The Best in British History

Whilst many people will be focusing on the much mediated decline in talent levels within boxing, it's high time we looked at the past of the sport. The past of British boxing is something to celebrate, having produced some of the biggest names in the history of the sport. So what would a blog about British boxing be without a list of some of the best to have been nurtured within the borders of our small island?

Name: Frank Bruno
Height: 6'3'
Professional Record: 40-5 (38 KO's)


Bursting onto the professional scene in 1982, heavyweight Frank Bruno went on to win his first 21 bouts all by way of knock-out. After a slight slip up, he went on to win the European heavyweight title and eventually earned himself the right to compete for a world championship before losing once more. Bruno had many victories inside the ring in a generally successful career, despite losing to both Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. Although many had already consigned him to the long list of boxing's 'nearly men', he did become a world champion, liberating the WBC world title from Oliver McCall by points decision. His record of 38 KO's in 40 wins is one of the highest in heavyweight history, and proves that he was well up there with the very best when it came to explosiveness and power.



Name: Sir Henry Cooper
Nickname(s): Our 'Enry
Height: 6'1'
Professional Record: 40-14 (27 KO's)

Having spent his childhood living in England during World War 2, Cooper was used to conflict well before he even donned boxing gloves for the first time. Well known for his infamous 'Enry's 'Ammer', which was an affectionate title for the left hook that claimed him most of his wins, particularly those that came by way of knock-out. Perhaps Sir Henry's biggest claim to fame was two of the fights that he did not win in, enthralling battles against the best ever; none other than Muhammed Ali. In the first bout, Cooper shocked the world by knocking Ali (then Cassius Clay) down in the 4th round. He might have gone on to achieve no doubt what would have been the biggest win of his career, had it not been for some dubious work from Ali's corner. Cooper won the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles and managed to gain the respect of the greatest fighter of all time with his skills in the ring. A must have in any British top ten, and a definite great of all time.




Name: Ricky Hatton
Nickname(s): The Hitman
Height: 5'6'
Professional Record: 45-2 (32 KO's)

Ricky Hatton is best known for his style within the ring, which typified that of a brawler rather a boxer. Known as a power puncher, Hatton went undefeated for his first 43 fights, and came out victorious in numerous bouts where he was labelled the underdog. He is one of the most well-known British fighters of all time, and was renown for taking huge scores of fans wherever he went. Over the course of his career, Hatton amassed six different world titles, at more than one weight level. Despite almost religiously binging on alcohol and fast food between fights, Hatton was always in prime condition when it came to fight night, and was only defeated on two occasions, once by Floyd Mayweather, in a fight which was one of the most highly anticipated of the century. He was also brutally knocked out by pound for pound superstar Manny Pacquiao, but many would argue that he was well past his best by the time he fought the Phillipino. Hatton might not have achieved the perfect record that he had been so desperate to obtain, but nevertheless, he fought frequent wars within the ring, and belongs amongst the elite.



Name: Chris Eubank
Nickname(s): Simply the Best
Height: 5'10'
Professional Record: 45-5 (23 KO's)

Despite being viewed by almost everyone as an arrogant and aloof egotist, Eubank was much misunderstood by fans, and a great fighter. Although he played upon the upper-class label that had been presented to the boxing world, Eubank grew up in a world of violence, and was in serious trouble with drugs, alcohol and crime, before his father sent him to America aged 16, where he found the sport of boxing. Eubank won all of his first 28 fights, securing the WBC International Title and the WBO Middleweight World Title in the process. After his 28th successive victory, he moved up the Super Middleweight, and the weight class where he would spent the rest of his career. Eubank combined speed, power and skill with an extraordinary showmanship which saw his fan base grow rapidly over the course of his time in the ring. His 5 losses all came within his last 9 fights, including defeats to the likes of Joe Calzaghe and Steve Collins. He will be remembered as the upper-class snob who became a champion amongst the likes of men who had grown up fighting, and will always be there or there about when it comes to the best in British history.



  
Name: Lennox Lewis
Nickname(s): The Lion
Height: 6'5'
Professional Record: 41-1-2 (32 KO's)

What list of British all time greats would be without Lennox Lewis. The massive heavyweight was one of the most dominant champions in history, and was known for his ability to work behind his thundering jab, while all the while capable of throwing huge right hands. Early on his career, Lewis became an Olympic champion, winning gold in the 1988 games. He won a series of major fights in his career and was only beaten twice. On both of these occasions his defeats were avenged with superb performances which led to victory. Lewis had the better of nearly all the other champions in his era, securing wins against the likes of Frank Bruno, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko. Not only having the ability to say that he had defeated every man he ever faced by the time he came to hang up his gloves, he was also the undisputed champion of the world, a feat that has subsequently not been matched by any Brit since. In 2009 he was inducted into boxing's hall of fame, thus securing his status as one of the best ever. Lewis' size and bulk, paired with his speed and ability to quite literally take apart opponents, meant that there was very few in the history of the sport that could have stood against him and come off on top. Although there were those that sometimes questioned his heart and determination when it came to the build up to a fight, there is no doubt in my mind that he is if not the best, then definitely one of the best Britain has ever produced.





Name: Joe Calzaghe
Nickname(s): The Pride of Wales/ The Italian Dragon
Height: 5'11'
Professional Record: 46-0 (32 KO's)

One of only four European boxers to have ended his career as an undefeated world champion, Calzaghe is one of the best in history, let alone from Britain. He won his first world title in 1997 when he was successful against none other than Chris Eubank. Although he stated after the fight that Eubank had been the hardest fight of his career, it was a victory that pushed him up in everybody's estimations. All in all he held his WBO title belt for over 10 years and made a total of 21 defences. On more than once occasion, Calzaghe was pit against a foe that was expected to give him a hard night, and possibly become the first blemish on his career; of course, every time they fell well short, and Calzaghe added them to a long list of victims. By the time he retired, Calzaghe had held the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF Middleweight world titles, and also held the Ring Magazine titles for Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight. Having won all of his 46 ventures into the ring, Calzaghe is rated officially as number 11 on the all time list of British fighter, but many would argue that he deserves to be higher up.



Name: Naseem Hamed
Nickname(s): Prince Naseem
Height: 5'4'
Professional Record: 36-1 (31 KO's)

One of, if not the best British featherweight in history, Prince Naseem was renown for his spectacular ring entrances and showmanship. However, he wasn't just a flashy character outside the ring; his performances within it were just as eye-catching. Having started professional boxing in 1992, Prince Naseem quickly rose up the ranks with a series of knock-outs in opening rounds. At age 20 he won the European Bantam Weight Title and by 22 had claimed the WBC International Super Bantam Weight Title. Many critics believe that Hamed had the potential to become one of the most exciting and explosive fighters in history, but he fell short. The general consensus is that through a lack of fighting regularly enough, and cutting corners repeatedly when it came to training, Prince Naseem never fully lived up to his expectations. That's not to say that his career was a failed one though, as he commanded respect throughout the boxing world and at one point had a record of 35-0. His only loss came buy decision against Marco Antonio Barrera, who's speed and agility proved too much of an obstacle for Hamed, who's famous left handed hook was negated for the first time. Although there are those who say he never really produced what perhaps was expected of him, Hamed entertained the boxing world in excellent style, and his endeavours within the ring mean he won't be forgotten or surpassed any time soon.






Name: Ted Lewis
Nickname(s): The Kid
Height: 5'7'
Professional Record: 227-40-23 (80 KO's)


You're probably wondering why his record says that he had 227 victories by the time he retired. The answer is because he did. Ted 'The Kid' Lewis fought an amazing 300 times between 1909-1929, and was British, European and world champion at different weights. Having been born in London's East End in 1893, Lewis began fighting at the age of 14, and never looked back. He is famous not only for the amount of bouts he participated in, but also for the style in which he won the majority. Having amassed a staggering 227 wins by the time he eventually hung up his gloves for good, Lewis had only lost 40 times, which is seen a a remarkable achievement. He was inducted into the boxing hall of fame in 1964 and is widely regarded as one of the first British boxers to make a real impact on the sport. Lewis' career saw him fight numerous times in America and other places around the world, which only made him more famous. By the end of his career he had lost 40 times, but considering the amount of times he fought, and in an era full of talent, Lewis is remembered as being one of the best British boxers of all time.