Whos you fav boxer from each part of the u.k/irealand and how you think they will do in 2005??
Mines are as follows
Scotland:Alex arthur
England:Ricky Hatton
Ireland/N.Irealnd : E.Magee
Wales:Dean Philips
1: Arthur i know hes a cocky arragnont idiot, but hes and edinburgh boy like me and i think he does have bags of talent, looking for him to beat docherty/gomez and sinistin this year hope he can do it,
2.whatever anyone says he does have so much ability hes hardly lost any rounds in his career never mind fights, needs the fight this year even if he loses sure he will gain so much credit from it.
3.Mr magee, was told he never walk never mind fight, what a warrior thats all that can be said, hoping he can come back just as good in 05 is he still wbu champ?? there is some great fights in britain and europe for him hope he can do it,
4. our very own dean philps, done great to get in a title fight so soon after a lay off like he had, done th 12 rounds and would have learnt so much from that defeat, spoke to the guy in person and hes a great chap hoping he can pick up a belt in 05.
Its a tough one, some personal bias and all. So I have done a top three for each nation.
So in order.
England : Thompson, Hatton, Williams.
Scotland : Docherty, Arhur, Harrison.
Ireland - All very close Kelly, Magee, McCullough.
Wales - Doherty, Phillips, Alan Jones (honourable mention Keith Jones).
Why I selected them and what I think will happen in 2005.
1) Carl Thompson - Selected him because of his heart and will, always been critical of him in the past but I have really learned to respect and admire him. An absolute proffesional (look at his body for a 40+ year old). Will fight anybody and one you can never write off. Have talked to him and he was a true gent, I went to talk to him asking about his shoulder (on Hamed vs Robinson bill). He was busy but made time to talk with me for about 30 mins and in the end the conversation went about my amateur fights (just started then). I'll never forget that I made him laugh when I said "You'll kick his arse next time" (refering to Rochigianni) and was delighted when he did. Lost a bit of respect for him with his post fight comments following the Eubank fight (the first one) and also because I think Eubank should have been given the decision, but he had a right to moan about the Johnny Nelson stoppage and has proved since what determination he has.
What do I think will happen, unfortunately I think he will lose to Rothman and will be avoided for the best part of 2005.
2) Ricky Hatton - Exciting fight with a good style, seems to be geniune bloke and a student of the game. Is already well known in America despite the lack of coverage.
I think by the end of 2005, Ricky will be a geniune world champion - although I do think it will be thanks to a win over Lovemore N'dou.
3) Danny Williams - I still think he has the tools to win a world title, a frustrating fighter to watch - but is compelling viewing because of that.
I hope he gets an opportunity to fight Ruiz or Brewester for a world title, but I feel he will use 2005 to consolidate his positioning as the #1 fighter in the country - he will be Skelton by the years end.
Scotland
1) Craig Docherty - Heart of a Lion, improving fighter and what I would call an overachiever. Everyone praises him as a person.
2005 - I cannot see it being a good year if he has Arthur up next, that is a dangerous assignment. I think he could beat Sinistin if he could get the fight in Scotland and that would be the match I would hope for.
2) Alex Arthur - Once saw him as an arrogant, overated and then exposed fighter who would be finished after the Gomez defeat. My god I have to respect his performances and attitude since. Could very well be my #1 favourite fighter from Scotland by the years end.
3) Scott Harrison - A workaholic in the ring and is very strong at the weight, has been a little inconsistent since first winning the title and its hard to know what Harrison will do because of it. The Harrison who lost to Medina and struggled vs Estrada may come unstuck vs Polo. I think the best Harrison would beat most except for the title holders.
MUST AVOID BARRERA this year, Marco was a notorius body puncher, this is Harrison's weak area - Watch the Estrada and Robinson fights for proof.
Ireland - All close as these are possibly my three favourite fighters full stop.
1) Damaen Kelly - This guy is a pure boxer, such a master craftsman and an absolute hero with the Amateur boxers of Northen Ireland. I hope 2005 will bring him another proper world title fight because time is running out.
2) Eamomn Magee - For the reason's stated by bigped and the fact that he had the beatings of Hatton. I hope 2005 will just see him back and performing well, the rest could do him good. You never know if the Welterweight titles become fragmented in 2006 the devision doesn't have much depth to it, he could get a title.
3) Wayne McCullough - Hard man, enough said. If he's got Larios next I fear 2005 will be painful. He's got the right weight devision but it has come far too soon in his comeback. I just hope he does well and takes the positive's from the performance. He is not even tipped to do well, so lets hope he does - Larios is the best champion out there.
Wales
1) Tony Doherty - Been a fan of the guy since he was an amateur, my only gripe with him is that I classify him more Irish than Welsh but thats by the by. Great style, fantastic movement and you watch - the guy will prove the doubters wrong the he doesn't hit hard - he does and that will come. I hope by the end of the year he's pushing the likes of Barrett and Bosworth.
2) Dean Phillips - An inspirational story to me personally (as I am undertaking a similar path), Dean has showed that you can take a long break and come back well. An intelligent man as well as fighter, Dean showed remark maturity in the way he took the Bennett defeat. 2005 is a make or break year for Dean, I just hope he is patient and chooses the right options for his career I don't think he can afford another jump up. He must remember that while he is 28, he is effectively only at 24 year old given his absence so he has alot of time left in the sport.
3) Alan Jones - Picked Alan because he is a good friend of a friend and I know has been brought up well. He's an intelligent lad and I hope he can win the British title.
England - Murray. Thaxton, Martin Power, Steve Spartacus
Wales - Phillips, Doherty and Jamie Arthur
Scotland - Harrison, Gary Young
Ireland - Kevin O'Hara,
Also like watching Shinny Bayaar but of course he's Mongolian.
These are my favourites not neccasarily who I think are best!! :-)
