Brits who have challenged for the heavyweight title?

TheGoods · Post by **TheGoods** » 14 Jan 2008, 09:58

With Skelton boxing this weekend ayone know how many Brits have challenged for world heavyweight title (WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO) and how they got on?

bridportboxer · Post by **bridportboxer** » 14 Jan 2008, 11:24

Bruno challenged for it 37 times.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 14 Jan 2008, 11:49

Charlie Mitchell was the first Brit to challenge for the gloved HW title, and was knocked out by Gentleman Jim Corbett in 1894.
Bob Fitzsimmons, born in Cornwall, first Brit to win HW title by knocking out James Corbett in 1897
Several lesser known Brits challenged Tommy Burns in the 1900s, all lost badly
Tommy Farr lost on points to the great Joe Louis in 1937 - the best losing effort by a British fighter in a world HW title bout
Don Cockell was knocked out by Rocky Marciano in the 1950s
Henry Cooper, Brian London, and Joe Bugner all challenged Muhammed Ali in the 60s (Bugner in the 70s) - all lost
Frank Bruno lost a WBA bout with Tim Witherspoon in 1986 in the 11th round. He lost to Lennox Lewis in the 7th round for the WBC belt in 1993, and finally won a world title in 1995 on points against Oliver McCall. He lost the WBC belt in the 3rd round to Mike Tyson the following year
Lennox Lewis lifted the WBC belt in 1992 after koing Razor Ruddock in an eliminator, Riddick Bowe refused to fight him thereby forfeiting the title.
Lewis lost to McCall in 1994, and later regained the vacant WBC belt against McCall in 1997. As well as defending against Bruno in 1993, Lewis stopped Brit Henry Akinwande by disqualification in a 1997 defence.
Lennox Lewis drew against Evander Holyfield for the undisputed HW title in 1999, but beat Holyfield later in the year to become the first British undisputed HW champion since Bob Fitzsimmons.
Lewis lost the title to Hasim Rahman in 2001, and regained it by knockout later the same year
Several Brits challenged for the fringe WBO title in the 1990s, Michael Bentt and Herbie Hide won it.
Danny Williams challenged Vitali Klitschko in 2004 for the WBC belt, but was TKOd around the 9th or 10th round.
Have I missed anybody out?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 14 Jan 2008, 11:52

Richard Dunn vs Ali - wasn't that a title fight also?

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 14 Jan 2008, 11:55

Yes, i forgot about the great Richard Dunn. How could I

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 14 Jan 2008, 11:57

Scott Welch lost a WBO title fight to Henry Akinwande.

fozzy · Post by **fozzy** » 14 Jan 2008, 15:08

Audley Harrison bt Julius Francis,WBF title if that counts LOL.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 14 Jan 2008, 15:39

dr_devious wrote:Danny Williams challenged Vitali Klitschko in 2004 for the WBC belt, but was TKOd around the 9th or 10th round.

8th rd stoppage.

watched that fight the other day.

"it ain't over till the fat lady sings dan"

funso banjo baby · Post by **funso banjo baby** » 15 Jan 2008, 05:59

this should be in the 'past' section

MATT 'the big ugly bear' Skelton is the future

be scared

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 15 Jan 2008, 06:29

Didn't the British board try starting a heavyweight title, somewhen in the 30 or 40's?

yiddo14 · Post by **yiddo14** » 15 Jan 2008, 06:57

Didn't both Michael Bentt and Herbie Hide both fight under the British flag back in the day?
Both were WBO world champions and they even fought each other for that very title!

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 15 Jan 2008, 06:59

Brian London twice challenged for the world heavyweight title (Patterson and Ali).

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 15 Jan 2008, 16:42

I forgot about Brian London's title bout with Floyd Patterson