John McDermott (boxer)


John McDermott is an English former professional boxer who competed from 2000 to 2013. He is a three-time challenger for the British heavyweight title and in his last fight in March 2013, won the English heavyweight title.

Professional career

On 18 April 2008, McDermott won the vacant BBBofC English heavyweight title, knocking out Pele Reid in the second round. He had fought for the same title in 2004 losing on that occasion to Mark Krence.
In September 2007, he had also become the mandatory challenger for a second shot at the British title after beating Scott Gammer on points over 10 rounds. He had fought for the title once before in December 2005 losing in the 1st round to Matt Skelton.
McDermott faced Danny Williams at Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham on 18 July 2008 for the British Title, but was defeated controversially by a majority points decision. His promoter, Frank Maloney commented on the judges saying: "I believe it is one of the worst decisions I have witnessed since I started promoting more than 25 years ago, and I've seen some bad ones." He was defeated again in the rematch on 2 May 2009, via a split points decision.
McDermott lost his English heavyweight title to Tyson Fury in another controversial decision on 11 September. Referee Terry O'Connor, scored the fight 98-92 in favour of Fury. After the referee handed the decision to Fury, Sky Sports commentator Jim Watt asked; "Has he got the names mixed up?" Jim Watt along with other commentators Glenn McCrory, Johnny Nelson all scored the fight to McDermott, as did David Haye. Fury defeated McDermott in a rematch on 25 June 2010. McDermott won a unanimous points decision against Matt Skelton on 16 March 2013 to regain the English Heavyweight title. He never defended this belt and the vacant title was eventually contested in June 2018, when Daniel Dubois stopped Tom Little.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
36Win28–8 Matt Skelton1015 Mar 2012 York Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant English heavyweight title
35Win27–8 Pavels DolgovsTKO4, 1:4624 Feb 2012 Camden Centre, London, England
34Loss26–8 David PriceKO1, 1:1321 Jan 2012 Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool, EnglandFor vacant English heavyweight title
33Win26–7 Larry OlubamiwoTKO1, 1:1519 Feb 2011 York Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant Southern Area heavyweight title
32Loss25–7 Tyson FuryTKO9, 1:0825 Jun 2010 Brentwood Centre, London, EnglandFor vacant English heavyweight title
31Loss25–6 Tyson FuryPTS1011 Sep 2009 Brentwood Centre, London, EnglandFor English heavyweight title
30Loss25–5 Danny Williams122 May 2009 Crowtree Leisure Centre, Sunderland, EnglandFor British heavyweight title
29Loss25–4 Danny Williams1218 Jul 2008 Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, EnglandFor British heavyweight title
28Win25–3 Pelé ReidTKO2, 1:4518 Apr 2008 York Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant English heavyweight title
27Win24–3 Daniil PeretyatkoPTS61 Feb 2008 York Hall, London, England
26Win23–3 Scott GammerPTS1029 Sep 2007 Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
25Win22–3 Luke SimpkinTKO2, 2:2815 Jun 2007 National Sports Centre, London, England
24Win21–3 Paul KingPTS62 Mar 2007 Neath Sports Centre, Neath, Wales
23Win20–3 Vitali ShkrabaTKO1, 2:2426 Jan 2007 Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England
22Loss19–3 Matt SkeltonTKO1, 1:1910 Dec 2005 ExCeL Arena London, London, EnglandFor British heavyweight title
21Win19–2 Alvin MillerKO1, 2:338 Apr 2005 Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland
20Loss18–2 Mark KrencePTS1011 Dec 2004 ExCeL London, London, EnglandFor English heavyweight title
19Win18–1 Suren KalachyanTKO7 30 Jul 2004 York Hall, London, England
18Win17–1 James Zikic4, 3:0013 May 2004 York Hall, London, England
17Loss16–1 Nikolay PopovTKO2 18 Sep 2003 Goresbrook Leisure Centre, London, England
16Win16–0 Kostyantyn PryziukPTS88 May 2003 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Cheshire, England
15Win15–0 Derek McCaffertyPTS415 Feb 2003 Conference Centre, London, England
14Win14–0 Jason BrewsterTKO1, 0:5414 Dec 2002 Telewest Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
13Win13–0 Mindaugas KulikauskasPTS612 Oct 2002 York Hall, London, England
12Win12–0 Oleksandr MileikoTKO2, 1:4014 Sep 2002 York Hall, London, England
11Win11–0 Martin RoodtmanTKO1, 2:554 May 2002 York Hall, London, England
10Win10–0 Tony BoothTKO1, 2:4619 Jan 2002 York Hall, London, England
9Win9–0 Gordon MinortsTKO3, 0:3824 Nov 2001 York Hall, London, England
8Win8–0 Gary WilliamsTKO4, 1:2222 Sep 2001 York Hall, London, England
7Win7–0 Luke SimpkinPTS69 Jun 2001 York Hall, London, England
6Win6–0 Mal RiceTKO2, 2:2226 Mar 2001 Conference Centre, London, England
5Win5–0 Alexey OsokinPTS424 Feb 2001 York Hall, London, England
4Win4–0 Eamon Glennon1, 2:5727 Jan 2001 York Hall, London, England
3Win3–0 Geoff HunterTKO1 13 Nov 2000 York Hall, London, England
2Win2–0 Gary Williams421 Oct 2000 Conference Centre, London, England
1Win1–0 Alvin Miller1 23 Sep 2000 York Hall, London, EnglandProfessional debut