Henry Wharton (boxer)


Henry Wharton is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 1998. He challenged three times for super middleweight world championships; the WBC twice, firstly in 1994 and again in 1997, and the WBO title in 1994. At regional level, he held the British super middleweight title in 1992; the Commonwealth super middleweight title from 1991 to 1996; and the EBU European super middleweight title from 1995 to 1996. Wharton is best remembered for his world title fights with Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank in 1994.

Personal life

In 2012, Wharton was involved in a fight where he was cut with a machete as he fought three men. North Yorkshire Police said when speaking to York Press "He's lucky to be alive". A few days earlier he was hit by a car after he reportedly tried to intervene in a pre-arranged bare-knuckle fight between members of the travelling community.
He currently resides in York. In 2013, Henry's Gym Opened up on York Road. He is currently training professional George Davey who is signed under Frank Warren.

Professional career

Early career

Wharton made his professional debut on 21 September 1989, scoring a first-round technical knockout victory over Dean Murray at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, England. After winning his next 9 fights, 7 by knockout, Wharton won the vacant Commonwealth super middleweight title on 27 June 1991, beating Australian Rod Carr via points decision. On 30 October, Wharton fought Lou Gent to a draw, retaining his Commonwealth title. He won his next three fights, two by stoppage, before challenging Fidel Castro Smith for the British super middleweight title on 23 September 1992, winning the title by points decision. Wharton won his next three fights, all by stoppage, bringing his record to 18-0-1.

World championship attempts

On 26 February 1994, Wharton challenged Nigel Benn for the WBC super middleweight title at Earls Court Exhibition Hall, London, England. It would be Benn's fifth defence of the WBC title. Wharton went the distance with Benn, but ultimately lost by unanimous decision, with the three judges scoring the bout 117-112, 116-114 and 116-113.
His second attempt at a world title came just 10 months later on 10 December 1994, against undefeated WBO super middleweight champion Chris Eubank at G-Mex Centre, Manchester, England. It would be Eubank's fifteenth defence of his world title. Wharton again lost by unanimous decision, with the judges’ scorecards reading 118-112, 116-112 and 115-113.
Wharton's third and final chance at world honours came on 3 May 1997 at Nynex Arena, Manchester, England, against undefeated WBC super middleweight champion Robin Reid in what was Reid's second defence of the belt. Wharton lost by majority decision with scores of 118-111, 117-113 and 114-114.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Win27-3-1 Kostiantyn OkhreiTKO6 26 Sep 1998Barbican Centre, York, England.png" />
30Win26-3-1 Franklin EdmondsonUD828 Mar 1998Boardwalk Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S..png" />
29Loss25-3-1 Robin ReidMD123 May 1997For WBC super middleweight title
28Win25-2-1 Rick ThornberryTKO5 23 Oct 1996North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, England.png" />Retained Commonwealth super middleweight title
27Win24-2-1 Stephane NizardPTS104 Jun 1996Barbican Centre, York, England.png" />
26Win23-2-1 Vincenzo NardielloTKO6 13 Jan 1996Retained EBU European super middleweight title
25Win22-2-1 Sam StoreyKO4 11 Nov 1995Retained Commonwealth & EBU European super middleweight titles
24Win21-2-1 Mauro GalvanoKO4 8 Jul 1995For vacant EBU European super middleweight title
23Loss20-2-1 Chris EubankUD1210 Dec 1994For WBO super middleweight title
22Win20-1-1 Sipho MoyoKO1 26 Oct 1994Leeds Town Hall, Leeds, England.png" />Retained Commonwealth super middleweight title
21Win19-1-1 Guy StanfordRTD3 10 Sep 1994National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England.png" />
20Loss18-1-1 Nigel BennUD1226 Feb 1994For WBC super middleweight title
19Won18-0-1 Ron AmundsenTKO8 7 Oct 1993
18Won17-0-1 Royan HammondTKO3 1 Jul 1993
17Win16-0-1 Ray DomengeTKO3 7 Apr 1993
16Win15-0-1 Fidel Castro SmithPTS1223 Sep 1992Banqueting Suite, Elland Road, Leeds, England.png" />Retained Commonwealth super middleweight title;
Won British super middleweight title
15Win14-0-1 Rod CarrTKO8 8 Apr 1992Retained Commonwealth super middleweight title
14Win13-0-1 Kenny SchaeferKO1 19 Mar 1992
13Win12-0-1 Nicky WalkerPTS1023 Jan 1992
12Draw11-0-1 Lou GentDraw1230 Oct 1991Retained Commonwealth super middleweight title
11Win11-0 Rod CarrPTS1227 Jun 1991Won vacant Commonwealth super middleweight title
10Win10-0 Frank MintonKO7 9 May 1991
9Win9-0 Francisco LaraKO1 21 Mar 1991Dewsbury, England.png" />
8Win8-0 Dino StewartPTS831 Oct 1990Wembley Conference Centre, London, England.png" />
7Win7-0 Chuck EdwardsKO1 18 Oct 1990
6Win6-0 Juan ElizondoTKO3 11 Apr 1990
5Win5-0 Joe PottsKO4 3 Mar 1990Wembley Arena, London, England.png" />
4Win4-0 Guillermo ChavezKO1 11 Jan 1990
3Win3-0 Ron MalekTKO1 5 Dec 1989
2Win2-0 Mike AubreyPTS625 Oct 1989
1Win1-0 Dean MurrayTKO1 21 Sep 1989Harrogate, England.png" />