What is a British title worth?

Okay, so I was thinking this morning about the British title, and what kind of boxers are currently holding the titles. As many fighters have won the Lonsdale belt, I was kind of thinking about which of our British champions are likely to do the same, which ones are at their peak having won the title, and who can make the step up (for some, making the step up again), to challenge for European or world title honours.

Here's my breakdown, champ by champ:

Martin Power – Bantamweight – Two defeats on the bounce against the freakishly tall Tshifiwa Munyai has been a big setback for Power, who is scheduled to defend against comebacking Jason Booth in a couple of weeks. Since getting the British titles, he has been the bigger man in the three bouts against Dale Robinson, Ian Napa and Isaac Ward, but when Munyai comprehensively beat him twice, I think that was the bell tolling on greater achievements for Power.

Esham Pickering – Super Bantamweight – In one of the hot divisions in world boxing, the experienced Pickering claimed the belt beating Marc Callaghan back in March. Having lost previous fights for British, European and WBO belts, it was good to see him pick up a belt at the fifth time of asking, but I believe he would struggle above British level.

John Simpson – Featherweight – Another unheralded fighter who, although only 23, has already lost four out of his six fights where a title has been on the line. With a number of defeats, it was surprising when he claimed the title against Andy Morris back in December when the referee stopped the fight on cuts. He was fairly narrowly beaten by Derry Matthews for the WBU title in March, before his recent stoppage of Amir Khan victim Ryan Barrett. All in all, it's hard to see that Simpson will rise far above the current station of British champion.

Carl Johanneson – Super Featherweight - This one pretty much explains itself, as Johanneson is making the step up in his next outing against Leva Kirakosyan for his European title. Kirakosyan already has a first-round KO over Johanneson from back in 2004, but the Leeds man is undefeated since. He's got lots of power, and proved in his last outing over 12 against Ricky Burns, that he has 12-round stamina, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Johanneson win the Euro belt.

Jonothan Thaxton – Lightweight – This is one of the most exciting British divisions at the moment, with Amir Khan, Willie Limond and Graham Earl all staking their claims for the top British fighter, but Thaxton is another big hitter who surprised many to comprehensively beat Lee Meager for the title. Undefeated in five years, big punching and a reasonable boxer...he could well be lining up for an European shot in the near future.

Colin Lynes – Light Welterweight – Another of the buzzing divisions in British boxing at the moment, and Lynes was impressive in beating Barry Morrison for the British title recently. Lynes showed his engine and boxing skills with a good win, but the title is seen as the culmination for him. Although not packing a punch, the victory could be the spur for him to get his career rolling, and I'd think it'd be a good clash if he went in with Ted Bami.

Kevin Anderson – Welterweight – Kevin got things back on track recently after his shocking loss to Ali Nuumbembe, with a good win over the durable Eamonn Magee. He also put Magee down for the first time in his career, if I recall correctly, which is also a big achievement. He's young and still has plenty of developing to do, and I can see Anderson improving to bigger honours over coming years.

Jamie Moore – Light Middleweight – Probably the one with the biggest chance of making it on to world stage in my opinion, Moore has a reputation as an all-action fighter and all-round nice guy which can only come together to help sell tickets. His next outing will be for the WBC's International title against Vincent Vuma in a couple of weeks, before a scheduled mandatory in October against Andrew Facey. No doubt will challenge for bigger titles than his British belt, and could well vacate if he impresses against Vuma.

Howard Eastman – Middleweight – The 'Battersea Bomber' is both British and Commonwealth champion, and has already challenged at world level, but each time has found himself a little bit wanting. Although he still aspires to world level fights, I think Eastman will probably fight a few British/Commonwealth fights before finally retiring, although I wouldn't completely rule out his advancing through the rankings and becoming a mandatory once more.

Carl Froch – Super Middleweight – Froch is scheduled to fight Robin Reid who is the mandatory challenger, but with Froch himself occupying the European title mandatory slot, I wouldn't be surprised to see Froch vacate to chase higher glory. He's made his intentions clear, and if a fight with Reid clashes with a challenge to European champ Cristian Sanavia, then Froch will not be British champion for too much longer.

Tony Oakey – Light Heavyweight – After a farcicle challenge against Oboh fell through, Oakey looked good outboxing Steve Spartacus to claim the belt recently. Spartacus, however, filled in at short notice, and Oakey's immediate mandatory against Brian Magee in Belfast will really ask questions of him. Oakey is proud to be British champion, but I think Magee will have too much for him, so higher level challenge might be beyond him.

John 'Buster' Keaton – Cruiserweight – Although he beat Lee Swaby last October to win the belt, he was since KO'd in two against Troy Ross for the Commonwealth title, and has only won once in his last five fights. Although it was good to see him claim the title, British Champion is probably the highest honour that Keaton will claim.

Danny Williams – Heavyweight – As former WBC champion challenger, Danny's already been there and done that in boxing, and has proved that, at his best, he can certainly challenge at world level, and in his last fight against Gammer to claim the title, Williams showed he still has it.

So, in summary, who are the title holders moving on, who are the title holders at their peak, and who are the title holders banking the money for their pension funds?

Carl Froch is probably the most likely to challenge for a world title in the next two years, closely followed by Jamie Moore. Honourable mentions go to Carl Johanneson and Danny Williams. Kevin Anderson and John Simpson could also develop into higher level fighters, but for the most part the rest of the champions are probably at the highest level that they will challenge at for the future.

And finally, I'm not trying to downplay or diminish the British title, but rather I hope that for many fighters winning the British title is still one of the sweetest moments of a career, and for others it is the first big title on the path to winning a world belt. What do you all think?

Firstly, :coolclick: #534 for some great insight there.

I agree with your picks of Froch & Moore, and I feel Colin Lynes can get to European level.

Finally, I hate to nitpick, but Williams was never WBC Champion...

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Originally Posted by bzkfn

Firstly, :coolclick: #534 for some great insight there.

I agree with your picks of Froch & Moore, and I feel Colin Lynes can get to European level.

Finally, I hate to nitpick, but Williams was never WBC Champion...

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After some swift editing, I think you'll find that I never said that Danny was the champion ;) But I agree that Lynes could get it. The Froch and Moore picks are obviously the stand-out ones, but I'm looking forward to seeing what Johanneson and Anderson can do over the coming few years too.

And a CC back of course.

cc for the effort.

Froch and Moore are the two stand out fgihters, I also like Eastman

Great read Superheavyrhun!!

Brilliant read mate 8)
CC ;)
Froch for me!

What I'd like to do is have a look over the past 20 years, and see if there has been any change in people vacating to go European, or whether people are still sticking around for the four defences to claim the 'prestigious' Lonsdale belt, and see if it is still as prestigious now. Another task for another day.... :p

I think they do still hold that belt very highly to be honest but the temptation of the £££ lures them away from that route unfortunately.
I'm sure Scrap will know all about how fighters feel about the Lonsdale belt so i await his input on the matter.
He'll know for sure i'd have thought mate ;)

Good read and some very good points

Welcome to the club PP 8)
CC

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Originally Posted by Smashup

Welcome to the club PP 8)
CC

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TY when I get to 100 I will give you one back. I swear it seems like forever just for 50 ???

CC rhun nice read...

once upon a time the longsdale was a hell of a belt to have, now not so much...

Its a nice stepping stone for the younger fighters to get, make a few defences get the feel of what it slike being a "champion" its a nice leanring curv for them and something they can always remeber...

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Originally Posted by Punching Princess

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Originally Posted by Smashup

Welcome to the club PP 8)
CC

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for most of us it is, smash posts about 50 an hour tho... he prolly was able to SC half the board before his first day was out here....:P











TY when I get to 100 I will give you one back. I swear it seems like forever just for 50 ???

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Smash Ive had 4 Lads win them outright, They own them and its the most expensive Belt there is its Beutifull. The European and Commonwealth Belts are shit and the World Title ones arnt much better But to win one except the Commonwealth is a feat. At the moment I only see Froch with the ability of winning the big one

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Originally Posted by Scrap

Smash Ive had 4 Lads win them outright, They own them and its the most expensive Belt there is its Beutifull. The European and Commonwealth Belts are S*** and the World Title ones arnt much better But to win one except the Commonwealth is a feat. At the moment I only see Froch with the ability of winning the big one

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Which is the rainbow coloured one? I've always thought that one looks like it was inspired by the toy belts from the WWF. Anyhow, good to know that people still love the Lonsdale cause no doubt it stands head and shoulders above any other national title in my mind, cause here in Britain, we do things properly. ;)

Super, its the European, funny it appears the bigger the Title and money the cheaper the Belt, but bigger the sanctioning fee

Oh the WBC rings are nice.

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Originally Posted by Punching Princess

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Originally Posted by Smashup

Welcome to the club PP 8)
CC

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TY when I get to 100 I will give you one back. I swear it seems like forever just for 50 ???

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Yeah for 50 i do tend to take my time ;D
Scrap i got an idea rather like 'Norris on the spot' from Record Breakers ;)
Cool thread Rhun 8)

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Originally Posted by Smashup

Yeah for 50 i do tend to take my time ;D
Scrap i got an idea rather like 'Norris on the spot' from Record Breakers ;)
Cool thread Rhun 8)

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Maybe the next one ought to be "How much is each title worth....

.....On Ebay?"

Johannson looks like he has ambitions beyond the British title.
I do think it is a very good belt to hold and at times hotly contested.

Brilliant Topic and insight Superheavyrhun :)

:) The british title is the Londsdale belt, winning it outright,i think means more than the title, and winning more than 1 belt means that the champion has not side stepped any domestic fighters, and taken on easier over seas fighters, to boost his record ;)

Okay, so since last we spoke, a few things have happened on the domestic scene, notably Martin Power stepping aside for his belt, and Carl Johanneson getting a pasting as he got his shot at the European title.
I like that he wanted to challenge for it, but it looks that Johanneson will continue to be a force at British level, but not anywhere above there, at least until Kirakosyan retires or vacates to try for bigger things himself.

My one worry is that in finding his level, Johanneson will lose his ambition, and will lose his title in ignominous fashion a few months or a year down the line. In a confidence sport like boxing, I hope it won't hurt him too much and that he can come back stronger from the defeat.