Most disappointing performances by Brits in world title fight

[johnswan1]

What do you see as the most disappointing, flat, or pathetic performances by a Brit in a world title fight where the Brit either:

a) talked a big fight beforehand only to be humiliated or dominated by his opponent (e.g. Bellew vs Stevenson, Haye vs Wlad)
b) was a champion who people thought could win but ended getting beaten up and outclassed (e.g. Clev vs Kovalev)
c) underperformed massively based on ability (e.g. Naz vs MAB).

Ignore fights like Jennings vs Cotto where the Brit had no chance.

Barkers performance against Sturm is a contender although he was injured and arguably deserved to cash in.

Bruno-Tyson 2 is another that comes to mind. Bruno was already beaten during the ring walk.

[cold187]

haye

atleast naz didnt run all the fight

[Mimmy]

Lloyd Honeyghan v Mark Breland
Tyson v Bruno 2

[Ezzard]

Honeyghan - Starling

Breland was a disappointment but he was shot by then. I'm sure prime Lloyd would have had Breland.

Haye was a disappointment in that he wasn't prepared to roll the dice and go out on his shield. But I didn't expect him to win. Naz too didn't seem to really go for it but I'm pretty sure he was weight weakened.

[Bard of Boxrec]

haye

atleast naz didnt run all the fight

Not sure why people think Haye ran. He was on the back foot, but he stayed four feet away from Wlad for the whole fight. Wlad was just too terrified to let his hands go to capitalise.

[Batley18]

The second I read the title I had David Haye in my head, and that terrible night for Johnny Nelson.

I definitely wouldn't have even mentioned Barker, he was crippled by injury.

Pacquiao Vs Hatton was for the Ring Magazine championship, that was a pretty disastrous night.

[Boxerbeetle]

On a personal level, I was hugely disappointed with Howard Eastman's performances in his world title fights as I was convinced at the time he could have won them comfortably (although admittedly I probably got the Hopkins fight wrong in hindsight).

[Bard of Boxrec]

Was Witter/Judah for a title? Now that, my friends, was running.

[mike john]

robin reid, hugely disappointing in a number of title fights

[johnswan1]

Pacquiao Vs Hatton was for the Ring Magazine championship, that was a pretty disastrous night.

I agree it was disastrous but I think many were less disappointed with Hatton's performance and more impressed with Pac's - that was Pac at his unstoppable best where he would have been a match for any Light Welter in history. Hatton was just unlucky to have to meet prime versions of two of the best fighters of this century.

[Batley18]

Pacquiao Vs Hatton was for the Ring Magazine championship, that was a pretty disastrous night.

I agree it was disastrous but I think many were less disappointed with Hatton's performance and more impressed with Pac's - that was Pac at his unstoppable best where he would have been a match for any Light Welter in history. Hatton was just unlucky to have to meet prime versions of two of the best fighters of this century.

I take nothing away from the performance of Pacquiao, but Hatton was so open, and a bit naive. You only have to read Hatton's book to know the preparations for the fight were terrible, but getting KO'd in round 2 was a disappointment.

[veriton]

eastman against hopkins really p*ssed me off because he could have won that fight if he had pushed himself harder. he always boxed lazy.

[johnswan1]

Benn twice vs Collins.

[orbtastic]

Benn twice vs Collins.

You can't really blame the first one on Benn, he fell awkwardly after throwing a massive punch and did his ankle. There was some talk of it being a pre-existing injury or weakness and he didn't strap it but I'm not really sure you can blame a freak injury on him. It's like blaming Thompson for dislocating his shoulder against Ralf Rocchigiani...

[Junker]

johnny nelson v carlos de leon

[Gnome]

Harrison v Haye.

Haye v Harrison.

[forcefraser]

Lee Purdey and Brian Rose

[Taansend]

haye

atleast naz didnt run all the fight

Haye didn't run.

He was very, very disappointing (except for the last round) but he didn't run.

Maybe you're thinking of someone else.

[Taansend]

johnny nelson v carlos de leon

AND against James Warring.

[Taansend]

By the way, do people in the UK refer to themselves as "Brits" now? I left in 1997. I always thought it was what Yanks called us.

[johnswan1]

By the way, do people in the UK refer to themselves as "Brits" now? I left in 1997. I always thought it was what Yanks called us.

Well the forum is named "British & Irish".

[stevedoc]

By the way, do people in the UK refer to themselves as "Brits" now? I left in 1997. I always thought it was what Yanks called us.

I would never call myself a Brit , i'm english / Irish but it just seems easier for yanks to understand

[palooka]

Nicky Cook was bad.

[chiggsy]

Akinwande vs lewis,an absolutely feeble effort if ever there was one.

[palooka]

Frankie Gavin fought as though he wasn't convinced he had a chance v Brook.