By Gav Duthie: British boxing had been on a huge high over the last few years boasting world champions well into double figures. The numbers have dropped but the small island still has some top champions and good performers throughout the year with one standout. Here are my top 7 British fighters of the year.
7. Daniel Dubois (Razvan Cojanu KO2, Richard Lartey KO 4, Nathan Gorman KO 5, Ebenezer Tetteh KO 1, Kyotaro Fujimoto KO 2)
As Joe Joyce so eloquently put it Dubois last opponent looked like Rufio from Hook. Dubois opponents haven’t been top class but to fight 5 times in 1 year against opponents with a combined record of 86-7 he deserves respect. Of the list his most impressive win was Nathan Gorman. Many thought he would cause Dubois problems but it was a relatively easy night. 5 wins all knockouts and onto some big fights next year.
6. Calum Smith (Hassan N’Dam KO3, John Ryder UD12)
A slow year for Calum really considering the potential buzz created by his knockout victory over George Groves in 2018. That victory made Smith a world champion and arguably more importantly the Ring Magazine champion at 168lbs. He has made two defences of his WBA title against Hassan N’Dam and John Ryder. He would have been expected to win both bouts easily. Although his knockout of N’Dam was one of the best punches of the year his subsequent defence against Ryder was very poor. Many felt the underdog Ryder should have got the decision. Smith is looking at a potential fight with Canelo Alvarez in 2020 or unification bout with fellow Brit Billy Joe Saunders.
5. Dillian Whyte (Oscar Rivas UD12 , Mariusz Wach UD12)
Great 2018, terrible 2019. He has been cleared of PED charges after failing a test just prior to the Rivas bout. Taking his exoneration at face value his two wins of 2019 are actually quite good. Rivas is a top 10 fighter and Wach is tough and durable. Mentally 2019 has been awful for Whyte with all this hanging over him but now he can put it behind him and focus on a big 2020. Whyte is targeting a rematch with Anthony Joshua but will settle for Andy Ruiz Jnr or Otto Wallin.
4. Josh Warrington (Kid Galahad SD12, Sofiane Takoucht TKO2)
The standout British boxer of 2018. Warrington remains undefeated but after stellar victories over Selby and Frampton many felt he was lucky to get the nod against Kid Galahad with a split decision. His second defence was better with him scoring a rare knockout in the second round. Warrington is targeting Gary Russel Jnr or American standout amateur and newly crowned WBO champion Shakur Stevenson.
3. Tyson Fury (Tom Schwarz TKO2, Otto Wallin UD12)
His performance against Schwarz was arguably the best of any fighter P4P of the year. He absolutely embarrassed the German with his slick skills watching him punch thin air and destroying him in 2 rounds. His victory over Wallin was criticised and ultimately lead to a split with trainer Ben Davison but I thought he did well considering he suffered one of the worst cuts of 2019.
2. Derek Chisora (Senad Gashi UD12, Artur Szpilka KO2, David Price TKO 5)
A very strong year considering he was knocked out by Dillian Whyte just 2 weeks before 2019 started. I wondered if the Whyte bout would be the end but he had a great time. The fight against Gashi wasn’t great but a respected win none the less. Anyone, including myself who thought Szpilka’s movement might be a problem was completely wrong after he completely obliterated the Pole with a big right hand. His win over Price capped off a very good year. It looks almost certain he will fight Oleksandr Usyk next.
1. Josh Taylor (Ivan Baranchyk UD12, Regis Prograis UD 12)
A million miles ahead of anyone else. In fact Josh Taylor is arguably the boxer of the year for the entire sport not just the UK. Taylor won the WBSS beating 3 undefeated fighters. In 2019 he outpointed 2 world champions in Ivan Baranchyk and Regis Prograis. Both Baranchyk and Prograis were worthy world champions and will undoubtedly win titles again but Taylor just had that little bit more on both occasions. He is now the unified IBF and WBA champion so a fight for all the jewels against WBC and WBO champion Jose Ramirez seems inevitable.