Best British Champs.

[KiwiRider]

He won the European

That's what caught me out with Buglioni.

i don't think the wbo european title is the euro title people mean in this thread , it's worth less than a british title easily and is way easier to win generally, hence why it was the first belt bugs fought for rather than the british. no one is credibly referred to as being the former euro champ unless they had the ebu title

bugs had a nice run that aged well, but i think there were a lot of british champs falling into this category better than him

Fair enough.
I thought he had a worthy run, fought the best domestically. And for about 3 years we knew who was the best LHW in the country - something at any weight class is a rarity in this century.

[Deserter]

Easy choice for me....Michael Ayres

I don't count spurious titles like IBO, so Ayres won the Lonsdale belt in record time and defended the British title against Colin Dunne in the best British title fight I've seen

Barry Hearn ultimately fucked up his career, but at his peak one of the best England has produced.

Great call mate

[bennie]

Charlie Magri won the British flyweight title in his third pro fight back in 1977, but it was not to everyone's liking. In Magri's biography written by our own James McDonnell, the fighter alleges that referee Roland Dakin tried everything he could to prevent him from winning, warning him repeatedly in an attempt to break his concentration and allowing Smith to continue after umpteen knockdowns. Finally, in the seventh round, Dakin waved it over.
Dakin, some of you will remember, awarded a lopsided score to Alan Minter when Minter challenged Vito Antuofermo for the undisputed world middleweight title in Las Vegas in March 1980. His scoring was at odds with the other two judges and Minter got it on a split decision. Both Dakin and Minter hailed from Sussex. Dakin flew out to Las Vegas with the Minter camp.

[wrighty]

Dean francis although i think he might of won european,rip

His power was unreal. Apparently when he was a super middle before the injuries, people were picking him over Calzaghe. Tragic what happened to him. Great career

[bennie]

Prince Rodney was an excellent British champion. He won the title against Jimmy Batten in London, relinquished it, won it back from Jimmy Cable and then made the Lonsdale Belt his own property with a gut-wrenching win over Mick Courtney, with the weight-weakened Rodney out on his feet in the closing stages.

Always thought Rodney was a damn good fighter. Fought all the best at the time from Graham to Pyatt. Should never have made the comeback in the late eighties though

Prince suffered an eye injury sparring Mark Kaylor at the Royal Oak gym after he first won the British title. I am not sure of the exact details but it sounds like he sustained a broken eye socket. The Board must have pulled his licence because the title was declared vacant and Jimmy Cable won it with a gutsy decision over Bristol's Nick Wilshire. Prince then got the all-clear and needed less than a round to dispose of a battle-weary Cable, after which he really struggled to get down to 11 stone.

[Deserter]

Dean francis although i think he might of won european,rip

His power was unreal. Apparently when he was a super middle before the injuries, people were picking him over Calzaghe. Tragic what happened to him. Great career

Francis was very talented, but important not to go overboard on him - his power was good rather than unreal and those picking him over Calzaghe were a very distinct minority. While you can't read too much into the amateurs at times, it's worth noting Joe stopped Dean in one round when they fought.
Francis pre-injury was definitely good enough to win a version of the world title if matched well IMO, but even at his best I don't think there's a case for him beating Calzaghe.

[JamesPhilips]

Tony Willis

[orbtastic]

Some good ones already mentioned:

Brown
Bingham
Francis
Ayers

I'd throw in Brodie, Ashley, Dunstan, Cook, Wharton, Eastman, Sibbo, Sterling, McAvoy, Moore, Alexander, Rhodes, McCracken, Sinclair, McCreesh, Jacobs, Laing, Jones, Hale, Barratt, McKenzie, Green, Schwer, Crook, Havard, Cowdell, Napa, Booth brothers, Hardy, Rudkin, Ampofo.

Winstone was a lovely boxer but did actually win a world title (on the fourth go).

I don't think any of those won a world title but most, if not all won either Commonwealth or European belts. I think of that list only Brown, Ayers, Havard, dunstan and Bingham won "just" the British title.

Schwer was a classy boxer, let down by paper tissue for eyebrows. Crook was good, until he had the misfortune to run into Schwer. Jacobs another classy boxer. Havard I used to like watching, Cowdell another great boxer with a slightly unorthodox style. Ashley had that range and height, a ramrod jab and thumping right hand, always a favourite of mine.

Out of that entire list, hard call to say the best but I'd go with

Ayers
Ashley
Wharton
Sibbo
McAvoy
Laing
Jones
Schwer
Cowdell

If I had to pick one, Schwer.

***obviously I've avoided the elephant in the room with Bomber Graham and the obligatory best British boxer to never win a world title but was so utterly dominant at Domestic level.

[Counter-puncher]

Great summary

[Counter-puncher]

Of that lot Ashley is best ‘p4p’, IMO. That right hand

[boxerrob2005]

Bobby Vanzie deserves a mention.
Beat Steve Murray and Stephen Smith who were both unbeaten and should of got 2 wins over Graham Earl was also unbeaten.

[SamWise72]

Charlie Magri won the British flyweight title in his third pro fight back in 1977, but it was not to everyone's liking. In Magri's biography written by our own James McDonnell, the fighter alleges that referee Roland Dakin tried everything he could to prevent him from winning, warning him repeatedly in an attempt to break his concentration and allowing Smith to continue after umpteen knockdowns. Finally, in the seventh round, Dakin waved it over.
Dakin, some of you will remember, awarded a lopsided score to Alan Minter when Minter challenged Vito Antuofermo for the undisputed world middleweight title in Las Vegas in March 1980. His scoring was at odds with the other two judges and Minter got it on a split decision. Both Dakin and Minter hailed from Sussex. Dakin flew out to Las Vegas with the Minter camp.

Charlie went on to be world champ though, didn't he?

[Cholo_cws]

Gary Mason was British champ but won nothing else. Understandable given who he ended up facing and his serious eye injury.

[Nightmare Roy]

Ensley Bingham. One of the best left hooks I have ever seen.

some cracking fighters in and around Manchester baxk then

[Counter-puncher]

Bobby Vanzie deserves a mention.
Beat Steve Murray and Stephen Smith who were both unbeaten and should of got 2 wins over Graham Earl was also unbeaten.

good shout

[orbtastic]

I remember some piece about him on sky when he was fighting. He was working at next. I genuinely cannot remember what happened to his career. Same with barnes who looked flashy at times.

[mickey1975]

I remember some piece about him on sky when he was fighting. He was working at next. I genuinely cannot remember what happened to his career. Same with barnes who looked flashy at times.

He's eccentric to say the least. He signed for a bare knuckle company last I heard.

[bennie]

Charlie Magri won the British flyweight title in his third pro fight back in 1977, but it was not to everyone's liking. In Magri's biography written by our own James McDonnell, the fighter alleges that referee Roland Dakin tried everything he could to prevent him from winning, warning him repeatedly in an attempt to break his concentration and allowing Smith to continue after umpteen knockdowns. Finally, in the seventh round, Dakin waved it over.
Dakin, some of you will remember, awarded a lopsided score to Alan Minter when Minter challenged Vito Antuofermo for the undisputed world middleweight title in Las Vegas in March 1980. His scoring was at odds with the other two judges and Minter got it on a split decision. Both Dakin and Minter hailed from Sussex. Dakin flew out to Las Vegas with the Minter camp.

Charlie went on to be world champ though, didn't he?

I felt he was worth a mention because he won the title so soon. He never defended it but was awarded a Lonsdale Belt in 1987, a year after his retirement.

[Coco]

I remember some piece about him on sky when he was fighting. He was working at next. I genuinely cannot remember what happened to his career. Same with barnes who looked flashy at times.

He's eccentric to say the least. He signed for a bare knuckle company last I heard.

Vanzie, went religious, sold his belts for a pittance, had one bare knuckle fight years later(but still a good while ago), I've heard nothing since, suppose he has a normal job, hope he's doing ok.

[Counter-puncher]

I remember some piece about him on sky when he was fighting.

horrible man to face I'd have thought, quite skilled counterpunching southpaw who had an abrasive streak if you know what I mean, I mean I wouldn't say dirty exactly but...??

[orbtastic]

guys like mark baker and sven hamer always seemed like a nightmare to face to me. Vanzie too maybe but more in the traditional sense that he's just better than you rather than some sort of immovable object that's not going to quit.

someone like scott dixon that's dangerous but very unpredictable would be tough too, I reckon. I know Coco boxed him. What did you think of him?

Someone like Paul Wesley, he chinned Neville Brown in a round and also stopped Silky Jones in 2. He always seemed like he was doing it for the laugh and had a lot more capability in him. I remember an interview with him where he said he worked as a mechanic and often got fights on 1-2 days notice and often would get news of a fight whilst out on the rum and coke.

Obviously a Calzaghe level guy is just going to toy with you, same with someone as good as Wharton but I reckon the likes of Wesley would just turn it on and chin you if he thought you were struggling with the pace or taking the piss.

[Glass Joe]

Chris Edwards for the fact his record was 1-6 then went on to beat Jamie McDonnell and won it a few more times.

[bennie]

Some good ones already mentioned:

Brown
Bingham
Francis
Ayers

I'd throw in Brodie, Ashley, Dunstan, Cook, Wharton, Eastman, Sibbo, Sterling, McAvoy, Moore, Alexander, Rhodes, McCracken, Sinclair, McCreesh, Jacobs, Laing, Jones, Hale, Barratt, McKenzie, Green, Schwer, Crook, Havard, Cowdell, Napa, Booth brothers, Hardy, Rudkin, Ampofo.

Winstone was a lovely boxer but did actually win a world title (on the fourth go).

I don't think any of those won a world title but most, if not all won either Commonwealth or European belts. I think of that list only Brown, Ayers, Havard, dunstan and Bingham won "just" the British title.

Schwer was a classy boxer, let down by paper tissue for eyebrows. Crook was good, until he had the misfortune to run into Schwer. Jacobs another classy boxer. Havard I used to like watching, Cowdell another great boxer with a slightly unorthodox style. Ashley had that range and height, a ramrod jab and thumping right hand, always a favourite of mine.

Out of that entire list, hard call to say the best but I'd go with

Ayers
Ashley
Wharton
Sibbo
McAvoy
Laing
Jones
Schwer
Cowdell

If I had to pick one, Schwer.

***obviously I've avoided the elephant in the room with Bomber Graham and the obligatory best British boxer to never win a world title but was so utterly dominant at Domestic level.

Laing is a great shout. I remember him defeating Henry Rhiney for the British welterweight title as far back as 1979. He was always a bit of a fruitcake and remonstrated with Terry Lawless in the corner as Lawless urged him to finish off Rhiney, who was down several times before the stoppage in round 10. Then came Laing's two defeats at the hands of Colin Jones in thrilling British title encounters at the Albert Hall. On both occasions, Jones was well behind on points when he found the punches to destroy Laing but Laing persevered and won the British title a second time against former stablemate Sylvester Mittee in 1987 and went on an amazing run as champion as he demolished Rocky Kelly, Trevor Smith and George Collins in defence of the title. Sibbo is another great shout because he won the British middleweight title in five brutal rounds against Frankie "The Animal" Lucas in early 1979 and took eight long years to win a Lonsdale Belt outright with a stoppage of Sheffield's useful Brian Anderson in '87.

[maverick23]

One of the first fighters I thought of for this was Danny Williams. I thought he’d fought for the British title about 10 times. Just seen his record though and most of the fights I was thinking about were commonwealth defences.

[orbtastic]

Bennie - who would you pick as the best British title holder who didn’t win world title honours?

I had Andries in my head going through the belts but for some bizarre reason forgot he was 3 time wbc champ (including that incredible trilogy with Harding) How the memory works baffles me at times.

I steered clear of heavyweights for that reason, fights get mired in other titles.

I mean Cooper is a standout, 3 time Lonsdale and held the empire and European title. Dominant domestically.

Billy wells is another who had something like 15 British title fights but got chinned a lot too. I mean it’s no shame losing to someone as good as carpentier but all his losses are via KO.