BoxRec

For me, it would be Clinton McKenzie against Des Morrison at York Hall in January 1981 for the British light-welterweight title. Champion McKenzie dominated the dangerous-punching Morrison in the early rounds, then floored him on the bell to the end the eighth. Morrison fell heavily, was dragged on to his stool by trainer Andy Smith (father of current Board impresario Robert), and it looked all over.
Mckenzie came out in the ninth looking to finish the job. He rocked Morrison several times before trainer Smith, almost in desperation, banged hard on the canvas in the corner in an effort to rouse his man. Morrison responded. He gritted his teeth, stood his ground, and began firing right after right to the head of a bemused, and suddenly tired-looking, champion. With a packed York Hall crowd going wild, Morrison pushed Mckenzie back throughout the round and it was now survival of the fittest.
The next five rounds were full of the same intensity, both men taking turns to hurt the other, before Mckenzie finally nailed his man in the 14th round. It was only January. But the fight of the year was already signed and sealed. Magnificent.

Not sure about the best but for sheer atmosphere the Eubank vs Benn fights I loved them both.....

Hardhitters11 wrote:Not sure about the best but for sheer atmosphere the Eubank vs Benn fights I loved them both.....

bugger you beat me to it, though I didnt half enjoy Gomez arthur recently.

Brodie v Swain was a corker, as was Williams v Potter.

Nicky Booth v Ady Lewis is a fave of mine too.

J wrote:

Hardhitters11 wrote:Not sure about the best but for sheer atmosphere the Eubank vs Benn fights I loved them both.....

bugger you beat me to it, though I didnt half enjoy Gomez arthur recently.

You both beat me to the Benn - Eubank fights.

Bruno vs Lewis was good.

Bruno was doing well too..until Lewis turned the screw...

But yeah, it's got to be the Benn v Eubank fights really eh...

One of the fights I most looked forward to was Naz V Steve Robinson, thats if Welsh fighters are counted on this thread.

Danny Williams V Mark Potter was a good one to.

KOJOE90 wrote:Danny Williams V Mark Potter was a good one to.

EFF ME THANK YOU, Im such a dunce thats one of the most outrageous and best shows of heart I have ever seen in a ring, was unbelievable I was out my seat two inches form the tv when that uppercut was delivered going apeshit!

Ive always had so much admiration for danny for that night alone
Truly memorable, Cheers K.J.!

Just thought of another good one, Spencer Oliver V Patrick Mullings.

I'll go for both Michael Ayers/Wayne Rigby fights. Maybe not the best technically, but they had something of everything.
Billy Schwer Vs Colin Dunne was pretty entertaining too.

I'm with Glittermonkey on this one. I was there for both fights and in the words of the Krankies they were fandabbeedozee.

"Shaka" v Rigby.....any

bennie wrote:For me, it would be Clinton McKenzie against Des Morrison at York Hall in January 1981 for the British light-welterweight title. Champion McKenzie dominated the dangerous-punching Morrison in the early rounds, then floored him on the bell to the end the eighth. Morrison fell heavily, was dragged on to his stool by trainer Andy Smith (father of current Board impresario Robert), and it looked all over.
Mckenzie came out in the ninth looking to finish the job. He rocked Morrison several times before trainer Smith, almost in desperation, banged hard on the canvas in the corner in an effort to rouse his man. Morrison responded. He gritted his teeth, stood his ground, and began firing right after right to the head of a bemused, and suddenly tired-looking, champion. With a packed York Hall crowd going wild, Morrison pushed Mckenzie back throughout the round and it was now survival of the fittest.
The next five rounds were full of the same intensity, both men taking turns to hurt the other, before Mckenzie finally nailed his man in the 14th round. It was only January. But the fight of the year was already signed and sealed. Magnificent.

I agree with you fully on this one Bennie. A breathtaking fight, still get shivers down the spine recalling it.

knockout artist wrote:

bennie wrote:For me, it would be Clinton McKenzie against Des Morrison at York Hall in January 1981 for the British light-welterweight title. Champion McKenzie dominated the dangerous-punching Morrison in the early rounds, then floored him on the bell to the end the eighth. Morrison fell heavily, was dragged on to his stool by trainer Andy Smith (father of current Board impresario Robert), and it looked all over.
Mckenzie came out in the ninth looking to finish the job. He rocked Morrison several times before trainer Smith, almost in desperation, banged hard on the canvas in the corner in an effort to rouse his man. Morrison responded. He gritted his teeth, stood his ground, and began firing right after right to the head of a bemused, and suddenly tired-looking, champion. With a packed York Hall crowd going wild, Morrison pushed Mckenzie back throughout the round and it was now survival of the fittest.
The next five rounds were full of the same intensity, both men taking turns to hurt the other, before Mckenzie finally nailed his man in the 14th round. It was only January. But the fight of the year was already signed and sealed. Magnificent.

I agree with you fully on this one Bennie. A breathtaking fight, still get shivers down the spine recalling it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers it. I've been feeling quite old all afternoon.
As you know, Knockout Artist, Clinton McKenzie had countless thrillers with the likes of Des, Colin Power, Sylvester Mittee and Terry Marsh. But the second Morrison fight was truly special. I wonder what Des is up to these days? And next time you see Clinton, tell him he's not forgotten.

bennie wrote:

knockout artist wrote:

bennie wrote:For me, it would be Clinton McKenzie against Des Morrison at York Hall in January 1981 for the British light-welterweight title. Champion McKenzie dominated the dangerous-punching Morrison in the early rounds, then floored him on the bell to the end the eighth. Morrison fell heavily, was dragged on to his stool by trainer Andy Smith (father of current Board impresario Robert), and it looked all over.
Mckenzie came out in the ninth looking to finish the job. He rocked Morrison several times before trainer Smith, almost in desperation, banged hard on the canvas in the corner in an effort to rouse his man. Morrison responded. He gritted his teeth, stood his ground, and began firing right after right to the head of a bemused, and suddenly tired-looking, champion. With a packed York Hall crowd going wild, Morrison pushed Mckenzie back throughout the round and it was now survival of the fittest.
The next five rounds were full of the same intensity, both men taking turns to hurt the other, before Mckenzie finally nailed his man in the 14th round. It was only January. But the fight of the year was already signed and sealed. Magnificent.

I agree with you fully on this one Bennie. A breathtaking fight, still get shivers down the spine recalling it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers it. I've been feeling quite old all afternoon.
As you know, Knockout Artist, Clinton McKenzie had countless thrillers with the likes of Des, Colin Power, Sylvester Mitee and Terry Marsh. But the second Morrison fight was truly special. I wonder what Des is up to these days? And next time you see Clinton, tell him he's not forgotten.

I should be seeing him before the end of the month. I know he uses the internet and will direct him to this thread.

Clinton happens to be my second favourite British fighter after Sibbo, who will always my No1.

I never tell Clinton that he's one of my favourites for fear of embarrassing him. - He's such a modest guy.

ONe of the best Modern small hall fights I have seen has to be Mo Hussein Mark Reefer.

Hussein won by late KO, seems like 20 years ago, It cant be that long, can it?

knockout artist wrote:

bennie wrote:

knockout artist wrote: I agree with you fully on this one Bennie. A breathtaking fight, still get shivers down the spine recalling it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers it. I've been feeling quite old all afternoon.
As you know, Knockout Artist, Clinton McKenzie had countless thrillers with the likes of Des, Colin Power, Sylvester Mitee and Terry Marsh. But the second Morrison fight was truly special. I wonder what Des is up to these days? And next time you see Clinton, tell him he's not forgotten.

I should be seeing him before the end of the month. I know he uses the internet and will direct him to this thread.

Clinton happens to be my second favourite British fighter after Sibbo, who will always my No1.

I never tell Clinton that he's one of my favourites for fear of embarrassing him. - He's such a modest guy.

Yeah, that would be marvellous. Clinton gave Sugar Ray Leonard a good scrap in the '76 Olympics and was one of Harry Mullan's favourite fighters, too (along with kevin Finnegan and Mark Kaylor).
As for Sibbo, his fight with Frankie Lucas for the British middleweight title in 1979 is another true classic. I believe Sibbo won the title on his 21st birthday and won it in devastating style against a man nicknamed "The Animal".
Alan Minter steered well clear of Lucas.

Lucas was the roughest meanest bastard (i mean that as a compliment) I have ever seen. My old man took me to see Sibbo - Lucas, 1st pro card i ever went to.

There was real needle before during and afetr the fight and at the weigh in. Ive still got the Evening Standard coverage of it. Back in those days it was a massive massive fight, 2 full pages in most papers. Now it would get an inch square if at all.

Sibbo was great that night - He was one of those fighters; already a man when he was a young kid. He nearly decapitated Lucas, IMO Wally Thom the ref, let it go on a bit too long, but Lucas went out on his sheild.

knockout artist wrote:Lucas was the roughest meanest bastard (i mean that as a compliment) I have ever seen. My old man took me to see Sibbo - Lucas, 1st pro card i ever went to.

There was real needle before during and afetr the fight and at the weigh in. Ive still got the Evening Standard coverage of it. Back in those days it was a massive massive fight, 2 full pages in most papers. Now it would get an inch square if at all.

Sibbo was great that night - He was one of those fighters; already a man when he was a young kid. He nearly decapitated Lucas, IMO Wally Thom the ref, let it go on a bit too long, but Lucas went out on his sheild.

Yes, I remember you saying it was the first fight you saw from ringside. If you never went to another fight, you would have still seen it all.
When Harry carpenter picked his all-time favourite fights a while back, Sibson-Lucas was among them. I can still remember the picture in BN of Sibson tagging Lucas as the Croydon puncher crumbled for the third and final knockdown by the ropes. Frankie still complained when Thom called if off. Sibson's punching that night was scary. He was a man of moods, Tony, and that translated to his boxing career. If he was in the mood, he could take a man's head off. I would call him the most powerful British middleweight since Randolph Turpin.

PS: Frankie Lucas and John Conteh's sparring sessions were better than many fights.

arthur v gomez. no doubt was the best fight ive ever attended. in my opinion it was genuinelly just a notch down fom hagler hearns!! which ive only ever seen on video.

bennie wrote:

knockout artist wrote:Lucas was the roughest meanest bastard (i mean that as a compliment) I have ever seen. My old man took me to see Sibbo - Lucas, 1st pro card i ever went to.

There was real needle before during and afetr the fight and at the weigh in. Ive still got the Evening Standard coverage of it. Back in those days it was a massive massive fight, 2 full pages in most papers. Now it would get an inch square if at all.

Sibbo was great that night - He was one of those fighters; already a man when he was a young kid. He nearly decapitated Lucas, IMO Wally Thom the ref, let it go on a bit too long, but Lucas went out on his sheild.

Yes, I remember you saying it was the first fight you saw from ringside. If you never went to another fight, you would have still seen it all.
When Harry carpenter picked his all-time favourite fights a while back, Sibson-Lucas was among them. I can still remember the picture in BN of Sibson tagging Lucas as the Croydon puncher crumbled for the third and final knockdown by the ropes. Frankie still complained when Thom called if off. Sibson's punching that night was scary. He was a man of moods, Tony, and that translated to his boxing career. If he was in the mood, he could take a man's head off. I would call him the most powerful British middleweight since Randolph Turpin.

PS: Frankie Lucas and John Conteh's sparring sessions were better than many fights.

I'd agree about Sibson being the most powerful since Turpin, who died before I was born?

Sibbo was a converted southpaw, so his left hook was awesome, as was his upper body strength.

Do you know, I had no idea, or must have completely forgot that Conteh and Lucas sparred. But they were, of course, both under the tutelage of the late great George Francis.

Tell me, Bennie did Sibbo turn pro at light middle? I seem to remember that he did but looking back he seemed huge.

Do you know what he is up to now? I havent heard about him for years.

The Eubank vs Benn double had everything, both fights were exceptional especially fight 1.

Both Eubank vs Thompson fights were again classic, such heartbreak for me though at the end of the second match - thats all Eubank needed to do was last the distance and he would have won.

There was a great atmosphere for Collins vs Benn but neither fight lived up to the billing, although both had their moments.

One of the best technical all British fights I have seen was Oliver vs Mullings a fight that had it all, although was more one-sided than I remember it.

I have also enjoyed many of the fights involving Gary Logan on his return, especially his wars with Takaloo and Hussian Osman.

Jim Watt - Charlie Nash, was an exciting if brief (but religiously charged) affair.

Anyone remember that fight?

Looking back through Hatton's career, I really enjoyed the Thaxton battle.
I'm sure it was the same night as Williams one hand performance ?