Spencer Oliver was born on 27 March 1975 in Barnet, London, into a boxing family. He began training at age seven under his late father, Jimmy Oliver, a respected trainer who also coached future stars Dereck Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Spencer won his first bout on his eleventh birthday and went on to a stellar amateur career, winning 75 of 85 fights, the 1994 ABA Bantamweight title, a silver medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, and being named London’s Amateur Boxer of the Year.

He turned professional in 1995, and in May 1997 became European (EBU) super-bantamweight champion by defeating Bulgaria’s Martin Krastev, successfully defending the title three times against Serge Poilblan, Vincenzo Belcastro, and Fabrice Benichou.

In May 1998, defending his title again against Sergey Devakov at the Royal Albert Hall, Oliver suffered a life-threatening injury — a blood clot in his brain caused by a torn vessel — and was counted out in the tenth round, his first professional loss. His cutman, Eddie Carter, is credited with helping save his life by directing paramedics to sedate him. The injury ended his career with a professional record of 14 wins and 1 loss.

Since retiring, Spencer has built a broadcasting career as a regular Sky Sports and pundit and commentator alongside Andy Clarke and Johnny Nelson, and co-hosts the boxing podcast Pound for Pound with Jake Wood. He also runs his own boxing schools in Edgware, London, and describes boxing as central to his identity. He married Louise in 1997 and both share a son, Kane. He recently married his current wife, Nicolata in the Little White Chapel, Las Vegas.