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Darren Morgan (boxer)

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Darren Morgan
Born (1976-10-26) 26 October 1976 (age 48)
Swansea, Wales
Other namesThe Beast from Bonymaen
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (187 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights13
Wins8
Wins by KO6
Losses5
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Wales
Four Nations Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Glasgow Super-heavyweight
Welsh National Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Ebbw Vale Super-heavyweight

Darren Morgan (born 26 October 1976) is a British former professional boxer who competed between 2005 and 2014. As an amateur, he won the WABA super-heavyweight title and a gold medal at the Four Nations Championship in 2004.

Amateur career

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Morgan competed in the 2003 European Union Amateur Championships, losing on points to eventual bronze medalist, Ahmet Aksu, in the quarterfinals.[1] Later that year, Morgan competed in an international dual match between Wales and Norway, winning by stoppage.[2]

Morgan won the 2004 WABA super heavyweight title, after defeating David Maes in the final.[3] Morgan competed in the 2004 European Amateur Championships, losing by stoppage, in the preliminaries.[4] Morgan won a gold medal at the Four Nations Championships.[5] Morgan competed in the Chowdhry Cup, which served as an olympic qualifier, losing on points, in the preliminaries.[6] Morgan competed in the 2004 European Union Amateur Championships, losing by stoppage to eventual bronze medalist, Sergey Rozhnov, in the quarterfinals.[7]

Professional career

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Early career

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Morgan turned professional under Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions banner. Morgan made his professional debut on 21 January 2005 at the Bridgend Leisure Centre in Bridgend, beating Gambian Ebrima Secka by a technical knockout (TKO) in the first round.[8] Morgan's second fight was against English heavyweight Dave Clarke at the MEN Arena in Manchester on 4 June 2005, on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's successful IBF and The Ring junior welterweight title challenge against Kostya Tszyu, winning via first-round TKO.[9] Morgan's third fight was at the International Arena in Cardiff against Englishman Tony Booth (45–48–8, 9 KOs) on 10 September 2005, winning a points decision (PTS), by 39–35.[10]

In February 2006, Morgan scored a third-round TKO victory over Radcliffe Green at the ExCeL, to take his record to 4–0.[11] In March that year, Morgan defeated István Kecskés, winning on points after four rounds.[12]

Consecutive defeats

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In May 2006, Morgan came up against the toughest test of his career in undefeated Irish heavyweight prospect, Martin Rogan (3–0, 2 KOs) in Belfast, losing a points decision.[13]

Morgan's next fight was at the York Hall in London against undefeated heavyweight Derek Chisora (2–0, 1 KO) on 13 October 2007, losing on points after four rounds. Chisora stated in 2022 that Morgan was the hardest puncher he has ever faced in his career.[14]

In January 2008, in his first fight over six rounds, Morgan faced undefeated heavyweight Sam Sexton (6–0, 2 KOs) in London, losing by PTS.[15]

Prizefighters

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On 11 April 2008, Morgan was a competitor in the inaugural Prizefighter series on Sky Sports.[16] Morgan faced David Dolan in the quarter-final, losing by unanimous decision with scores of 30–26, 30–27, and 30–27. A punishing left hook from Morgan had Dolan out on his feet and holding on in the final round.[17]

On 12 September 2008, Morgan was once again competed in the second Prizefighter series on Sky Sports.[18] Morgan faced Lee Swaby in the quarter-final, losing by unanimous decision with scores of 30–27, 30–27, and 30–27.[19]

Return to the ring

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Morgan made his ring return on 14 September 2013 at the Oceana in Swansea. He fought Egyptian Adel Badawy, winning via TKO at 26 seconds in the first round.[20] Morgan followed this victory up with another first-round stoppage win against Lithuanian Remigijus Ziausys two months later.[21]

On 24 October 2014, Morgan defeated Mateusz Gatek, scoring a TKO victory at 10 seconds in the opening round, achieving his third knockout (KO) victory in a row.[22]

Personal life

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Morgan, also known by his ring name “Daz”, hails from Ystradgynlais and has been candid about a traumatic past that has deeply influenced both his life and boxing career. In a decision that broke a long-held silence, Morgan disclosed that he and a close friend were subjected to prolonged sexual abuse beginning when they were just six years old. The perpetrator, a family friend who was later adjudicated for his actions, abused their trust over several decades. Morgan’s choice to waive his legal entitlement to anonymity was driven by a desire to empower other victims and to bring broader attention to the issue of child sexual abuse.

Morgan has attributed many of his early adult struggles—notably bouts of uncontrolled aggression—to the unresolved impact of those experiences. This inner turmoil was, in part, channeled into his boxing, where he gained recognition on the amateur and semi-professional circuits under the moniker “Bonymaen Beast.” Despite his commitment to the sport, the lingering emotional burden ultimately played a role in his decision to retire from boxing, as he felt that the personal scars prevented him from realizing his full potential.

In addition to his experiences of abuse, Morgan has faced significant personal loss, having lost his father and older brother within a few months of each other. These compounded hardships have informed his public disclosures and advocacy, as he seeks not only to reconcile with a painful past but also to foster dialogue on issues of victim support and early intervention. His revelation, coming after the conviction of his alleged abuser on multiple charges related to indecent assault, has resonated with those who remain hesitant to speak out about sexual abuse.[23]

Professional boxing record

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13 fights 8 wins 5 losses
By knockout 6 0
By decision 2 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
13 Win 8–5 Mateusz Gatek TKO 1 (4), 0:10 24 Oct 2014 Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
12 Win 7–5 Remigijus Ziausys TKO 1 (4), 1:04 29 Nov 2013 Oceana, Swansea, Wales
11 Win 6–5 Adel Badawy TKO 1 (6), 0:26 14 Sep 2013 Oceana, Swansea, Wales
10 Loss 5–5 Lee Swaby UD 3 12 Sep 2008 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England Prizefighter Series: heavyweight - quarter final
9 Loss 5–4 David Dolan UD 3 11 Apr 2008 York Hall, London, England Prizefighter Series: heavyweight - quarter final
8 Loss 5–3 Sam Sexton PTS 6 12 Jan 2008 York Hall, London, England
7 Loss 5–2 Derek Chisora PTS 4 13 Oct 2007 York Hall, London, England
6 Loss 5–1 Martin Rogan PTS 4 20 May 2006 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
5 Win 5–0 István Kecskés PTS 4 11 Mar 2006 Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
4 Win 4–0 Radcliffe Green TKO 3 (4), 1:37 25 Feb 2006 ExCeL, London, England
3 Win 3–0 Tony Booth PTS 4 10 Sep 2005 International Arena, Cardiff, Wales
2 Win 2–0 Dave Clarke TKO 1 (4), 1:34 4 Jun 2005 MEN Arena, Manchester, England
1 Win 1–0 Ebrima Secka TKO 1 (4), 2:11 21 Jan 2005 Leisure Centre, Bridgend, Wales

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By submission 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Ashley Pollard Submission (Calf Slicer) PFN - Predator Fight Night 9 November 2008 1 0:59 Swansea, Wales

References

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  1. ^ "1. European Union Championships - Strasbourg, France - June 10-14 2003". Amateur Boxing Results. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Dual Match Wales - Norway 10:6 Cardiff, Wales November 15, 2003". Amateur Boxing Results. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Welsh National Championships - Ebbw Vale - January 30 2004". Amateur Boxing Results. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  4. ^ "35.European Championships Pula, Croatia February 19-29, 2004". Amateur Boxing Results. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Four Nations Tournament - Glasgow, Scotland - April 3-4 2004". Amateur Boxing Results. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  6. ^ "8.Chowdhry Cup (olympic qualifier) Baku, Azerbaijan April 27 - May 2, 2004". Amateur Boxing Results. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  7. ^ "2.European Union Championships Madrid, Spain June 20-26, 2004". Amateur Boxing Results. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  8. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Ebrima Secka". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  9. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Dave Clarke". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  10. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Tony Booth". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  11. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Radcliffe Green". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  12. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Istvan Kecskes". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Boxing: Don't blow the chance of fighting Barrera..." Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  14. ^ Temple, Cameron (24 April 2022). "POWER Derek Chisora has fought Tyson Fury, Dillian Whyte, David Haye and Vitali Klitschko but says none punch harder than 'Welsh Beef' Darren Morgan". Talksport. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Sexton is ready to face huge challenge". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Come the revolution!". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  17. ^ "SecondsOut Boxing News - UK Boxing News - Rogan is the First Ever Prizefighter Winner". Secondsout.com. Archived from the original on 22 April 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Prizefighter is back!". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  19. ^ "Sexton takes the prize". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  20. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Adel Badawy". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  21. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Remigijus Ziausys". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  22. ^ "BoxRec: Darren Morgan vs. Mateusz Gatek". BoxRec. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Victims of abuse lift lid on childhood trauma". Brecon & Radnor Express. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Kevin Evans 		WABA super-heavyweight champion
2004 		Next:
Allan Kasongo
Previous:
Kevin Evans 		Four Nations super-heavyweight champion
2004 		Next:
David Price
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