Boxing: Ibbs earns trophy reward

WERRINGTON'S Alex Ibbs has won a top British Boxing award.

Prizefighter Heavyweights One, where Ibbs was one of the eight competitors, scooped the Sportsmanship Award as a result of the professionalism shown by each boxer.

The ceremony, held in London on Tuesday, featured a number of past and present stars from the boxing world, including David Haye and Joe Calzaghe, who won Boxer of the Year.

Former Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Nicky Piper presented Ibbs with his trophy.

"These eight boxers were an example to what the sport is about," said Piper.

"Each of them conducted themselves perfectly before, during and after the competition."

Prizefighter Heavyweights One took place in April and featured seven fights in a one-night tournament.

It has also led to more Prizefighter competitions with successful tournaments at heavyweight and welterweight and the middleweight version takes place tomorrow night.

Ibbs was the youngest entrants at just 22 and suffered an opening-round defeat against eventual winner Martin Rogan, of Belfast.

But he says being in the competition changed his life and gave him opportunities he would not have had otherwise.

"I have a baby daughter who was born five weeks ago and Prizefighter is only second to that," said Ibbs.

"The lads who were in it were the best I've ever met in my life and, even afterwards, I'm still in touch with a lot of them – you can't buy that. It is the best thing that has happened to my career and it has given me a shot at the Midlands Area title in January or February.

"I should be up against Neil Perkins, although nothing has been confirmed yet, but it's a fight that needs to go ahead and one I really want to go ahead.

"I know I'm the best in the Midlands and I need to prove that, but I'm 100 per cent confident that I would beat him."