Other than Jamie Moore.......

[stujones]

Who do you think is the best British fighter never to have FOUGHT for a world title. Yes, I know the real historians will mention names like Jim Driscoll as being more deserving than Moore and the case is solid. However, I'm talking more modern era when it seems all you really have to do is win the Lonsdale belt for keeps and you get a shot (and some don't even have to achieve that much).

Everytime I see these Matchroom boys get their shot away from home (Smith, Rose etc) I keep thinking what must Jamie be thinking in the studio.

Anyway.... who else was is up there as best fighter never to fought for the World title (say last 30 years).

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Good question, probably Johnny Clark who won all three regional belts at bantamweight - beat some really good lads too.

But then you had a fighter like Harry Scott who beat some really good names who never got a shot at the British title.

[The Law]

Dean Francis. He was one of our best prospects prior to his shoulder injury in 1998.

[black panther]

Tough question for sure.

I always thought Colin Dunne at his peak was good enough to fight for a "big four" world title (he held the inaugural WBU belt) - around the time he beat Philip Holiday in 1999 (Philip's only loss at that point was when he lost his lightweight title to Shane Mosely). Unfortunately his love of a tear-up was to his detriment as his punch resistance seemed to decline alarmingly and three years later he was getting hurt and dropped by relatively light hitting fighters like the South African Martin Jacobs. It was sad to see him go out to Kevin Bennett like that.

If Richard Williams hadn't been matched with a certain Mr.Martinez, he certainly was good enough to fight and even win a version of the world title. Those fights took it all out of him IMO but he had tremendous skills and at 154lbs could really punch too.


Ps.

Brilliant shout Law, completely missed that one! We may have a winner! Dean's still had some ruddy good wins with one arm; imagine if he had two?

[stujones]

Dean Francis. He was one of our best prospects prior to his shoulder injury in 1998.

Decent shout, as is Spencer Oliver.

Although when I think about it, the amount of British fighters (modern era) who didn't get a shot that he deserved is few and far between. Gary Mason? Not sure I can honestly say he deserved a shot..... Eamonn Magee? Colin Dunne? Johnny Armour (possibly as a long standing EBU champion I think he deserved one), Michael Gomez (more deserving than many who got a crack), Shea Neary?

Definitely seems to be a good time to be a British fighter in terms of World recognition.

[stevedoc]

easy kirland laing ....just creeping in the 30 years

[palooka]

Culshaw, Lockett, Rhodes, Schwer were all really good.

[stujones]

Culshaw, Lockett, Rhodes, Schwer were all really good.

Gary Locket, Ryan Rhodes and Billy Schwer all fought for world titles.....

[stevedoc]

Culshaw, Lockett, Rhodes, Schwer were all really good.

i think schwer and rhodes fought for world titles ( i haven't checked so i might be wrong)

[palooka]

Sorry Stu,

[stujones]

easy kirland laing ....just creeping in the 30 years

Good shout - even post 1984 he did win a EBU title.

[bripez]

Culshaw, Lockett, Rhodes, Schwer were all really good.

Gary Locket, Ryan Rhodes and Billy Schwer all fought for world titles.....

And Culshaw seemed happy enough defending his WBU title in Liverpool.

[orbtastic]

Oliver was on the cusp of a title shot when Devakov wrecked his plans.

Schwer was extremely lucky not to get a rematch with Johnson after he rested positive for ephedrine, although he was banged up, it's hard to say how much of that was due to his paper thin skin and Johnson's "extra" performance on the night. He also had his face busted up badly against Ruelas, who DeLaHoya blew away in 2 rounds.

[bobmee]

Stretching the 30 years just a little bit, Clinton McKenzie at his peak wouldn't have been out of place in a world title fight. I remember him losing over 15 rounds in one of the best fights I've ever seen against Colin Power - I thought McKenzie won = and less than 3 weeks later he fought Bruce Curry in Las Vegas and lost over 10 rounds. At his best he was a clever, classy southpaw with world class moves, a real old-fashioned 15-round fighter, and brave as they come. Just had a habit of losing momentum here and there. Today he'd probably have made lightweight too. But I agree, Kirkland Laing is the biggest could-have, should-have example we've ever had.

[ed robinson]

Clinton's a good call Bob. Steve Roberts, Shea Neary, Michael Gomez, Gary Mason all spring to mind.

[kamicazze]

Jawaid Khaliq, Maurice core, fidel Castro smith, Steve Roberts

[olij999]

easy kirland laing ....just creeping in the 30 years

Good shout - even post 1984 he did win a EBU title.

+1

Would have had a world title shot in 1990 if only he had beaten Buck Smith. I was so disappointed when he lost!

[dapug]

Kevin Finnegan.

[Bard of Boxrec]

There are tons and tons of British fighters who were pretty good but never fought for the world title.

Oh, you mean paper belts.

[Glass Joe]

Given the amount of World titles around today, i would say Lee Haskins, but that's partly his fault being too loyal to the Sanigars and not going to someone like Hobson/Warren who basically get you a title shot after only a few fights.

[rossij8]

Given the amount of World titles around today, i would say Lee Haskins, but that's partly his fault being too loyal to the Sanigars and not going to someone like Hobson/Warren who basically get you a title shot after only a few fights.

Is it a loyalty thing or do they they not want him?

[Glass Joe]

who knows, he's never been a massive ticket seller. boxing is pretty poor attended in the south/south west of england

[Noxy]

Mark Kaylor was thereabouts, I think he was ranked 3 by the WBC at one stage.

[spudder56]

easy kirland laing ....just creeping in the 30 years

X2 kirk was a great fighter but never fulfilled his potential he could and should have been one of the best Brits of all time but sadly a complete lack of dedication was the problem mind you the game is littered with boxers who neglected the sport

[Deserter]

Kevin Finnegan.

Outside the stated timeframe, but exactly who I was thinking of as well.