Nicky Booth: who was Nottingham-born boxer and former British and Commonwealth champion who has died aged 40?

Tributes have poured in from the boxing world following the death of Booth
Booth was a talented young boxer with a promising career before he became addicted to cocaine (PIcture: Boxing Scene)Booth was a talented young boxer with a promising career before he became addicted to cocaine (PIcture: Boxing Scene)
Booth was a talented young boxer with a promising career before he became addicted to cocaine (PIcture: Boxing Scene)

Best known for his outstanding performances on Sky’s Fight Nights, Nicky Booth was a regular headliner alongside his brother Jason.

The promising boxer won the British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles at the age of just 20, but sadly passed away two decades later, aged 40.

Here, we look at his life, career and legacy.

Who was Nicky Booth?

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Nicky Booth was a professional boxer who held both British and Commonwealth titles for the Bantamweight division of boxing.

He was the younger brother of Jason Booth, who also held British and Commonwealth titles.

The pair made several appearances together and both were a regular face on Sky Sports in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Booth grew up in Nottingham with his two siblings - Jason, and sister Darcey. He began attending Radford boxing club aged 11, and went on to become a professional boxer.

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He had a promising beginning to his professional career, touted as one of the best bantamweight fighters of all time.

His natural talent was recognised by competitors and commentators alike - but it was his brother who was considered to have the right attitude for the sport.

Nicky’s nickname was ‘1 smooth’ and his brother’s ‘2 smooth’. The pair often boxed at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre only a short walk from the estate in Nottingham where they grew up.

This is where Booth won his British and Commonwealth title in 2001 and defended it four times.

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It was during his time as a rising British boxing star that he became a father aged 20, to his daughter Paris.

Despite the hopes of a long career in professional boxing, he became addicted to drugs and failed to pursue boxing beyond the age of 23.

How many professional fights did he win?

Throughout his professional career, Booth boxed 23 times - winning 17 fights, including his British and Commonwealth title win in 2000.

His most famous performance was in defence of this title in 2001, during which he boxed Ady Lewis at the Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre.

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Lewis appeared to be getting the better of Booth, until the seventh round when Booth ended matters with a sharp left hook.

Seven of his 17 wins were knockouts, however his last ever fight was a loss in 2009 to Nathan Sting for the WBU title. Booth had already succumbed to drugs by this stage.

Why did Nicky Booth retire?

Booth was forced into retirement at the age of 24 when he was convicted of burglary and theft, admittedly turning to crime in order to feed a cocaine habit.

He was stripped of his bantamweight titles and sentenced to two years in prison, and released on a security tag.

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Upon his release he attempted to become sober and spoke of making a comeback to the sport.

However, he constantly struggled with drug addiction and failed to make a return to the sport. He would regularly be seen at his brother’s fights before he committed a second crime in 2017.

Booth, then aged 37, was arrested for assaulting a supermarket security guard when he attempted to steal four tins of coffee.

His defence solicitor Chris Saunders told the court of the frail state of the once Boxing champion in 2017.

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Saunders said: “He comes across as a frail character nowadays,” he said. “You can see he has trouble getting his words out correctly.

“You have seen he is almost shuffling when he comes into court. He has been out of trouble for ten years and the problem is Class A drugs. When I spoke to him, he said 'I need some help.' At the moment, he has various illnesses. His immune system is currently attacking his antibodies."

Booth died just eight days before his 41st birthday, on 13 January 2021. It has not yet been confirmed how Booth died.

How have boxers paid tribute to him?

Following the news of his death, many champions and pundits from the sport have offered condolences to Booth’sfamily and have spoken highly of the sportsman.

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Former world champion, Barry Jones posted on Twitter : “After hearing the sad news of the passing of Nicky Booth. It made me think about how hard it is once you retire. So if any ex fighters are still struggling to come to terms with life without boxing, please DM me, I’ve been there or near that dark place also. A chat can only help.”

Fellow Nottingham boxer and Commonwealth featherweight champion Leigh Wood, wrote on Twitter: “Sad news coming in of the passing of a Nottingham Legend Nicky Booth who inspired many young lads including myself. Sending my love to all his friends and family #1smooth”

Pundit and Former European champion Spencer Oliver said: “Just heard the sad news that former British and Commonwealth Champion Nicky Booth has passed away, Nicky was a great little Boxer, RIP Champ”

Boxing journalist Ron Lewis spoke of Booth’s 2001 Ady Lewis fight.

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He wrote: “The fight I really remember Nicky Booth for was his great scrap with Ady Lewis, when he stopped him with a body shot. He was seriously talented, but had problems outside the ring that ended his career sadly early.”

Boxing News Magazine also shared a message, it read: “What a tremendous fighter Nicky Booth was. A former British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion who always gave his all inside the ring.

“We’re deeply saddened to hear of his passing at the age of 40. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest easy, Champ.”

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