO 11 (12), 1:32 30 Nov 1994   Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, England Retained Commonwealth middleweight title
17 Win 17–0   Jacques LeBlanc PTS 12 5 Oct 1994   Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, England Retained Commonwealth middleweight title
16 Win 16–0   Greg Lonon TKO 6 (10) 16 Mar 1994   National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
15 Win 15–0   Heath Todd TKO 7 (10), 2:45 1 Mar 1994   Town Hall, Dudley, England
14 Win 14–0   Gerry Meekison PTS 12 27 Oct 1993   West Bromwich, England Retained Commonwealth middleweight title
13 Win 13–0   Royan Hammond PTS 10 24 Apr 1993   National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
12 Win 12–0   Carlo Colarusso PTS 8 16 Mar 1993   Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, England
11 Win 11–0   Horace Fleary PTS 8 4 Dec 1992   Telford, England
10 Win 10–0   John Ashton PTS 12 1 Oct 1992   Ice Rink, Telford, England Retained Commonwealth middleweight title
9 Win 9–0   Vito Gaudiosi KO 1 (12), 1:01 26 Mar 1992   Ice Rink, Telford, England Won vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
8 Win 8–0   Graham Burton TKO 2 (8) 4 Feb 1992   Leisure Centre, Alfreton, England
7 Win 7–0   Colin Pitters PTS 8 31 Oct 1991   Town Hall, Oakengates, England
6 Win 6–0   Nigel Moore TKO 1 (8), 2:44 29 Aug 1991   Town Hall, Oakengates, England
5 Win 5–0   Marty Duke TKO 4 (6) 30 May 1991   Methodist Central Hall, Birmingham, England
4 Win 4–0   Seamus Casey TKO 3 (6), 2:47 21 Feb 1991   Town Hall, Walsall, England
3 Win 3–0   Chris Haydon TKO 3 (6), 1:42 16 Jan 1991   Royal Albert Hall, London, England
2 Win 2–0   Robert Harron TKO 2 (4) 30 Nov 1990   Town Hall, Birmingham, England
1 Win 1–0   Kevin Hayde TKO 3 (4) 18 Oct 1990   Town Hall, Birmingham, England Professional debut

References

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  1. ^ a b "Woodhall calls it a day". BBC Sport. 17 January 2002. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
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Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Michael Watson
Commonwealth middleweight champion
26 March 1992 – February 1995
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Robert McCracken
Vacant
Title last held by
Agostino Cardamone
European middleweight champion
22 February 1995 – June 1996
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Alexander Zaitsev
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC super-middleweight champion
27 March 1998 – 23 October 1999
Succeeded by