Marcel Braithwaite

Marcel Braithwaite (born 3 May 1994) is an English professional boxer who is a former British and Commonwealth super-flyweight champion. He has also held the English and WBC International Silver titles in the same weight division.

A professional since 2016,[3] Braithwaite became the English super-flyweight champion with a majority decision win over defending champion Craig Derbyshire at the Bonus Arena in Hull on 26 October 2019. Two of the ringside judges scored the fight 97–93 and 96–94 respectively in his favour, while the third had it a 95–95 draw.[4]

In his next outing, he took on Sunny Edwards for the vacant British super-flyweight title at the Copper Box Arena in London on 21 December 2019. Despite knocking his opponent to the canvas in the seventh round, Braithwaite lost via unanimous decision.[5]

On 26 February 2022, it was Braithwaite who survived a knockdown to win as he climbed off the canvas in the fourth round to secure a unanimous decision victory and claim the vacant WBC International Silver super-flyweight title against Scott Allan at Grand Central Hall in Liverpool.[6]

Just over a year later, on 17 March 2023, he faced Ijaz Ahmed for the vacant British and Commonwealth super-flyweight titles. Held at the Town Hall in Dudley, the fight ended in a split draw with one judge favouring each boxer and the third seeing the contest as a tie.[7][8]

Braithwaite got a second chance at the Commonwealth belt in his next bout and this time took full advantage as he secured a unanimous decision success over Ryan Farrag at Liverpool Olympia on 9 June 2023.[9]

His first defense was a rematch with Ijaz Ahmed at the Holiday Inn in Birmingham on 20 October 2023, with the vacant British super-flyweight title also on the line. Braithwaite knocked his opponent to the canvas twice in the ninth round before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.[10][11]

Next, Braithwaite challenged IBO champion Ricardo Malajika at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa, on 5 April 2024, losing by unanimous decision.[12][13]

Braithwaite was convicted of reckless assault and criminal damage in July 2020. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order including 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 180 hours of unpaid work as well as being told to pay the victim, who was his girlfriend at the time of the offences, £1,500 in compensation. Braithwaite was also made the subject of a restraining order barring him from contacting the victim or attending her address.[14]

Away from boxing, Braithwaite is a community youth worker.[15]