http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A28773930 Came across this whilst idling at work today and got me thinking- just how strong are this contingent of British World Champs... IMO (and in no particular order) 1. Joe Calzaghe- Even the haters have to accept that the Kessler win shows Joe is top 5 P4P, at worst. One of the best Euro fighter's ever. 2. Junior Witter- probably the most legitimate challenge to Hatton at 140? 3. Clinton Woods- very underrated. Much improved from fighter schooled in 2002 by RJJ and should be looking for big match-up with Chad Dawson/B-Hop if can't get Calzaghe early 2008. 4. David Haye- big win v Mormeck in Paris: now arguably the best cruiserweight in the world. Division is :shit: though... 5. Enzo Maccarinelli- legitimate challenge to Haye at Cruiserweight but typical protected Warren fighter. Hard to judge. 6. Gavin Rees- typical Warren paper champion, though took his shot well and deserves props for his efforts, ABC or no. 7. Ricky Hatton- even if he loses to PBF next week, does anyone really believe him not to be the best 140lb out there (bar Attraction)? How about you guys? MTF
No doubt it's a great time for British boxing junkies. But let me ask this - we know the top players, but who are some of the guys on the way up? The guys winning now won't last at the top forever, but we rarely hear about talent on the rise on that side of the pond (aside from Amir Khan, who nobody seems very fond of :: ). BTW - there was a very good article on Junior Witter in the latest issue of The Ring magazine (The one w/ Kelly Pavlik on the cover).
Well, I rate Khan as the best prospect in boxing...but it's a pretty empty wagon. Hatton isn't a world champ. One of the best fighters in the world? Sure. But he's not a world champ.
Good question. Shobox used to do a pretty good job of showcasing some British talent, but I can't remember the last time they ventured over the pond.
Alex Arthur, for all his faults, is still there or there abouts... And Amir Khan will definately win a ABC belt, but he really is chinny (he got KTFO in the ABA Amateurs in 2005) and that will be his downfall Scott Harrison was/is a legitimate WC when he is sober :: Takaloo holds some hideous ABC Welterweight belt, methinks? For all of that, there is a real surge in amateur talent coming through in the UK. 4 medals in the recent Worlds Am Champs and consistent good showings at world level (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7122338.stm) is further proof of a real surge of interest/talent over here. And with depth, too... opcorn: MTF (The boy Frankie Gavin is the business also, BTW)
Hatton doesn't hold any kind of 'decent' belt, but I think he has some kind of IBO belt or other... :dunno: MTF
I really, REALLY want to rate him, and he is very exciting, but in a Naseem Hamed kind of way- I suspect he'll blow bums outta there in quick time but he is DEFINATELY chinny... :dunno: MTF
yeah, but those guys are way past the prospect level - esp. Takaloo and Harrison. But one I (and you as well!) forgot about is John Murray. I've actually seen him live (he was on Lacy-Reid u/c in Tampa) and caught a few of his fights via DVD. I like him a lot and can see him making some noise at lightweight, or wherever he lands whenever he's ready to make his run. If I'm not mistaken, he's supposed to be on Telefutura next week. Thanks for the link on the ammy fighters, I will be sure to track their progress as well.
He's the linear junior welter champ, and made his most recent defense against the perceived #1 contender. It's good enough for me. It's not like Casa, sitting on whatever lead he believes he stil has. Or Hopkins, seemingly disinterested in fighting any light heavyweights. (that's even if you regard Hopkins as THE light heavy champ, which quite a few don't).
No, you are correct. To be fair to the kid, he got knocked down but he got up and broke the guy's (Willie Limond) jaw in the next round. The fight was stopped one round later... The thing is, Limond is generally regarded as solid, a decent pro BUT feather fisted. And Khan was in big trouble- it was not a flash KD. A decent/good puncher/finisher would have done for Amir. Warren will put him no-where near anything like one EVER, on that evidence alone. And he got KTFD in the ABA's (UK Amateur Championships) right after his Silver in 2004.
Not sure about the Brits, but that wasn't the USA top team...maybe not even the 2nd or 3rd. Qa'id Muhammad is my favorite USA ammy. Cuba skipping out on the world ams made the USA look a lot better...I assume it helped the Brits, as well.
As it goes, I wouldn't have included him, but people would have moaned if I didn't, so I stuck him in because: 1. He has some belt or other 2. He is the linear, fairly undisputed 140 champ (belt or no) I'll accept the converse, 'letter of the law' argument against though!!
Again, he got up and won on points. You are (partially) correct. I stand by my general point, though. He is very quick, has excellent hand speed and a raw natural talent. But he is chinny. Neither Craig Watson not Willie Limond should not be dropping the lad.
Yeah, the Cuban drop-out helped all, BUT, the UK didn't expect ANY medal at all, even with the Cuban withdrawal. Once he has a few pro bouts, I shall be the first to start the Frankie Gavin Bandwagon. Watch out for this lad. Cubans or no- he is the business... MTF opcorn:
I go by the 'letter of the law' for a lot of reasons. For example, if someone is going to call Hatton a world champ...does his fight against Castillo count as a defense? If so, of what? It's not so much that I think he shouldn't be a world champ, but if wants to dance with the IBF, then he's to blame when they act stupid.
He is, he will, and again I say the depth really is there at the mo. We've had some good fights on terrestrial TV here over the last 18 months (Hatton-Tszyu, Calzaghe - Lacy, all Amir Khan) and interest is growing again. Should be interesting...opcorn: So what of the dudes listed? ::
Again, and I reiterate, I would NOT have put him on my opening list miKE. Hence he was the last one I typed (after a bit of thought). But the pedant's would have questioned, so I included... :tease: It's odd, because, after Haye beat Mormeck a few weeks ago, the British commentator said "how does it feel to be the 7th British World Champ" and Haye said "Actually, I'm the third, with JC and Hatton". Caused a bit of a stir (Ortho felt it something of a slur, certainly...)
:: I still get it sent to my house for some reason. I don't remember the last time I re-upped, but hey if they want to give me free shit, I shall read free shit while I shit. Speaking of shit - most of this issue was. The way half of the articles were written, it's the closest they've come to an admission that they are way behind the times and rapidly losing ground to us Web-based hacks :bears:
mikE - fuck me, sometimes you come out with some crap. Khan is no good. He'll be an Audley level fighter. He is a fast handed amateur, he'll be fucking BASHED when he steps up to world clas
I'm sure I'll be here to take a bet. He's already at Audley level. Graham Earl good enough for you or do you want to wait? Sure, his chin isn't strong enough to make mE overly confident, but as far as what he brings in natural ability/age/power/potential I put him a little bit above the Dirrells, Ward, and others I rate highly. The guy is a phenomenal talent. And...while he might not match up with a crusher like Pacquiao, he matches up great with a smotherer like Juan Diaz. As soon as he shows he can go 12 strong, I think he'd clearly beat Diaz. Let's say when he's got another year under his belt or so.
