Boxer Mickey Cantwell: A Gritty Underdog’s Journey
Mickey Cantwell is a former British boxer from London who competed professionally from 1991 to 2001. BoxRec lists a 14–7–1 record and identifies his professional profile in the flyweight divisions. BoxRec professional profile
Boxing career and major results
Before turning professional, Cantwell won the 1988 ABA national light-flyweight championship for Eltham ABC. He later represented England in the men’s light-flyweight division at the Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games. England Boxing: 1988 ABA championships; Team England: Auckland 1990 athletes
In 1993 he won the vacant BBBofC Southern Area flyweight title against Darren Fifield. In March 1996, he outpointed Keith Knox to win the British flyweight championship. Mickey Cantwell bout record; British flyweight title history
Cantwell challenged for the WBO light-flyweight title against Jacob Matlala in February 1997, losing a 12-round split decision. Later that year he faced Eric Jamili for the vacant WBO minimumweight title; the bout ended in the eighth round after a cut. In 2000 he also challenged Zolani Petelo for the IBF minimumweight title. BoxRec: Matlala–Cantwell title fight; WBO minimumweight title history; BoxRec professional record
His last bout came on September 29, 2001, when Jacob Matlala stopped him in the fifth round while retaining the WBU light-flyweight title. Cantwell’s career included a British championship and several world-title challenges across the lower weight divisions. IOL: Matlala retains the WBU title
Watch the embedded footage above for Cantwell’s bout with Eric Jamili. For the verified fight record and amateur honors, see the linked records from BoxRec, England Boxing, and Team England.
Sources
- BoxRec: Mickey Cantwell professional record
- England Boxing: 1988 ABA National Championships
- Team England: Auckland 1990 athlete roster
- Cantwell bout record
- British flyweight championship history
- BoxRec: Jacob Matlala vs. Mickey Cantwell
- WBO minimumweight title history
- IOL: Matlala retains WBU junior-flyweight title
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
