UK boxing on the rise
February 17th, 2010
By Ronny Jordan: In recent years the UK has produced some great fighters. Throughout the 80s there was Barry Mcguigan, Lloyd Honeyghan. The 90s Naseem Hamed, Lennox Lewis, and more recently Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe plus more. All great champions of there time and will be remembered and loved by the UK public.
Apart from these few however most have fallen short at the very top level. Not always, but generally the UK has dominated the European scene but never the world. This might be changing however.
The fighters soon to be challenging for world honors are, Nathan Cleverly, Mitchell, Kell Brook, Rendall Munroe and Matthew Macklin. There all capable or competing and winning at world level. Mitchell especially has improved so much this past year. His trainer Jimmy Tibbs has added another dimension to his impressive speed and power. In his own words he’s become a thinking fighter, and to me he now looks complete. With the up and coming Olympians all improving by the day, and also others staking there claim like Barker, Groves, O’Donnell and Murray. Can we start calling this a golden generation of UK boxers?
In addition to this, American boxing is heading towards somewhat of a slump by there own very high standards. The last 10 years has seen some of the greatest fighters in history like Jones, Mayweather, Hopkins and Winky Wright but there all heading towards the final years of there career and if truth be told Roy Jones Jr. (who I consider one of the greatest of all time) should of retired in 2008 after the Felix Trinidad fight.
Although they still have great fighters like Paul Williams, Andre Ward, Timothy Bradley and more. None of them are unbeatable. With out even mentioning America’s heavyweight scene (if you can call it that), looking through each weight division, they just haven’t got the superstars anymore. When these talented UK fighters hit there prime, they will not only be world title contenders, but also wining belts.
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ronan
I think you will find Barry McGuigan is definately British.
@shadowbox
your a fool.Calzaghe retired undefeated and in his last few fights fought and beat names like Roy Jones and B Hop both in their back yards. The UK is tiny in size so does very well in that respect. Also Mexican fighters are awesome i’ll’ give you that one.
barry mcguigan is not british he’s irish
So your saying the likes of Hatton has dodged credible opponents? Kosta, Collazo, Mayweather, Pac to name a few. . .
Sorry brits but all you champs are paper champs and dondge anyone whoe is a threat and all your prospects are really average fighters nothig special, not to mention that most of your top fighters have glass jaws.
one more khuram khan.remember me.khuram khan.
Shadowbox – how many great mexicans have there been in the last ten years above middleweight – great in the lower divisions admittedly. Rubbish in the higher ranks.
brilliant article!!! well written and beautiffully put!
what an article!!!! the best ive read on here so far!!! im not even enlish im american but that was one hell of a well written article… someone should give this man a job!!! he knows his sh!
Last time I looked you lot were repping a LA residing faliure by the name of Arreola. David Haye, Carl Froch, Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan, Kevin Mitchell, Matthew Macklin, Frankie Gavin, James de Gale, Derek Chisora, Joe Murray. . . .All in contention or champions. And I gaurantee the Hitman blasts JMM away in 12 come summer.
Sorry brits but you never have and never will be able to compete with Mexico’s greatness in the sport.
Totally, great to bring up, but article could have been more indepth. In particular, UK boxing is healthy on all fronts, from 50k crowds, 700k PPV fights for a fighter the mainstream hardly knew of and an extremely healthy infastructure; (Amateur to Paid ranks) these shores are enjoying a great time in the sport. If only the TV stations could exploit this? SKY are doing a great job, but others could take a note from our continents partners and make this great passion more accessible. Mark my words, the United Kingdom of Great Britain will have 6+ World champions by fall, and another 4 in waiting. Even fighters like Macerinelli and Rees could make suprise this year, do not bet against it, and what a great foundation that is to have for 2010. Coupled with the Americans downturn in quality and attendance (rightly pointed out by Ronnie) of late, this is a real opportunity to make a mark on the World stage. This is a good time for British Boxing. Brit Power and Pinoy grit. Step aside Americans and Mexicans, theres a new cowboy in town.
Amir Khan, Carl Froch and David Haye are currently flying the flag for British boxing. Then there is Kevin Mitchell, Nathan Cleverly and Kell Brook – these guys are on the road to becoming world champions themselves. Mitchell will be the first of these three to get there as I believe he will beat Katsidis and be WBO lightweight champion before the summer.
De Gale looks great but it is very early in his career, Floyd Mayweather did not want to spar with him though, ha.
John Murray looks good and lets not forget that we still have Ricky Hatton. Personally I hope Hatton comes back with a bang and goes for Bradley or Alexander. It really is looking good for British boxing in 2010.
Yes uk and europe has given us great talents, the US is on a talent and economic down turn