TIGERS GYM
www.tigersgym.co.uk
TIGERS GYM
THREE TIMES FORMER WORLD CHAMPION
MICHELLE SUTCLIFFE
MICHELLE SUTCLIFFE
5'4" Flyweight Michelle Sutcliffe born on 3rd February 1967 in Leeds, UK. Michelle is trained by her number one inspiration - husband Gary, who originally convinced Michelle to practice Thai Boxing in Spring 1993 for self defence and fitness purposes only.
Michelle's first and unfortunate taste in boxing came in November 1996 against Regina Halmich for the WIBF world Title at 49kg's. Michelle fought this contest only three weeks after recovering from a very tough Kickboxing contest over five rounds. Regina won a very controversial win that was broadcast on Germany's DSF.
In September 1997 Michelle decided to leave Bad company Thai Boxing gym in Leeds, in order to further her career as the best flyweight fighter around (Thai & Pro-Boxing). Michelle has never looked back since, as she began training at Tigersgym in Leeds under the watchful eye of her husband and trainer Gary. Gary took full control of Michelle's training and with the help of Promoter Alan Clarkin (Black Nights Gym - Burnley), Michelle fought her last Thai Boxing contest (for the time being?) in March 1998 against the most renowned Bantamweight in Britain- Mary Hart. Michelle stopped Mary in the fourth round to win the vacant British Bantamweight Title. Michelle was unbeaten in Thai Boxing with 7 straight wins, three by Tko. She captured three British Titles, including one at Bantamweight. Michelle accomplished all this, starting late in her sporting career at the tender age of 27 and with no previous sports background.
Michelle accepted a world Title fight at four weeks notice on May 30th 1998 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA - against the very experienced Para Draine,(US State Amateur Golden Gloves Champion) for the IWBF world title at 50.8kg's. The fight was cut short in the fifth in favour of Para, but a bad ear infection the ringside doctor had diagnosed after the fight had obviously played it's part. Full credit must go to Para for being the winner, but the fight fans lost out on what could have been an outstanding fight. (Michelle was never given the rematch).
June 28th 1998 Michelle takes a comfortable unanimous points victory in a five round boxing contest at 49kg's, against Britain's best - Diane Berry. Michelle now shows she's undoubtedly the best flyweight boxer in Britain.Time to take things a little more seriously, as Michelle decides to pursue a boxing career. Michelle has promised to go back into Thai Boxing when she has excelled beyond world title status in professional boxing.
Michelle accepted a trip to Denmark very early in 1999 to take on Sengul Ozocku in a six round boxing contest at flyweight - 50.8kg's. It's always difficult to get the right decision away from home, even when you truly know you won the fight. Sengul took the decision from Michelle and it has to be said, even the home crowd showed their dismay by booing!
On March 5th 1999, Michelle followed Jane Couch's pioneering work by becoming the 2nd female only in Britain to be granted her professional boxing license and opening the doors even further for other women to follow the ranks.
September 27th at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, UK. Michelle fought her British debut for the WIBF Intercontinental Flyweight Title - 50.8kg's, stopping the Belgian champion in the seventh round. This fight had been organised in March, so both fighters had been training very hard for six months. In the third round Michelle injured her right arm. Despite this Michelle carried on in true fighting spirit to show what she is capable of. Proving she's the best British flyweight around and deserves to be at the top. (Seven weeks after this fight Michelle finally put a boxing glove back on her damaged right arm)(Click on independent reports below).
Michelle's first and unfortunate taste in boxing came in November 1996 against Regina Halmich for the WIBF world Title at 49kg's. Michelle fought this contest only three weeks after recovering from a very tough Kickboxing contest over five rounds. Regina won a very controversial win that was broadcast on Germany's DSF.
In September 1997 Michelle decided to leave Bad company Thai Boxing gym in Leeds, in order to further her career as the best flyweight fighter around (Thai & Pro-Boxing). Michelle has never looked back since, as she began training at Tigersgym in Leeds under the watchful eye of her husband and trainer Gary. Gary took full control of Michelle's training and with the help of Promoter Alan Clarkin (Black Nights Gym - Burnley), Michelle fought her last Thai Boxing contest (for the time being?) in March 1998 against the most renowned Bantamweight in Britain- Mary Hart. Michelle stopped Mary in the fourth round to win the vacant British Bantamweight Title. Michelle was unbeaten in Thai Boxing with 7 straight wins, three by Tko. She captured three British Titles, including one at Bantamweight. Michelle accomplished all this, starting late in her sporting career at the tender age of 27 and with no previous sports background.
Michelle accepted a world Title fight at four weeks notice on May 30th 1998 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA - against the very experienced Para Draine,(US State Amateur Golden Gloves Champion) for the IWBF world title at 50.8kg's. The fight was cut short in the fifth in favour of Para, but a bad ear infection the ringside doctor had diagnosed after the fight had obviously played it's part. Full credit must go to Para for being the winner, but the fight fans lost out on what could have been an outstanding fight. (Michelle was never given the rematch).
June 28th 1998 Michelle takes a comfortable unanimous points victory in a five round boxing contest at 49kg's, against Britain's best - Diane Berry. Michelle now shows she's undoubtedly the best flyweight boxer in Britain.Time to take things a little more seriously, as Michelle decides to pursue a boxing career. Michelle has promised to go back into Thai Boxing when she has excelled beyond world title status in professional boxing.
Michelle accepted a trip to Denmark very early in 1999 to take on Sengul Ozocku in a six round boxing contest at flyweight - 50.8kg's. It's always difficult to get the right decision away from home, even when you truly know you won the fight. Sengul took the decision from Michelle and it has to be said, even the home crowd showed their dismay by booing!
On March 5th 1999, Michelle followed Jane Couch's pioneering work by becoming the 2nd female only in Britain to be granted her professional boxing license and opening the doors even further for other women to follow the ranks.
September 27th at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, UK. Michelle fought her British debut for the WIBF Intercontinental Flyweight Title - 50.8kg's, stopping the Belgian champion in the seventh round. This fight had been organised in March, so both fighters had been training very hard for six months. In the third round Michelle injured her right arm. Despite this Michelle carried on in true fighting spirit to show what she is capable of. Proving she's the best British flyweight around and deserves to be at the top. (Seven weeks after this fight Michelle finally put a boxing glove back on her damaged right arm)(Click on independent reports below).
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On 27 February, 2000 Michelle took on Francesca Lupo for the WBF Flyweight World Title (112 lbs) at the Leeds Town Hall and won by a unanimous decision over the full ten rounds. The venue was packed with Michelle's home fans from Leeds and they did not go home disappointed. Italy's Francesca Lupo took the fight right to Michelle, which produced a super bout from boxer and fighter. Francesca showed why she has been the distance with Regina Halmich and Anissa Zamarron in previous world title fights. Michelle gave away six fights of experience, but certainly produced a class act to win on points. " I give full credit to Francesca, as she made the fight exciting too, with her nonstop forward fighting style!" said Michelle on tv the next day. (Tape available)(Click on independent reports below)
15th May 2000 and Michelle accepts a non title fight over 6 x 2 minutes duration.
Both girls weighed in on the day - Michelle was 7st 13 lbs and Jan 8st 2 lbs. Jan fought a very courageous fight and just took one round from Michelle, according to the referee's score card. Michelle took total control throughout the fight scoring with heavy and accurate shots, to gain the decision from the referee with 59 - 55.
7th October 2000 - Michelle's rematch with Regina. This turned out to be a very exciting fight indeed! The fight was end to end action, with Michelle beating Regina to the punch time and time again throughout the fight. The fight went to the scorecards with Regina taking the points decision, but the German fans in the 3000+ capacity crowd booed the decision. Obtain a tape and judge for yourself though? (Click on independent reports below)
19th November 2000 Michelle travels to South Korea to fight for Kim Messers IFBA Jnr Flyweight title. Once again it proved very difficult for Michelle to win in another country. The final scorecards indicated that Kim had won one round more than Michelle to keep her title. Kim took a very big shot from Michelle in the sixth round, causing big damage to her nose and Kim courageously hung on to last out the round - otherwise it could have been very different indeed! (Click on independent reports below)
17th May 2001 Michelle defends her WBF world title in Leeds and the vacant IFBA world title was also up for grabs. Michelle's opponent was Marietta Ivanova the fearsome Bulgarian champion, who had previously taken European champion Alina Shaternakova six rounds, in a contest away from home and should have had the decision. Michelle proved to be far too strong for Marietta and stopped her in the fifth round. Full credit to Marietta, as many fighters would'nt have taken Michelle on? (Click on independent reports below)
29th September 2001 Michelle takes on Germany's powerhouse - Jnr Bantamweight Daisy Lang, for her WIBF world title. The fight ended in very controversial circumstances in the seventh round when Michelle had been dominating the fight through rounds four to seven. Daisy obtained a very bad cut above the left eye from Michelle's right hand punches, but unfortunately the officials awarded the decision to the scorecards saying it was a clash of heads. Even though the referee never saw anything of the sort, it was acknowledged the officials saw an unintentional fowl. Daisy retained her title and Michelle missed out on making history. No female boxer has ever won in Germany and Michelle hoped to be the first to win a world title there in 70+ championship fights. A rematch has been promised by the promoter and the WIBF organisation, due to the circumstances in how the fight ended. (Click on independent reports below)
Michelle always respected fighters at her weight, but "I feared no one and would always accept any challenge offered to me, especially from any home grown flyweights?", she says. Truthfully, Michelle says she would enjoyed rematches with Kim Messer and Daisy Lang to set the record's straight! Regina Halmich did allow a re-match and which finished on points. It was allegedly said some days after the fight - that Regina's nose was broken and she had taken many big punches from the hard hitting Michelle.
Michelle currently holds down work as a part time sales advisor and she trains in her spare time. Michelle also holds weekly classes for Thai Boxing and Boxing alongside her husband Gary. Michelle's family and friends were very supportive of her boxing career, more so her husband Gary, who was Michelle's trainer. " My original goal Was to achieve a British Title, but instead I went further by winning 3 World Title's in professional boxing and holding a number 3 World position in Thaiboxing. I thank everybody who had anything to with all my eventual success!
Both girls weighed in on the day - Michelle was 7st 13 lbs and Jan 8st 2 lbs. Jan fought a very courageous fight and just took one round from Michelle, according to the referee's score card. Michelle took total control throughout the fight scoring with heavy and accurate shots, to gain the decision from the referee with 59 - 55.
7th October 2000 - Michelle's rematch with Regina. This turned out to be a very exciting fight indeed! The fight was end to end action, with Michelle beating Regina to the punch time and time again throughout the fight. The fight went to the scorecards with Regina taking the points decision, but the German fans in the 3000+ capacity crowd booed the decision. Obtain a tape and judge for yourself though? (Click on independent reports below)
19th November 2000 Michelle travels to South Korea to fight for Kim Messers IFBA Jnr Flyweight title. Once again it proved very difficult for Michelle to win in another country. The final scorecards indicated that Kim had won one round more than Michelle to keep her title. Kim took a very big shot from Michelle in the sixth round, causing big damage to her nose and Kim courageously hung on to last out the round - otherwise it could have been very different indeed! (Click on independent reports below)
17th May 2001 Michelle defends her WBF world title in Leeds and the vacant IFBA world title was also up for grabs. Michelle's opponent was Marietta Ivanova the fearsome Bulgarian champion, who had previously taken European champion Alina Shaternakova six rounds, in a contest away from home and should have had the decision. Michelle proved to be far too strong for Marietta and stopped her in the fifth round. Full credit to Marietta, as many fighters would'nt have taken Michelle on? (Click on independent reports below)
29th September 2001 Michelle takes on Germany's powerhouse - Jnr Bantamweight Daisy Lang, for her WIBF world title. The fight ended in very controversial circumstances in the seventh round when Michelle had been dominating the fight through rounds four to seven. Daisy obtained a very bad cut above the left eye from Michelle's right hand punches, but unfortunately the officials awarded the decision to the scorecards saying it was a clash of heads. Even though the referee never saw anything of the sort, it was acknowledged the officials saw an unintentional fowl. Daisy retained her title and Michelle missed out on making history. No female boxer has ever won in Germany and Michelle hoped to be the first to win a world title there in 70+ championship fights. A rematch has been promised by the promoter and the WIBF organisation, due to the circumstances in how the fight ended. (Click on independent reports below)
Michelle always respected fighters at her weight, but "I feared no one and would always accept any challenge offered to me, especially from any home grown flyweights?", she says. Truthfully, Michelle says she would enjoyed rematches with Kim Messer and Daisy Lang to set the record's straight! Regina Halmich did allow a re-match and which finished on points. It was allegedly said some days after the fight - that Regina's nose was broken and she had taken many big punches from the hard hitting Michelle.
Michelle currently holds down work as a part time sales advisor and she trains in her spare time. Michelle also holds weekly classes for Thai Boxing and Boxing alongside her husband Gary. Michelle's family and friends were very supportive of her boxing career, more so her husband Gary, who was Michelle's trainer. " My original goal Was to achieve a British Title, but instead I went further by winning 3 World Title's in professional boxing and holding a number 3 World position in Thaiboxing. I thank everybody who had anything to with all my eventual success!
| NAME | MICHELLE SUTCLIFFE |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 03 FEB 1967 |
| BIRTH PLACE | LEEDS, |
| HOMETOWN | LEEDS, |
| COUNTRY | ENGLAND |
| DIVISION | FLYWEIGHT |
| HEIGHT | 5 ft 4 in (1m 62cm) |
| TITLES | 2 x WBF World Flyweight Boxing Champion WIBF Intercontinental Flyweight Champion IFBA World Flyweight Boxing Champion 4 x British Thai Boxing Champion (ranked No 3 in the World) |
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8A STONEGATE ROAD
MEANWOOD
LEEDS LS6 4HY
GYM No: 07932620893
GYM No: 07787390202
MEANWOOD
LEEDS LS6 4HY
GYM No: 07932620893
GYM No: 07787390202
EMAIL:
gmtigers@hotmail.co.uk
gmtigers@hotmail.co.uk
GET SMART - TRAIN AT TIGERS GYM IN LEEDS
GYM No: 07932620893
GYM No: 07787390202
EMAIL: gmtigers@hotmail.co.uk
GYM No: 07932620893
GYM No: 07787390202
EMAIL: gmtigers@hotmail.co.uk
