| Lee Haskins | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Lee Haskins |
| Rated at | Super flyweight |
| Nationality | British |
| Born | 29 January 1983 Bristol, England |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 24 |
| Wins | 22 |
| Wins by KO | 10 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Draws | 0 |
Lee Haskins (born 29 January 1983) is a British professional boxer from Bristol in England who has fought in the Flyweight, Super Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions. He is a former English and Commonwealth flyweight champion and the reigning British super flyweight champion.
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Haskins made his professional debut in March 2003 when he took on and defeated Ankar Miah stopping him in the first round at Ashton Gate the home of Bristol City Football Club. In his very next contest he defeated future British champion Chris Edwards this time over 6 rounds at the same venue. By the time he had compiled a winning ledger of 9-0 he challenged journeyman fighter Delroy Spencer for the English Flyweight title and claimed the belt after Spencer retired after the third round of the 10 round contest. In February 2006 almost three years from his professional debut and now with a winning record of 13-0 Haskins challenged the Tanzanian fighter Anthony Mathias for the vacant Commonwealth Flyweight title. He stopped Mathias in the 2nd round at The Pavilions in Plymouth to pick up his second career title.[1]
Following the victory over Mathias, Haskins returned to Bristol just two months later for his first defence against South African Zolile Mbityi. The fight as reported by the BBC was often a 'messy and bad tempered affair' with Haskins never really hitting top gear.[2] Haskins won the fight on points over 12 rounds.
In October 2006 Haskins chose to move up a weight division and compete for the Commonwealth Bantamweight title. The current champion, another South African called Tshifhiwa Munyai had claimed the belt with an upset win over British Bantamweight title holder Martin Power. Going into the fight Haskins was confident saying “I think he's gonna come in and try to take me out. That's what I want. I've changed a few things, and hopefully it'll work on the night.” [3] The fight which was Haskins debut at the York Hall in London ended in the 6th round with Munyai scoring a tko.
Following the stoppage, Haskins next meaningful fight was almost a year later in September 2007 when he returned to the York Hall to take on new British Bantamweight holder Ian Napa. The fight once again proved to be a disappointment for Haskins with ringside reporters claiming he was looking tired before he retired hurt with an arm injury in the 7th round, handing the feather-fisted Napa the only knockout win of his career.[4] in March 2008 Haskins put the memory of defeat behind him by scoring a win over former British title challenger Jamie McDonnell over 8 rounds in Barnsley. The win set him up for another crack at a title, this time against the British Super-Flyweight champion Andy Bell.[5] The fight with Bell took place in November 2008 and ended with a unanimous points decision for the Bristolian in what was considered to be a close fight. Speaking after the fight Haskins paid tribute to his opponent saying "I don't know what to say. It feels great. I knew Andy Bell is a great fighter, he is very tough. He hits hard as well and it just feels great to be champion"[6] On 10 July 2009 Haskins defended his belt for the first time against Sheffield's Ross Burkinshaw, winning in the 4th round.[7]
On December 11, 2009 Haskins added the Commonwealth Super Flyweight title to his collection after defeating the unbeaten Don Broadhurst on points in Newport, Wales and becoming a two weight Commonwealth champion.[8] Haskins claimed the belt having scored a unanimous points victory on all three judges scorecards in what was described as a 'scrappy' contest.[9] Following the fight Haskins was scheduled to face Italian Andrea Sarritzu for the European title at super flyweight only for the contest to be called off on a total of four occasions, another fight against the Frenchman Karim Guerfi also fell through after the fighters failed to agree terms.[10] The delays meant that Haskins was out of the ring for over a year until on 30 April 2011 he met Bulgarian boxer Fikret Remziev over six rounds, scoring a fourth round stoppage, at the Olympiad Leisure Centre in Chippenham.[11] Speaking about the delays promoter Chris Sanigar described the period as being "very frustrating" and said that he'd like to see Haskins fight for the British title again with a view to stepping up to Bantamweight to challenge Jamie McDonnell at some point in the future.[10] To add to Haskin's disappointment, he was stripped of the Commonwealth belt after failing to defend it.[12]
On 14 July 2011, Haskins traveled to Morocco to except a short notice challenge for the WBA Inter continental and the IBF International bantamweight titles. His opponent, Mohamed Bouleghcha had won the titles in April and as the fight was at bantamweight meant that Haskins would have to not only concede home advantage but also weight advantage as he had not fought in the division for four years.[13][14] Haskins won a victory over 12 rounds, including two knockdowns, and said that the victory represented that he was now ready for the world stage.[15]
| Preceded by Andy Bell WPTS 12 |
British Super Flyweight Champion November 7, 2008 – present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Dale Robinson vacated |
Commonwealth Flyweight Champion February 10, 2006 – April 13, 2007 vacated |
Succeeded by Chris Edwards |
| Preceded by Don Broadhurst WPTS 12 |
Commonwealth Super Flyweight Champion December 11, 2009 – present |
Succeeded by Incumbant |