Britain has had a recent surge in talent the likes of which we haven't seen in a few years, so who are the top 10 (or 15) British Fighters? Anyone born in British territory counts as British so I'm throwing in guys like Macklin, McDonnell (Scottish/Irish decent?), Lee on the list. Also anyone who considers themselves British.
British titleholders: (only full titles--no interim,regular, unified, bs)
Carl Froch 168 (IBF)
Darren Barker 160 (IBF)
Ricky Burns 135 (WBO)
Jamie McDonnell 118 (IBF)
British contenders:
David Haye 200+
Tyson Fury 200+
Dereck Chisora 200+
Ola Afolabi 200
Nathan Cleverly 175
Tony Bellew 175
George Groves 168
James DeGale 168
Martin Murray 160
Matthew Macklin 160
Andy Lee 160
Kell Brook 147
Amir Khan 140
Kevin Mitchell 135
Carl Frampton 122
Scott Quigg 122
Also, who am I missing and who are the worst guys on this list?
I can go a long way with this list, but I'm not sure I'd include Frampton a european champion over Brook who's a mandatory for a world title.
It's tight towards the bottom of the list. Frampton, Quigg, Cleverly, Brook, Mackilin and Bellew have all achieved about as much as each other, despite the fact that Cleverly has held a belt. I value quality of opposition and the context of the opposition over titles and mandatory positions. The reason I included Frampton over Brook is that I feel Frampton has the superior record in terms of opposition.
Top 3 Opponents for Brook:
1. Carson Jones - fringe contender/tough gatekeeper at best.
2. Matthew Hatton - European level journeyman.
3. Lovemore Ndou - former beltholder technically but a fringe contender in reality.
Top 3 Opponents for Frampton:
1. Kiko Martinez - a current beltholder and tough contender at the time.
2. Steve Molitor - former beltholder with only two losses.
3. Raul Hirales - undefeated fringe prospect, not great but had his '0'.
Not a huge amount in it, but I felt the better quality was with Frampton. I'm a big Brook fan and feel he can go all the way, but he is stalled at the moment. I think we have very similar views on the general health of British boxing, but we aren't going to agree on every specific detail!
1. Carl Froch
2. Amir Khan
3. David Haye
4. Ricky Burns
5. Darren Barker
6. Martin Murray
7. Jamie McDonnell
8. Carl Frampton
9. Scott Quigg
10. Nathan Cleverly
Honourable Mentions: Tony Bellew, George Groves, Matthew Macklin and Kell Brook.
I can go a long way with this list, but I'm not sure I'd include Frampton a european champion over Brook who's a mandatory for a world title.
1. Carl Froch
2. Amir Khan
3. David Haye
4. Ricky Burns
5. Darren Barker
6. Martin Murray
7. Jamie McDonnell
8. Carl Frampton
9. Scott Quigg
10. Nathan Cleverly
Honourable Mentions: Tony Bellew, George Groves, Matthew Macklin and Kell Brook.
I really don't see what all the fuss is with Bellew. He's game, but he's all bluster and bravado in my opinion. A boring and limited fighter who will get exposed at world level.
I've not really seen much of Afolabi, so will need to check him out.
lol I got negged (cheers Sam) for not including Khan in the top 10 but I genuinely forgot about him, it was a quick list.
Anyway, here is Tyson Fury's top 10 (as of 4th July):
1. Froch
2. Burns
3. Cleverly
4. McDonnell
5. Haye
6. Khan
7. Murray
8. Macklin
9. Barker
10. Fury
This is my p4p uk! Froch,burns,cleverly,McDonal,haye,Kahn,murry,macklin,barker,fury,thisis on achievements so far! Let me no what u think???— Tyson Fury (@Tyson_Fury) July 4, 2013
Haha, Fury's spelling is hilarious.
Top 10 as it is and based on their standings in world boxing:
1. Froch
2. Khan
3. Murray
4. Haye
5. Burns
6. Barker
7. Mcdonnell
8. Brook
9. Cleverly (taking his loss into consideration)
10. Brook/Bellew/Macklin - couldn't decide.
Who did I leave out?
lol I got negged (cheers Sam) for not including Khan in the top 10 but I genuinely forgot about him, it was a quick list.
Anyway, here is Tyson Fury's top 10 (as of 4th July):
1. Froch
2. Burns
3. Cleverly
4. McDonnell
5. Haye
6. Khan
7. Murray
8. Macklin
9. Barker
10. Fury
This is my p4p uk! Froch,burns,cleverly,McDonal,haye,Kahn,murry,macklin,barker,fury,thisis on achievements so far! Let me no what u think???— Tyson Fury (@Tyson_Fury) July 4, 2013
I would like to see Bellew/Kovalev sometime down the line, cuz I think that would prove that Bellew is mentally stronger than Clev.
Bellew might well be mentally stronger but imo Kovalev would kill Bellew.
What do you think about guys like Kell Brook, George Groves, Tony Bellew? Will they ever amount to something?
I've seen a handful of Bellew's fights, but I haven't really sat down and analyzed him enough cuz LHW isn't a division that I follow. If I had to choose who I think will make it further between Bellew and Cleverly, I would pick Bellew. My impression is that Clev has the personality and physical gifts, while Bellew has the mentality and foundation. He's fought Chilemba, Bolonti and a faded Miranda so he leave something to be desired in the resume department. I would like to see Bellew/Kovalev sometime down the line, cuz I think that would prove that Bellew is mentally stronger than Clev.
I like Brook's style and he seems to have a lot of potential, but he showed some vulnerability against Jones. He seems like the type that isn't built to absorb punishment, and in a rough division like WW, that's a pretty important trait to have. He kept it together mentally, but if he can't take pressure, it will be exploited once he steps up.
I like Groves's style and his activity, but I don't think Johnson qualified as a test, more like a pop-quiz. He's probably biting off more than he chew against Froch, but I did say a while ago that I would pick him for the upset. I guess I'll stand by that lol
It's really hard to choose the worst cuz most of them haven't been tested enough imo. Either that, or they're resting on their laurels.
What do you think about guys like Kell Brook, George Groves, Tony Bellew? Will they ever amount to something?
It's really hard to choose the worst cuz most of them haven't been tested enough imo. Either that, or they're resting on their laurels. The two that I hope to continue seeing improvement from is Chisora and Brook. Haye is easy to dislike cuz of his loud-mouth and inactivity, but I think he'll knock Fury the fuck out. Burns and McDonnell get underestimated because they lack power, but I think they're quality fighters. Burns definitely lucked out in his last fight though, hopefully he comes determined against Beltran or he might lose that one.
Andy Lee represents Ireland, Irish parents, Irish accent, lives in Ireland.
DeGale should be listed as an option since he's in Ring's top 10 SMWs, as is Kevin Mitchell at LW.
Anyway, a quick list:
1. Froch
2. Murray
3. Burns
4. McDonnell
5. Haye
6. Afolabi
7. Frampton
8. Barker
9. Fury
10. Chisora
I based my criteria on fighters who were born in the U.K. or considered themselves British. Andy Lee was born in London, England but considers himself Irish, Dereck Chisora was born in Zimbabwe but considers himself British. I guess defining British fighters can be a bit subjective. For example, should Lennox be considered British or Canadian?
DeGale is very lacking, most notable fight was against Groves (a Loss) who is a borderline contender in my opinion. I'm surprised The Ring has him listed in their top 10. I'm sure Brandon Gonzales is much more qualified to be in their list, but he isn't.
Thanks for bringing DeGale and Mitchell up though, I'll start following to see if their any good. I've recently grown more interested in the British crop of fighters considering how many of their former prospects have began to appear on the world stage.
Also that's an interesting top 10, I wasn't expecting that.
Andy Lee was born in London, and why do you think DeGale should be listed? I'm all ears...
Andy Lee represents Ireland, Irish parents, Irish accent, lives in Ireland.
DeGale should be listed as an option since he's in Ring's top 10 SMWs, as is Kevin Mitchell at LW.
Anyway, a quick list:
1. Froch
2. Murray
3. Burns
4. McDonnell
5. Haye
6. Afolabi
7. Barker
8. Fury
9. Frampton
10. Chisora
You missed James DeGale from the SMW division. Andy Lee is Irish.
Andy Lee was born in London, and why do you think DeGale should be listed? I'm all ears...
This was just made like a week ago, are you kidding me?
Really?! Well mine is a lot better! I went through the trouble of listing every meaningful British boxer and their respective division. You can answer the bottom questions, I'm sure those are new. Also, give me your list.
Also keep in mind Cleverly just lost (his title) brutally and Barker just won a title and had a career best win. So the rankings should have changed for many people.