By Cor Lawson: The coming days will see the close of a highly eventful 2010 for British fight fans. The year ended with the following British fighters holding major recognized world titles: David Haye 25-1 (23) WBA Heavyweight, Carl Froch 27-1(20) WBC Super middleweight, Amir Khan 24-1(17) WBA junior welterweight and Ricky Burns 30-2(7) WBO super featherweight. Add to these the up and coming talents such has Nathan Cleverly 21-0 (10), the WBO interim light heavyweight champ, James DeGale 9-0(7), George Groves 11-0(9) and Kell Brook 23-0(16). Things are really looking good for 2011 on these shores. Let’s take a more in depth look at how three of these fighters have performed in 2010 and try and predict what might be in store for 2011.

David Haye had two fights in 2010, firstly in April when he took on mandatory challenger John Ruiz 44-9-1(30) putting in a solid performance in stopping the durable former champ in 9 rounds. But then in November, Haye decided to take an easy money defence over 39-year-old Audley Harrison 27-5(20), which will increased Haye’s bank balance but left a bad taste in many boxing fans mouths. Harrison had not fought one top heavyweight and had done nothing to deserve a title shot this was evident in the appalling show Harrison put on.
2010 Grade 6/10.

Haye needs to fight one of the Klitschko brothers next and by the looks of things he’s well into negations with Wladimir, which I believe Haye has a great chance of beating the younger brother who has met the canvas 11 times in his career. I don’t think Wladimir has fought anybody with Haye’s speed and power. Haye to win by TKO in round 9. Then the haymaker can have his finale against the much tougher Vitali Klitschko, a fight in which Haye would need to work more on the outside using his greater speed to outpoint the WBC champ; Prediction: David Haye Undisputed heavyweight champion.

Carl Froch has now been operating at the very highest level in he’s last 5 fights in 2010 he lost a disputed points decision to Mikkel Kessler 42-2(32) in April. The decision could of went either way. I had it a even bout and in November Froch rebounded with a career best display, easily outpointing the previously feared Arthur Abraham 31-2(25) by a 12 round unanimous decision. Froch showed a disciplined and skilled approach keeping the Armenian on the end of a ram rod jab and used every punch in the text book to regain his WBC belt and progress to the semi final stage of the super six tournament.
2010 Grade 8/10

Froch next meets Glen Johnson 51-14(35), who I believe Froch should be able to out work and point to take him on to a super fight with Andre Ward (23-0(13). The Froch-Ward fight is a 50/50 fight which might come down where the fight takes place. Ward is yet to fight outside of Oakland for some reason since the Super Six began ( Showtime wants USA winner maybe?). If Froch manages to get this fight on neutral ground then he wins on points; Prediction: Carl Froch WbA/WBC super middleweight champion and Super Six Winner.

Amir Khan began the year by stopping the feather-fisted Paulie Malignaggi 28-4(6) by 11th round TKO. Malignaggi was a handpicked opponent for Khan to gain exposure in the US but nothing was gained to silence the doubters that khan had faced a dangerous opponent since his loss to Breidis Prescott in 2008. But Khan’s last fight of 2010, a real tear up with Marcos Maidana 29-2(27), proved that Khan was prepared to mix it with the divisions hardest puncher. Khan used he’s blistering hand speed and better boxing skills to out point the game and ever dangerous Maidana. Some quarters have even claimed Maidana was robbed, but I had Khan winning by 3 rounds. Yes, Khan looked shaky through rounds 10 to 12 but showed a true fighters heart to see the fight out.
2010 grade 8/10.

Now Khan has set high standards and must not go back to defending against the likes of Malignaggi, He’s next fight should be against the winner of Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley fight and then step up to welterweight; prediction Amir Khan WBC/WBO/WBA light welterweight champion.