Nicky Piper

Nicky Piper MBE (born 5 May 1966) is a retired Welsh super middleweight and light heavyweight boxer from Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff. His career was at its peak in the 1990s; he became the Commonwealth Light-heavyweight champion in 1995. He was trained by Charlie Pearson and managed by Frank Warren. Since retiring from boxing, Piper has become a notable administrator in British boxing and currently works for The City Hospice as their Corporate Partnerships Manager.

Boxing career Piper's first professional fight is recorded as being against fellow Welshman Kevin Roper. Piper won the match in the second round via a knockout. Piper then won nine of his next ten encounters, all scheduled for either six or eight rounds.

Despite the loss to Benn, Piper's very next match was another title fight; this time for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental light heavyweight belt. The fight against Argentinean Miguel Angel Maldonando went the distance, with Piper being given the title by unanimous points decision. Two months later, on 10 April 1993, Piper successfully defended his title against Chris Sande in Swansea. Piper completed the year with a victory over Trevor Ambrose, and a drawn match with Frank Rhodes. Piper started 1994 with a challenge for the WBO Light-heavyweight title, then held by Leeonzer Barber. Piper failed in his bid when he was again stopped by technical knockout, this time in the ninth round. Piper fought twice more in 1994, a win over Charles Oliver, and a failed bid for the vacant Commonwealth Light-heavyweight title, where he was beaten by Crawford Ashley.

Piper's next fight was a win in an uneven contest against American Tim Bryan in June 1995, followed by a victory over John Keeton, both fights held in Cardiff. Then, on 30 September, he faced Noel Magee for the Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight title. Held at the Cardiff Arms Park, the fight lasted until the ninth round, when Magee was knocked out, giving Piper his most senior belt of his career. In 1996, Piper fought in two bouts: a win over Danny Juma in Cardiff, and a successful defence of his Commonwealth belt to Bruce Scott at Tylorstown. The following year saw Piper's final two fights. In June he defeated Stephane Nizard in Norwich, before a title attempt for the WBO Light-heavyweight against Dariusz Michalczewski in Hanover. Piper was retired by his corner after the seventh round and soon after retired from boxing.

Professional boxing record

Loss

TKO 7 4 October 1997

Win

PTS 8 28 June 1997

Win

TKO 7 30 November 1996

Win

TKO 2 26 April 1996

Win

KO 9 30 September 1995

Win

RTD 2 7 July 1995

Win

TKO 1 17 June 1995

Loss

PTS 12 19 November 1994

Win

TKO 5 21 September 1994

Loss

TKO 9 29 January 1994

Draw

PTS 8 23 October 1993

Win

TKO 5 10 July 1993

Win

TKO 9 10 April 1993

Win

UD 12 13 February 1993

Loss

TKO 11 12 December 1992

Win

TKO 5 25 July 1992

Win

PTS 8 16 May 1992

Win

PTS 10 11 March 1992

Win

PTS 10 22 January 1992

Win

KO 6 20 November 1991

Win

TKO 4 29 October 1991

Loss

TKO 3 4 September 1991

Win

TKO 1 3 July 1991

Win

KO 1 22 May 1991

Win

TKO 1 8 May 1991

Win

TKO 3 5 March 1991

Win

KO 1 12 November 1990

Win

TKO 3 23 October 1990

Draw

PTS 6 22 May 1990

Win

RTD 4 17 April 1990

Win

KO 1 19 December 1989

Win

TKO 3 17 October 1989

Win

KO 2 6 September 1989

Personal history After his retirement from boxing, Piper became a sports commentator, primarily working for Sky Sports, and in 1997 a member of the British Boxing Board of Control. Piper served as Chairman of the Professional Boxing Association, and in 2005 he was awarded the MBE for his services to the sport. and currently works for The City Hospice (formerly George Thomas Hospice Care) as their Corporate Partnership Manager.