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Ryan Walsh
Ryan Walsh
from Wikipedia

Ryan Walsh (born 18 May 1986) is an English professional boxer.

Key Information

Personal life

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Ryan's twin brother Liam and older brother Michael are also professional boxers, and in 2015 Ryan and Liam became the first twins to hold British titles at the same time.[1][2]

Professional career

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Raised in Rochdale and based in Cromer, Norfolk, Walsh made his professional debut on 2 February 2008 with a first-round knockout of Riaz Durgahed.[3] By April 2011 he had won his first twelve fights, and on 21 October scored a unanimous decision (UD) over Liam Richards to win the English super-bantamweight title.[4]

In October 2013, Walsh challenged Lee Selby for the British and Commonwealth featherweight titles. The fight went the full twelve-round distance, with Selby winning a clear UD to hand Walsh his first loss.[5] Two years later, on 26 September 2015, Walsh faced Samir Mouneimne for the now-vacant British featherweight title.[1] The fight went the distance, with Walsh scoring a split decision to become British champion.[2]

Walsh was set to make his first defence of the title in January 2016 against Ryan Doyle,[6] but instead faced the undefeated Darren Traynor, stopping the challenger in five rounds.[7][8]

On 28 June 2019, Walsh defended his British featherweight belt against Lewis Paulin. The fight was considered a significant step up in quality for Paulin. Walsh was the better man for most of the fight, although Paulin had a couple of rounds where he boxed well and took the fight to Walsh. In the end, two judges scored the fight in favor of Walsh, 117-111 and 115–114, while the third judge gave the fight 115–113 to Paulin, thus awarding the split-decision victory to Walsh to retain his British featherweight belt.[9]

In his next fight, Walsh fought Harion Socarras as a part of the quarter-final of The Golden Contract featherweight tournament. After a close start, a brawl started in the fifth round, in which Walsh managed to score a knockdown over Socarras. In the ninth round, Walsh sent Socarras to the ropes with a flurry of shots, which prompted the referee to stop the fight.[10]

In the semi-final, Walsh faced Tyrone McCullagh. McCullagh started the fight strong, and was winning for the first half of the fight. However, Walsh managed to drop McCullagh twice in the remainder of the fight, even coming close to stopping him in the ninth. McCullagh made it to the final bell, but Walsh was announced the winner via unanimous decision, earning him a ticket to The Golden Contract tournament final.[11]

Walsh challenged British and Commonwealth lightweight champion Sam Noakes at Wembley Arena in London on 7 December 2024.[12] He lost by unanimous decision.[13][14]

Professional boxing record

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36 fights 29 wins 5 losses
By knockout 13 0
By decision 16 5
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
36 Loss 29–5–2 Sam Noakes UD 12 7 Dec 2024 Wembley Arena, London, England For the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles
35 Win 29–4–2 Reece Mould TKO 1 (10), 1:58 27 Sep 2024 Park Community Arena, Sheffield, England
34 Win 28–4–2 Rustem Fatkhullin PTS 4 10 Dec 2023 Holiday Inn, Norwich Airport, Norwich, England
33 Loss 27–4–2 Maxi Hughes UD 12 26 Mar 2022 First Direct Arena, Leeds, England For IBO lightweight title
32 Win 27–3–2 Ronnie Clark PTS 6 18 Dec 2021 Norfolk Showground, Norwich, England
31 Loss 26–3–2 Jazza Dickens UD 10 2 Dec 2020 Production Park Studios, South Kirkby, England For WBO European featherweight title;
The Golden Contract: Featherweight – final
30 Win 26–2–2 Tyrone McCullagh UD 10 21 Feb 2020 York Hall, London, England The Golden Contract: Featherweight – semi-final
29 Win 25–2–2 Hairon Socarras TKO 9 (10), 2:39 4 Oct 2019 York Hall, London, England The Golden Contract: Featherweight – quarter-final
28 Win 24–2–2 Lewis Paulin SD 12 28 Jun 2019 York Hall, London, England Retained British featherweight title
27 Win 23–2–2 Reece Bellotti SD 12 22 Dec 2018 The O2 Arena, London, England Retained British featherweight title
26 Draw 22–2–2 Isaac Lowe SD 12 17 Feb 2018 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England Retained British featherweight title
25 Win 22–2–1 Marco McCullough TKO 11 (12), 1:58 20 May 2017 Copper Box Arena, London, England Retained British featherweight title
24 Loss 21–2–1 Dennis Ceylan SD 12 15 Oct 2016 Arena Nord, Frederikshavn, Denmark For vacant European featherweight title
23 Win 21–1–1 James Tennyson TKO 5 (12), 2:34 30 Apr 2016 Copper Box Arena, London, England Retained British featherweight title
22 Win 20–1–1 Darren Traynor TKO 5 (12), 2:06 22 Jan 2016 York Hall, London, England Retained British featherweight title
21 Win 19–1–1 Samir Mouneimne SD 12 26 Sep 2015 The SSE Arena, London, England Won vacant British featherweight title
20 Win 18–1–1 Reynaldo Cajina PTS 8 14 Nov 2014 Pabellón Polideportivo Las Torres, Adeje, Canary Islands
19 Win 17–1–1 Ibrar Riyaz PTS 6 27 Jun 2014 Epic Centre, Norwich, England
18 Loss 16–1–1 Lee Selby UD 12 5 Oct 2013 The O2 Arena, London, England For British and Commonwealth featherweight titles
17 Win 16–0–1 Jose Antonio Elizabeth TKO 3 (8), 2:37 15 Jun 2013 Epic Centre, Norwich, England
16 Win 15–0–1 Oszkar Fiko TKO 3 (6) 22 Mar 2013 Epic Centre, Norwich, England
15 Draw 14–0–1 Ronnie Clark PTS 10 10 Nov 2012 Norfolk Showground, Norwich, England
14 Win 14–0 Mikheil Gogebashvili TKO 1 (8), 2:37 15 Sep 2012 Norfolk Showground, Norwich, England
13 Win 13–0 Liam Richards UD 10 21 Oct 2011 York Hall, London, England Won English super-bantamweight title
12 Win 12–0 Gavin Reid TKO 7 (8), 2:43 2 Apr 2011 York Hall, London, England
11 Win 11–0 James Ancliff PTS 8 23 Oct 2010 York Hall, London, England
10 Win 10–0 Eugene Heagney TKO 1 (6), 0:49 15 May 2010 Boleyn Ground, London, England
9 Win 9–0 Ian Bailey PTS 6 13 Feb 2010 Wembley Arena, London, England
8 Win 8–0 Michael O'Gara TKO 5 (6), 1:26 9 Oct 2009 York Hall, London, England
7 Win 7–0 Marc Callaghan RTD 3 (6), 3:00 22 May 2009 York Hall, London, England
6 Win 6–0 Sid Razak PTS 4 30 Jan 2009 York Hall, London, England
5 Win 5–0 Johnny Greaves PTS 4 6 Dec 2008 ExCeL, London, England
4 Win 4–0 Robin Deakin PTS 4 26 Sep 2008 York Hall, London, England
3 Win 3–0 Gheorghe Ghiompirica PTS 4 16 Jun 2008 York Hall, London, England
2 Win 2–0 Robin Deakin PTS 4 8 Mar 2008 The O2 Arena, London, England
1 Win 1–0 Riaz Durgahed KO 1 (4), 0:21 2 Feb 2008 ExCeL, London, England

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ryan Walsh (born 18 May 1986) is a British professional boxer who competes in the and divisions. He has held the British title and challenged for the European title. As of November 2025, he has a professional record of 29 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, with 13 knockouts. Walsh, from , , made his professional debut in 2005 and won the English title in 2009. He captured the British title in 2014 by defeating Jon Turton and defended it multiple times before losing it in 2017. Walsh participated in the Golden Contract tournament in 2020 but was eliminated in the quarterfinals. His twin brother, Liam Walsh, is also a professional boxer.

Early life and background

Childhood and family

Ryan Walsh was born on 18 May 1986 in , , , into a working-class family amid a challenging environment marked by poverty and social difficulties. His father, John Walsh, sought to provide better opportunities for his sons by relocating the family to when Ryan and his siblings were in , aiming to shield them from the rough influences of their birthplace. The family settled in , where Ryan spent the remainder of his childhood and later established his base for his athletic pursuits. Walsh grew up alongside his twin brother, , and older brother, Michael, in a household that placed a strong emphasis on sports, particularly , fostered by their late father who created a boxing-oriented environment. Both and Michael pursued careers, with following a parallel path to Ryan's own entry into the sport. The brothers' shared passion for physical activities was influenced by their family's working-class roots and the move to a more stable setting in , where all three received their schooling. During his early years, Walsh's primary interests leaned toward wrestling and football rather than , with only casual exposure to the sport through observing his brothers' involvement. He did not begin formal boxing training until his mid-teens, at around age 14, marking the transition from informal family influences to structured athletic development in the coastal town of .

Amateur boxing career

Ryan Walsh began his amateur boxing career in his mid-teens, competing initially in local bouts in . His third amateur fight took place in a familiar venue in the region, dating back over two decades to around 2003 when he was approximately 17 years old. Over the course of his amateur tenure, Walsh accumulated around 30 fights, often facing challenging opposition that honed his skills and toughness in the ring. He sparred regularly with his brothers, and Michael, both talented themselves, which provided high-quality preparation despite his relatively modest amateur experience. Although he did not secure any major national titles, these competitive encounters built his resilience and technical foundation. Notable among his amateur opponents were future professional standouts Jamie McDonnell, TJ Doheny, and Luke Campbell, encounters that tested Walsh against elite talent early on. Training primarily at local gyms in Norfolk, he developed an orthodox stance and focused on crafty, durable boxing that would carry into his professional phase. Walsh decided to turn professional at age 21, debuting in 2008, motivated in part by the accomplishments of his brothers in the sport, who had already established themselves as promising fighters. This shift marked the end of his amateur days and the start of a pro career where he competed mainly in the featherweight division.

Professional career

Debut and early fights

Ryan Walsh made his professional boxing debut on 2 February 2008, securing a first-round victory over Riaz Durgahed just 11 seconds into the bout at the ExCel in . Fighting in the division as an boxer standing 5 ft 6½ in tall, Walsh demonstrated the toughness honed from his amateur background, which helped him transition smoothly to the paid ranks. From 2008 to 2011, Walsh built an undefeated record of 12-0, primarily through points decisions over journeyman opponents, gradually increasing the length of his bouts from four to eight rounds. Key early victories included unanimous decisions against Robin Deakin in March and September 2008, Johnny Greaves in December 2008, and Sid Razak in January 2009, all held at prominent venues like and . These fights showcased his technical skill and endurance, as he moved up to while accumulating experience against seasoned professionals. Signed with local promoters, Walsh trained at the Probox Gym in under coach Graham Everett alongside his brothers and Michael, fostering a supportive environment for his development. Despite his steady progress, Walsh faced challenges including periods of inactivity due to balancing with other commitments, which occasionally delayed his momentum. By late 2011, his undefeated streak positioned him for contention in domestic rankings, setting the stage for higher-level opportunities without yet challenging for championships.

Domestic titles and defenses

Walsh began his ascent in the domestic ranks by dropping to super-bantamweight to challenge for the vacant English title on 21 2011, defeating Liam Richards via over 12 rounds at in , . This victory marked his first major domestic championship and solidified his reputation as a skilled technician from . Transitioning to featherweight, Walsh captured the vacant British featherweight title on 26 September 2015, edging out Mouneimne by in a closely contested 12-round bout at . The win created history, as Walsh became the first twin to hold a British title simultaneously with his brother , who was the super-featherweight champion at the time. This achievement highlighted the Walsh family's prominence in the scene and earned him the , which he would later defend to win outright. Walsh made his first successful defense on 22 January 2016, stopping Darren Traynor via technical knockout in the fifth round at , showcasing his improved power at . After his second defense against James Tennyson via TKO in the fifth round on 30 April 2016, Walsh challenged for the vacant European title but lost a unanimous decision to Dennis Ceylan on 16 October 2016. He retained the British title in subsequent defenses, including a draw against Isaac Lowe on 18 February 2018 and a unanimous decision over Reece Bellotti on 22 December 2018. In his third defense on 20 May 2017, he secured the outright with an 11th-round TKO victory over Marco McCullough at the in , demonstrating resilience in a grueling war. He completed six successful defenses overall, culminating in a hard-fought win over Lewis Paulin on 28 June 2019 at , where scores were 117-111, 115-114, and 113-115 in his favor. These title reigns elevated Walsh to WBO featherweight number seven by mid-2019, underscoring his dominance in the British division and lasting impact on regional through multiple honors.

Golden Contract tournament

In 2019, Ryan Walsh signed on to compete in MTK Global's inaugural Golden Contract tournament, an innovative single-elimination event featuring eight fighters across three weight classes, where the winner would secure a lucrative five-fight promotional with MTK, including a £1 million purse and world title opportunities. The tournament's unique format involved blind draws for quarterfinal matchups and a compressed schedule of back-to-back high-stakes bouts, designed to showcase rising talents and provide immediate career advancement. Walsh's quarterfinal took place on October 4, 2019, at in , where he faced Cuban contender Hairon Socarras in a scheduled 10-round bout. After a competitive early exchange, Walsh turned the fight into a brawl in the fifth round, scoring a knockdown and ultimately stopping Socarras via technical in the ninth round at 2:39, earning a £50,000 bonus in the process. Advancing to the semifinals on February 21, 2020, also at , Walsh met undefeated Irish Tyrone McCullagh over 10 rounds. Walsh controlled the action with effective pressure, dropping McCullagh in the sixth and ninth rounds en route to a victory with scores of 98-91, 98-91, and 97-92, securing his spot in the final. The tournament final occurred on December 2, 2020, at Production Park Studios in , pitting Walsh against fellow British veteran in a 10-round clash delayed from an earlier September date due to protocols. Dickens dictated a fast pace from the outset, outworking Walsh in a gritty, competitive affair to claim a win with scores of 96-94, 97-94, and 98-93, denying Walsh the contract and crowning Dickens the champion. Though he fell short of victory, Walsh's run through the significantly raised his profile on the international stage, demonstrating his resilience in the demanding back-to-back format and earning praise for his durable, forward-pressing style against top competition.

Later career and recent bouts

Following the Golden Contract tournament, Walsh resumed his career with a points victory over Ronnie Clark in a six-round rematch on December 18, 2021, at the in , , avenging an earlier loss from 2012 and improving his record to 27-3-2. In his next outing on March 26, 2022, at the First Direct Arena in , Walsh challenged for the IBO title but suffered a defeat over 12 rounds (scores: 120-108, 119-109, 118-110), marking his first fight at and halting a potential world title run. Walsh then endured an extended layoff due to inactivity in the sport, returning nearly two and a half years later with a dominant first-round TKO win over Reece Mould on September 27, 2024, at the in , where Mould was floored three times to earn Walsh the vacant WBA super title and demonstrate his enduring power at age 38. This emphatic victory, described by Walsh as one of his career highlights, showcased his resilience and set the stage for another title opportunity. On December 7, 2024, Walsh stepped up to again, challenging undefeated Sam Noakes for the British and titles at in , but was outboxed over 12 rounds in a loss (scores: 120-108, 120-108, 119-109), appearing dominated yet going the distance without sustaining serious damage. Post-fight, the 38-year-old Walsh expressed no intention of retiring, emphasizing his desire to continue competing. As of November 2025, Walsh's professional record stands at 28 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, with no bouts scheduled for the year thus far, though he has voiced intentions to pursue further opportunities in the division. In recent interviews, Walsh has reflected on his career longevity, crediting his family's support—including his young children—as a key motivator, while highlighting the Walsh brothers' legacy in as a driving force to extend his in-ring journey.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Ryan Walsh shares a particularly close bond with his twin brother, Liam Walsh, a former British and super-featherweight champion, characterized by shared training regimens and mutual encouragement throughout their professional careers. The brothers made history in 2015 when Ryan captured the British featherweight title, becoming the first set of twins to simultaneously hold British titles, an achievement that underscored their collaborative spirit and ongoing support for one another. Liam's accomplishments, including his successful defenses and world title challenges, have continued to inspire Ryan, with the twins frequently training together at Norwich's Probox Gym under trainer Graham Everett. Walsh's older brother, Michael Walsh, an unbeaten former professional who retired early in his career, has also played a pivotal role in the family's legacy, offering early inspiration and participating in joint family training sessions at Probox Gym. Michael's path in the ring provided a model for Ryan and , fostering a sense of familial competition and guidance that extended to shared preparations for fights and events. The brothers often appear together at promotions and bouts, with Michael and Liam serving in Ryan's corner during key matches, such as his 2011 English title victory. The Walsh family's extended dynamics further bolster Ryan's , with his parents, John and Michelle, having relocated the family from to , , during the brothers' years to support their burgeoning interest in . Although John passed away in 2011, the family's emphasis on unity remains a core motivation for Ryan, as he has credited their support for building his mental resilience amid career setbacks, including losses and extended layoffs. Walsh has five children and, as of December 2024, his partner Cara was expecting their sixth child. He frequently highlights the profound influence of his family's involvement in maintaining his drive during challenging periods, such as after his 2022 defeat to .

Military service and post-boxing interests

Walsh served in the British Army's Parachute Regiment prior to committing fully to his career. He left the regiment around age 21 to focus on , having balanced military duties with intermittent bouts since his mid-teens. During his service, Walsh developed his skills through army competitions, achieving 9 wins in 10 fights, which honed his toughness and discipline alongside rigorous military training. His time in the regiment also overlapped with a strong interest in rugby, which he pursued more avidly than until his discharge. One of his early fights took place near a , reflecting the integration of his service and sporting life. Post-service, Walsh has sustained his enthusiasm for rugby, often engaging in competitive matches and training sessions with his twin brother Liam as part of their across s. He remains actively involved in Norfolk's community, supporting local clubs and events through his prominence as a regional fighter, including mentoring younger athletes informally. In recent interviews, Walsh has expressed interest in formal roles after , leveraging his experience to guide upcoming talent in and gyms. At 39, Walsh prioritizes fitness maintenance through a disciplined , incorporating mountain running, intense workouts, and a "monk-like" regimen to stay in peak condition without reported major injuries beyond typical ring accumulation. This approach underscores his commitment to longevity in while preparing for potential transitions to coaching and community leadership in .

Professional boxing record

Record summary

Ryan Walsh's professional boxing record stands at 29 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws across 36 bouts as of November 2025. Of his victories, 13 have come by or technical knockout, while the remaining 16 were secured by decision; all five losses were also by decision, with Walsh never having been stopped in his career. This yields a win percentage of approximately 80.6%, with a knockout ratio of 44.8% among his wins. Walsh has primarily competed in the featherweight division at 126 pounds throughout much of his career, capturing domestic titles there before moving up to (130 pounds) and eventually (135 pounds) in later bouts. His early professional tenure featured an undefeated run of 16 wins and 1 draw from his 2008 debut until his first loss in October 2013. In terms of rankings, Walsh reached a career peak at No. 2 in the WBO division in 2019, positioning him as a contender for world honors during his title-winning domestic phase. Following a loss in December 2024, he is currently unranked across major sanctioning bodies.

Notable fights

Ryan Walsh's professional debut on February 2, 2008, against Riaz Durgahed at the Showground in , , ended in a first-round victory just 11 seconds into the bout, showcasing his aggressive style and power from the outset. This win marked the beginning of an unbeaten streak that saw him claim his first regional title three years later. On October 21, 2011, Walsh dropped to to challenge for the vacant English title against Liam Richards at in , securing a unanimous decision victory after 10 rounds in a disciplined performance that earned him his initial championship belt. Walsh's most significant domestic achievement came on September 26, 2015, when he defeated Samir Mouneimne by split decision over 12 rounds at to capture the vacant British title, with Mouneimne knocked down in the fifth round; this victory made Walsh and his twin brother Liam the first siblings to simultaneously hold British titles in history. In the featherweight final of MTK's Golden Contract tournament on December 2, 2020, at the Belvedere in , , Walsh faced in a high-stakes 10-round bout, losing by (96-94, 97-94, 98-93) in a closely contested fight that highlighted his resilience despite the defeat. Walsh moved up to to challenge for the IBO title against champion on March 26, 2022, at the First Direct Arena in , where he suffered a loss over 12 rounds after sustaining cuts, ending his bid for the IBO crown. Demonstrating late-career ambition, Walsh challenged Sam Noakes for the British, , and WBO International lightweight titles on December 7, 2024, at in , but was outpointed by unanimous decision (120-108, 120-108, 119-109) in a one-sided affair. Across his 36 professional bouts, resulting in a record of 29 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, these fights represent key milestones in Walsh's journey through domestic and international competition.

References

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