Winning. It’s in Pat McCormack DNA.
Whether that’s in the ring or outside it, Britain’s great welterweight star can’t stop winning, including a double triumph at GB Boxing’s annual awards.
Pat pocketed the Male Boxer of the Year prize AND the Boxers’ Boxer of the Year trophy for the second year on the spin. Not exactly a shock given the form he has been in.
It completed an awards treble following on from being named Best Amateur Boxer of The Year by the Boxing Writers’ Club of Great Britain
Since being handed the mucky end of the stick at the 2017 World Championships, the Washington lad has won and won and won, including the Commonwealth Games and EU Championship in 2018.
This year he clinched an international title in Finland, the prestigious GB Championship, before winning the European Games in Minsk.
Who is to say he was not on his way to becoming only the fourth World champion from Britain when he was stopped with a cut in the final in Ekaterinburg against Andrei Zamkovoi.
Esteemed journalist, Steve Bunce, the BBC 5 Live expert summariser, was the host of the event in Sheffield which saluted the successes of boxers and staff from GB Boxing over the last 12 months.
Lauren Price collected the female Boxer of the Year prize after her incredible year.
Winning gold at the 2019 European Games in June was a brilliant achievement but better was to come in Russia in October when she beat the Dutch master, Nouchka Fontijn, to become world champion.
Staying with the excellent women’s section at the English Institute of Sport, featherweight Kariss Artingstall won the Most Improved Boxer award after a breakout year which saw her secure silver at the European Championships and bronze at the Worlds.
Flyweight Demie-Jade Resztan secured the award for Best Newcomer on the back of her achievements in 2019 which included silver at the European Championships and bronze at the Worlds in the light-flyweight category.
Best bout of the year went to Galal Yafai for his stunning victory over the defending champion, Yosvany Veitía of Cuba in the 2019 World Championships.
Outside from the ring, Cheavon Clarke was honoured with the Community Award for his outstanding efforts in promoting boxing to schools, charities and community groups throughout the year.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Andy Chubb/ GB Boxing
