There aren’t many boxers in the world who have had the career path of Craig Derbyshire. Many start out as prospects, build an undefeated record, face a top opponent and lose, then fade into retirement. The opposite can be said for Derbyshire, who turned professional in 2014 to make some money without any promotional backing.
The 32-year-old started out in mixed, semi-professional and professional martial arts, in addition to Muay-Thai. However, he preferred standing combat. Fighting was not for him. In 2014, he transitioned to boxing and began a story on par with many of the journeymen who practice the sport today. In the visiting corner, he compiled a record of 0-9 in his initial nine games. But he was happy and made money.
Fighting between 113 and 128 pounds, in 2017, Derbyshire had caused the occasional upset victory over local fighters. Anthony Smith was a 6-0 super flyweight prospect with his eyes on the Central Area title. Despite his record, at the time, of 4-20-3, Derbyshire was approved to fight Smith for the belt. He took a month off to prepare; a decision he justified when he floored Smith twice on his way to a narrow points victory.
“I took it a lot more seriously when I started fighting for titles,” Craig explained. “I would take four weeks off work, train hard and eat a proper diet. You just notice the difference when you train a little harder and try a little harder.”
Seven fights followed, all lost, including a competitive points upset against Tommy Frank for the Derbyshire Central Area belt. But then, in late 2018, his career accelerated.
He captured a Central Area title at bantamweight by knockout and followed that up with an English championship win against Nathan Reeve in 2019. He then lost that belt to Marcel Braithwaite, who is scheduled to fight for a world title in 2024, via a close fight. majority decision.
His streak of title fights continued with a points victory against undefeated Joe Maphosa to regain the English super flyweight crown. A shot at Tommy Frank’s British flyweight title in 2022 resulted in a split draw. Many believe Derbyshire had done enough to dethrone the Sheffield champions. A unanimous decision loss to Conor Butler, for the Commonwealth flyweight title, appeared to mark the beginning of Derbyshire’s glorious run of title fights.
But then Matt Windle, the reigning Commonwealth light flyweight champion, came into view, as Derbyshire’s sixth consecutive title fight beckoned. The humble and friendly Windle was supported by Dennis Hobson.
“Because Matt was with Fightzone, they put him on and gave him a light flyweight opportunity,” Doncaster’s finest told me. “He never would have had that opportunity, so it just happened that Matt had it (the title) and I can go down to that weight.”
In the glamorous location of the Cayman Islands, and one pound under the 108lb light flyweight limit, Derbyshire put on the performance of his career.
“I was expecting the full 12 (rounds),” he said. “I felt really strong. As soon as I got in there, he hit me a couple of times and because I’ve been around such heavy people, throughout my boxing career, even in MMA the lowest weight (that I fought at) was 57kg, I fought in 48 kg. , (weighed) 20 pounds more than Matt. When he hits me with a super flyweight or a bantamweight; big power difference.”
“I hit him so hard that my hand was swollen after the fight. I still can’t hit a bag (two weeks later). “That’s how hard I hit him when he was there.”
“I caught him and his legs went stiff. I caught him with a right hand and his whole body went rigid.”
He punched Windle wide, who was taken out of his corner at the end of the fifth round. The Commonwealth Light Flyweight title was added to Craig’s collection, live on Fightzone, and once again from the away corner, under the tutelage of ever-present trainer Carl Greaves.
“It just shows, when I got to that (108 pounds), how much better I was. I felt better, I felt stronger. I felt like it just fell into place. “It was definitely the right weight.”
He finally found his best fighting weight after 42 fights, almost all of them in two or three weight divisions above his top weight class. Surprisingly, he believes he can take his 32-year-old body to an even lighter weight.
“I really think I would be at 105, minimum weight, that’s where my weight would be and where I would be best.”
Running approximately 70 to 80 miles per week helps keep your physique completely fat-free. He is also eligible to run any major marathon in the world thanks to the time of 2:38 hours achieved at the Manchester Marathon.
“I really think I’m underweight at light flyweight, (but) there’s no one else in Britain to fight.”
Only one fighter in Britain, according to Boxrec, is at light flying, and none at minimum weight. Additionally, BBBofC does not recognize any of the divisions. Without a big promoter backing him and flying international opposition, fighting below 108 or even 112 pounds was never an option. But that could soon change.
“I don’t think I’m 100% sure,” he revealed, “but I think Carl and Dennis (Hobson) could co-manage me from now on. “I think that was part of the deal, if I won the Commonwealth (title).”
“Hopefully that can open some doors for me and maybe even fight on the corner at home for once in my life!”
With Hobson and Fightzone backing him, the sky is the limit for a man who was lucky enough to obtain even a BBBofC license without amateur experience. Officials reportedly smiled when Derbyshire told them he wanted to win a British title as a professional. With Area, English and Commonwealth belts adorning his trophy cabinet, don’t be surprised if this fairy tale culminates in a British title or something even better among his collection.
He will no doubt have his eye on his former opponent, Conor Butler, when he takes on Jay Harris for the British, Commonwealth and European flyweight championships early next year.
Across the boxing spectrum, it would be hard to believe to find a boxer who has faced 22 undefeated opponents (minus debutants), who is 5-3-1 in title fights and 4-26-3 in non-title fights, who is a current main champion, and who did EVERYTHING as a visiting fighter.
Furthermore, his legacy within British boxing will live on long after he hangs up his gloves. The figurative silhouette of him is on all the newly created championship belts in the Central Area, such is the high regard he is held in that region, as well as the United Kingdom in general.
