British boxing gained two new world champions this weekend. Saturday’s big night at the Cardiff International Arena delivered a pair of domestic world titlists. Joe Cordina took back possession of his old IBF super featherweight title, having been stripped of the belt through injury last year. Meanwhile, Sandy Ryan lifted the WBO welterweight title earlier in the night.
To celebrate Britain’s world championship ranks swelling, here’s a rundown of the ten Great Britons who currently hold major boxing belts. For the purposes of this piece, we have not included interim, ‘regular’ or other secondary championships.
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Men’s
Tyson Fury - WBC heavyweight champion
The biggest domestic name currently wearing a world strap. ‘The Gypsy King’ has never lost a title in the ring, having previously held the IBF, WBO, WBA and The Ring honours. Fury has knocked off domestic rivals Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora in his last two fights. If he doesn’t face unified heavyweight boss Oleksandr Usyk soon, fans will lose patience.
Lawrence Okolie - WBO cruiserweight champion
Big hitting cruiser Okolie has been busy since lifting the title in 2021. ‘The Sauce’ has racked up three defences of the championship already. Despite having just beaten David Light last month, Okolie’s next defence is already in the calendar. He will meet domestic rival Chris Billiam-Smith at the Vitality Stadium in May.
Josh Taylor - WBO & The Ring super lightweight champion
History maker Taylor has seen his career overshadowed over the last year. ‘The Tartan Tornado’ was the first ever four-belt undisputed champion in British history, and the first boxer to do it at 140lbs. But a controversial split decision win over Jack Catterall in 2022 has seen public opinion sway. A win over Teofimo Lopez in June could win back the doubters.
Joe Cordina - IBF super featherweight champion
The newest belt-holder on the list. By rights Cordina should never have been stripped of the title he won from Kenichi Ogawa last June. Laughably, he had the belt taken from him just five months after that fight due to injury. When you consider how many other champions go a year or more without fighting, it seemed harsh. But justice was done on Saturday, with Cordina beating new champ Shavkat Rakhimov in a thriller.
Sunny Edwards - IBF flyweight champion
The brash, charismatic Londoner inspires a reaction, whether you love him or you hate him. As quick with his fists as he is with his words, there is something of the ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed about the spiky flyweight. Having recently signed with Matchroom, Edwards should finally get the platform his skills deserve.
Women’s
Terri Harper - WBA super welterweight
A defining characteristic of a true champion is the ability to overcome adversity. ‘Belter’ did just that after being battered to a fourth-round TKO defeat by Alycia Baumgardner in 2021. Just ten months later, the Yorkshire star jumped two weight divisions to annex Hannah Rankin’s WBA super welterweight title.
Natasha Jonas- WBC, WBO, IBF & The Ring super welterweight
The likeable Liverpudlian had failed in two previous tilts at world honours. A draw with Terri Harper was followed by defeat to the great Katie Taylor. Jonas considered retirement. Instead, she persevered. Last year saw the 2012 Olympian hoover up three of the four sanctioning body belts at her weight. A rematch with Harper for the undisputed tag would be a blockbuster.
Sandy Ryan - WBO welterweight champion
From growing up on a council estate to reigning as champion of the world, it has been quite the journey for Ryan. Her unanimous decision win over Marie Pier Houle in Cardiff was only her seventh professional fight. Expect plenty more to come from the former Team GB amateur.
Chantelle Cameron - Undisputed super lightweight champion
The only Brit currently in possession of every divisional title, Cameron risks it all against arguably the greatest female boxer ever in her next fight. Katie Taylor will serve as the opponent for ‘Il Capo’ at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Going in as the away fighter against Taylor is as daunting as it gets. If Cameron wins, it would be one of the greatest ever victories by a British boxer.
Nina Hughes - WBA bantamweight champion
41-year-old Hughes made up for lost time, securing the WBA bantamweight title in just her fifth pro bout. The Grays girl beat Jamie Mitchell in Dubai last November, putting her name on the pro map after a long, distinguished amateur career. Hughes missed out on the London 2012 Olympics when Nicola Adams was selected ahead of her by Team GB.
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