Anthony Small

Anthony Small, “Sugar Ray Clay Jones Jr.”, boxed at super-welterweight (light-middleweight). Born on 20 June 1981 and listed at 5 ft 9 in, he turned professional on 12 May 2004 and finished in March 2010 with a record of 23 wins and 2 losses from 25 fights, scoring 16 knockouts.

Small’s early years were guided by Frank Warren, and his rise was swift. He debuted with a stoppage win over Lance Hall and moved through the domestic circuit with a style that defied neat labels. He often kept his hands low, relied on sharp reflexes and timing, and disrupted opponents’ rhythm with sudden shifts in angle and pace. He appeared relaxed, almost casual, then fired a quick shot through a gap that hadn’t existed a moment earlier.

By 2006, he had momentum, stopping unbeaten Prince Arron and winning rounds at York Hall and Wembley Arena. In March 2007, he joined The Contender Challenge: UK vs USA and edged Walter Wright on a split decision, proving he could keep his nerve in close contests. That summer brought his first true title-level setback when he challenged Bradley Pryce for the Commonwealth crown at the O2 Arena and was stopped in the seventh—exposing him to pressure that made instinctive boxing impossible.

Small’s best came on the rebound. In January 2008, he halted Takaloo in seven at York Hall to win the Southern Area title, then defended it by stopping George Katsimpas. Later that year, he showed he could carry power late, stopping Freddy Curiel in the tenth and blasting out Steve Conway in two. He was hard to read, with an unsteady tempo. He would coast, lure a lead, then answer with a quick burst that left his opponent recalculating.

His peak arrived on 18 July 2009 at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, when he broke down Matthew Hall and forced a stoppage in the eighth to win the British and Commonwealth super-welterweight titles. It was a performance built on pressure and volume as much as single-shot power, the kind of finish that comes from a fighter who believes he can drown you late. He defended those belts in November 2009 with a close 12-round decision over Thomas McDonagh, a fight later disputed, but that left Small still holding the Lonsdale Belt.

He then vacated the Commonwealth title and faced Sam Webb in a British title defence at Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, on 26 March 2010. After twelve close rounds, Webb won by majority decision, ending Small’s professional career with no comeback fights. The record is brief but substantial: a British and Commonwealth champion, awkward, fast-handed, unpredictable, with 16 stoppages in 23 wins, and a habit of rising to the occasion.