Best British Fighters in the last 20 Years

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Best British Fighters in the last 20 years

Top 10 Best of Britain

1. Joe Calzaghe
2. Lennox Lewis
3. Ricky Hatton
4. Chris Eubank
5. Prince Naseem Hamed
6. Herbie Hide
7. Herol Graham
8. Nigel Benn
9. Frank Bruno
10. Junior Witter

Number 1 – Joe Calzaghe – Record 43-0 (32 KO)

It was a tough decision to put Calzaghe or Lewis in at number 1, it was just the standard of opponents that Calzaghe has faced that sowed that little seed of doubt, not that this is Calzaghe’s fault in any way, he has never ducked anyone there just has been the class of opponents in his reign as Champion, he came along just as the Benn’s, Collins, McCallum’s were on there way out, he did fight and beat Chris Eubank who was a little past his best.

As a super middleweight Calzaghe is undefeated in nearly 14 years and in 43 fights, which includes 21 World Title fights. Calzaghe has never even come close to being defeated he has only briefly been on the canvas twice in his whole career, by Salem and Mitchell, both although big punches Joe was up straight away and went on to win. He has the heart of a Champion and has suffered with hand problems for his full career, and still defeated all comers. Calzaghe deserves the number one spot and who am I to take it away from him.

Number 2 – Lennox Lewis – Record 41-2-1 (32 KO)

Born in East London then moved to Canada, competed for Canada in the Olympics twice, the second time winning a Gold Medal. He then signed with Frank Maloney and moved back to the UK where he started his professional Career. Won the European Title in only his 14th Fight, Then won the British Title and the Commonwealth Titles beating British favourites Gary Mason and Derek Williams.

Then in his 23 fight he took a shot at Tony Tuckers WBC Heavyweight World Title, winning on points. He made two defences and then lost to Oliver McCall, he then regained the title by beating McCall after McCall broke down in the ring. He made 9 defences and added the IBF, IBO and WBA titles on the way.

Then came a shock loss to Rahman which he quickly put right winning back the titles. He made a further 2 title defences before retiring as World Champion in 2003. He fought a total of 18 World Title fights and returned to beat the only 2 men who managed to defeat him.

Number 3 – Ricky Hatton – Record 42-0 (30 KO)

Hatton is another amazing fighter who again it could be justified that he should be sitting at the top of the tree, he is unbeaten in 42 professional contests. Hatton has faced some of the toughest men in the Light Welterweight Division, including the likes of Vince Phillips, Ben Tackie and one of the greatest Kostya Tszyu. He won the World Title at 2 weights Light welter and up at Welter.

One of the reasons Hatton is not number one is that in his 42 fights only 4 have been world title fights, although he has taken on previous title holders. He has been put down a little lately with his fights with Luis Collazo and Juan Urango, both are which are very harsh. Collazo a strong Welterweight, and awkward southpaw, Hatton did very well to win and he did so reasonably convincingly, Urango was a tough Light Welterweight, from physical appearance he looked more like a light Middle. Hatton boxed him fantastically, moving in doing his work and then getting out of there, it might not have been fantastic fight to watch for the untrained eye but he boxed beautifully.

Hatton has only been on the canvas one in the 42 fights and that was a flash knock down to big punching Eamon McGee. He is a tough man and a great Champion and at the age of only 28 hopefully there will be a lot more to come.

Number 4 – Chris Eubank – Record 45-5-2 (23 KO)

The man even his own fans loved to hate, certainly on of the biggest characters ever to step into a boxing ring, and he had the talent to back it up. He took British favourite warrior Nigel Benn’s title from him in there first meeting, going on to defend it 18 times. He suffered a few losses towards the end of his career to the likes of Calzaghe, Steve Collins and up at Cruiserweight Carl Thompson.

He was a fantastic showman and people will remember his antics between rounds nearly as much as the round itself, He had two amazing fights with Michael Watson, the second leaving Watson brain damaged and paralysed. This took something away from Eubank and he never looked the same fighter again, although he still defended his title a further 14 times, some of the spark left him.

Number 5 – Prince Naseem Hamed – Record 36-1 (31 KO)

Naseem was another great showman, probably more flamboyant than Eubank, with his somersaults over the top rope to enter the ring. Again inside the ring he backed up the arrogance with amazing speed and power. He won a world title in only his 19th Fight and made 16 defences, he eventually ran into the tough and world class Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, who managed to work out Naseem’s style and beat him on points.

Naz could have been the best but he decided not take a re-match with Barrera and we didn’t see him in the ring for a whole year, he eventually returned for a fight with Mexican Calvo in which he won but was booed after a poor performance, that was the last time we saw the Prince in action.

Number 6 – Herbie Hide – Record 37-4 (36 KO)

To see Herbie Hide in this list may surprise a few people, he had an amazing talent and massive punch power. His natural weight was Cruiserweight and if he had stayed there he would have ruled the world and may be even higher up this list. The financial pull from Heavyweight was too much and he stepped up although his punch power still knocked out some of the best Heavyweights and he won the World title on two separate occasions once he came up against the huge men such as Riddick Bowe and Vitali Klitschko he was just too small.

Hide suffered mentally and was known for his short temper and abusive outbursts, when he returned to the ring, he suffered two defeats to complete journeymen and his love for the sport seemed to have totally diminished. He has made yet another comeback this time back at Cruiserweight again, but at the age of 35 it may be too late for him to make any real impression.

Number 7 – Herol Graham – Record 48-6 (28 KO)

Probably one of the best fighters in the world never to win a world title, Herol won his first 38 fights, he then defended his European Title against the tough Sumbu Kalambay, who after a close points verdict gave Graham his first defeat. He then took on American superstar the Body Snatcher Mike McCallum for his first World title shot for the WBA Middleweight title, again losing a very close points decision.

Than came another American Julian Jackson, Graham was totally out boxing Jackson and looked to be on his way to winning his first title, then towards the end of the 4th round Jackson unleashed one of his famous bombs that couldn’t have landed any flusher on the chin of Graham, knocking him out cold.

In his last fight Graham took on yet another American this time for the IBF version of the title, again Graham was boxing well until the tenth, Graham dropped Brewer twice and then came the onslaught, Brewer fought back with amazing courage and stopped Graham to his massive disappointment. After this fight Graham retired never reaching his dream of a World Title belt.

Number 8 – Nigel Benn – Record 42-5-1 (35 KO)

Nigel Benn was a true warrior, the amount of times he was out on his feet and then fired back was unbelievable, his fight with Gerald McClellan was one of if not the best fight in history, unfortunately due to the tragic repercussions of McClellan’s injuries after the fight, that is what it is remembered for. Nigel was like a wild animal only came into his best after being hurt.

He was possibly the most exciting fighter to watch in the ring tremendous power with both hands but also was a little too easy to hit. Nigel won his first 22 fights all by knockout. He will be best remembered for his wars in and out of the ring with Chris Eubank, which was only missing the third fight between the two after a draw in their second fight. If this list was based on Heart and the will to win Nigel would be up there with the best.

Number 9 – Frank Bruno – Record – 40-5 (38 KO)

Big Frank Bruno is always remembered as a nearly man that when it came to the crunch just didn’t have enough. I would argue that he did, he only had 5 losses on his card, the first loss against James Bonecrusher Smith, Bruno went into the fight as favourite and was winning well on all the cards until Smith landed a massive blow in the 10th Round, Bruno took the barrage and was stopped. In his first title challenge against Tim Witherspoon again Bruno was up on all the cards again but again Bruno was caught and stopped in the 11th after looking the winner. He then took on Iron Mike Tyson and became the first man to wobble the champion before again being caught with a series of massive uppercuts and was again stopped.

Then came the turn of Lennox Lewis and again Bruno was ahead and looking good and he got caught yet again and stopped. He then eventually did win the Heavyweight World Title against Oliver McCall, proving he did have what it took, Bruno was a lot better fighter than given credit for, where he fell down was not having a glass jaw but not knowing how to react when hurt, rather than go down and take time to recover he would stand and take the barrage which followed and subsequently being stopped.

Number 10 – Junior Witter – Record – 35-1-2 (20 KO)

Another who may not be fully justified to be in the top 10, however in his first Title challenge he took Zab Judah the distance at very short notice, and two early draws in his career, since then has done nothing wrong. He is currently the WBC Light Welterweight Champion and has defended his title. He still awaits the real tests but they are coming and he will be tough man to beat.

He has perfected his unique style and which uses speed and power to the maximum, a clash with Ricky Hatton will be interesting although I believe Hatton will have too much for him. Never the less Witter has proven he is a great fighter and will continue doing so.

Others that were considered –

Howard Eastman
David Haye
Enzo Maccarinelli
Colin Dunne
Billy Schwer
Wayne McCullough
Michael Watson
Steve Collins
Michael Brodie
Danny Williams
Johnny Nelson

There are many more as well that could have been in the top ten