Nicky Piper
Encyclopedia
Nicky Piper MBE
(born 5 May 1966) is a retired Welsh
super middleweight
and light heavyweight
boxer
from Ely
, Cardiff
. His career was at its peak in the 1990s becoming the Commonwealth Light-heavyweight champion in 1995. He was trained by Charlie Pearson and self managed. Since retiring from fighting Piper has become a notable administrator in British boxing.
. 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 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
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 centre in Manchester. Piper's next fight was against WBC
Super Middleweight champion Nigel Benn
, in a challenge for the title. The twelve round contest was held at the Alexandria Pavilion in London on 12 December 1992. Benn stopped Piper in the eleventh 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
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
. Piper failed in his bid when he was again stopped by technical knockout, this time in the ninth. Piper fought twice more in 1994, a win over Charles Oliver and a failed bid for the vacant Commonwealth Light-heavyweight title, 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 Cardiff
. Then on the 30 September he faced Noel Magee
for the Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title. Held at the Cardiff Arms Park
, 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
. 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
in Hannover. Piper was stopped via a technical knockout in the seventh and soon after retired from boxing.
|-
. 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 works for The Joshua Foundation as Head of Fundraising.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 5 May 1966) is a retired Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
super middleweight
Super middleweight
Super Middleweight is a boxing and Muay Thai weight division that has a weight limit of 168 pounds .- 1960s–1983 :There was interest in a division between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the late 1960s, the mid-1970s, and the early 1980s...
and light heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from Ely
Ely, Cardiff
Ely is a community primarily dominated by council housing in western Cardiff, capital of Wales.-The Roman era:In Roman times, Ely was the site of a Roman villa, near the old racecourse...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. His career was at its peak in the 1990s becoming the Commonwealth Light-heavyweight champion in 1995. He was trained by Charlie Pearson and self managed. Since retiring from fighting Piper has become a notable administrator in British boxing.
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 knockoutKnockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
. 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 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
Carl Thompson (boxer)
Carl Adrian Thompson is a retired British boxer and the former WBO, European, & British cruiserweight champion.- Professional boxing career :...
at York Hall
York Hall
The York Hall is a health and leisure centre and one of Britain's best known boxing venues.The venue is situated on Old Ford Road in Bethnal Green, London, England. The hall, opened in 1929 with a capacity of 1,200, stages boxing as well as providing a gymnasium and swimming pool.The hall is owned...
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 centre in Manchester. Piper's next fight was against WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Super Middleweight champion Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn
Nigel Benn , known as "The Dark Destroyer", is a British former boxer who held world titles in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions....
, in a challenge for the title. The twelve round contest was held at the Alexandria Pavilion in London on 12 December 1992. Benn stopped Piper in the eleventh 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
Chris Sande
Christopher Joseph Sande is a boxer from Kenya, who won the bronze medal in the Middleweight division at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul...
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
Leeonzer Barber was a professional boxer in the light heavyweight division.- Professional career :Barber turned pro in 1986 and won the Vacant WBO Light Heavyweight Title with a TKO win over Tom Collins in 1991...
. Piper failed in his bid when he was again stopped by technical knockout, this time in the ninth. Piper fought twice more in 1994, a win over Charles Oliver and a failed bid for the vacant Commonwealth Light-heavyweight title, 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 Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. Then on the 30 September he faced Noel Magee
Noel Magee
Noel Magee is a former professional boxer and former Commonwealth light heavyweight Title holder...
for the Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title. Held at the Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park , also known as The Arms Park, is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green, and is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World...
, 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
Tylorstown is a village located in the Rhondda valley, in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It was founded by Alfred Tylor who set up an early coal mining operation in the location in the mid-19th century....
. 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 Michalczewski
Dariusz Michalczewski is a retired Polish- German boxer and former Lineal, WBO, WBA, & IBF light heavyweight champion and WBO cruiserweight champion.-Early career:...
in Hannover. Piper was stopped via a technical knockout in the seventh and soon after retired from boxing.
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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 ControlBritish Boxing Board of Control
The British Boxing Board of Control is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff.- Councils :...
. 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
Mensa International
Mensa is the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. It is a non-profit organization open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardised, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test...
and works for The Joshua Foundation as Head of Fundraising.