Best Brit of the last 40 yrs

[johnsebastianmiran]

Josh Taylor could take the accolade if he keeps it up. Joe did have his weaknesses in terms of terrible title defences of his WBO title that Sven Ottke was rated better than him at one point.

After beating Ramirez last night, he's on the list.

[erics44]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

[Master]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

[erics44]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

[Master]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

Bruno had a lot of bogey men then.

[Primo Carnera]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

But did he though?

[Master]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

But did he though?

No he did not but Erics44 sees things others do not.

[erics44]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

But did he though?

No he did not but Erics44 sees things others do not.

AJ looked terrible in the second ruiz fight

and Bruno never lost a fight over 6 rounds apart from Tyson

[SlimTrae]

Hi.

I have been watching boxing, mostly in the UK for getting on for 50 years. My late 60's years started supporting Joe Bugner (no piss taking) and went on to other quality fighters, a list now.... John Conteh, John Stracey, Chris and Kevin Finnegan, Herrol Graham, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Frank Bruno, David Haye, Lennox Lewis, Joe Calslappy et al. All watched live when we could afford it before the showbiz yuppie lads invaded ringside with their love island girlfriends.

In all that time I have to say that there was only one boxer who I saw who was a complete natural, nobody taught him anything, he was born to it. Prince Nazeem Hamed.

What do you think?

As an American- looking to crown the most 'natural'? meaning someone born with a talent? I can understand Hamed being that one.

The names you mentioned I could see all of them as boxers who gained skill, while Hamed never really had skill IMO- or he wouldn't have gotten embarrassed by MAB!

He relied on reflexes and born to throw power punches, didnt have to do weights or take protein shakes or designer dope. Power was natural.

Without Manny Steward IMO Lennox was destined to lose more fights.
Eubank, Benn were natural born fighters IMO. Nevertheless, they gained skills throughout their career(s).

Joe Calzaghe would be my choice for the Best Brit in the last 40 years who was blessed with stamina -(or was it the cocaine?) & wily reflexes,something not teachable.
But Hamed based on that definition would make it either of the two for me!

[Beanz]

Best? What does that even mean? I understand why people ask it , 'Best Song', 'Best Novel' , 'Best Actor', 'Best sports team' etc but it is almost impossible to answer.

It is easier for those British boxers often mentioned at the top of these lists from earlier eras because they got there first, and made history before anyone else got a chance to. So naturally you usually and rightfully have Fitzsimmons. Broughton, Mace, Kid Lewis, Wilde etc who broke new ground and became the first to win certain titles, fight in new countries and often across divisions, many of them against the odds and with massive , high KO records.

In the modern era it is much harder and you have to accept that it is much more of a subjective choice. Even seemingly very different fighters have a lot more in common. Calzaghe share the same 32 KO stoppages as Lennox Lewis which puts a bit more perspective on him being called slappy. Both of those great fighters look a bit powder puff compared to Jimmy Wilde knocking out 99 opponents when not even weighing * stone himself

Back to the modern era though. Hamed as natural a fighter and entertainer as he was, even he could never lay claim to capturing the British publics imagination as much as Hatton. People loved ' Our Henry' and 'Big Frank' but people turned out in their thousands for Hatton and traveled the word supporting him. There was always an element of hype there, but it was built around a true entertainer who was very rarely going to give you a dull fight, win or lose. It was intoxicating stuff and Hatton truly had to work at it to get where he did, that heart for me makes up for what was missing in his boxing arsenal. Top Notch and in throwing himself in there with Floyd and Pacman he is a bit harshly dismissed because of the manner of their victories.

[SlimTrae]

Best? What does that even mean? I understand why people ask it , 'Best Song', 'Best Novel' , 'Best Actor', 'Best sports team' etc but it is almost impossible to answer.

It is easier for those British boxers often mentioned at the top of these lists from earlier eras because they got there first, and made history before anyone else got a chance to. So naturally you usually and rightfully have Fitzsimmons. Broughton, Mace, Kid Lewis, Wilde etc who broke new ground and became the first to win certain titles, fight in new countries and often across divisions, many of them against the odds and with massive , high KO records.

In the modern era it is much harder and you have to accept that it is much more of a subjective choice. Even seemingly very different fighters have a lot more in common. Calzaghe share the same 32 KO stoppages as Lennox Lewis which puts a bit more perspective on him being called slappy. Both of those great fighters look a bit powder puff compared to Jimmy Wilde knocking out 99 opponents when not even weighing * stone himself

Back to the modern era though. Hamed as natural a fighter and entertainer as he was, even he could never lay claim to capturing the British publics imagination as much as Hatton. People loved ' Our Henry' and 'Big Frank' but people turned out in their thousands for Hatton and traveled the word supporting him. There was always an element of hype there, but it was built around a true entertainer who was very rarely going to give you a dull fight, win or lose. It was intoxicating stuff and Hatton truly had to work at it to get where he did, that heart for me makes up for what was missing in his boxing arsenal. Top Notch and in throwing himself in there with Floyd and Pacman he is a bit harshly dismissed because of the manner of their victories.

True.

For me I admit I am lacking in geography- when it comes to determinining if a Welsh fighter? Is considered as a British fighter as well? Or English?

When BoxRec ranks Hatton as the 11th greatest European fighter of all time and fifth greatest British fighter of all time- I am not sure who is on the European list that is NOT on the British list & vice versa.

And I totally forgot dude was named fighter of the year in 2005, he won several titles that year, just forgot which.



Decent thread but a bit confusing- you dealt with the title (best) I dealt with his post (natural) so I am not sure where the correct answer lies!!

[Beanz]

Best? What does that even mean? I understand why people ask it , 'Best Song', 'Best Novel' , 'Best Actor', 'Best sports team' etc but it is almost impossible to answer.

It is easier for those British boxers often mentioned at the top of these lists from earlier eras because they got there first, and made history before anyone else got a chance to. So naturally you usually and rightfully have Fitzsimmons. Broughton, Mace, Kid Lewis, Wilde etc who broke new ground and became the first to win certain titles, fight in new countries and often across divisions, many of them against the odds and with massive , high KO records.

In the modern era it is much harder and you have to accept that it is much more of a subjective choice. Even seemingly very different fighters have a lot more in common. Calzaghe share the same 32 KO stoppages as Lennox Lewis which puts a bit more perspective on him being called slappy. Both of those great fighters look a bit powder puff compared to Jimmy Wilde knocking out 99 opponents when not even weighing * stone himself

Back to the modern era though. Hamed as natural a fighter and entertainer as he was, even he could never lay claim to capturing the British publics imagination as much as Hatton. People loved ' Our Henry' and 'Big Frank' but people turned out in their thousands for Hatton and traveled the word supporting him. There was always an element of hype there, but it was built around a true entertainer who was very rarely going to give you a dull fight, win or lose. It was intoxicating stuff and Hatton truly had to work at it to get where he did, that heart for me makes up for what was missing in his boxing arsenal. Top Notch and in throwing himself in there with Floyd and Pacman he is a bit harshly dismissed because of the manner of their victories.

True.

For me I admit I am lacking in geography- when it comes to determinining if a Welsh fighter? Is considered as a British fighter as well? Or English?

When BoxRec ranks Hatton as the 11th greatest European fighter of all time and fifth greatest British fighter of all time- I am not sure who is on the European list that is NOT on the British list & vice versa.

And I totally forgot dude was named fighter of the year in 2005, he won several titles that year, just forgot which.



Decent thread but a bit confusing- you dealt with the title (best) I dealt with his post (natural) so I am not sure where the correct answer lies!!

Since 1707 the Kingdom of Great Britain now usually referred to as The United Kingdom or Britain has included all the countries/nations in the British Isles (Islands) .

England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland

are all and have all been considered British since that date.

Scotland and Wales have the ability to make their own rules and have their own Parliaments.

The closest thing I can imagine in the US is states. They are all considered part of the USA but can make their own laws etc.

It would be a bit like me asking if Floyd Mayweather was considered American because he was born in Michigan.


Back on topic for the last 40 years probably has to be Calzaghe even with Lewis bringing the Heavyweight title back after ..100 years? ( something like that) but Hatton was a throwback to the 'Prizefighter' exhibition booth / traveling boxer roots in many ways more than Fury.

Fury supposedly being the people's champion makes me laugh. He is so full of shite. Doesn't want to be considered English despite being born here, then still wants to fight for those titles and grab those fans. Pretends it's not about the money then moans about the money, says he is all action then mouths off for God knows how long, whilst being inactive. Is a drug cheat and then preaches about being an example. They can say he is a fascinating character and the mass of contradictions that many great fighters are, but he does not represent fair play or any other British values and yet people love him, and pretend that Joshua who despite being a bit vanilla, is nowhere near as fake, is the phony.

Odd.

Credit where it is due Fury's fight against Wlad was a masterclass but for some Brits to then watch AJ get up after getting floored in a British classic against Wlad, bite down on his gumshield and tear the win from him, and still...still question his heart is beyond me.

Look at many of them now pretending and insisting that Fury fighting Wilder is an example of AJ running scared.

Mental

[smashup]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

But did he though?

No he did not but Erics44 sees things others do not.

AJ looked terrible in the second ruiz fight

and Bruno never lost a fight over 6 rounds apart from Tyson

Bonecrusher Smith, Lewis & Witherspoon all beat Bruno in rounds 10, 7, 11

[erics44]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

But did he though?

No he did not but Erics44 sees things others do not.

AJ looked terrible in the second ruiz fight

and Bruno never lost a fight over 6 rounds apart from Tyson

Bonecrusher Smith, Lewis & Witherspoon all beat Bruno in rounds 10, 7, 11

all three fights he won the first 6 rounds

[Primo Carnera]

Frank Bruno

Greatest fighter in history lb4lb over 6 rounds

Except Tyson beat him in 5 and 3 rounds.

proves nothing, Tyson was his bogey man

and the second fight he was mentally ill

AJ lost to Ruiz and struggle badly second time, doesnt make Ruiz better

But did he though?

No he did not but Erics44 sees things others do not.

AJ looked terrible in the second ruiz fight

and Bruno never lost a fight over 6 rounds apart from Tyson

Bonecrusher Smith, Lewis & Witherspoon all beat Bruno in rounds 10, 7, 11

all three fights he won the first 6 rounds

How many times are you gonna get pulled up for wrong statements on this thread and then change the goalposts? This is beginning to sound like the monty python sketch “what have the Romans ever done fo us.”