Brit's that made the best debut in the US

[jameswilson]

Mike McCallum.

[JamesPhilips]

Lee Tonks had his first pro fight I the US with a first round KO… :-) https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/71788

Though I believe this is not a good answer to the question which I believe is about American debut by a Brit, rather than pro debut in the USA.

But….. I really wanted to show my boxing knowledge off, like Ben Davison. (I haven’t seen the fight though so have no idea if Tonks closed the show with a Hollywood punch…..)

[coghaugen11]

Eubank Sr impressed those watching his debut.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Eubank Sr impressed those watching his debut.

He was starting out..

[coghaugen11]

Ah, ‘world title debut’? Benn. He pulverised Doug DeWitt who had fought all the biggest punchers and made every round close/competitive with a peak T.Hearns. Benn, the underdog, was so dominant early you could call the opening round against Doug 10-8 with No knockdowns!

After two rounds, DeWitt’s ear had turned BLUE in the corner, and crazily Benn had been down!

He punched DeWitt’s head from one side of the ring to the other with the right hand. It was scary.

[coghaugen11]

Naz was garbage against a shot Kelley. Pernell Whitaker was there and actually laughed at how poor Naz was.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Naz was garbage against a shot Kelley. Pernell Whitaker was there and actually laughed at how poor Naz was.

Definitely an exciting fight.

[coghaugen11]

Did Khan fight Devon Alexander on his? That was super impressive wasn’t it

[coghaugen11]

Naz was garbage against a shot Kelley. Pernell Whitaker was there and actually laughed at how poor Naz was.

Definitely an exorcising fight.

It was good exercise for Hamed, flipping from a leaping back bend after being hit

[coghaugen11]

‘The Nigel Benn that beat Doug De Witt would have beaten any middleweight in the world,’ says Manny Steward. ‘And I mean any middleweight, then, now or any time.’

[Ruthless-RKO]

Did Khan fight Devon Alexander on his? That was super impressive wasn’t it

One of his best performances..

[Kit]

Paul Ingle beating Junior Jones is worth a mention, similar level to Kelley, perhaps better, only 3 years after beating Barrera twice.

[Steveh583]

Has this thread been ruined by eubank comments yet? If not, it’s in the post.

For me, froch.

[coghaugen11]

Did Khan fight Devon Alexander on his? That was super impressive wasn’t it

One of his best performances..

Absolutely.

[coghaugen11]

Paul Ingle beating Junior Jones is worth a mention, similar level to Kelley, perhaps better, only 3 years after beating Barrera twice.

Good shout.

[coghaugen11]

I can’t think of many in the last 12 years besides Khan. It was actually Malignaggi, his debut. Other Brits were dominated mostly (unless pulling something out late).

[coghaugen11]

Lee Tonks had his first pro fight I the US with a first round KO… :-) https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/71788

Though I believe this is not a good answer to the question which I believe is about American debut by a Brit, rather than pro debut in the USA.

But….. I really wanted to show my boxing knowledge off, like Ben Davison. (I haven’t seen the fight though so have no idea if Tonks closed the show with a Hollywood punch…..)

How did Ricky Hatton look in 97 over there? Any footage I wander.

[KiwiRider]

Kirkland Laing.

Yes, Kirk convinced everyone that Duran was all washed up in September 1982 in Detroit but nine months later Duran was champ again and Kirk's victory is a tribute to his brilliant boxing ability.

[JamesPhilips]

Lee Tonks had his first pro fight I the US with a first round KO… :-) https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/71788

Though I believe this is not a good answer to the question which I believe is about American debut by a Brit, rather than pro debut in the USA.

But….. I really wanted to show my boxing knowledge off, like Ben Davison. (I haven’t seen the fight though so have no idea if Tonks closed the show with a Hollywood punch…..)

How did Ricky Hatton look in 97 over there? Any footage I wander.

Im sure it exists. I remember watching it.....my friend was a boxing insider and said this guy is going to go far......

[JamesPhilips]

Kirkland Laing.

Yes, Kirk convinced everyone that Duran was all washed up in September 1982 in Detroit but nine months later Duran was champ again and Kirk's victory is a tribute to his brilliant boxing ability.

This was an amazing result that Laing didn't capitalise on. But in retrospect, given Kirkland's unique style, was it as big an upset as they said at the time?

[bennie]

Yes, Kirk convinced everyone that Duran was all washed up in September 1982 in Detroit but nine months later Duran was champ again and Kirk's victory is a tribute to his brilliant boxing ability.

This was an amazing result that Laing didn't capitalise on. But in retrospect, given Kirkland's unique style, was it as big an upset as they said at the time?

Nobody in the States had even heard of Laing prior to his 10-rounder with Duran in 1982, whereas Duran had defined himself as one of the greatest fighters of all time (and certainly one of the most savage). Nevertheless, Duran was going through a sticky patch after his shocking surrender to Sugar Ray Leonard in New Orleans, moving up to light-middleweight and kidding his way through a 15-rounder with Wilfred Benitez, who essentially outclassed him. Promoter Don King looked around for another 'name' opponent and sealed a mouthwatering showdown between Duran and San Antonio's unbeaten Tony Ayala. Laing was merely a sharpener for Duran prior to Ayala but Laing's manager, Mickey Duff, worked out that Duran struggled against movers (as Sugar Ray Leonard worked it out) and Laing possessed the movement and boxing ability to pull off an unbelievable win and scuttle the Ayala decider.

[TheGman]

Naz.

Had to be the biggest hyped British fighter making his debut,remember the ad where naz Don the flip off the ship and landed on the docks with his gym bag lol it was the Adidas advert.

The fight wasn't that bad either lol had my heart in mouth a few times cause I didn't want naz to lose(probably the only fight I didn't want him to lose lol)

[TheGman]

Paul Ingle beating Junior Jones is worth a mention, similar level to Kelley, perhaps better, only 3 years after beating Barrera twice.

Was a hell of a performance that,I remember watching it and praying Ingle mad it to the final bell lol

[JamesPhilips]

This was an amazing result that Laing didn't capitalise on. But in retrospect, given Kirkland's unique style, was it as big an upset as they said at the time?

Nobody in the States had even heard of Laing prior to his 10-rounder with Duran in 1982, whereas Duran had defined himself as one of the greatest fighters of all time (and certainly one of the most savage). Nevertheless, Duran was going through a sticky patch after his shocking surrender to Sugar Ray Leonard in New Orleans, moving up to light-middleweight and kidding his way through a 15-rounder with Wilfred Benitez, who essentially outclassed him. Promoter Don King looked around for another 'name' opponent and sealed a mouthwatering showdown between Duran and San Antonio's unbeaten Tony Ayala. Laing was merely a sharpener for Duran prior to Ayala but Laing's manager, Mickey Duff, worked out that Duran struggled against movers (as Sugar Ray Leonard worked it out) and Laing possessed the movement and boxing ability to pull off an unbelievable win and scuttle the Ayala decider.

Thanks for that. What a shame we never got to see Ayala Duran though….

[coghaugen11]

What a shame we hardly got to see Ayala at all before he went down. He might of done em all.