Biggest fight in British boxing history ???

[boxingknockout]

Eubank vs Benn is the best British boxing rivalry of my time. Always world titles being contested so top level too. Froch vs groves was also good in this catergory

Honeyghan vs Curry is the best British boxing win

Lewis vs Tyson, Hatton vs Mayweather and a Froch can Groves are the biggest events. Lewis vs Tyson should be discounted as while it was great money, Tyson was long finished. Hatton fight was really big, Froch fight already described.

It's a really tough question you've asked, I'm gonna need time to think

I agree with this. Especially Eubank - Benn. The (genuine rather than PR) media and press, the buzz, the viewers, the chat in the pubs and work was (Michael) 'Second to' Nunn.

I think it was even on a Sunday and had almost 18 million viewers. Watch the vid of the fight, the emotion in the crowd, and read Ben Dirs' book on that era....

I remember everyone at work in the posh department store was talking about it for weeks....

PPV and modern TV has largely ruined the significance of a big fight, as whilst many people know of it and it creates a buzz, few people actually SEE the actual fight....

[dalcumly]

I'm sorry for being an old 'you know what ' but in 1966 when Britains most recognised and popular sportsman , Henry Cooper, fought Ali for the world title at Highbury, alongside the 50,000 who turned up , 20 million listened on the radio. That's right, 20 MILLION - half the British population. If there has ever been a bigger fight than that in this country then produce your evidence.

[world ranked]

Just for context. Hearn was saying the biggest fight on british soil. So some of aforementioned ones aren't included. Want does the biggest fight even means.

[Taansend]

In terms of attendance this will be biggest but in terms of public interest and awareness not even close.

Jack Petersen was involved in some massive fights, especially the rematch with Len Harvey.

The Eric Boon Arthur Danahar fights also had everyone in the country talking about them.

In addition to the aforementioned bouts in this thread.

[boxingknockout]

I'm sorry for being an old 'you know what ' but in 1966 when Britains most recognised and popular sportsman , Henry Cooper, fought Ali for the world title at Highbury, alongside the 50,000 who turned up , 20 million listened on the radio. That's right, 20 MILLION - half the British population. If there has ever been a bigger fight than that in this country then produce your evidence.

Ummmmm. I have to say that's pretty conclusive!

[Taansend]

I'm sorry for being an old 'you know what ' but in 1966 when Britains most recognised and popular sportsman , Henry Cooper, fought Ali for the world title at Highbury, alongside the 50,000 who turned up , 20 million listened on the radio. That's right, 20 MILLION - half the British population. If there has ever been a bigger fight than that in this country then produce your evidence.

Great post and while I'm not disagreeing with you there was a lot less choice of media back in 1965.

Not everyone had a telly & there were only about 3 channels, half of which shut down in the evening.

Listening to fights, or sporting events in general, via radio was something most people did.

But I agree that fights were bigger, pre satellite tv days. Everyone know who the fighters were.

And you lot in the UK are lucky. Boxing is a hundred times bigger there than here. If I mention I'm a boxing fan to people they'll often get a look of distaste & think of Mayweather or Tyson's exploits.

[TheGman]

So listening to Hearns latest IFl interview he really hammered home that Wlad v AJ is the biggest fight in British boxing history.

I'm not saying he is right or wrong just curious what people's thoughts are. I would still consider Benn v Eubank rematch close because of the amount of views that got on ITV. I would still say Froch v Groves rematch because of the build up and animosity to me felt like a bigger fight.

If Wlad was lineal champion and unbeaten in 11 years like he was going into the Fury fight. Then I certainly would not argue.

So are people in agreement with Eddie that Wlad v AJ is the biggest fight in British boxing history ?

If it isn't what is ?

If eubank vs benn 2 was staged at wembley im pretty sure it would of sold out 90000 also lewis vs bruno probably would of sold out wembley,its different times now so maybe im being kind to the fights iv mentioned,if eddie hearn was promoting these fights iv mentioned im 100% sure wembley would of been sold out

[TheGman]

still think Hatton v kosta and calzaghe v lacy were bigger regardless of attendance. Sky don't mention klitscho is 42ish, has not won a fight in 2 years and the last time he did fight he got a boxing lesson in his old back yard. The fights I mentioned were much more compelling and boxing fans were definitely looking forward to them more than this.

I cant believe i forgot about Calzaghe vs lacey and hatton vs tzsyu,imho these are bigger than aj vs klitschko plus calzaghe vs kessler was a big fight

[dr_devious]

Cooper v Bugner must have been pretty huge too

[Realistic]

Lewis v Bruno didn't half fill Cardiff Arms Park. We were all asked to sit nearer the front to make the crowds look better than they were.

[TheGman]

I'm sorry for being an old 'you know what ' but in 1966 when Britains most recognised and popular sportsman , Henry Cooper, fought Ali for the world title at Highbury, alongside the 50,000 who turned up , 20 million listened on the radio. That's right, 20 MILLION - half the British population. If there has ever been a bigger fight than that in this country then produce your evidence.

This seals it for me,our 'enry still the man

[orbtastic]

18.3m watched McGuigan/Cabrera on BBC One, which is actually more than watched him against Pedroza.

[Tuan_Jim]

Lewis v Bruno didn't half fill Cardiff Arms Park. We were all asked to sit nearer the front to make the crowds look better than they were.

Yes, no one knew who Lennox Lewis was. He boxed on Sky Sports which roughly 1% of the UK had in 1993. I think the general public lost the plot with boxing as it all transferred to expensive subscription TV.

[brian13]

Getting Klitschko to leave Germany takes serious money. It appears that both Showtime & HBO in the USA want the fight badly.

This is a fight, that I believe will be way bigger than we realise but will only find out the extent when we look back at it down the line.

[Ossyrules]

Eubank vs Benn is the best British boxing rivalry of my time. Always world titles being contested so top level too. Froch vs groves was also good in this catergory

Honeyghan vs Curry is the best British boxing win

Lewis vs Tyson, Hatton vs Mayweather and a Froch can Groves are the biggest events. Lewis vs Tyson should be discounted as while it was great money, Tyson was long finished. Hatton fight was really big, Froch fight already described.

It's a really tough question you've asked, I'm gonna need time to think

Not Turpin beating Robinson ?

Even then was not a stadium fight but the no1 p4p fighter in the world coming to the UK must has been a big deal then.

Reading Robinsons autobiography London went crazy when he came over

Turpin is a fair shout for the point you make. ive read a lot about ray Robinson etc but I can't talk with a great deal of knowledge about boxing from those eras

[Ossyrules]

18.3m watched McGuigan/Cabrera on BBC One, which is actually more than watched him against Pedroza.

I considered the fight when thinking of britains best wins but went honeyghan

[Ossyrules]

I'm sorry for being an old 'you know what ' but in 1966 when Britains most recognised and popular sportsman , Henry Cooper, fought Ali for the world title at Highbury, alongside the 50,000 who turned up , 20 million listened on the radio. That's right, 20 MILLION - half the British population. If there has ever been a bigger fight than that in this country then produce your evidence.

Good post. The fight is clearly one to look back on as bigger than what you realise at the time, the greatness of ali

[Ossyrules]

still think Hatton v kosta and calzaghe v lacy were bigger regardless of attendance. Sky don't mention klitscho is 42ish, has not won a fight in 2 years and the last time he did fight he got a boxing lesson in his old back yard. The fights I mentioned were much more compelling and boxing fans were definitely looking forward to them more than this.

Hatton vs Tsyzu will be one of the great Manchester fights but britains had bigger

Calzaghe vs lacy or Kessler aren't as big as many listed here imo. Mainly as on calzaghes part he must have been a promoters nightmare. Great boxer though. The lacy fight retrospectively became bigger due to the clinic put on. Kessler fight was a good one but not britains biggest by a long shot

[Ossyrules]

Can't believe no one has mentioned Lewis v Bruno, "the battle of Britain" ! it was on the week before Benn v Eubank 2 and from what I can remember the entire country was talking about it, can remember sky sports stopping regular folk on a highstreet to ask their opinions on the fight and everybody had something to say about it

Lewis vs Bruno is a decent heavyweight fight but let's not over sell it. Even though Tyson was finished, Lewis vs Tyson was a way bigger production. That's the selling power of iron Mike for you

[Counter-puncher]

18.3m watched McGuigan/Cabrera on BBC One, which is actually more than watched him against Pedroza.

Nice facts. I seem to recall Danny Boy went rather smoother for the Cabrera fight