Anthony Small

Last updated

Anthony Small
Born
Anthony Small

(1981-06-20) 20 June 1981 (age 43)
NationalityBritish
Other namesSugar Ray Clay Jones Jr.
Statistics
Weight(s) Light Middleweight
Stanceunorthodox
Boxing record
Total fights25
Wins23
Wins by KO16
Losses2
Draws0
No contests0

Anthony Small (also known as Abdul Haq [1] ) is a retired professional boxer and Islamic political activist who was born 20 June 1981 in Lewisham, London, England. He held both the British and Commonwealth belts at light middleweight. He was also referred to as 'Sugar Ray Clay Jones Jr.' (SRCJJ), in homage to Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali, and Roy Jones Jr. Small converted to Sunni Islam at the age of 24. He is active on his YouTube blog where he advocates for Sharia (Islamic political ideology) to be implemented in Britain and is a follower of Anjem Choudary and a member of Al-Muhajiroun/Islam4UK. [2]

Contents

Boxing career

Early professional career

Small turned professional aged 23 in 2004 with a first-round knockout of Lance Hall. He was managed by boxing promoter Frank Warren, who had seen Small to wins over former Ukrainian Light Middleweight Champion Vladimir Borovski and previously unbeaten prospect Prince Arron. He also scored a win for the UK team in The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA on 30 March 2007, defeating Walter Wright in the first matchup of the tournament by a close split decision. However, his World Title hopes were given a massive dent when he was beaten by a technical knockout in round seven by Bradley Pryce whilst fighting for the Commonwealth Light-Middleweight title. [3] [4]

Small's boxing style was considered to be unorthodox. He kept his gloves low, relying on body movement to avoid punches, rather than blocking. Due to his low hand position, he relied mainly on his natural hand speed to surprise his opponents when punching. Additionally, he shifted from the left-foot-forward orthodox stance to the right-foot-forward southpaw stance throughout the bout.

Route to contention

His first fight back following his defeat by Pryce was on 12 January 2008 for the Southern Area Title Light-Middleweight title when he defeated Mehrdud Takaloo by TKO after 7 rounds. [5] On 14 June, he made his first defence, beating George Katsimpas by TKO in the 8th, flooring Katsimpas with a bodyshot. He finished a successful year by also defeating ex-contender star Freddy Curiel with a tenth round stoppage as well as former British title challenger Steve Conway.

British and Commonwealth champion

On 18 July 2009, Small fought for and won both the British and Commonwealth champion with an 8th round stoppage of Manchester's Matthew Hall after overwhelming him with a vicious flurry of hooks in the 8th, which forced the referee to stop the contest. [6] He made his first defence of both titles on 27 November 2009 in a close decision win over Thomas McDonagh over 12 rounds. [7] Small was criticised for his performance with many believing McDonagh had won. Small chose to give up the Commonwealth title and hold on to the British belt, defending it against mandatory challenger Sam Webb on 26 March 2010, who had also beaten McDonagh on points. The fight, which was also close, went the distance with Webb surviving a nasty cut in the fifth round to claim the judges decision on points handing a second career defeat to Small. [8]

Protest controversy

Small attracted controversy when he took part in a march in Barking, East London, to protest against the British presence in the war in Afghanistan. Small, a Salafi Muslim, had joined with around 50 other demonstrators who called themselves 'Muslims Against Crusades', which is a new front for al-Muhajiroun/Islam4UK, at the march on 15 June 2010. [9]

In 2014, he was arrested after two other men were apprehended at Dover with false documents, and appeared in court at the Old Bailey on 15 June 2015 charged with planning to go to Syria to fight with Islamic State after spreading terrorist material online. [10] He was found not guilty. [11] In January 2018 Small was formally charged with "encouraging acts of terrorism" in a 2016 social media post following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. [12] He was acquitted in June. [13]

Other media appearances

In 2016, he appeared on the BBC Two documentary Muslims Like Us , in which ten Muslims of diverse beliefs were placed in a house together. His appearance was controversial for being potentially unrepresentative of the views of most Muslims in the UK, although reviewers noted that he was challenged vehemently on his views by the other housemates. [14] [15] [16]

Professional boxing record

25 fights23 wins2 losses
By knockout161
By decision71
Draws0
No contests0
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
25Loss23–2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sam Webb MD122010-03-26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, EnglandLost BBBofC British Super welterweight title.
24Win23–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Thomas McDonaghUD122009-11-27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robin Park Centre, Wigan, EnglandRetained BBBofC British Super welterweight title.
Retained Commonwealth (British Empire) Super welterweight title.
23Win22–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Matthew Hall TKO8 (12), 2:212009-07-18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, EnglandWon vacant BBBofC British Super welterweight title.
Won Commonwealth (British Empire) Super welterweight title.
22Win21–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steven Conway TKO2 (8), 0:28 2008-12-06 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg ExCeL Arena London, London Docklands, England
21Win20–1 Flag of the United States.svg Freddy Curiel TKO10 (12), 1:452008-09-12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Grosvenor House Hotel, Mayfair, London, EnglandWon vacant WBA International Super welterweight title.
20Win19–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George KatsimpasTKO8 (10), 2:582008-06-14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, EnglandRetained BBBofC Southern Area Super welterweight title.
19Win18–1 Flag of Iran.svg Mehrdud Takaloo TKO7 (10), 2:572008-01-12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, EnglandWon vacant BBBofC Southern Area Super welterweight title.
18Loss17–1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bradley Pryce TKO7 (12), 2:142007-07-14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg The O2 Arena, Greenwich, London, EnglandFor Commonwealth (British Empire) Super welterweight title.
17Win17–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Walter Wright SD82007-03-30 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England
16Win16–0 Flag of Russia.svg Sergey StarkovTKO4 (8), 2:162007-02-17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, England
15Win15–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Kevin PhelanTKO1 (6)2006-12-09 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg ExCeL Arena London, London Docklands, England
14Win14–0 Flag of Ireland.svg Ciaran HealyTKO3 (8), 2:552006-11-18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
13Win13–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Prince Arron TKO2 (6), 1:592006-10-21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Elephant & Castle Centre, Southwark, London, England
12Win12–0 Flag of Ukraine.svg Volodymyr BorovskyyPTS62006-07-21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Leisure Center, Altrincham, England
11Win11–0 Flag of Ukraine.svg Oleksandr MatviichukTKO6 (8), 2:102006-05-30 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
10Win10–0 Flag of Finland.svg Kai KauramakiKO3 (6), 0:292006-03-24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
9Win9–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ernie SmithPTS62005-11-23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg London Hilton on Park Lane, Mayfair, London, England
8Win8–0 Flag of France.svg Ismael KerzaziTKO1 (6), 1:532005-10-14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Leisure Center, Huddersfield, England
7Win7–0 Flag of France.svg David LeFrancTKO1 (6), 2:112005-07-20 Flag of Monaco.svg Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco
6Win6–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard ClarkePTS62005-06-16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Millennium Hotel, Mayfair, London, England
5Win5–0 Flag of Russia.svg Dmitry DonetskyPTS42005-04-24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Equinox Nightclub, Leicester, England
4Win4–0 Flag of Belarus.svg Andrei SherelTKO3 (4), 2:092005-01-21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Fountain Leisure Centre, Brentwood, Essex, England
3Win3–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard ClarkePTS42004-12-10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield, England
2Win2–0 Flag of Angola.svg Emmanuel MarcosTKO1 (4), 1:082004-09-10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, England
1Win1–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lance HallTKO1 (4), 2:282004-05-12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, Berkshire, EnglandProfessional debut

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References

  1. Interview with Anthony Small on Islam Channel - Part 1. YouTube. 7 February 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  2. Behead Muggers Says Ex-Champ [ permanent dead link ]
  3. "BoxRec - Anthony Small". Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  4. "BBC SPORT - Boxing - Pryce stops Small to defend title". 15 July 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  5. "BBC SPORT - Boxing - 'Sad' Takaloo ponders retirement". 16 January 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  6. South London Today | Small outclasses Hall [ dead link ]
  7. Scott Christ (27 November 2009). "Anthony Small narrowly decisions Thomas McDonagh in Wigan". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  8. "Webb stands tall to beat Small". SkySports. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  9. Tom Pettifor (15 June 2010). "Muslim militants hurl abuse at military parade in Barking". The Mirror. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  10. "British boxing champion wanted to join IS - court hears", BBC News, 15 June 2015
  11. "Ex-boxer Anthony Small acquitted of terrorism charge". BBC News. 5 June 2018.
  12. "Ex-boxer charged with terror offence". BBC. 18 January 2018.
  13. Jolly, Bradley (5 June 2018). "Former boxing champ Anthony Small cleared of calling for terror attacks". Metro. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  14. Ali, Umbreen (13 December 2016). "TV REVIEW: The best parts of 'Muslims Like Us'". Asian Image. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  15. Ismail, Sarah (14 December 2016). "Review: Muslims Like Us". HuffPost. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
  16. Versi, Miqdaad; Aly, Remona; Bano, Alia (14 December 2016). "Was Muslims Like Us a helpful portrayal of Islam in the UK?". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
Preceded by
Ryan Rhodes
vacated
British Light Middleweight Champion
18 July 2009 26 March 2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commonwealth Light Middleweight Champion
18 July 2009
Succeeded by