By Erhan Bora: Many editors and commentators within the sport doubt the credentials of many British stars, but the evidence would suggest that fighters from a smaller land mass than an American state can dominate for years to come. Albeit the cruiserweights and light heavyweight divisions, British has talent holding or challenging for top honors.
Starting with the heavyweight division by the end of the year unbeaten talent Tyson Fury will be challenging Wladimir Klitschko for three world titles, which if he wins could see an all British clash against WBC #2, WBA #13, IBF #14 and WBO #3 ranked Anthony Joshua.
To address the doubts, Fury has the artillery that Jennings & company have lacked with his height advantage, orthodox/southpaw versatility and boxing skills.
Joshua is still a young prospect who has dealt with certain opponents a lot more quickly and efficiently than Wilder and Fury. Aside from the heavyweight division, the super middleweight division has one British champ in James DeGale and two world challengers in the shape of WBA challenger Frank Buglioni and WBC challenger George Groves. If you add Callum Smith, Rocky Fielding and Martin Murray who are all being pushed into world title challenger slots by Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, you can arguably doubt this is Britain’s strong division.
Inevitably, Eddie Hearn will utilize his stable to put on domestic world title fights as well as bargain with his business friend Kallie Sauerland, to get George Groves and DeGale in a unification, if Groves can get past Badou Jack on August 22nd.
The middleweight division will see an all traveler world title fight for the first time when WBO champ Andy Lee takes on WBO#1 Billy Joe Saunders later on in the year on September 19th. Andy Lee has an impressive resume, mixing it with top middleweights and is coming off a win against Matvey Korobov and draw against unbeaten champ Peter Quillin. Billy Joe’s last few opponents have amassed 72-0 and Saunders remains unbeaten although he has yet to step up to world title class. Dropping a few pounds and entering the welterweight division, IBF champion Kell Brook is seeking an American opponent for his next clash after ripping the belt from Shawn Porter and defending the strap against lesser opposition. Ranked highly within boxing publications young brook is entering his prime and as a massive welterweight can dominate a lot of the opposition ahead of him, although it will be interesting to see how he fares. If you look at the IBF welterweight rankings you could argue he could defend the title without any real trouble with good matchmaking. Amir Khan WBC #1 and WBA #2 also is a welterweight to be feared although he evidently lacks real power at the weight. It could be argued that his skills, hand speed and vigilance in the ring since his loss to Danny Garcia can help he deal with real punchers within the division.
Other divisions such as lightweight has one British champ in Terry Flanagan, one challenger in Anthony Crolla as well as possibly Kevin Mitchell and Derry Matthews in the future. Another strong division is the Super Bantamweight division with Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg holding world title straps. With more and more domestic fighters joining the Matchroom stable who are able to usher fighters in world title positions such as the case with Luke Campbell and Tommy Coyle who are fighting a WBC title eliminator all be it without facing real opposition beforehand, you can see more Brits gaining titles. Credit where credit is due, Tyson Fury and co. have worked for their title shots and Brits do need the recognition they deserve. Up until world title level the opposition are of a specific caliber in most weight divisions, and with most fighters choosing a specific governing body route, it is increasingly hard to see world class fighters put together in the ring. Kell Brook is an example of someone who had many doubters and now seems to gain some recognition, with him being mentioned as an opponent for top welterweights as well as being ranking in the top three in many publications. It is a matter of time until others follow suit such as DeGale and perhaps Fury, meaning that Britain can have one or two world title holders in the majority of weight divisions. A country with a land mass incomparable to Eastern Europe, US and others can boost a great deal of world title challengers and holders, and in the realms of boxing requires the recognition it rightly deserves. Rule Britannia.
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