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6. Tyson Fury
Titles: BBBofC British Heavyweight title
Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight title
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
Tyson Fury over the last twelve months has really started to demonstrate the hype that surrounds him and why people pay to see this giant due to exciting fights and that vulnerability factor as well. The fighter from Manchester with proud traveller heritage has been a fighter since birth, with pedigree of fighting in his blood Tyson epitomises what we expect from heavyweight boxing. 2011 has been a busy year for the youngster at only 23 and at a monstrous height of 6’9 this heavyweight has huge potential. His first fight of the year was seen as a tune up fight against Marcelo Luiz Nascimento which lasted five rounds before he knocked him out. His next fight was against champion Dereck Chisora seen as the best British heavyweight behind David Haye. In a grudge match Fury took a points decision over the out of shape British and commonwealth champion on the first heavyweight fight in many years to be broadcast on mainstream television. In his 3rd and 4th fight of the year Tyson knocked out Nicolai Firtha in five rounds and Neven Pajkic in three rounds however Tyson was flashed knocked down by the Canadian Pajkic only to demonstrate heart to get up and deliver a knockout soon after. The future for Tyson would potentially be to gain experience at a European level and fight a few of the American contenders, however he may be throw into a fight against a Klitschko soon.
7. Matthew Macklin
Next Opponent: 17th March 2012 v Sergio Martinez (48-2-2 (27 ko))
Year of boxing:
Matthew Macklin although having fought once this year and losing is purely on this list due to his tremendous display against German WBA Super Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm which has been one of the most highly controversy decisions of the year. Having built his career back up since his domestic defeat to Jamie Moore in 2006, Mack the Knife has been on a successful string of wins at a European level which eventually earned him a title shot against champion Felix Sturm. Going into the bout Sturm was favourite as he was seen as the superior fighter; however Macklin soon demonstrated why boxing fans love an underdog. In the first 6 rounds Matthew had unbelievable heart and never stopped punching the tough German, in the latter rounds Sturm made a slight comeback however Macklin was still wining the occasional round. At the end of the contest Strum was gifted a decision to the amazement of Sturm and the crowd. Next for Macklin is a shot at Sergio Martinez the elite fighter in the decision which should be a very tough fight, however if he shows the heart and belief in his last fight nothing is a certainty in boxing.
8. Darren Barker
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
Previously unbeaten Darren Barker has had a great year despite his first defeat of his professional career. Unable to win his first world title Dazzling Darren has demonstrated his potential to mix it at world level if he can produce a similar performance to his previous fight. In the first of two fights in 2011 Barker fought tough Italian opposition Domenico Spada for the vacant EBU Middleweight title, in the opening rounds Barker demonstrated great skill at picking them punches and scoring well. However as the later rounds commenced Spada produced a resilience fight back although landing never managed to hurt the Barnet man. Barker was given a unanimous decision and earned a shot at Diamond champion Sergio Martinez. In October Barker faced the feared champion in Atlantic City in front of a sold out crowd, going into the fight Sergio was a massive favourite even Michael buffer pronounced this unknown Barnet fighter wrong saying baker. However in the first half of the fight Barker displayed an extraordinary will to go out and box the champ, unfortunately the champion eventually changed gear and displayed his exciting punch power by delivering a one punch knockout. The future for Barker could be a domestic show down with Martin Murray or a crack at another belt holder.
9. Keven Mitchell
Titles: WBO Inter- Continental Lightweight title
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
In 2010 the Dagenham born lad Kevin Mitchell fought the warrior Michael Kadsidis at Upton Park East London for the chance to be recognised as one of the best lightweights on the planet. However the fairytale came to an end in a devastating fashion when Mitchell was knocked out within three rounds. Over the rest of the year Mitchell was inactive for fourteen months due to family problems. However when he decided to return to the ring The Hammer seemed to have the problems behind him and fought unbeaten Mancunian John Murray an excellent domestic fighter. This was sanctioned as a world title eliminator and was one of the most anticipated British fights of 2011. In the British Fight of the Year both fighters gave it their all but Mitchell delivered a sudden burst of punches in the 8th to stop the unbeaten fighter. Next up for Mitchell should be a fight against Mexican Champion Brandon Rios or a domestic show down with Coatbridge’s Ricky Burns.
10. George Groves
Titles: BBBofC British Super Middleweight title
Commonwealth (British Empire) Super Middleweight title
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
To conclude the British top 10 pound for pound boxers of 2011 it has to be this young lad from West London George Groves. Having been a stand out amateur Groves missed out on a place at the 2008 Olympics to long term rival James Degale even though he beat him as an amateur. Groves turned professional in an effort to prove he had what it took to reach the top, however in 2011 Groves finally got the chance to face his rival once again. At the beginning of 2011 the Saint fought Daniel Allotey in a warm up fight for the rumoured Degale fight, George dispatched of Allotey in four rounds. Finally it was announced that the Groves v Degale fight was official. In the build up to the fight Degale demonstrated his ****y attitude as the fight seller where as George was more humble and just wanted the fight to happen. When the fight eventually took place it turned out to be a very tactical chess like affair with both boxers boxing well with Groves emerging majority decision winner. In his final fight of the year Groves fought tough Scouser Paul Smith, although being rocked in the first George scored a near perfect right to halt Smith. Next up for George in a tough division would be to chase that European title however he is still young so world title fights may be well off.
Just missed out: Martin Murray, Paul McCloskey, Dereck Chisora, James Degale, Tony Bellew
Potential P4P future entries: Ashley Theophane, Lee Selby, Scott Quigg, David Price, Frankie Gavin
Cheers for reading my first blog post critcism would be helpful, but hopeful its a fair list!
Titles: BBBofC British Heavyweight title
Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight title
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
Tyson Fury over the last twelve months has really started to demonstrate the hype that surrounds him and why people pay to see this giant due to exciting fights and that vulnerability factor as well. The fighter from Manchester with proud traveller heritage has been a fighter since birth, with pedigree of fighting in his blood Tyson epitomises what we expect from heavyweight boxing. 2011 has been a busy year for the youngster at only 23 and at a monstrous height of 6’9 this heavyweight has huge potential. His first fight of the year was seen as a tune up fight against Marcelo Luiz Nascimento which lasted five rounds before he knocked him out. His next fight was against champion Dereck Chisora seen as the best British heavyweight behind David Haye. In a grudge match Fury took a points decision over the out of shape British and commonwealth champion on the first heavyweight fight in many years to be broadcast on mainstream television. In his 3rd and 4th fight of the year Tyson knocked out Nicolai Firtha in five rounds and Neven Pajkic in three rounds however Tyson was flashed knocked down by the Canadian Pajkic only to demonstrate heart to get up and deliver a knockout soon after. The future for Tyson would potentially be to gain experience at a European level and fight a few of the American contenders, however he may be throw into a fight against a Klitschko soon.
7. Matthew Macklin
Next Opponent: 17th March 2012 v Sergio Martinez (48-2-2 (27 ko))
Year of boxing:
Matthew Macklin although having fought once this year and losing is purely on this list due to his tremendous display against German WBA Super Middleweight Champion Felix Sturm which has been one of the most highly controversy decisions of the year. Having built his career back up since his domestic defeat to Jamie Moore in 2006, Mack the Knife has been on a successful string of wins at a European level which eventually earned him a title shot against champion Felix Sturm. Going into the bout Sturm was favourite as he was seen as the superior fighter; however Macklin soon demonstrated why boxing fans love an underdog. In the first 6 rounds Matthew had unbelievable heart and never stopped punching the tough German, in the latter rounds Sturm made a slight comeback however Macklin was still wining the occasional round. At the end of the contest Strum was gifted a decision to the amazement of Sturm and the crowd. Next for Macklin is a shot at Sergio Martinez the elite fighter in the decision which should be a very tough fight, however if he shows the heart and belief in his last fight nothing is a certainty in boxing.
8. Darren Barker
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
Previously unbeaten Darren Barker has had a great year despite his first defeat of his professional career. Unable to win his first world title Dazzling Darren has demonstrated his potential to mix it at world level if he can produce a similar performance to his previous fight. In the first of two fights in 2011 Barker fought tough Italian opposition Domenico Spada for the vacant EBU Middleweight title, in the opening rounds Barker demonstrated great skill at picking them punches and scoring well. However as the later rounds commenced Spada produced a resilience fight back although landing never managed to hurt the Barnet man. Barker was given a unanimous decision and earned a shot at Diamond champion Sergio Martinez. In October Barker faced the feared champion in Atlantic City in front of a sold out crowd, going into the fight Sergio was a massive favourite even Michael buffer pronounced this unknown Barnet fighter wrong saying baker. However in the first half of the fight Barker displayed an extraordinary will to go out and box the champ, unfortunately the champion eventually changed gear and displayed his exciting punch power by delivering a one punch knockout. The future for Barker could be a domestic show down with Martin Murray or a crack at another belt holder.
9. Keven Mitchell
Titles: WBO Inter- Continental Lightweight title
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
In 2010 the Dagenham born lad Kevin Mitchell fought the warrior Michael Kadsidis at Upton Park East London for the chance to be recognised as one of the best lightweights on the planet. However the fairytale came to an end in a devastating fashion when Mitchell was knocked out within three rounds. Over the rest of the year Mitchell was inactive for fourteen months due to family problems. However when he decided to return to the ring The Hammer seemed to have the problems behind him and fought unbeaten Mancunian John Murray an excellent domestic fighter. This was sanctioned as a world title eliminator and was one of the most anticipated British fights of 2011. In the British Fight of the Year both fighters gave it their all but Mitchell delivered a sudden burst of punches in the 8th to stop the unbeaten fighter. Next up for Mitchell should be a fight against Mexican Champion Brandon Rios or a domestic show down with Coatbridge’s Ricky Burns.
10. George Groves
Titles: BBBofC British Super Middleweight title
Commonwealth (British Empire) Super Middleweight title
Next Opponent: TBA
Year of boxing:
To conclude the British top 10 pound for pound boxers of 2011 it has to be this young lad from West London George Groves. Having been a stand out amateur Groves missed out on a place at the 2008 Olympics to long term rival James Degale even though he beat him as an amateur. Groves turned professional in an effort to prove he had what it took to reach the top, however in 2011 Groves finally got the chance to face his rival once again. At the beginning of 2011 the Saint fought Daniel Allotey in a warm up fight for the rumoured Degale fight, George dispatched of Allotey in four rounds. Finally it was announced that the Groves v Degale fight was official. In the build up to the fight Degale demonstrated his ****y attitude as the fight seller where as George was more humble and just wanted the fight to happen. When the fight eventually took place it turned out to be a very tactical chess like affair with both boxers boxing well with Groves emerging majority decision winner. In his final fight of the year Groves fought tough Scouser Paul Smith, although being rocked in the first George scored a near perfect right to halt Smith. Next up for George in a tough division would be to chase that European title however he is still young so world title fights may be well off.
Just missed out: Martin Murray, Paul McCloskey, Dereck Chisora, James Degale, Tony Bellew
Potential P4P future entries: Ashley Theophane, Lee Selby, Scott Quigg, David Price, Frankie Gavin
Cheers for reading my first blog post critcism would be helpful, but hopeful its a fair list!