BoxRec

Watching Scott Harrison last night there was the usual talk of where Harrison figures in the world scene, and I think most people agree he is probably just about Top 5 material but would struggle with the "elite" guys at that kind of weight, Barrera, Marquez, Morales, Pacquaio and so on. What I often wonder is why can't we ever seem to produce those "elite" fighters, those potential Hall of Famers, the guys that always seem to beat the best that we do produce? We seem to be able to churn out the occasional Top 5 and Top 10 guys okay, decent guys who can operate at world level - Clinton Woods, Johnny Nelson, maybe we'll add Ricky Hatton to that list tonight, but we never seem to produce a real contender for World No 1. Recently we've had Lennox, but he was really a product of another country, and we've had Naseem, but would he have been the top dog in a division with Barrera, Morales and Pacquaio?

So what is the reason we can't go to that extra level? It can't be lack of enough boxers to statistically produce elite fighters, because tiny countries like Puerto Rico produce guys like Trinidad and Cotto. I wonder is it the lack of competitive fights and sparring that our top fighters are getting in the UK that is the barrier to the elite level?

Our fighters are too protected. Hatton could well be an elite fighter in a year or two but I just think tonights fight is a step up too far. If he'd fought guys in the top 10 over the last year and beaten them he'd have a fat better chance tonight. Fact is he's going from fighting guys outside the top 20 to fighting a guy who's in the top 5 in the world P4P.

I agree, too protected and get to use to boxing average opponents then can't bridge that gap to world class. Our fighters also won't take the risk of boxing abroad.

We do have elite fighters. Especially Robin Reid, who now, according to Boxrec is the no.1 supermiddleweight in the world

Top class boxing is more of a business in this country, in other countries like Mexico etc it is a way of life.

Jamie Sanigar wrote:I agree, too protected and get to use to boxing average opponents then can't bridge that gap to world class. Our fighters also won't take the risk of boxing abroad.

EXACTLY.

WHY DONT OUR FIGHTERS GO ABROAD FOR FIGHTS?
I FOR 1 WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO FIGHT ABROAD AS IT GIVES EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS EXPOSURE.


M.T GILLICK
SUPERMIDDLEWEIGHT

Lefthookhappy19 wrote:We do have elite fighters. Especially Robin Reid, who now, according to Boxrec is the no.1 supermiddleweight in the world

Well, by all rights he should be after beating both ottke and calzaghe.

OH AND WHEN DID HE BEAT J.C?

Our boxers lack desire. Look at calzaghe for example.

They're happy to just be "good enough"..and earna good pay day. The Yanks and south americans seem to have more desire in my opinion.

Seems we now have an elite fighter, name is Ricky Hatton.

According to the shirt he wore, his name is Ricky Fatton.

Tantum wrote:According to the shirt he wore, his name is Ricky Fatton.

By this time next week he will be Ricky Fatton

Chopping Right wrote:....we never seem to produce a real contender for World No 1.

How nice it is to have spoken too soon on this subject.

Tantum wrote:According to the shirt he wore, his name is Ricky Fatton.

too true.

Not all is looking bad. The UK have some fighters that if get more busy can be World Champions. Even in the USA fans minds

Maybe in the next 5 years we will be holding more World titles, that are proper belts. Not paper weights.


Heavyweight
Audley Harrison

If he starts moving there is the chance of a proper Title shot. At 33 he cant sit around and wait. With his Olympic Gold he should have been Brittish Champ &/or European Champion by Now but due to problems has come to a halt!

The Heavyweight Division isnt looking great with the Exception of Vitali Klitschko as Champ who would have beaton Lewis if it was not for Cutts.

A fight with either Matt Skelton or Danny Williams would be a mouth watering fight for UK fans, but no interest accross the pond in those fights.

But Audley could take James Toney, John Ruiz & Chris Byrd all of the same age as him, all of them have been in wars unlike Audley who is quite fresh but inactive. If he waits the likes of Povetkin & other European & Young US stars will take his place in the next coulple years.

The time is now or never!

Cruiserweight
Johnny Nelson

The most boring Brittish fighter to watch. Seems to be more interested in working in TV than in the ring. He needs about 3 more fights then call it aday.

A fight with Enzo Maccarinelli for an all UK afair, then he needs to take his chances with Jean Marc Mormeck & O'Neil Bell both top fighters, who if he beats can then retire knowing he beat the best that there is and call it a day,

Light Heavyweight
Clinton Woods

Clinton is one of those fighters everyone likes, he puts in 110% everytime but its just not enougth sometimes.
A possible rematch with Roy Jones, probaly the best time it could happen. If he got the win it Could put him in with a fight against Julio Gonzalez or maybe Zsolt Erdei. Maybe even Tarver if he is to beat Jones and the other two?

Clinton did well the first time against Glen Johnson, but Johnson is now a class above him. I dont think Glen Johnson would be interested in a 3rd fight anyhow.

Super Middleweight
Joe Calzaghe

Calzaghe wants to do a Ricky Hatton, but i think he needs to go look for it rather than wait around for someone to come to Wales!

Joe needs the Jeff Lacy fight or Markus Beyer, but will probaly carry on fighting boxers below him rather than moving up in class. All 3 fighters want to fight at home and wont take the chance of fighting each other.

One of the UK's biggest waste of talent, he will retire undefeated and wonder why he is not in the hall of fame. He can blame himself!

Middleweight
Howard Eastman

I like Howard Eastman & think he has what it takes, his mind though is abit like Danny Williams, he seems to blow hot and cold to often.
He never looks like he wants to be Champion.

He can still get the Title fights, if fights can be made with Jermain Taylor or Oscar De La Hoya, Eastman has the skill to beat them just not the motivation. Could lead to a fight against Ronald Wright if it all works out.

Welterweight
Ricky Hatton

The main man at the moment. A whole number of fights to water the mouth. If hatton will leave the UK he could become a very rich man indeed.

Fights between Floyd Mayweather Jr, Sharmba Mitchell, Arturo Gatti and a great fight with Diego Corrales all for the taking. Wins over these guys can put Hatton in the hall of fame as one of the all time greats!

Featherweight
Scott Harrison

Not realy a crowd puller but some possible fights with In Jin Chi & Juan Manuel Marquez not much else he can do apart from step up a weight and take on some real class acts.

Problem they have to much class for Harrison! Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao way to much for the Scott.


Our Last Hope
Amir Khan

He either is or he isnt, there is class there but will it be used against plumbers and overweight bouncers is not yet known.

Not to keen on choice of Promoters, but even FW has had some good Match ups with Hatton V Kosta, Williams V Tyson & Klit. Also the signing of future Star of Heavyweight boxing Alexander Povetkin.

So will Amir do it i think so, how he does it is another matter!

Plenty of other good Amateurs to watch out for, maybe shows like the Hatton one will, encourage other UK youngsters to take up the sport.

In my county we had 3 boxing clubs 2 years ago we now have 6 clubs, in another 2 years who knows!

Super Middleweight
Joe Calzaghe

Calzaghe wants to do a Ricky Hatton, but i think he needs to go look for it rather than wait around for someone to come to Wales!

Joe needs the Jeff Lacy fight or Markus Beyer, but will probaly carry on fighting boxers below him rather than moving up in class. All 3 fighters want to fight at home and wont take the chance of fighting each other.

One of the UK's biggest waste of talent, he will retire undefeated and wonder why he is not in the hall of fame. He can blame himself!

What if Reid beats Lacy though?

ABA Boxing wrote:Not all is looking bad. The UK have some fighters that if get more busy can be World Champions. Even in the USA fans minds....

Don't forget we are talking about the production of elite fighters here, guys who might genuinely be world #1, not just good fighters. To my way of thinking Nelson, Woods, Eastman and Scott Harrison have already shown they are not in that highest bracket and never will be.

Tradition is a huge factor - guys who have done it all and are in the gym passing on their secrets. Britain doesn't have the same tradition of World Champions that Mexico and the US have, and history does have a way of repeating itself. Coincidence?

Its not good to look at i know, there's some hope of a few good ones that will stand out. Just hope they do the right thing.

Hatton, Audley Harrison & Khan the top 3 for Brittains hopes of top fighters.
Audley Harrison hasn't got time on his side but can still pull it off
Amir Khan we dont know what will happen under FW.
Ricky Hatton has the World at his feet

Times do change, boxing seems to becoming more popular at the grass root level. There has been alot of involvement since Amir Khans success.

We have the European Championships in Liverpool in a couple years, which can only be good for Amateur boxing. Also if England can pull it off we might get the Olympics in 2012.

Good wins like Hatton send boxing in the UK in to frenzys, then it all goes quite.

Most people outside this forum cant even name the Brittish Heavyweight Champion!

You could blame the media for not showing boxing & when they do its only bad stuff, but i think it will make a return to the days of Eubank Benn ect. Just not yet for a few years.

UK Boxing cant survive on Hatton alone.