Best british fights that never happened

[margaret thatcher]

id forgotten he still fought once after haye - points over fred serrat


the rothman ko was even more spectacular than that haye one, and in cat style when it looked like the other guy was about to overwhelm him

and the sellers fight.....oh my lawd!

gotta love yourself some cat

[Coco]

No, Fury isn’t that type of guy.

It would annoy me if I was Fury, Haye gave it the big one, Fury spent proper money and time on a training camp and sparring partners, and then the Londoner either came out with a Mickey Mouse excuse or knew that he wasn't up to it all along.
Perhaps at first he underestimated Fury and then realised that it was too big a job. Instead he went for a relatively easy job against Bellew and he wasn't up to that,

There were years between those fights, though. And Haye wasn't shot then and had quality sparring partners for that fight that wouldn't have come cheap: Wilder, Hrgovic, Dimitenko, Richard Towers. He would have spent and lost a lot of money, too. He ended up broke enough to throw his legacy down the toilet losing to Bellend later on, didn't he? I'm sure he would have got in the ring against Fury. You still think he cut his own eye?

Didn't he go in for an emergency shoulder operation?
I thought he swallowed it at the press conference

[Cyclops]

It would annoy me if I was Fury, Haye gave it the big one, Fury spent proper money and time on a training camp and sparring partners, and then the Londoner either came out with a Mickey Mouse excuse or knew that he wasn't up to it all along.
Perhaps at first he underestimated Fury and then realised that it was too big a job. Instead he went for a relatively easy job against Bellew and he wasn't up to that,

There were years between those fights, though. And Haye wasn't shot then and had quality sparring partners for that fight that wouldn't have come cheap: Wilder, Hrgovic, Dimitenko, Richard Towers. He would have spent and lost a lot of money, too. He ended up broke enough to throw his legacy down the toilet losing to Bellend later on, didn't he? I'm sure he would have got in the ring against Fury. You still think he cut his own eye?

Didn't he go in for an emergency shoulder operation?
I thought he swallowed it at the press conference

I thought he pulled out because Hrgovic cut his eye in sparring? He pulled out twice though, so maybe the shoulder was the second pull-out. The point is, I know there's plenty of conspiracy theories around fighters pulling out of fights through injuries, but we've all seen how Haye likes a pound note to the detriment of his legacy as a fighter. That fight would have done huge numbers and like I said Haye wasn't exactly sparring nobodies: he was obviously taking Fury seriously. I really do believe his body fell to bits on him. I'm sure he would have fought Fury if he could have. Fury likes to say it was because Haye was scared of him because it suits his narrative, but Fury talks cobblers half the time. I think they've been photographed together since and Haye was extremely complimentary of Fury when commentating on Wilder 2 so I think they've buried the hatchet.

Would've been a good one, though. Nobody had any clue that Fury was going to be as good as he ended up being at the time.

[Coco]

There were years between those fights, though. And Haye wasn't shot then and had quality sparring partners for that fight that wouldn't have come cheap: Wilder, Hrgovic, Dimitenko, Richard Towers. He would have spent and lost a lot of money, too. He ended up broke enough to throw his legacy down the toilet losing to Bellend later on, didn't he? I'm sure he would have got in the ring against Fury. You still think he cut his own eye?

Didn't he go in for an emergency shoulder operation?
I thought he swallowed it at the press conference

I thought he pulled out because Hrgovic cut his eye in sparring? He pulled out twice though, so maybe the shoulder was the second pull-out. The point is, I know there's plenty of conspiracy theories around fighters pulling out of fights through injuries, but we've all seen how Haye likes a pound note to the detriment of his legacy as a fighter. That fight would have done huge numbers and like I said Haye wasn't exactly sparring nobodies: he was obviously taking Fury seriously. I really do believe his body fell to bits on him. I'm sure he would have fought Fury if he could have. Fury likes to say it was because Haye was scared of him because it suits his narrative, but Fury talks cobblers half the time. I think they've been photographed together since and Haye was extremely complimentary of Fury when commentating on Wilder 2 so I think they've buried the hatchet.

Would've been a good one, though. Nobody had any clue that Fury was going to be as good as he ended up being at the time.

I think he knew his body was falling to bits and thought he would lose to Fury, maybe the sparring partners showed him that! He wasn't ready to cash out and looked for an easier route.

[brian13]

Derry Matthews v Kevin Mitchell

[Cyclops]

Didn't he go in for an emergency shoulder operation?
I thought he swallowed it at the press conference

I thought he pulled out because Hrgovic cut his eye in sparring? He pulled out twice though, so maybe the shoulder was the second pull-out. The point is, I know there's plenty of conspiracy theories around fighters pulling out of fights through injuries, but we've all seen how Haye likes a pound note to the detriment of his legacy as a fighter. That fight would have done huge numbers and like I said Haye wasn't exactly sparring nobodies: he was obviously taking Fury seriously. I really do believe his body fell to bits on him. I'm sure he would have fought Fury if he could have. Fury likes to say it was because Haye was scared of him because it suits his narrative, but Fury talks cobblers half the time. I think they've been photographed together since and Haye was extremely complimentary of Fury when commentating on Wilder 2 so I think they've buried the hatchet.

Would've been a good one, though. Nobody had any clue that Fury was going to be as good as he ended up being at the time.

I think he knew his body was falling to bits and thought he would lose to Fury, maybe the sparring partners showed him that! He wasn't ready to cash out and looked for an easier route.

What easier route? He retired until he ran out of money and had his pathetic 'come back'. You're right in saying sparring a load of giants probably f*cked his body, and the two camps he had for Fury caused career ending injuries. I don't think he was scared of Tyson Fury. He was just physically incapable of fighting him. He lost loads of money and certainly wasn't going to make any more. He didn't fight again for 3 years, and even then it was because he was broke and he was clearly injury-riddled and shot to bits.

[Coco]

I thought he pulled out because Hrgovic cut his eye in sparring? He pulled out twice though, so maybe the shoulder was the second pull-out. The point is, I know there's plenty of conspiracy theories around fighters pulling out of fights through injuries, but we've all seen how Haye likes a pound note to the detriment of his legacy as a fighter. That fight would have done huge numbers and like I said Haye wasn't exactly sparring nobodies: he was obviously taking Fury seriously. I really do believe his body fell to bits on him. I'm sure he would have fought Fury if he could have. Fury likes to say it was because Haye was scared of him because it suits his narrative, but Fury talks cobblers half the time. I think they've been photographed together since and Haye was extremely complimentary of Fury when commentating on Wilder 2 so I think they've buried the hatchet.

Would've been a good one, though. Nobody had any clue that Fury was going to be as good as he ended up being at the time.

I think he knew his body was falling to bits and thought he would lose to Fury, maybe the sparring partners showed him that! He wasn't ready to cash out and looked for an easier route.

What easier route? He retired until he ran out of money and had his pathetic 'come back'. You're right in saying sparring a load of giants probably f*cked his body, and the two camps he had for Fury caused career ending injuries. I don't think he was scared of Tyson Fury. He was just physically incapable of fighting him. He lost loads of money and certainly wasn't going to make any more. He didn't fight again for 3 years, and even then it was because he was broke and he was clearly injury-riddled and shot to bits.

I think essentially we are in agreement, the Haye that fought Chisora would have been quite happy to take the fight but his body did pack up. He tried to rest up for a bit but essentially needed the money and took on the likes of DeMori before taking on Bellew, the easier route!

[bennie]

How come we didn't get Herol Graham v Tony Sibson back in the day?

Their paths could have crossed once or twice in their long careers but Sibbo was much more advanced at middleweight than Graham in the first half of 1980s, having fought for the undisputed world title by the time Graham picked up the British title in 1985. Sibbo had relinquished the title but not to avoid Graham. He was out of contract and considering his future when he relinquished and he eventually made his way back under the F rank Warren banner, stepping up to challenge Dennis Andries for the WBC light-heavyweight title in September 1986.
In the same year, Graham won the European middleweight title by stopping a faded Ayub Kalule (spot little Naz running into the ring at the stoppage )and then relinquished his British title to allow his stablemate Brian Anderson to win it against Croydon's Tony Burke. Sibson subsequently challenged Anderson and outgunned him in seven rounds all of eight years after he first won the title by destroying Frankie "The Animal" Lucas in a domestic classic. Tony then challenged Frank Tate for the IBF middleweight title in his last fight.

[sibbo]

Johnny Nelson vs Derek Angol, circa 1991.

[PredatorHayds]

It’s incredible that boxing politics got in the way of Crolla-Flanagan.

The whole Sky/B-Nation fiasco.

You had two World champions in the same weight, from the same city, one red and one blue and I’m pretty sure they went to the same school.

Get the hype machine in full flow and you could of made it a huge match-up.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s incredible that boxing politics got in the way of Crolla-Flanagan.

The whole Sky/B-Nation fiasco.

You had two World champions in the same weight, from the same city, one red and one blue and I’m pretty sure they went to the same school.

Get the hype machine in full flow and you could of made it a huge match-up.

Yeh was a shame that one..

[dr_devious]

Is Terry Flanagan still boxing or has he called it a day?

[ShadrachSimmo]

Don't really know why but I always wanted to see Darren Barker against a middleweight Paul Smith.

You need to look in a mirror and ask yourself “why?”.

Yeah obviously their careers panned out a bit differently, although whilst criticised on here Paul had a a career most professionals will be proud of. They just turned over at the same time, both had very good amateur form (weren't they both Commonwealth games medallists) - and they both seemed quite equal when starting their middleweight pathway - I think Barker had an Area belt when Smith had the English belt - I think at that time it would have been a nice little English title fight.

Smith lost a pretty contentious decision to Steve Bendall just after Barker had defended his commonwealth title vs Bendall. Quite a surprise they didn’t meet around this time.

[ShadrachSimmo]

John Murray vs John Fewkes.

[uk_boxer]

Calzaghe vs Reid 2

[Crease]

Aw man, there's so, so many... Even trilogies that we might have had and didn't...

Khan vs Brook (trilogy)
Groves vs DeGale (trilogy)
Hatton vs Witter
Calzaghe vs Froch
Froch vs DeGale
Barker and Murray and Macklin (all fights twice over)
Bomber Graham vs Eubank
Bomber Graham vs Benn
Bomber Graham vs Michael Watson
Eubank vs Benn 3
Frampton vs Quigg 2
Saunders vs Eubank Jr 2
Whyte vs Chisora 3
AJ vs Chisora
Bellew vs Cleverley 3
Thompson vs Haye 2

[Cyclops]

Aw man, there's so, so many... Even trilogies that we might have had and didn't...

Khan vs Brook (trilogy)
Groves vs DeGale (trilogy)
Hatton vs Witter
Calzaghe vs Froch
Froch vs DeGale
Barker and Murray and Macklin (all fights twice over)
Bomber Graham vs Eubank
Bomber Graham vs Benn
Bomber Graham vs Michael Watson
Eubank vs Benn 3
Frampton vs Quigg 2
Saunders vs Eubank Jr 2
Whyte vs Chisora 3
AJ vs Chisora
Bellew vs Cleverley 3
Thompson vs Haye 2

I reckon both of these will probably happen, to be honest (especially as everyone's career starts to wind down) given how all Dereck needs is a win or a gutsy performance to be endlessly recycled. I wouldn't be that surprised to see him upset Parker, who seems to have regressed.

I too would have liked to have seen a Groves-Degale rematch, and Froch v Degale. Degale fell off a cliff massively though after Badou Jack and just seemed completely shot after that. If Froch fought on, he should have fought GGG anyway.

Witter deserved the Hatton fight, but Ricky's reasoning that "I'm not going to fight him because I don't like him" was ridiculous. It sounded like a duck, but he had much bigger fish to fry, and was off to America to make his millions being a highlight KO reel for the absolute best fighters of our generation.

[mickey1975]

Parker is at Fury’s own gym now. A novice pro I know was there sparring Tommy yesterday. Said Parker looks sharp.

[THEBUTCH]

Rocky Kelly v George Collins. Southern Area title, fight was signed and posters up...but still fell through. Would have been a cracking fight.

[Crease]

I reckon both of these will probably happen, to be honest (especially as everyone's career starts to wind down) given how all Dereck needs is a win or a gutsy performance to be endlessly recycled. I wouldn't be that surprised to see him upset Parker, who seems to have regressed.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to Del Boy vs Parker... Parker will be the favourite but I wouldn't be surprised if Del Boy stops him. If Del Boy wins, surely he would be looking at the winner of Usyk vs Joyce for the interim WBO title. If he losses, he still can be a gatekeeper against the likes of Joyce and DuBois.

[mickey1975]

I reckon both of these will probably happen, to be honest (especially as everyone's career starts to wind down) given how all Dereck needs is a win or a gutsy performance to be endlessly recycled. I wouldn't be that surprised to see him upset Parker, who seems to have regressed.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to Del Boy vs Parker... Parker will be the favourite but I wouldn't be surprised if Del Boy stops him. If Del Boy wins, surely he would be looking at the winner of Usyk vs Joyce for the interim WBO title. If he losses, he still can be a gatekeeper against the likes of Joyce and DuBois.

I’d be amazed if Del stops him.

[knockout]

Parker would need to mess up big time to get KOd by Chisora in my opinion.

Chisora can put your lights out for sure but he isn’t subtle at all in his approach.

Bully you back to the ropes and wing in a huge overhand right.

Parker should be good enough to be able to avoid that scenario .

[Crease]

I’d be amazed if Del stops him.

Hopefully we'll see the bout. And we can see how much pressure Del Boy applies.

[Crease]

Parker would need to mess up big time to get KOd by Chisora in my opinion. Chisora can put your lights out for sure but he isn’t subtle at all in his approach.
Bully you back to the ropes and wing in a huge overhand right. Parker should be good enough to be able to avoid that scenario .

In fairness, he has a great left hook too...

[knockout]

Parker would need to mess up big time to get KOd by Chisora in my opinion. Chisora can put your lights out for sure but he isn’t subtle at all in his approach.
Bully you back to the ropes and wing in a huge overhand right. Parker should be good enough to be able to avoid that scenario .

In fairness, he has a great left hook too...

True ! He does, but again although it could KO an elephant it’s not the most subtle delivery.

Also has great body attack too if you stand in front of him for too long