Spencer Oliver (boxer)

Spencer Oliver (born 27 March 1975) is an English former professional boxer. He was nicknamed "The Omen".

Spencer Oliver
Statistics
Nickname(s)The Omen
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
NationalityBritish / English
Born (1975-03-27) 27 March 1975
Boxing record
Total fights15
Wins14
Wins by KO9
Losses1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
1994 Victoria Bantamweight

Oliver won a silver medal for England in the bantamweight division at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.[1]

Professional career

From 1995 to 1998, Oliver competed as a professional. When he defeated Bulgaria's Martin Krastev in May 1997 he became the European (EBU) super bantamweight champion. He held onto the title for a year, defending it on three occasions with wins over Serge Poilblan, Vincenzo Belcastro and Fabrice Benichou.[2]

Injury

In May 1998 he sought to defend his title again with a bout against Sergey Devakov at Royal Albert Hall in London, which ended with Oliver suffering life-threatening injuries. Two minutes into the 10th round, Oliver was felled by a right hook and was counted out, the first loss of his career.[3] It then became apparent that Spencer was seriously injured, a blood clot had formed in his brain, caused by a blood vessel that had been torn from a blow he received earlier in the fight.[4] Spencer's cutman, Eddie Carter, is credited for saving his life, by instructing the paramedics to sedate the boxer in order to minimise the damage.[5] For 15 minutes he was treated in the ring by paramedics and supplied with oxygen, before being taken unconscious to Charing Cross Hospital. He was later transferred to a specialist neurology hospital and underwent a successful operation to remove the blood clot.[6]

Later life

Oliver now works as a pundit for Sky Sports and runs a boxing school in Edgware, London. He also hosts a boxing podcast with Jake Wood called Pound for Pound. [7]

References
  1. "Pugilist declares gold is for his parents". The Canberra Times. 29 August 1994. p. 27. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  2. "Boxing: Champion Thompson looks ahead to Nelson showdown". The Independent. 6 October 1997. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  3. Jones, Ken (4 May 1998). "Boxing: Why Oliver's plight is so shocking". The Independent. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  4. "Surgeon's fears for boxer". BBC News. 4 May 1998. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  5. "Oliver's good omens". Sky Sports. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  6. "Boxing champ 'out of danger'". BBC News. 6 May 1998. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  7. "Boxing Training School". boxingschool.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
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