British boxing: Who did more?

[JAB5239]

Boxing seems to have taken off a garnered much more attention than ever before in the past twenty years. Maybe Cable and satellite have played a role, but I personally think it was the emergence of Naseem Hamed and Ricky Hatton that sprung UK boxing into the limelight.

Before Hamed ever came to the US he was one of the first fighters in the UK to his ring entrance as part of the show. It is common place now, but it certainly wasn't then. Combine that with his charismatic personality, explosive punching and outrageous arrogance and he helped put British boxing back on the map in my opinion.

Ricky Hatton was almost the polar opposite of Naz. He was like every other guy and the fans loved it. He was a fast, tough, grind em down fighter who seemed so much like the guys you hung out with, so down to Earth, that he developed an immense following. His fans so loyal that thousands would travel across the Atlantic to watch him fight on several occasions.I can't think of ANY fighter from ANY country who had a more loyal or committed following.

So who has done more to put British boxing squarely on the map, and why?

[Joeyzagz]

Naseem Hamed made people care about the lower weight classes. He was the highest paid sub-140 lber in the history of the sport. Manny Pacquiao and Barrera owe all of their success to him.

Naseem did more for the sport, but Hatton did more for British Boxing.

[Barn]

I think Naz did more, I mean even casual or people who don't watch the sport know who "Prince Naseem" is, as much as I hate the ****y ****.

[MickyHatton]

I would say Naz, he brought entertainment to a sport that was going through the dark ages.

A lot of new fans came into the sport even if it was to see Naz get KO'd!

[GoogleMe]

I would say Naz, he brought entertainment to a sport that was going through the dark ages.

A lot of new fans came into the sport even if it was to see Naz get KO'd!

This - showbizz has always helped boxing. Mayweather is another one - bad media coverage is better than none media coverage.

[Pu$$yKiller]

Naz made it big and attracted a lot more attention.

He outshun Lewis in terms of popularity.

Naz not only went with the showman ring entrance, he blew it up and still has the best.

Naz was one of the best things of British boxing, but also one of the worse. He simply was so arrogant, lost his lvoe for boxing and quit.

Hatton didn't do much for me. Most of his fans were from Manchester City football club which he supports.

His style was OK, quite exciting but he wasn't a special fighter to show. As a person, Hatton for me is the better, however maybe it was fake? Coke and an affair?

[MickyHatton]

Naz made it big and attracted a lot more attention.

He outshun Lewis in terms of popularity.

Naz not only went with the showman ring entrance, he blew it up and still has the best.

Naz was one of the best things of British boxing, but also one of the worse. He simply was so arrogant, lost his lvoe for boxing and quit.

Hatton didn't do much for me. Most of his fans were from Manchester City football club which he supports.

His style was OK, quite exciting but he wasn't a special fighter to show. As a person, Hatton for me is the better, however maybe it was fake? Coke and an affair?

No you were right first time, it wasn't fake IMO.

I met Naz in the Metro centre Newcastle (Gateshead) in the mid 90's and he was as arrogant as he came across on TV. I have met Hatton several times and he is a genuine guy. As for the affair and coke....he was a ****head and admits as much.

As fighters they both brought something to the table, Hatton for his all out action and come to fight (sometime maul) approach and Naz for his flamboyant entrances, unique style and punch power.

[The_Demon]

Naseem Hamed made people care about the lower weight classes. He was the highest paid sub-140 lber in the history of the sport. Manny Pacquiao and Barrera owe all of their success to him.

Naseem did more for the sport, but Hatton did more for British Boxing.

This hits the nail on the head

Boxing needs more characters like Naz and more guys like Hatton

[Scott9945]

Naseem Hamed made people care about the lower weight classes. He was the highest paid sub-140 lber in the history of the sport. Manny Pacquiao and Barrera owe all of their success to him.

Naseem did more for the sport, but Hatton did more for British Boxing.

I agree with that, which is why I couldn't choose on the poll.

[CarlosG815]

It is Hamed hands down. Hamed had fans all over the world, where Ricky Hatton was unknown in the states and nobody cared about him.