Richie Woodhall


Richie Woodhall is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2000. 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

Woodhall turned pro in 1990 and was undefeated as the Commonwealth Middleweight Champion from 1992–1995. He was then undefeated as the European Middleweight Champion from 1995–1996.
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 but also lived in Malinslee and attended the local Abraham Darby School. He is also a keen supporter of West Bromwich Albion F.C.. He currently resides in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
Woodall also is a reporter for BBC Midland's Inside Out Program.

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

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
29Loss26–3 Joe CalzagheTKO10, 0:2816 Dec 2000 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, EnglandFor WBO super-middleweight title
28Win26–2 Errol McDonaldTKO8 6 May 2000 Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
27Loss25–2 Markus BeyerUD1223 Oct 1999 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandLost WBC super-middleweight title
26Win25–1 Vincenzo NardielloTKO6, 1:4413 Feb 1999 Telewest Arena, Newcastle, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
25Win24–1 Glenn Catley125 Sep 1998 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandRetained WBC super-middleweight title
24Win23–1 Thulani MalingaUD1227 Mar 1998 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandWon WBC super-middleweight title
23Win22–1 Bernice BarberTKO3, 2:4811 Sep 1997 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England
22Loss21–1 Keith HolmesTKO12, 2:3219 Oct 1996 The Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USFor WBC middleweight title
21Win21–0 Derek WormaldTKO10, 2:1031 Jan 1996 Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham, EnglandRetained European middleweight title
20Win20–0 Zdravko KosticUD1225 Oct 1995 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandRetained European middleweight title
19Win19–0 Silvio BrancoTKO9, 1:3622 Feb 1995 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandWon vacant European middleweight title
18Win18–0 Art SerwanoTKO11, 1:3230 Nov 1994 Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
17Win17–0 Jacques LeBlancPTS125 Oct 1994 Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
16Win16–0 Greg LononTKO6 16 Mar 1994 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
15Win15–0 Heath ToddTKO7, 2:451 Mar 1994 Town Hall, Dudley, England
14Win14–0 Gerry MeekisonPTS1227 Oct 1993 West Bromwich, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
13Win13–0 Royan HammondPTS1024 Apr 1993 National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England
12Win12–0 Carlo ColarussoPTS816 Mar 1993 Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, England
11Win11–0 Horace FlearyPTS84 Dec 1992 Telford, England
10Win10–0 John AshtonPTS121 Oct 1992 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandRetained Commonwealth middleweight title
9Win9–0 Vito Gaudiosi1, 1:0126 Mar 1992 Ice Rink, Telford, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
8Win8–0 Graham BurtonTKO2 4 Feb 1992 Leisure Centre, Alfreton, England
7Win7–0 Colin Pitters831 Oct 1991 Town Hall, Oakengates, England
6Win6–0 Nigel MooreTKO1, 2:4429 Aug 1991 Town Hall, Oakengates, England
5Win5–0 Marty DukeTKO4 30 May 1991 Methodist Central Hall, Birmingham, England
4Win4–0 Seamus CaseyTKO3, 2:4721 Feb 1991 Town Hall, Walsall, England
3Win3–0 Chris HaydonTKO3, 1:4216 Jan 1991 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
2Win2–0 Robert HarronTKO2 30 Nov 1990 Town Hall, Birmingham, England
1Win1–0 Kevin Hayde3 18 Oct 1990 Town Hall, Birmingham, EnglandProfessional debut