British & Irish Boxing, World Title Challengers This Year

[johnswan1]

British & Irish boxers who have challenged or will be challenging for WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO World Titles this year:

1. Carl Froch
2. Amir Khan
3. David Haye
4. Nathan Cleverly
5. Matthew Macklin
6. Paul McCloskey
7. Ricky Burns
8. Ryan Rhodes
9. Brian Magee
10. Matthew Hatton
11. Nicky Cook

I've left out Willie Casey as he fought for an interim title.

British & Irish boxers not far off an opportunity of challenging for a World Title:

1. Dereck Chisora
2. Kell Brook
3. Darren Barker
4. Prince Arron
5. John Murray
6. Kevin Mitchell
7. Gavin Rees
8. Martin Murray
9. Tony Bellew
10. Jamie McDonnell
11. Andy Lee

Any more who could have a World Title challenge by end of year / beginning next year?

[crusader]

Did Clev challenge for a non-interim world title?

[earsjohn]

Did Clev challenge for a non-interim world title?

Not only did Clev fight for (and win) the WBO Interim Light Heavy Title (against Mohammedi); he was awarded the full title after Braehmer bitched out and actually was the defending WBO Light Heavy champ against Zuziemski.

[crusader]

Did Clev challenge for a non-interim world title?

Not only did Clev fight for (and win) the WBO Interim Light Heavy Title (against Mohammedi); he was awarded the full title after Braehmer bitched out and actually was the defending WBO Light Heavy champ against Zuziemski.

True, but the OP left out interim title challengers and Clev never actually challenged anyone for the full title.

[johnswan1]

Did Clev challenge for a non-interim world title?

Not only did Clev fight for (and win) the WBO Interim Light Heavy Title (against Mohammedi); he was awarded the full title after Braehmer bitched out and actually was the defending WBO Light Heavy champ against Zuziemski.

True, but the OP left out interim title challengers and Clev never actually challenged anyone for the full title.

Challenged or defended I should have said. Khan didn't challenge for a world title this year either. Like Cleverly, he defended one.

[earsjohn]

Did Clev challenge for a non-interim world title?

Not only did Clev fight for (and win) the WBO Interim Light Heavy Title (against Mohammedi); he was awarded the full title after Braehmer bitched out and actually was the defending WBO Light Heavy champ against Zuziemski.

True, but the OP left out interim title challengers and Clev never actually challenged anyone for the full title.

He fought Kuziemski for the full title.

[crusader]

Not only did Clev fight for (and win) the WBO Interim Light Heavy Title (against Mohammedi); he was awarded the full title after Braehmer bitched out and actually was the defending WBO Light Heavy champ against Zuziemski.

True, but the OP left out interim title challengers and Clev never actually challenged anyone for the full title.

Challenged or defended I should have said. Khan didn't challenge for a world title this year either. Like Cleverly, he defended one.

Gotcha

[crusader]

Not only did Clev fight for (and win) the WBO Interim Light Heavy Title (against Mohammedi); he was awarded the full title after Braehmer bitched out and actually was the defending WBO Light Heavy champ against Zuziemski.

True, but the OP left out interim title challengers and Clev never actually challenged anyone for the full title.

He fought Kuziemski for the full title.

I know, but he didn't challenge Kuziemski for the full title. I didn't realise John was also talking about fighters who made title defenses.

[earsjohn]

British & Irish boxers who have challenged or will be challenging for WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO World Titles this year:

1. Carl Froch
2. Amir Khan
3. David Haye
4. Nathan Cleverly
5. Matthew Macklin
6. Paul McCloskey
7. Ricky Burns
8. Ryan Rhodes
9. Brian Magee
10. Matthew Hatton
11. Nicky Cook

I've left out Willie Casey as he fought for an interim title.

British & Irish boxers not far off an opportunity of challenging for a World Title:

1. Dereck Chisora
2. Kell Brook
3. Darren Barker
4. Prince Arron
5. John Murray
6. Kevin Mitchell
7. Gavin Rees
8. Martin Murray
9. Tony Bellew
10. Jamie McDonnell
11. Andy Lee

Any more who could have a World Title challenge by end of year / beginning next year?

Can see Warren gaining a World title shot at a vacant or interim belt for both Frankie Gavin and James DeGale within 12 months.

[stujones]

British & Irish boxers who have challenged or will be challenging for WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO World Titles this year:

1. Carl Froch
2. Amir Khan
3. David Haye
4. Nathan Cleverly
5. Matthew Macklin
6. Paul McCloskey
7. Ricky Burns
8. Ryan Rhodes
9. Brian Magee
10. Matthew Hatton
11. Nicky Cook

I've left out Willie Casey as he fought for an interim title.

British & Irish boxers not far off an opportunity of challenging for a World Title:

1. Dereck Chisora
2. Kell Brook
3. Darren Barker
4. Prince Arron
5. John Murray
6. Kevin Mitchell
7. Gavin Rees
8. Martin Murray
9. Tony Bellew
10. Jamie McDonnell
11. Andy Lee

Any more who could have a World Title challenge by end of year / beginning next year?

Can see Warren gaining a World title shot at a vacant or interim belt for both Frankie Gavin and James DeGale within 12 months.

Some of those you have as "not far" from a world title chance I disagree with.

I think Del Boy's opportunity has been and gone. I don't think Klitchsko will look at him now that he has got Klitchsko. If Haye wins, then I think pretty soon both the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF titles will be vacant (Haye and Vitali retiring) and I don't think Chisora is high enough ranked to be contesting these. Even if Haye continues then I don't think Haye will play ball with again with FW, not in a contest where he has everything to lose and nothing to gain.

Prince Aaron is a while away from a world title fight. Let him fight Webb etc again first - needs to establish himself at British and then European Level first. Same with Martin Murray. I would say the same with Bellew, but he's going to be fighting Cleverley we just know it.

One of Mitchell and Murray, not both.

You could think about re-adding Matt Hatton, isn't he in line to be fighting Mbaye?

[earsjohn]

Some of those you have as "not far" from a world title chance I disagree with.

I think Del Boy's opportunity has been and gone. I don't think Klitchsko will look at him now that he has got Klitchsko. If Haye wins, then I think pretty soon both the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF titles will be vacant (Haye and Vitali retiring) and I don't think Chisora is high enough ranked to be contesting these. Even if Haye continues then I don't think Haye will play ball with again with FW, not in a contest where he has everything to lose and nothing to gain.

Prince Aaron is a while away from a world title fight. Let him fight Webb etc again first - needs to establish himself at British and then European Level first. Same with Martin Murray. I would say the same with Bellew, but he's going to be fighting Cleverley we just know it.

One of Mitchell and Murray, not both.

You could think about re-adding Matt Hatton, isn't he in line to be fighting Mbaye?

I think Chisora (assuming he beats Fury) could get a shot at a title, although not a shot at one of the current titlists, if that makes sense. The Haye-Wlad winner will become WBA Super Champ so there will be a vacant "normal" belt available. Wouldn't be surprised to see the WBC follow suit and make Vitali a Diamond champ, thus freeing up a title for more sanctioning fees. And if Haye wins and retires (unlikely), the IBF and WBO titles will become vacant too.

Just checked the various ratings - Del is unranked by the WBC because of his affiliation to the IBF (Fury is 21st and also, apparently the UK title holder); unranked by the WBA; unranked by IBF; ranked 12th by the WBO; 18th by IBO and 9th on Boxrec. Who knows what any of that means.

[Londonirish]

British & Irish boxers who have challenged or will be challenging for WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO World Titles this year:

1. Carl Froch
2. Amir Khan
3. David Haye
4. Nathan Cleverly
5. Matthew Macklin
6. Paul McCloskey
7. Ricky Burns
8. Ryan Rhodes
9. Brian Magee
10. Matthew Hatton
11. Nicky Cook

I've left out Willie Casey as he fought for an interim title.

British & Irish boxers not far off an opportunity of challenging for a World Title:

1. Dereck Chisora
2. Kell Brook
3. Darren Barker
4. Prince Arron
5. John Murray
6. Kevin Mitchell
7. Gavin Rees
8. Martin Murray
9. Tony Bellew
10. Jamie McDonnell
11. Andy Lee

Any more who could have a World Title challenge by end of year / beginning next year?

One of Mitchell and Murray, not both.

As Stewart Hall if he beats Jamie McDonell....