British Heavyweight eras...now or the 80s?

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 11 Mar 2004, 12:20

British heavyweights in the 1980s were for the main part a laughing stock for most observers. However, I look at the domestic scene 20 or so years on and I don't see that much difference. Which do you think is/was the better era?

Now we have Sprott, Skelton, Williams, Francis, Long, Hide...with Audley coming up on the rails.

Then we had the likes of Frank Bruno, Horace Notice, Hughroy Currie, Funso Banjo, Noel Quarless, Dave Garside...with a touch of class coming from Gary Mason.

With the exception of Audley's potential, I think there is a distinct lack of quality today. I think most of those 80s heavys I've mentioned would be in the mix up now.

J · Post by J » 11 Mar 2004, 12:32

Nice comparison mate, its very hard to disagree.

Suppose it depends really on whether Aud maximises his potential and goes on, as with Lennox it only takes one successful heavy to make it a golden era (for brit heavies at least) as it were.....though good old frank for all his limitations was world class contender in his day ....so maybe even a case to say that the 80's were better than now.......

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Mar 2004, 12:36

The 70's was the same, really. You had a lot of boring pretenders to throne and a touch of class added by Joe Bugner (when he was in the mood). I hope Audley can inherit Lennox Lewis' mantle in world terms. The next couple of years will provide the answer.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 11 Mar 2004, 16:24

frank bruno could knock out all of these current boys on the same night 'toronto-5' style.

i would pick gary mason over everyone of them except maybe audley.

the rest from the 80s are just 'also rans'. just like today.

BUT, remember, in the 90s we had lennox lewis, frank bruno, herbie hide, henry akinwande, scott welch, and on a much lower level, julius francis.

today an ancient julius on a losing run is now one of the main players!!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Mar 2004, 07:45

Funso Banjo, there's a name I haven't heard in a while.

I have to agree that the 90's were probably the best era britain ever had for heavies..

I mean, lovable as Henry Cooper was, in world terms, he was an also ran who bled like a stuck pig as soon as his opponent looked at him.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 12 Mar 2004, 07:55

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Funso Banjo, there's a name I haven't heard in a while.

I have to agree that the 90's were probably the best era britain ever had for heavies..

I mean, lovable as Henry Cooper was, in world terms, he was an also ran who bled like a stuck pig as soon as his opponent looked at him.

I saw Funso fight Marvis Frazier seems like light years ago now.

Good fighter, would have given most of todays trouble and would have spanked the likes of Francis and Skelton.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 12 Mar 2004, 11:01

who saw funso banjo versus greg page in london in 1986?

any recollections? was it televised and why does nobody have a copy? it was on the undercard of some big fight....