Why are so many British fighters getting title shots recently?

[yuppie]

Hatton, Rhodes, Macklin, Barker, i know its not loads but it seems strange that they are not particulary standout fighters but are getting title shots.

ps, this isnt a troll thread, i am British.

[studentofthegam]

Well European boxing fans feel like they werent getting the respect they deserve and now its time to show and tell. American boxing is limited in certain weight classes so why not go outside the states.

[northernmonkey]

Rhodes and Hatton's are down to Golden boy's Working relationship with Hatton promotions, Macklin has a decent world ranking and i think Barker's is due to the middleweight division being pretty low on decent opposition for Martinez.

[THe TRiNiTY]

Hatton, Rhodes, Macklin, Barker, i know its not loads but it seems strange that they are not particulary standout fighters but are getting title shots.

ps, this isnt a troll thread, i am British.

A couple of reasons.

They are decent enough names and have some skill. It makes for a relatively easy sell against guys that have names and popularity. When it comes to Alvarez, everyone involved fits the bill. However, Rhodes deserved it far more. Bigger guy than Hatton and highly rated in the Jr. Middleweight division. He was rated higher than Alvarez was, as a matter of fact. So, one of the guys actually deserved the chance. Hatton also put up an effort. British fans support their fighters, as well. Adds to the fight.

At times, they also have skills not aren't going to be anything special. That makes American promoters happy to sign them on. Fan base, with decent name and skill, but nothing SO threatening. It's business, I suppose. The fighters you mentioned however, aren't the worst lot of fighters I've ever seen connected.

[chiguy91]

Hatton, Rhodes, Macklin, Barker, i know its not loads but it seems strange that they are not particulary standout fighters but are getting title shots.

ps, this isnt a troll thread, i am British.

hatton - easy pickings for a young kid. this wasn't a title fight when it was signed though, pacquiao vacated the belt, and the WBC offered to throw it in.
rhodes - he is a legit ranked opponent who was suppose to be a real test for alvarez. he showed up with a horrible gameplan though
macklin - he's fairly ranked as well, nothing wrong with him. hopefully he shows up to fight and win.
barker - i have no clue honestly. he is a legit undefeated mw, but isn't on martinez's level. the martinez camp did say they wanted to take an easy fight after the dzinziruk win, so i'm guessing they find barker an easy opponent.

i guess they see something in these british fighters that they think they'll be either: good learning experiences or easy fights. either way, all of them brought something to the table for them to be chosen i guess....

[BetterCallSaul]

Because there are a lot of British fighters that are European class but just short of World class. Thus, American, Mexican, and South American boxers can pad their records with c-level opponents.

World class fighters should be fighting other World class fighters. Don't blame Britain. Blame the protected World champions.

[Earl-Hickey]

Because these guys fit the bill for padding records, it just so happens that we have a few guys on that level, what i like to call "paul smith" level, if he hadnt been beat by DeGale I would think he'd have been looking at a world title shot, decent fighter but not great with a fanbase and a decent record, sounds like a Lucian Bute opponent to me

[D-MiZe]

Paul Smith has a shit resume.

"peeleft:

[SpitBalla]

A lot of those guys are getting shots because they ain't that good. Padding records and all that.

[eubank#1]

There being a million world titles to go for helps but mainly they have worked there way through the british level and then euro level (rhodes, barker, macklin) so i do think they were due a title shot sooner rather than later but hatton was just brought into fight alvarez probably because of rickys dealings with GBP because hatton has never beat any1 to warrant a shot and even lost to poor level fighters in britain when going for the british title. Expect to see even more tho soon with the winner of murray-mitchell likely to get a shot after their fight too.