When Jamie Moore became the first British Boxing Champion from Salford in over 100 years

Jamie Moore (far right). Image credit: Boxingupdates0931 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

17 years ago, on April 19, 2003, Walkden’s Jamie Moore became the first British boxing champion from Salford in over 100 years.

Moore beat Liverpool’s Michael Jones for the vacant light-middleweight Londsdale belt (British boxing title) and Jones’ Commonwealth title.

The 12 round bout that saw Moore win via decision to claim the first professional boxing titles of his career.

The light-middleweight southpaw was the betting underdog heading into the fight.

Not only was he stepping into Jones’ hometown of Liverpool, but Moore also took the fight on five days notice.

Moore started the fight brightly and aggressive, Jones having no answer to the awkward southpaw’s looping left hands.

Once Moore knocked Jones down in the 3rd round it was always going to be an uphill battle for the scouser.

Joe Bowker was the last Salford boxer to win a British title, all the way back in 1902. The former Bantamweight world champion was recognised as one of the best boxers of his time.

17 years ago today my life changed forever. I a fight for the British title on 5 days notice and became the 1st fighter from Salford to win the British title in over 100 years. Changed my life and set me down the path that led me to this point. Forever grateful for that 🙌❤️ pic.twitter.com/B9XGv1RNWl

— Jamie Moore (@JamieMoore777) April 19, 2020

Moore and Jones went on to have two more fights. Their rematch in 2004 ended in controversial circumstances, after Moore was disqualified in the third round after he threw punches after a break was called by referee Dave Parris. Moore went on to win the third fight in decisive fashion, stopping Jones in the sixth round after being knocked down twice in a thrilling fight.

Moore went on to defend his Lonsdale belt three more times. One of those fights being his all-time classic fight with Matthew Macklin, which was many boxing fans fight of the year.

Moore went on to win the European title in 2009 before his career was unfortunately cut short.

After advice from the British boxing board, Moore announced his retirement in 2010 aged 31.

Now Moore is one of the most renowned British boxing coaches. Having trained some of the best boxers in the world such as Carl Frampton and Rocky Fielding, to future world champions like Jack Catterall, Moore’s abilities were recognised by the British boxing board, naming him there 2018 ‘Trainer Of The Year’.

Moore’s time in the ring will be remembered fondly by fans. He was very rarely in a boring fight and always had a fan-friendly style. He can also say he made history in his hometown of Salford and inspired future boxers from the town for years to come.