Who is Tom Ansell?
Campbell 'Hurricane' Hatton (12-0, 5KO) will face Tom Ansell (10-4, 2KO) tonight at the O2 Arena in London on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius heavyweight showdown.
But who is the 'Hurricane's' 13th foe? Find out all about him below:
Tom Ansell was born February 4, 1993, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
He attended Purwell Primary School and Highfield School.
Tom only started boxing to gain some extra fitness for another sport. When he began to spar, he found he was knocking his opponents out.
Before he became a boxer, he was a rugby player for Letchworth Rugby Club with former professionals such as James Tyrell. He was captain of the University of Bedfordshire team – where he studied sport, exercise, science and coaching. He was also captain of the Herts U23s and ‘Sevens’ teams.
He first experienced a few unlicensed bouts, then he entered a reality boxing show promoted by Francis Warren, called Total Combat, which was aired on BT Sport and BoxNation. He explained, “It was a different concept where you have one six minute round where you have to knock down your opponent – but while the clock ticks down, the money ticks down.”
He won his first fight in Total Combat, but broke his ribs doing so.
Frank Warren was all set to sign Ansell after seeing him in action, but a broken hand, sustained while playing rugby, sidelined him for 18 months.
Originally trained by Essex-based trainer Mark Massow, Tom's pro debut was in June 2017. He went six fights unbeaten until he met one of the UK's toughest journeymen in Chris Adaway in March 2019, losing the four-rounder on points.
In March 2022, he narrowly lost to Sajid Abid in a 10-round eliminator for the English super-lightweight Title. The fight was described as a barnstormer by George Storr: "Both men will be proud of their efforts and Ansell’s stock may rise even in defeat, as the pair entertained the York Hall (London) crowd in a highly competitive bout."
One year later, he challenged Denis Denikajev for the Southern Area super-lightweight title, losing 93-96 on points.
Tom Ansell was badly beaten in his previous fight with Aaron Prospere in a York Hall main event. He was knocked out for the first time in his career, just 147 seconds into the 10-round contest. He was hurt by a right hand to the temple and backed off to the ropes where Prospere continued to bombard him with successive right hands until he opened up to fight back and was caught with a hard right hook to his chin and sent crashing to the floor.
He is signed to London promoter, Steve Goodwin.
Tom trains with Tony Pill at the Elite Fitness Academy gym in Hitchin.
Tom describes himself as durable, powerful and strong: "My strengths are that I'm very aggressive. I'm very powerful at this weight. I'm quite big for this weight now. I've managed to keep my power all the way through. I'm also very fit. I think people underestimate just how fit I am. I just have to keep going."
He runs at least 30k every week and incorporates 'lamppost sprints' into his roadwork.
His brother, Graham, helps with his PT sessions. Like his brother, Tom is also a Personal Trainer.
He has revealed his daily diet, “I eat fresh yoghurt. Flaxseed nuts. Lunch would be chicken breast and spinach with nuts and seeds. Nuts for a snack and then chicken again for dinner.”
His loyal following are called the 'Ansell Army' and he sells around £25k of tickets to fights.
His dream, for over five years now, has been to one day box at the O2 Arena, which he will now get to fulfill.
He is supported in his career by sponsors, Chicken George, owned by chefs Chris and Emily Cheah.
Tom is an avid West Ham United FC fan. He is also a massive Saracens and England rugby fan.
He is a father to a 12-year-old son, Nathan, and a dog called Mabel.
He has a tattoo of a lion wearing a crown on his upper back.
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