best fighter you've seen box in the flesh

[Pugilist-specialist]

I saw Hamed v Belcastro at Hillsborough Leisure Centre

It was at Ponds Forge.

[youngrell]

Bets fighters I've seen (not at their prime, though) Jones Jnr, Calzaghe, Hopkins.

[reggaereggae]

I've seen Lennox (very far away from ring and he got Ko'd!), Nigel Benn, Ricky Hatton, Naseem Hamed, Winky Wright,Joe Calzaghe, Vitali Klitschko.. And Floyd Mayweather - but again very far away. In terms of really close up - I saw Colin McMillan - Paul Ingle at York hall. That is probably my best memory as I was so close I could've touched them.

To see Duran or Sugar Ray would've been awesome.

The one fighter in my era I would've like would have to have been Tyson

[reggaereggae]

Oh I also saw Barrera batter Paul Lloyd in a spiteful performance. Hatton was on that bill too

[handsofstone]

I dont really go to pro boxing shows unless on the rare occasions their on in my home city(Dundee) and i go to most amateur shows here so havent seen any future HOF'ers

So i'll have to go for Willie Limond

[Boxerbeetle]

Oh I also saw Barrera batter Paul Lloyd in a spiteful performance. Hatton was on that bill too

I remember that fight well, Barrera's performance was about as perfect as it gets.

[reggaereggae]

Oh I also saw Barrera batter Paul Lloyd in a spiteful performance. Hatton was on that bill too

I remember that fight well, Barrera's performance was about as perfect as it gets.

It was vicious. I remember overhearing some boxing journalist (can't remember who) saying Barrera was such a spiteful bastard, insinuating that Paul was so out of his depth Marco didn't need to be that vicious.....

It confused me somewhat at the time - I mean it's pro boxing not an amateur club show; world title. If you can end it quick, do so.

[Karl Jade]

Lennox Lewis

This. He had everything.

Just a masterful boxer, fighter, athlete.

[mickey1975]

Lennox Lewis

This. He had everything.

Just a masterful boxer, fighter, athlete.

Apart from when he got banged clean out twice....?

[Datsue]

Oh I also saw Barrera batter Paul Lloyd in a spiteful performance. Hatton was on that bill too

I remember that fight well, Barrera's performance was about as perfect as it gets.

It was vicious. I remember overhearing some boxing journalist (can't remember who) saying Barrera was such a spiteful bastard, insinuating that Paul was so out of his depth Marco didn't need to be that vicious.....

It confused me somewhat at the time - I mean it's pro boxing not an amateur club show; world title. If you can end it quick, do so.

To this day I've got Glyn Leach's report of the fight burned into my mind:

"It was like watching a toddler walk into a threshing machine."

Thing of beauty & wonder, that.

Glyn.

[big lennox]

Joe Calzaghe is the best that I have seen live.

Also, Johnny Nelson was wonderful to watch live -so hard to hit, which is such a good skill.

[freddydoesdallas]

Well i was lucky enough to get to see Lomachenko at the Olympics and he looked a cut above everyone else who got in the ring during that session.

I've seen the majority of the top British fighters since the turn of the century but the one fighter who really stood out for me was when Sharmba Mitchell fought Mike Stewart on a Hatton undercard. He looked brilliant that night, great movement (feet and head) and dangerous with both hands.

[thepocketrocket]

Thought I have seen numerous greats, the most I have seen people open mouthed is when I saw Steve Molitor in the flesh..

Not that he was the best fighter ever...it was just one of those 'what are we watching here?' moments. Guys you know are great, or expect it off don't have that wow factor sometimes

[bigjack]

Lennox Lewis

This. He had everything.

Just a masterful boxer, fighter, athlete.

Apart from when he got banged clean out twice....?

Once

[bigjack]

Apart from Sugar Ray Leonard,i have also seen Larry Holmes,Tommy Hearns,Evander Holyfield,all in the flesh and close up,Leonard tops them all though for pure boxing skill,in my eyes anyway he was faultless

[Mimmy]

The first fight I ever saw live was John Westgarth v Dave Garside in Newcastle. It was televised on Fightnight at the Mayfair. Westgarth was heavy favourite after beating Garside a few fights earlier, however on this occasion Garside stopped John in 9 rounds. I had a ringside seat (basically on a table close to the ring with 9 others, I was 18 years old) The atmosphere was great and as it was my first ever pro show its always stuck in my memory. The smokey atmosphere, the swearing the drinking it was a really good eye opener to pro boxing.

My second fight was to see George Foreman at the Docklands. Pretty stale night to be honest, no atmosphere other than meeting Frank Bruno, Jack 'Kid' Berg amongst many others.

Getting on to the big events, I must say I have seen Eubank Sr fight several times, but the fight against Henry Wharton in 94 at the G-Mex was fcuking fantastic, never had any feeling like it the hairs were stuck up on my neck, Eubank certainly knew how to get the crowd going. For atmosphere you could not beat a Eubank show.

One other fight that sticks in my mind was seeing the Yorkshire Hunter Paul Ingle v Naseem Hamed, that was a great show too at the MEN, but also because Thomas Hearns was on the bill, and its not often you can say youve seen a pure Legend fight live.

[Coco]

The smoky small hall dust ups, often between journeymen for small purses, fighting to keep the board off their backs often provide some vicious little fights which go under the radar.

[manno]

The first fight I ever saw live was John Westgarth v Dave Garside in Newcastle. It was televised on Fightnight at the Mayfair. Westgarth was heavy favourite after beating Garside a few fights earlier, however on this occasion Garside stopped John in 9 rounds. I had a ringside seat (basically on a table close to the ring with 9 others, I was 18 years old) The atmosphere was great and as it was my first ever pro show its always stuck in my memory. The smokey atmosphere, the swearing the drinking it was a really good eye opener to pro boxing.

My second fight was to see George Foreman at the Docklands. Pretty stale night to be honest, no atmosphere other than meeting Frank Bruno, Jack 'Kid' Berg amongst many others.

Getting on to the big events, I must say I have seen Eubank Sr fight several times, but the fight against in 94 at the G-Mex was fcuking fantastic, never had any feeling like it the hairs were stuck up on my neck, Eubank certainly knew how to get the crowd going. For atmosphere you could not beat a Eubank show.

One other fight that sticks in my mind was seeing the Yorkshire Hunter Paul Ingle v Naseem Hamed, that was a great show too at the MEN, but also because Thomas Hearns was on the bill, and its not often you can say youve seen a pure Legend fight live.

Good shout! I was lucky enough to be house second that night with me pal and it worked I was in the wrong corner for hearns so I told him Naz's brother had been asking after him and when he shot off to find him I snaked my way into hearns corner waiting for the great man... Imagine my disappointment when the obligatory 20 strong yank corner turned up with him and said your not needed now run along

[manno]

Well i was lucky enough to get to see Lomachenko at the Olympics and he looked a cut above everyone else who got in the ring during that session.

I've seen the majority of the top British fighters since the turn of the century but the one fighter who really stood out for me was when Sharmba Mitchell fought Mike Stewart on a Hatton undercard. He looked brilliant that night, great movement (feet and head) and dangerous with both hands.

Sharmba Mitchell schooled Nigel wenton I think also, terrific boxer

[Parson Cross]

I've seen em all travelled the world and been around pro fighting since 1978.
However I have never seen anything like Naz at his peak.
For pure electricity as well as supreme performances it has to be Naz schooling Robinson and Ricky beating Zoo.

[Parson Cross]

However for personal reasons every single Rhodes fight including that magnificent night against Moore will be special memories for me - including the setbacks.

[StevieAdamsJr]

Its a tough question... Luke Campbell is a top class prospect. His performances against Lee Connelly and Scott Moises were very impressive. His speed and variety of punches has stayed with me.
I was also very impressed with Liam 'Beefy' Smith when I went to the Liverpool Olympia to watch him fight Erick Ochieng. Liam has a very fan-friendly style and he is extremely strong. He wastes very few shots and he hits harder than his record might suggest. I think he has a bright future.

[Counter-puncher]

The first fight I ever saw live was John Westgarth v Dave Garside in Newcastle. It was televised on Fightnight at the Mayfair. Westgarth was heavy favourite after beating Garside a few fights earlier, however on this occasion Garside stopped John in 9 rounds. I had a ringside seat (basically on a table close to the ring with 9 others, I was 18 years old) The atmosphere was great and as it was my first ever pro show its always stuck in my memory. The smokey atmosphere, the swearing the drinking it was a really good eye opener to pro boxing.

My second fight was to see George Foreman at the Docklands. Pretty stale night to be honest, no atmosphere other than meeting Frank Bruno, Jack 'Kid' Berg amongst many others.

Getting on to the big events, I must say I have seen Eubank Sr fight several times, but the fight against in 94 at the G-Mex was fcuking fantastic, never had any feeling like it the hairs were stuck up on my neck, Eubank certainly knew how to get the crowd going. For atmosphere you could not beat a Eubank show.

One other fight that sticks in my mind was seeing the Yorkshire Hunter Paul Ingle v Naseem Hamed, that was a great show too at the MEN, but also because Thomas Hearns was on the bill, and its not often you can say youve seen a pure Legend fight live.

Good shout! I was lucky enough to be house second that night with me pal and it worked I was in the wrong corner for hearns so I told him Naz's brother had been asking after him and when he shot off to find him I snaked my way into hearns corner waiting for the great man... Imagine my disappointment when the obligatory 20 strong yank corner turned up with him and said your not needed now run along

ha, brilliant!

[manno]

Also forgot Micky ward, who not the best technically was the best at what he did. Strange how all fighters are different before fights, Ward looked to be absolutley bricking it in the changing room, then turned in that peformance against neary.

[orbtastic]

The smoky small hall dust ups, often between journeymen for small purses, fighting to keep the board off their backs often provide some vicious little fights which go under the radar.

I think one of the first fights I ever saw live was a tough little Greek Cypriot against Shaun Cogan, they knocked lumps off each other and momentum swayed back and forth. I was at ringside too, so really got pulled into it. 20 minutes later he'd had a shower and was sitting in front of us watching the rest of the boxing.