Swindon boxing promoter Mark Neilson has been inducted into the Ex-Boxers Association Hall of Fame for his work within the sport.
At a ceremony in Cardiff in September, Neilson was one of 22 people inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame this year, which included people like Carl Frampton MBE.
Neilson, son of boxer Eddie Neilson, has been heading up Nielson Boxing, which has become one of the United Kingdom’s biggest promotions.
2024 has been a big year for Neilson Boxing, as they hosted their first world title fight between Kaisey Khademi and Jackson Chauke, won by the latter, at London’s York Hall with tens of thousands watching on in the venue and on the stream, a moment Neilson called “the peak of my professional career.”
Neilson said of joining the prestigious club: “I am incredibly honoured to be inducted into the Ex-Boxers Association Hall of Fame.
“Boxing has always been in my blood; I was in a gym from a six-year-old and fought numerous bouts as an amateur myself.
“Because of that, I understand boxing and more importantly boxers, this enables me to put on some of the best shows in the UK and look after the growing stable of talented boxers I manage, and to be recognized alongside so many legends of the sport is a true privilege.
“My father’s career inspired me from a young age, and this moment is as much a tribute to him as it is to the work I’ve done in boxing.”
Neilson has also put on many big shows in Swindon this year, with homegrown talents like Lewis Roberts emerging onto the scene and winning belts on his cards.
His inclusion was explained: “Mark Neilson’s promotional and management career has been a shining example of dedication to the sport, following in the footsteps of his father, heavyweight boxer Eddie Neilson, who fought legendary boxers Frank Bruno and Joe Bugner.
“Mark has been a pivotal figure in the boxing world, now one of the most prolific boxing promoters in the UK having promoted numerous high-profile bouts and managing the careers of many rising stars in the industry.
“From starting at Swindon’s Premier Club leisure centre to now selling out the iconic York Hall in London on a regular basis, Mark’s journey has seen him rise to be one of the UK’s top promoters and has now promoter numerous titles including an IBO World Title earlier this year.”
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