The Greatest British Champions

[HomicideHenry]

Before Madison Square Garden, before the days of inflated purses and especially before the days of America being a catalyst in any mainstream sport, England and Ireland were the Mecca of boxing. It wouldn’t be until the days of John L. Sullivan that America finally stood on equal ground in every way, shape and form with their ‘cousins’ when it came to the prize ring.

Sure in the days of bare knuckles and unlimited rounds, the America’s showed up the more classy and scientific brand of boxers in such bouts as Tom Moulineaux going up against Tom Cribb, and before that Bill Richmond also took on Cribb---ironically the first time in pugilistic history of note that a white man fought a black man for a title of any worth, over 200 years before Jack Johnson would stop Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia.

But this list, though respectful to the men who laid the foundation of the sport, is based on the format of the Marquis of Queensbury, not the London Prize Ring rules. I think it is fair to say, before we move on with this thread, that the majority of the competitors today couldn’t have fought in the days of fighting to the finish, and that the old-timers couldn’t adapt to the less than rough and tumble style of 3 minute rounds and 10 ounce gloves of today.

Firstly, I must say, though it may seem biased or unfair, but I will not have Englishmen who won the ‘world’ title on this list. This list of fighters is based solely on those men who not only fought the world’s best, but on their over all worth as an English champion and who they ‘defended’ their crown against, as well as other achievements.

With that being said, here is my top 5 list of English Heavyweight Champions.

Henry Cooper, which may be a surprise to some, ranks at the top of my list. How can you really argue this standing? Here was a man who fought from 1954 to 1971, fighting the very best of his nation, including the very best of Europe and of course, the leading top contenders and even challenged for the Heavyweight title. He reigned from 1959 to 1971 as the British champion, and reigned as the EBU champion from 1964 until 1971 as well. Despite being best known for his paper thin skin and ghastly cuts, this man was also the first to floor Muhammad Ali.

It’s funny to think, had Angelo Dundee had not tore into that cut in Ali’s glove to have it replaced to give his fighter more time, the world may not have known Ali to the extent that he is today. Cooper would have knocked Ali out. To this day in an English tavern a pair of Cooper’s gloves hang on the wall with a plaque engraved with the words THESE GLOVES DID NOT TEAR, a reminder that it was solely that little thing that saved Ali from Cooper.

He made 10 successful title defenses of his British title as well as 3 defenses of the European title. You also have to take into consideration that when he lost his EBU and British title to a young and prime Joe Bugner that Cooper was pushing 38 years of age, and a career of 17 years had greatly wore down his skin and joints, and that fight still went the full route.

Give Cooper credit as well that both his fights with Ali, though he was cheated in the first and cut beyond repair in the second fight, were rather close. Ali would often say in those days that Cooper was his toughest opponent. Also, how can you not look at the men he beat? London, Bodell, Mildenberger, Harris, and Folley on a few occasions. Then throw in his losses with Johansson, Patterson, Bugner (though as an old man), and the Ali fights.

You can’t argue the success of this man and his accomplishments. Cooper is clearly the most fitting British champion to be at the top of the list.


The problem with making any list is obviously ‘whose number two?’ everyone seems to have their own opinions as to who’s number one and last place. But to me the number two spot, least with this particular list, is not at all challenging. He was the man who followed after Cooper.

That’s right, Joe Bugner. Why ‘Aussie’ Joe? Despite his rather small title reign, losing it to Jack Bodell in his first defense, this man’s longetivity, combined with the men he defeated and the title shot he had for the world title, as well as picking up the EBU and Australian titles makes him obviously number two. And even though he wasn’t a native of England, it was the place that the majority of his prime years were show cased.

He defeated perennial contenders Charlie Polite, Brian London, Chuck Wepner, Jurgen Blin, Rudi Lubbers, Mac Foster, Jimmy Ellis, Richard Dunn, Dino Denis, James Tillis, Greg Page, and even Bonecrusher Smith, though the latter was in 1998 and Smith was passed his prime. He also faced the likes of Joe Frazier, Frank Bruno, Steffen Tangstad, Earnie Shavers, and Ron Lyle, losing to them, though only Bruno and Shavers was able to knock him out and that was in the 80’s when he was passed his best.

His ‘comeback’ in 1995 was almost Formanesque, as he won the Australian title, the PABA title, and the WBF title, the last at no less than 48 years of age. He finally retired for good in 1999, though he almost came out of retirement earlier this year at the age of 55 against Butterbean, but negotiations fell through.

Then throw in his two losses to Muhammad Ali, once for the Heavyweight title, and both fights were close, though rather dull affairs. Oh, and he was a 2x EBU title holder, and 2x British champion.


Number three is a more highly contested spot than any of the two previous standings were. It’s a spot that could really go to two men, Tommy Farr and Don Cockell…but accomplishments go just as good as title reigns and nativity. The number three slot goes to the man who would give Joe Louis such fits in his maiden title defense that Farr was never again given a shot at the Heavyweight title.

Tommy Farr could be compared, at least in punching power, to guys like Jimmy Young and Chris Byrd. He wasn’t blowing people away early, and those who were knocked out gave in by their wills being broken, not by bones, more by ego and pride. Farr was a tough Welshman who was a fast, slick moving fighter who beat many a fighter with relative ease and precision.

He was a thinking fighter, methodical, and a great tactician. His overall record was 81-30-13 (24). Among his best wins were against the likes of Max Baer, Larry Gains, Walter Neusel, and Tommy Loughran. He also lost to Baer, Nova, Braddock and of course Louis. Mind you the majority of his losses were around 1937-1953, and the majority were either top contenders for the world title or the Welsh/British/European title.

He won the Welsh Light Heavyweight, Welsh Heavyweight (2), British Heavyweight and the Commonwealth titles during his 20 year career. His last fight would be against the #4 man on my list Don Cockell; and that fight was for the #1 contendership of the British title.

Don Cockell was 65-14-1 (37) in a career that spanned for 10 years. It wouldn't be until 1950, 4 years after his debut, that he would win the British Light Heavyweight title, and the following year the European Light Heavyweight title. He would defend that title all of one time successfully, losing it to Randy Turpin in 1952.

He would later win the Commonwealth and again the British title in 1953 and defended the Commonwealth title once. In 1954 he would gain title contention with wins over Kid Matthews (3) and Roland LaStarza. In 1955 he had his only title shot for the World title against Rocky Marciano, losing by 9th round technical knock out.

He would retire later that year after loses to Nino Valdes and Kitione Lave. What many fail to remember is that Cockell suffered from a disease [which escapes me at the moment] and that was probably a main factor in some of his losses and of course his appearance [he looked fat].

Among his other great wins were Freddie Beshore, Lloyd Marshall (2), Albert Yvel, and Tommy Farr. He also lost to Jimmy Slade. Overall his record shows that this was a very capable fighter and not the 'bum' most people try to make him out to be.


And the last spot, the #5 slot goes to...

Brian London. Yes. No I'm not kidding you. Though he was rather lackluster against the best of the best the world had to offer, Brian London stands here at this spot not just because of his title(s) but because he, other than all those listed above, had more shots at the Heavyweight championship of the world.

37-20-1 (26) losing to Bugner, Quarry, Bodell, Ali, Patterson, Cooper, Spencer, Johansson, Machen, Valdes, and Pastrano. He virtually lost to all the big name players in the game, but he beat, among others, Erskine, Pastrano, Rademacher, McNeeley and Folley.

He lost to Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson in his only two shots at the Heavyweight title. The loss to Patterson was by way of decision, the loss to Ali was by KO in the 3rd round.

No, the records show he wasn't a great British champion, nor was he a great contender for a world championship. But he had more chances than anyone else on this list at greatness and opprotunities.

[Seamus]

Rufus there's a whole world of fighters out there besides heavyweights.

[silkov]

Bruno and Lennox Lewis were better than most on your list, Bruno would probably have hit too hard for Cooper same with Lewis... also British fighters were far more scientific than their American counterparts and Daniel Mendoza was teaching scientific boxing long before Bill Richmond did, Mendoza was probably the cleverist and most scientific boxer to come along till Jim Corbett... and most of the things that Corbett did Mendosa was doing 100 years before.... Mendoza was ofcourse British and also the first Jewish boxing champion... amongst other many firsts which he acheived...

[KOJOE90]

My ever changing British top is below based on fighters I have SEEN in action on film or in the flesh.

1. Lennox Lewis
2. Joe Bugner
3. Tommy Farr
4. Frank Bruno
5. Henry Cooper
6. Bruce Woodcock
7. Don Cockell
8. Brian London
9. Joe Erskine
10. Gary Mason.

[silkov]

My ever changing British top is below based on fighters I have SEEN in action on film or in the flesh.

1. Lennox Lewis
2. Joe Bugner
3. Tommy Farr
4. Frank Bruno
5. Henry Cooper
6. Bruce Woodcock
7. Don Cockell
8. Brian London
9. Joe Erskine
10. Gary Mason.

I pretty much agree with that list, I would probably put in Horace Notice before Mason though...

[scartissue]

Rufus, you stated London lost to Patterson by way of decision. I suppose in a way you're correct. The decision being should the ref stop it or let Patterson kill the man from Blackpool. The correct decision was rendered and the ref stopped it in 11, where London then uttered the immortal words, "Coo blimey! He was the fastest thing on two feet!"

Scartissue

[silkov]

Rufus, you stated London lost to Patterson by way of decision. I suppose in a way you're correct. The decision being should the ref stop it or let Patterson kill the man from Blackpool. The correct decision was rendered and the ref stopped it in 11, where London then uttered the immortal words, "Coo blimey! He was the fastest thing on two feet!"

Scartissue

I thought he said that about Ali??....

[jimglen]

Len Harvey
Ted kid Lewis
Jackie kid Berg
Jock McAvoy
Ernie Roderick
Jake Kilrain
Arthur Danahar
Eric Boon
Peter Kane
Bruce Woodcock
Peter Keenan

and so many more, these boys are from 'more-or-less' the golden age of boxing, many of them should be remembered as all-time greats, and we shant see their like again...

[HomicideHenry]

If you read what I said carefully, I said I was not including Brits/Welsh who won the world title, else I would have listed Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno (won the WBA).

[jimglen]

actually Dec, Lennox Lewis is desperately overated and Tommy Farr, Joe Bugner, Bruce Woodcock are 3 fighters very capable of beating Lewis badly, (Capable)!

[Collins2000]

If you read what I said carefully, I said I was not including Brits/Welsh who won the world title, else I would have listed Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno (won the WBA).

The Welsh ARE British.