Favourite British, domestic boxers

[MasterG]

I'm on a bit of a look down memory lane this evening. Thinking about all those boxers who have come and gone, and not necessarily doing that well in the ring.

You know as I sit here typing this out I think of the brave souls who have had the balls to climb through the ropes, time after time and not make the great heights of stardom. Now, I could think of the likes of Herol Graham who had a unique talent, and Michael Watson who fought under the radar but would have almost won a few titles if not suffered from the the fight with Chris Eubank.

There are a few boxers that have touched my heart not only because of their willingness and bravery, such as Michael Watson, but have shown grit in the sport possibly knowing that they will never be a world champion but plug on trying to compete at a level of success.

My vote goes to Richard Evatt, who battled along and at the top of his game stayed with Junior Jones for 11 rounds for the IBO title, I'm not really interested in the title at stake but for a British domestic boxer to compete against the likes of Junior Jones is admirable, but was never far away in that fight, and matched a true authentic champion for 11 rounds.

Who do you put forward in this topic and why?

[Spud]

Clinton Woods

Never ever in a dull fight

[pat123]

Rocky Kelly never in a bad fight!

[Giancarlo]

Charlie Magri

Always thrills and spills with Mr Excitement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHBF2UyOh74

[wrighty]

Ryan Rhodes for me

[SeanBrennan]

in terms of unsung and grafting, Matthew Hatton was one of my faves. Never going to get the headlines but had 52 fights, won an EBU title and was unlucky to only get a draw with N'Dou for IBO.

And Ovill McKenzie, tough tough man, came over here with bugger all, wouls fight anyone, would fight in with LHW or CW, won British title, and Commonwealth in 2 weights and should have been given the win for that IBF fight at end of his career. Very cruel end to his career. Had so many good domestic fights - Keeton, Dodson, Enzo, Bonson, Francis, Ajisafe, Dunstan. 3 and 2 in his first 5 fights and went to win lots and even a Prizefighter tournament. I also love it when a chap is from another country and ends up a proper legend in a town or city here, always makes me smile. Jamaica to Derby, credit to both. I do wonder what he is doing now and hope he is well. Was always in shape too.

[SeanBrennan]

Ryan Rhodes for me

one of my faves too, I met him once and was pathetic! He was very nice though.

[Spud]

I loved Mark Potter

Myself and Rhino struck up a good friendship with him.

[wrighty]

Ryan Rhodes for me

one of my faves too, I met him once and was pathetic! He was very nice though.

Hahaha what happened? Rhodes V Moore was one of the best fights I've seen. The WBC did him dirty by letting Canelo fight Hatton when Rhodes had fought the eliminator for the vacant belt. I wish he just fought for one of the other titles.

[Steveh583]

michael gomez.

[wrighty]

michael gomez.

Phwoar that fight with Arthur was something else.

[orbtastic]

Crawford Ashley
CAT (although he won the wbo)
Billy schwer
Ross Hale

[jlh]

Mentioned it before but always had a soft spot for Ian Napa...
Was in the old Friday fight night leisure centre days. He went on a decent run capturing british and European titles, amazing considering he was absolutely tiny and had zero power. Very skilled boxer though.

[Spud]

Mentioned it before but always had a soft spot for Ian Napa...
Was in the old Friday fight night leisure centre days. He went on a decent run capturing british and European titles, amazing considering he was absolutely tiny and had zero power. Very skilled boxer though.

He used to spar a lot at the Lennox Lewis College

[Shotgun Joe]

Too many to mention but always had a soft spot for Tony Sibson.

Sweetest moment for me was against Brian Anderson when after 8 long years and 29 fights since beating Frankie Lucas in a classic to finally win the Lonsdale belt outright.

Anderson was a dangerous fighter with some good kos abroad and some thought he might win this after Sibson had been stopped by Andries in his last fight and was getting long in the tooth.

I still remember Brian´s shocked face after taking some of Tony´s ramrod jabs, he showed a heart of a champion to back from a hard knockdown in the 2nd to start to turn things around when Sibbo pounced on him in the 7th for a brutal win.

Last win for Sibson but one of his sweetest. Anderson never fought again but became Prison governor!

[SeanBrennan]

michael gomez.

Phwoar that fight with Arthur was something else.

it sure was, it was the first time Gomez made weight properly, Jon Hotten writes about in a book about bodybuilding, where he followed Kerry Kayes, Kerry prepped Gomez for the fight and I don't think he was ever better than in that fight.

[SeanBrennan]

michael gomez.

excellent choice!

[orbtastic]

I had a soft spot for Ola Afolabi, difficult to dislike him and he didn't have an easy career.

Peter Oboh was another Nigerian guy who was a dangerman. Nobody wanted to fight him, he could fight but was erratic. I remember him picking up his kitbag, slinging it on his back and enigmatically walking away from the Oakey fight and boxing.

[NazNaci1]

Some good names already, I did like all of those guys already mentioned.

Tommy Shiels was blistering but just stopped boxing, though there must have been reasons (one of the few guys to KO Kid Milo, before anyone else). He could have gone quite far, I feel.

David Barnes was a guy who I thought could go places. Wasn't to be, sadly.

Wally Swift Jnr, Fidel Catro Smith and Peter Oboh, all for differing reasons.

[Shotgun Joe]

Tommy Shiels was a great answer. Remember the way he went through Del Bryan and Kid Milo, think he had a bad cut in that one.

Milo was pretty tough, fought Eubank and Benn in latter fights and neither demolished him like Shiels.

Heard cuts and fragile hands were the problem.

[JC]

Ian Napa comes to mind. Better than his record.

Enzo Maccaranelli is another who was never in dull fights.

Carl Thompson another obvious one.

[SeanBrennan]

Ian Napa comes to mind. Better than his record.

Enzo Maccaranelli is another who was never in dull fights.

Carl Thompson another obvious one.

Ian Napa a blast from the past. Isn't he Isaac Chamberlain's uncle?

[NazNaci1]

Tommy Shiels was a great answer. Remember the way he went through Del Bryan and Kid Milo, think he had a bad cut in that one.

Milo was pretty tough, fought Eubank and Benn in latter fights and neither demolished him like Shiels.

Heard cuts and fragile hands were the problem.

Yes, he also stopped Del Bryan, too. Forgot about that.

That was a shame. Heard the bad hands rumour, but wasn't sure. Not surprising as he had blistering hand speed, combos and power. Yeah, he could have gone far.

[Boxerbeetle]

Too many to mention really, but John Simpson always springs to mind.

[SeanBrennan]

not heard of all these people, learning a lot and going down rabbit holes reading about them too really interesting.