By Gav Duthie: By the very definition of the pound for pound concept it is difficult to compare U.S to UK boxing. The United states of America has the worlds 3rd biggest population of 318,480,000 compared to the United Kingdom at 22nd with 64,105,700 so fighter for fighter America should be much better. However, it doesn’t stop us arguing about it. Lets have a look at the best 5 p4p from each side of the pond and compare and contrast.

America

1. Mayweather
2. Ward
3. Hopkins
4. Bradley
5. Crawford

United Kingdom

1. Froch
2. Khan
3. Frampton
4. Brook
5. Fury

Mayweather v Froch

These are the countries two best fighters respectively and also the biggest money makers. Obviously I wouldn’t even attempt to make a case for Froch being a better p4p boxer than Mayweather. Froch can certainly boast selling out 80,000 tickets at Wembley stadium but believe me if Mayweather ever decided to come to the UK to fight the likes of Amir Khan he would sell out Wembley no problem. Carl wants to fight Chavez in Vegas but i’m pretty sure he isn’t as popular in the states as Mayweather is here. Froch always gives us entertaining fights but weather you love him or hate him Mayweather will always be the box office king.

Boxing Ability – Mayweather
Entertainment – Froch
Marketability – Mayweather
Popularity – Mayweather

Andre Ward v Amir Khan

I decided not to include David Haye in the UK top 5 as he hasn’t fought in so long and I was tempted to do the same with Ward. Andre isn’t only America’s number 2 p4p he is the worlds 2nd best but few want to watch him fight. Amir Khan is box office. To his own detriment he gets into battles with his suspect chin but it makes you want to watch him. Amir seems to think he is better than the rest of the world does considering he has avenged none of his defeats but people watch to see him get knocked out or to put on a dazzling performance. Conversely people avoid Ward, opponents feel they are an unlikely to beat him and unlike with Mayweather you won’t get the big payday to fight the American.

Boxing Ability – Andre Ward
Entertainment – Amir Khan
Marketability – Amir Khan
Popularity – Amir Khan

Hopkins v Frampton

This is a difficult one to compare because Hopkins is at the end of his career whilst Frampton is just beginning. Bernard is one of the best fighters of all time and is a great character. He is popular in America but in the UK the last fight people probably bothered to watch was against Calzaghe. He hasn’t knocked anyone out since De La Hoya and his style is to spoil the opponents work. Frampton will probably end up being the UK’s number 1. Being that he is exciting and from Ireland he has the potential to create a huge cult following in his own country. There are great potential fights for both at 175 there is Kovalev and Stevenson and at 122 there is Rigondauex, Santa Cruz and a Uk showdown with Mancunian Scott Quigg. Frampton doesn’t really have any US popularity but is likely to make a lot of money at home.

Boxing Ability – Bernard Hopkins
Entertainment – Carl Frampton
Marketability – Bernard Hopkins
Popularity – Bernard Hopkins

Bradley v Brook

On paper Brook has a better record but in reality there is no comparison. Tim Bradley has been mixing with World class talent since he shocked and dethroned Junior Witter. Despite this and other big wins over Devon Alexander, Ruslan Provodnikov, Miguel Vasquez, Manny Pacquaio and Juan Manuel Marquez he has never been hugely popular probably due to his style. In the UK people are excited about Kell Brook but at the same time are getting fed up of his lack of quality of opposition. Kell travels across the pond to finally fight Shawn Porter and if he wins a domestic showdown with Amir Khan would probably sell out a football stadium again. Tim Bradley actually offered Brook a title shot a few years back but Hearn decided to go for Devon Alexander instead. It is still highly possible that these two could meet but how much interest would there be. Its fair to say that in the states Kell Brook has about as much boxing credibility as Kelly Brook at the moment but if he beats Porter that can change. If he added Amir Khan to his CV then he could be in line to fight Mayweather but there is a lot of ifs, buts and maybe’s there.

Boxing Ability – Tim Bradley
Entertainment – Kell Brook
Marketability – Tim Bradley (just)
Popularity – Kell Brook
If they fought – Bradley UD

Terence Crawford v Tyson Fury

Crawford is a bit like Frampton in that he could possibly end up the US number 1 fighter in a couple of years. He is fighting at 136 lbs at present but with his height and reach he will definitely settle as a welterweight in due course. There are a huge amount of opportunities for big fights. As for Fury I would be surprised if anyone buys a ticket or one of his fights again. Of course he is blameless in some instances but after 4 call offs in the last year (Haye x2, Chisora, Ustinov) fans are understandably frustrated. About 90% of the public are watching Fury because they want to see him get knocked out but that is not always a bad thing for a fighter.

Boxing Ability – Terence Crawford
Entertainment – Terence Crawford
Marketability – Terence Crawford
Popularity – Terence Crawford

As a Brit myself I am proud of the contribution we make to boxing’s best around the world but its fair to say that America still has the greatest pound for pound or otherwise.