Richie Woodhall Explained

Richie Woodhall
Nationality:English
Weight:
Birth Date:17 April 1968
Birth Place:Birmingham, England
Style:Orthodox
Total:29
Wins:26
Ko:16
Losses:3

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.

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

Olympic results

Professional career

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

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

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

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
29Loss26–3 Joe CalzagheTKO10 (12), 16 Dec 2000
28Win26–2 Errol McDonaldTKO8 (10)6 May 2000
27Loss25–2 Markus BeyerUD1223 Oct 1999
26Win25–1 Vincenzo NardielloTKO6 (12), 13 Feb 1999
25Win24–1 Glenn Catley125 Sep 1998
24Win23–1 Thulani MalingaUD1227 Mar 1998
23Win22–1 Bernice BarberTKO3 (10), 11 Sep 1997
22Loss21–1 Keith HolmesTKO12 (12), 19 Oct 1996
21Win21–0 Derek WormaldTKO10 (12), 31 Jan 1996
20Win20–0 Zdravko KosticUD1225 Oct 1995
19Win19–0 Silvio BrancoTKO9 (12), 22 Feb 1995
18Win18–0 Art SerwanoTKO11 (12), 30 Nov 1994
17Win17–0 Jacques LeBlancPTS125 Oct 1994
16Win16–0 Greg LononTKO6 (10)16 Mar 1994
15Win15–0 Heath ToddTKO7 (10), 1 Mar 1994
14Win14–0 Gerry MeekisonPTS1227 Oct 1993
13Win13–0 Royan HammondPTS1024 Apr 1993
12Win12–0 Carlo ColarussoPTS816 Mar 1993
11Win11–0 Horace FlearyPTS84 Dec 1992
10Win10–0 John AshtonPTS121 Oct 1992
9Win9–0 Vito Gaudiosi1 (12), 26 Mar 1992
8Win8–0 Graham BurtonTKO2 (8)4 Feb 1992
7Win7–0 Colin Pitters831 Oct 1991
6Win6–0 Nigel MooreTKO1 (8), 29 Aug 1991
5Win5–0 Marty DukeTKO4 (6)30 May 1991
4Win4–0 Seamus CaseyTKO3 (6), 21 Feb 1991
3Win3–0 Chris HaydonTKO3 (6), 16 Jan 1991
2Win2–0 Robert HarronTKO2 (4)30 Nov 1990
1Win1–0 Kevin Hayde3 (4)18 Oct 1990

Notes and References

  1. News: 17 January 2002 . Woodhall calls it a day . BBC Sport . 2007-08-04.