Who is the Best British Fighter Never to Win a World Title?

[orbtastic]

I personally think if Henry Wharton would of boxed either Stev Little or Michael Nunn the night they both fought each other on the undercard he would of been world champ, but not the best british fighter never to win. Nunn was shocking that night and not sure what Little did after winning title. To be around when Benn Eubank was on the scene was unfortunate for Wharton.

You had to feel sorry for Little, he beat one of the premier fighters at 168, albeit an under par one...tucked away on an undercard in the UK. What did he get for his troubles? Don King trying to match him with McClellan for $50,000 then when he refused he stuck him in with Liles under threat of being stripped for $200,000 or so.

He ended up at cruiserweight not long after, fighting Toney then fighting for chump change in the opponent corner. He did in 2000 from some sort of cancer, from memory.

[bigh]

SPENCER OLIVER!!

[Blackburn1]

if the question the BEST British boxer to never win a world title then it has to be herol graham without a shadow of doubt...!!

[orbtastic]

SPENCER OLIVER!!

How'd you see him faring against the 122lb title holders at the time?

Peak Morales
Post Poison Jones MAB (remember he was ripping through the likes of Lloyd & Wenton)
Bungu

The WBA title was vacant I think, after Cermeno moved up to 126

I think easily his best chance is with Bungu, who was starting to show signs of age and creaking at the seams a little but it's a big ask. His workrate means he could out-hustle a tight at the weight Bungu but he's easily the best fighter he'll have faced in his entire career.

[bigh]

Spencer oliver would of gone on to alot bigger and better things if he won that last fight....I think he would have defo had a chance or probably beat any of the champions around that time.

[Counter-puncher]

SPENCER OLIVER!!

How'd you see him faring against the 122lb title holders at the time?

Peak Morales
Post Poison Jones MAB (remember he was ripping through the likes of Lloyd & Wenton)
Bungu

The WBA title was vacant I think, after Cermeno moved up to 126

I think easily his best chance is with Bungu, who was starting to show signs of age and creaking at the seams a little but it's a big ask. His workrate means he could out-hustle a tight at the weight Bungu but he's easily the best fighter he'll have faced in his entire career.

good call. i think Bungu would soak up pressure and come out with mini-rallies, enough to win 7 or 8 rounds, probably let Oliver have a head of steam early and come back on him in the mid-late rounds.

[orbtastic]

Probably a mini classic.

Oliver only knew one way of fighting, it was great to watch but not conducive to a long career. Bungu is perhaps too cute, would tuck up/duck/sway and counter back with that sneaky overhand right but it's possible that Oliver's youth and enthusiasm could get to the Bungu coming to the end of his title reign. I think it unlikely though.

[patlallyjack]

I was a big fan of Colin Jones, so he would be my choice. I never tire of watching his 2 classic fights against Laing.

[james_allinson]

Jon Thaxton is up there for me

[DIRT SUGAR]

More recently, Dean Francis, who oozed class until combination of dislocated shoulder and spell in clink ate away at his peak years.

[mickey1975]

Thaxton,Francis,Oliver?Come on lads,good domestic fighters who cannot be mentioned in the same breath as some on here.Did you see Thaxton-Augustus/Burton?,Francis-Calzaghe in the abas?,or even remeber how Oliver got his injury?

[broncobuster]

Joe Bugner, went the distance with ALI and smoking Joe, if he was around today with all the belts available he would have been a champ, 'plus a bit more balls'

[rollernads]

i think mikie brodie in his prime shuid have been wbc champion when got robbed against jorrin

[boxfan3]

Jim McDonnell fought two of the best pound for pound boxers in the Featherweight division at the time in Azuma Nelson and Brian Mitchell. If Jimmy was around today he would be champion of the world. The other one is Herol Bomber Graham so much talent and should have been champion.

[hitman_hatton1]

i think mikie brodie in his prime shuid have been wbc champion when got robbed against jorrin

yep.

so unlucky.

bloody wbc.

surprise surprise it goes to the mexican/american. :x

[rockyrandall2]

Tony Sibson......any other era than the great Hagler era, Sibbo would have been champ

[Bard of Boxrec]

can't believe only two people in this thread have mentioned that this question has been asked a billion times on this forum and everyone else is merrily regurgitating the same answer they spew every month?

OP, maybe do a search. Thanks. By the way, whatever happened to Ike Ibeabuchi?

[Chambers2]

By the way, whatever happened to Ike Ibeabuchi?

DD Another old favourite

[bennie]

Charnley was the best because he actually beat the great Joe Brown at Earls Court for the world lightweight title but referee Tommy Little gave it to the American to spite Charnley's manager, Arthur Boggis, with whom he had the serious hump.
Boxing never changes.

[Scrap]

Bennie thats true . I remember taking Dunstan to spar Gomez was World champ at the time. The gym was Hamburg, they got us up 7.30 for sparring, me saying that Tel was still asleep as we had arrived late the previuos day, had trouble at the airport. They told me in no uncertain gestures that we were getting paid for sparring at the time they wanted it. Anyway Terry chinned Him the 1st round 8910 out, when He came round Tel carried him for the next 5 rds. Its surprising all week they were like our best freinds all week, and gave Tel an extra !ooo krona. As I said to Him they wont invite you back to Fight Him DD

[Chambers2]

Bennie thats true . I remember taking Dunstan to spar Gomez was World champ at the time. The gym was Hamburg, they got us up 7.30 for sparring, me saying that Tel was still asleep as we had arrived late the previuos day, had trouble at the airport. They told me in no uncertain gestures that we were getting paid for sparring at the time they wanted it. Anyway Terry chinned Him the 1st round 8910 out, when He came round Tel carried him for the next 5 rds. Its surprising all week they were like our best freinds all week, and gave Tel an extra !ooo krona. As I said to Him they wont invite you back to Fight Him DD

JC Gomez?

[Scrap]

Thats Him.

[Lenny]

I can't be the only one who doesn't think Brodie was robbed against Jorrin?

His fight with Chi is one of my all time favourites, Brodie really had to grit his teeth in that one and probably finished him as a top level fighter

[bennie]

Hey Howard, how good was Eduardo Corletti? Duff was impressed with him in his autobiography and I know the Board were pushing to include him in the eight-man tourney to succeed Ali. It would be interesting to hear your take on him.

[Tommy Gunn13]

Bennie thats true . I remember taking Dunstan to spar Gomez was World champ at the time. The gym was Hamburg, they got us up 7.30 for sparring, me saying that Tel was still asleep as we had arrived late the previuos day, had trouble at the airport. They told me in no uncertain gestures that we were getting paid for sparring at the time they wanted it. Anyway Terry chinned Him the 1st round 8910 out, when He came round Tel carried him for the next 5 rds. Its surprising all week they were like our best freinds all week, and gave Tel an extra !ooo krona. As I said to Him they wont invite you back to Fight Him DD

Gomez was a very good cruiserweight&Dunstan sparked him.....
I bet your got some storys to tell Howard,have you ever thought of writing a book?