1990's british light heavyweights

[james_leeds]

Was just thinking that from the 1980's when Andries was world light heavyweight champion until 2000's when clinton woods won a version. There was a gap in the 1990's when British light heavyweights didnt quite reach the highs of a world title. There were some good British, Commonwealth and European champions including, Crawford Ashley, Nicky Piper, Garry Delaney, Noel Magee, Mark Prince, Tony Wilson, Maurice Core etc. Any thoughts?

[THEBUTCH]

Crawford Ashley was probably the best of that lot. Went the full 12 when challenging Virgil Hill on away soil and rumbled with Michael Nunn in the USA too. Also solid challenges for the European crown, again overseas + beat Piper in a real struggle for the British title.

[james_leeds]

Ashley did have a great jab and a hard right, its weird that he had a real average start to his career. He lost to Blaine logsdon and glazz campbell who were ok top ten light heavyweights. His fight with Piper was a great one. Magee had a great win over Delaney from that period and had a terrific battle with Piper. Piper was quite unlucky against Barber, he just couldn't tuck his chin down in the 9th.

[Old bones Ian]

Ashley v Piper was a great fight, the ref could almost of stopped it late on as both boxers were completly gone.

For me, i don't think we saw the best of Mark Prince, he gave top Light heavy king Dariusz Michalczewski a tough night, losing in 8 rounds.
Prince retired soon after, still think he could of gone on to bigger things.

[james_leeds]

He was a good young prospect, although he at times looked a bit vunerable with his defence. I rem his fight with michael gale, he was out on his feet and thet were both punching like drunks in the street, but gale tired and prince pulled out a great shot to end it. Speaking of Michalczewski he beat Piper, Magee and prince in 8 rounds. They all did quite well against him but he was a real strong consistent fighter who just wore them down. I think many of the fighters we have mentioned would have been more successful in Britain if they were around in the last few years. British light heavys such as Peter Oboh, Neil Simpson weren't the greatest.

[Old bones Ian]

Shame that Michalczewski v Jones Jnr couldn't of happened. I'm not saying Michalczewski would have won, but he would have been a tough man for Jones Jnr.

Was the Ashley v Carl Thompson fight video'd by anyone? i'm sure it wouldn't of been on TV ,

[james_leeds]

Ive never seen that fight but that was a great win for Ashley especially as Thompson soon destroyed that Welsh IT boy Piper when Piper was knockin over everyone.

[1southpaw]

can any one put these fighters on youtube

[Old bones Ian]

In trying to find some bits on Crawford Ashley i found a couple of interesting fights that almost happened for him, Chris Eubank was offered £350,000 to take him on, but turned it down in 1997.
And Crawford was due to challenge Jeff Harding for the world title, but it was postponed because of TV problems, and never went ahead.

And most amazing of all , and i can remember this at the time, was Ashley v Thomas Hearns, about a week before the fight was due to happen it was called off, can't remember the reason.

[1southpaw]

In trying to find some bits on Crawford Ashley i found a couple of interesting fights that almost happened for him, Chris Eubank was offered £350,000 to take him on, but turned it down in 1997.
And Crawford was due to challenge Jeff Harding for the world title, but it was postponed because of TV problems, and never went ahead.

And most amazing of all , and i can remember this at the time, was Ashley v Thomas Hearns, about a week before the fight was due to happen it was called off, can't remember the reason.

i have heard that ashley turned down a few big money fights i wounder why???? i mean id fight anyone for £350.000 did he earn good money out of boxing

[Old bones Ian]

I think the Hearns and Harding fights he was all ready for them, but they just didn't happen, the Hearns one was called off only a week before the fight.

And it was Eubank that turned down the £350,000 offer.

[james_leeds]

Top Ten 1990's British Light Heavyweights?

1. Crawford Ashley (British, Commonwealth & European)
2. Tom Collins (British & European)
3. Nicky Piper (Commonwealth)
4. Mark Prince (W.B.O Intercontinental)
5. Noel Magee (Commonwealth)
6. Garry Delaney (Commonwealth)
7. Maurice Core (British)
8. Tony Wilson (British)
9. Steve McCarthy (British)
10. Michael Gale (Commonwealth Contender)

[matko]

I remember this era, didnt realise how quality it was gale vs prince is defo a classic edge of the seat brawl how prince pulled it back quality stuff, what about peter oboh?? he was dangerous think he was more of a cruiser/ heavy early in his career thou?? he knocked a few over, ole klemetsen boxed a few of our lads at that time ashley demolished him remember he had a gud fight wit woods too who i admired at the time but that was late in his career i think, was it bbc that showed ashley, woods etc in them days

[Axe]

I'd put Mark Prince on top of the list if it came down to head-to-head matchups.

[E]

Top Ten 1990's British Light Heavyweights?

1. Crawford Ashley (British, Commonwealth & European)
2. Tom Collins (British & European)
3. Nicky Piper (Commonwealth)
4. Mark Prince (W.B.O Intercontinental)
5. Noel Magee (Commonwealth)
6. Garry Delaney (Commonwealth)
7. Maurice Core (British)
8. Tony Wilson (British)
9. Steve McCarthy (British)
10. Michael Gale (Commonwealth Contender)

You do realise McCarthy effectively Ko'd Wilson?

I thought Delaney would do well but I guess he spent too much time down the Ministry of Sound. Asley wasn't bad but everyone seems to be forgetting what Klemetsen did to him. And going the distance with non-punchers Hill and Nunn is not that amazing....

[james_leeds]

I understand that McCarthy did beat Wilson in that fight, however i would put Wilson above him because Wilson won the Lonsdale belt outright and as an amateur he was a 2 time ABA champion and got to the quarter finals of the Olympics. I also put Noel Magee in front of Core even though Core beat Magee. Again i felt Magee fought the better men throughout his career and when the 2 did fight it was Magee who was well ahead after putting Core down twice but got caught with a good shot. And also Core never would give Magee the rematch. Delaney at one stage looked awesome he was undefeated in 20 fights with 13 KO.s but against Magee he just couldnt handle someone on top of him for 3 minutes a round. Shame to see he has ended up in prison for killing a guy.

[Old bones Ian]

I think the weight making was one of the factors for Delaney against Magee, also during the fight didn't Delaney hurt his hand?
Anyway it was a big upset for Magee.

[james_leeds]

He said he hurt his hand but if you watch the fight Magee won 6 of the 7 completed rounds and Delaney was trying to throw big shots all night with his right hand. I think he was just exhausted and knew he couldn't deal with the pace, so he quit. He was a big upset but Magee was a very good boxer and i think Delaney didnt give him the respect he deserved and paid the price.