Are all British fights good for British Boxing?

[bzkfn]

I've been thinking about this one for a while. The media in the UK makes a big deal about all British clashes as if they're the most important fights for British boxers. I'm not sure they're always necessary as they can ruin the loser and have the winner thinking he is better than he really is. It isn't just the casual media clammering for these fights, well known faces and boxing personalities are always saying stuff like "there is nothing like an all British clash". Frank Warren often says it, the whole pundit team on Sky say it and obviously some of these clashes sell well which is why alot of fighters go for them. In the past we've had figghts such as Benn-Eubank and Lewis-Bruno were hugely successful events that didn't hinder the progress of the fighters, but sometimes these clashes stop a fighter from pushing on a level, such as Burns-Mitchell and Haye-Maccarinelli. I'm not suggesting that Mitchell or Maccarinelli could have gone too much higher than what they have done, but todays fighters are littered with padded records and getting world titles and keeping them can be much easier than it used to be allowing fighters to make some 'easy money'.

While today, David Haye and Ricky Burns have made a success of their all British clashes and would support the argument for these fights, Macklin, Barker & Murray have all done very well at Middleweight without facing each other. So do you think they're a good idea, or would you prefer our fighters to conquer the world before facing each other?

[Beanz]

I wish fighters in general were given enough respect by the fans, promoters and networks that they could lose without being completely dismissed. The momentum that propels an overhyped and overmatched prospect could be better spent with more more competitive matchmaking once a basic apprenticeship has been served. It's not going to happen though because fighters records are often maintained by promoters who know the damage a domestic loss can have on their investment. Then on top of that the UK promoters are in competition and begrudge risking their prized assets against a rivals star who will fill the vacuum their man inhabited.


Their is no reason why British fighters losing to a domestic rival should always end careers though. There are a few Brits who have lost to other UK fighters early in their career and then went on to win world titles.

[superheavyrhun]

I wish fighters in general were given enough respect by the fans, promoters and networks that they could lose without being completely dismissed. The momentum that propels an overhyped and overmatched prospect could be better spent with more more competitive matchmaking once a basic apprenticeship has been served. It's not going to happen though because fighters records are often maintained by promoters who know the damage a domestic loss can have on their investment. Then on top of that the UK promoters are in competition and begrudge risking their prized assets against a rivals star who will fill the vacuum their man inhabited.


Their is no reason why British fighters losing to a domestic rival should always end careers though. There are a few Brits who have lost to other UK fighters early in their career and then went on to win world titles.

Ricky Burns v Alex Arthur being a prime example. He had to rebuild after that defeat, but there's no doubt he came back a stronger and better fighter because of it.

Personally, I like that it can take quite a few fights to build up to an all British clash...we know that eventually Barker / Macklin / Murray will fight each other, but I don't mind seeing them chasing the titles first.

It's not quite as clear cut as the poll suggests, but I've gone for yes because its closer to my point of view than no.

[FinitoElDinamita]

I picked A.. British fighters should face each other first to prove that they are worthy to take that next step towards the world stage in America.

[superheavyrhun]

I picked A.. British fighters should face each other first to prove that they are worthy to take that next step towards the world stage in America.

Ha, you shock and astound us with your opinion which was totally unexpected. The same could be send about American heavyweights being sent over to Europe to face the elite.

[Fenster]

Yes they are, most prospects fail in world-class anyway.

Nothing niggles me more in boxing, apart from everyone that ever lost had an excuse, when all-Brit encounters don't happen because "wait until they have a "world" title"

1. There's no guarantee good prospects will become champions.

2. There's no evidence having a title makes a fight better to watch.