Britain’s heavyweight boxing landscape is flourishing, boasting a roster that includes names such as Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Fabio Wardley, alongside the legendary Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. While the professional scene enjoys a high profile, the amateur ranks are also producing promising talent, and one young boxer in particular is beginning to attract attention. Damar Thomas, a 21‑year‑old south‑paw from London standing an imposing six‑foot‑six, is positioning himself as a serious Olympic hopeful. If he can add more international medals to his résumé, he could very well become the next British heavyweight star.
Thomas’s first appearance at the Commonwealth Games will take place on Wednesday, marking his debut in the tournament’s boxing competition. He describes the event as another stepping stone in his career, emphasizing that the size of the stage does not change his approach.
"It’s going to be great to fight in Glasgow. I’m taking it as another competition," he told Sky Sports.
"It doesn’t matter how big it is, I’ll treat it like any other bout and give it my all." The Scottish city will host a deep field of competitors, and Thomas knows that only flawless preparation and peak physical condition will give him a chance at the top prize. "I need to be in the best shape possible and do everything I can to achieve the result I want – the gold medal," he added.
Last year, Thomas fell just short of securing a medal at the World Championships, where he faced the seasoned Cuban veteran Julio La Cruz. La Cruz, already a two‑weight Olympic champion and five‑time World gold medallist, had moved up a division and used his experience to outmaneuver the young Briton, ultimately winning a decision.
The loss, while disappointing, proved to be a valuable learning experience for Thomas. "Since I boxed La Cruz, I know what I could have done better.
You take the positives with the negatives. I’ve worked on my mistakes and built on the things I did well," he reflected. Since that bout, Thomas has embarked on an impressive winning streak. He captured gold at the European Under‑23 Championships, where he recorded two stoppages – a second‑round knockout in the final and a first‑round finish in the quarter‑finals.
He repeated a similar performance at the prestigious Strandja Tournament, often described as a mini‑World Championship, by dispatching Brazil’s Joao Batista Gomes Da Silva in a single round on his way to the title. These victories demonstrate his capacity to dominate opponents and suggest a trajectory that could lead him to the very top of the amateur ranks. Thomas’s teammates from England also enjoyed a strong opening day at the Commonwealth Games. Ellis Trowbridge, the son of three‑weight world champion Duke McKenzie, overwhelmed Vanuatu’s Ricksen Nomleas in the 55 kg division, earning a referee‑stopped victory in just over a minute.
Lauren Mackie out‑scored Kenya’s Amina Faki at 54 kg, while lightweight Lucy Kings‑Wheatley defeated Papua New Guinea’s Petronella Nokenoke. Patris Mughalzai, another member of the Powerday Hooks club alongside Thomas, secured a unanimous decision over Ghanaian welterweight Abdul Wahid Omar.
Other English prospects to watch include flyweight Ruby White, who is slated to fight on Monday, London welterweight Sacha Hickey and heavyweight Isaac Okoh, both scheduled for Tuesday, and Olympian Chantelle Reid, who will step into the ring on Wednesday. Their performances will add depth to England’s medal hopes across multiple weight classes. For boxing fans, the Commonwealth Games provide a platform to see rising talent in a high‑stakes environment.
Thomas himself is determined to prove that the progress he has made since his World Championship disappointment is real and sustainable. "I was gutted to lose in the quarter‑finals of the World Championships," he admitted.
"Since then I’ve made huge strides, and I’m going to show everyone what I’m capable of when they watch me in Glasgow. The work I’ve put in is paying off, and I intend to carry that momentum forward to win gold." Beyond the Commonwealth Games, the broader boxing calendar remains busy. Upcoming marquee match‑ups such as Edgar Berlanga versus Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins versus Ricardo Salas will be broadcast live from New York on Sky Sports, with streaming options available on NOW without a contract.
These events, alongside the amateur showcase in Glasgow, illustrate the vibrant and interconnected world of British boxing, where professional champions and amateur hopefuls alike inspire the next generation. As the Commonwealth Games progress, all eyes will be on Damar Thomas.
His blend of size, technical skill, and a growing record of decisive victories positions him as a genuine contender for the gold medal. Whether he can translate his recent successes into Commonwealth triumph will be a key indicator of his readiness for future Olympic competition and perhaps even a professional career that follows in the footsteps of Britain’s heavyweight greats.