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A lot of anti-UK posts have been made here, particularly since Saturday. And true, America DOES have more prominent boxers. However, if you consider the size and population of America, then Britain actually has a higher ratio of rated boxers. Check the fact. What's disturbing is that if any other racial group was lambasted as consistently on here, people would be up in arms. Can you imagine someone posting such disparaging remarks about Puerto Rican or Mexican fighters and being alive to tell?
Not only that, but English fighters are often kept out of the loop. After going in against Zab Judah with just a week's notice nearly five years ago Junior Witter's been studiously avoided by US TV. Yet after managing to sneak in on the Saturday bill he's now feted by Golden Boy Promotions and there are threads here talking about whether he could beat Cotto. I tell you - everyone's allowed one off-night, particularly when they've only got a week's notice against someone like Judah!
Forget the belts, here's the Ring-rated UK contingent, in order of ranking:
Joe Calzaghe (1st-ranked [champ currently vacant] Super-Middleweight by The Ring!)
Howard Eastman (1st-ranked [below champ] middleweight)
Scott Harrison (2nd-rated Featherweight)
Johnny Nelson (3rd-rated Cruiserweight)
Carl Thompson (6th-rated Cruiserweight)
Clinton Woods (6th-rated Light-Heavyweight),
Ricky Hatton (6th-ranked Jr. Welterweight)
Jawaid Khaliq (7th-ranked Welterweight)
Michael Brodie (7th-rated Featherweight)
Robin Reid (8th-ranked Super-Middleweight)
Nicky Cook (10th-rated Featherweight)
That's 11 fighters in the Ring rankings... not bad for a country with less than 70 million population, eh?
Add to this the fact that in the last issue of The Ring Lovemore N'Dou was the 8th-ranked Jr. Welterweight... presumably this elevates Witter into their top ten next time?
Not only that, but English fighters are often kept out of the loop. After going in against Zab Judah with just a week's notice nearly five years ago Junior Witter's been studiously avoided by US TV. Yet after managing to sneak in on the Saturday bill he's now feted by Golden Boy Promotions and there are threads here talking about whether he could beat Cotto. I tell you - everyone's allowed one off-night, particularly when they've only got a week's notice against someone like Judah!
Forget the belts, here's the Ring-rated UK contingent, in order of ranking:
Joe Calzaghe (1st-ranked [champ currently vacant] Super-Middleweight by The Ring!)
Howard Eastman (1st-ranked [below champ] middleweight)
Scott Harrison (2nd-rated Featherweight)
Johnny Nelson (3rd-rated Cruiserweight)
Carl Thompson (6th-rated Cruiserweight)
Clinton Woods (6th-rated Light-Heavyweight),
Ricky Hatton (6th-ranked Jr. Welterweight)
Jawaid Khaliq (7th-ranked Welterweight)
Michael Brodie (7th-rated Featherweight)
Robin Reid (8th-ranked Super-Middleweight)
Nicky Cook (10th-rated Featherweight)
That's 11 fighters in the Ring rankings... not bad for a country with less than 70 million population, eh?
Add to this the fact that in the last issue of The Ring Lovemore N'Dou was the 8th-ranked Jr. Welterweight... presumably this elevates Witter into their top ten next time?
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