Greatest performances by UK boxers?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Blofeld, Aug 7, 2023.


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  1. Blofeld

    Blofeld Active Member Full Member

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    What are your top ten performances by UK fighters? Win, lose or draw.

    Here are mine:
    Jim Driscoll vs Abe Attell - Welsh wizard boxes rings round the excellent current champ but sadly it is not for the title.

    Jack Kid Berg vs Kid Chocolate x 2 - The Whitechapel Windmill twice outpoints and ATG Cuban slickster.

    Ted Kid Lewis vs Jack Britton - In the second fight of their epic rivalry Gershon Mendeloff snatches the world title.

    Bob Fitzsimmons vs Jim Corbett - Ruby Robert downs gentleman Jim with his lethal solar plexus punch.

    Tommy Farr - vs Joe Louis - Tommy becomes a folk hero in the UK becoming one of only three fighters to take Joe the distance in a title fight.

    Lloyd Honeyghan vs Don Curry - a huge underdog Lloyd goes to the States and replicates Kid Lewis' and John H Stracy's feat of becoming undisputed welterweight champ, taking it from the number 1 P4P fighter in the world.

    Nigel Benn vs Gerald McClellan - a terrible outcome in the greatest fight ever held in the UK IMO.

    Lennox Lewis vs Razor Ruddock - Lennox wins over the doubters with a thrilling KO of a dangerous opponent to start his brilliant career.

    Joe Calzaghe vs Bernard Hopkins - a controversial pick and a horrible fight to watch but Joe still found a way to beat the modern Archie Moore and a legitimate ATG.

    Barry McGuigan vs Eusebio Pedroza - The Clones Cyclone unites a troubled country by taking the title from a faded by still dangerous ring legend.

    Honorable mentions:
    Duke McKenzie vs Jesse Benavides - Duke becomes only the second UK fighter (and so far only other) to win three world titles beating the fancied Benavides.

    Naseem Hamed vs Kevin Kelly - Naz briefly thrills America with this mini Foreman vs Lyle brawl.
     
    Blofeld, Aug 7, 2023
    Blofeld, Aug 7, 2023
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  2. Mark Anthony

    Mark Anthony Mollywhopper Full Member

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    Calzaghe dominating Lacy was the best ever performance by a Brit fighter.
     
    Mark Anthony, Aug 7, 2023
    Mark Anthony, Aug 7, 2023
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  3. Blofeld

    Blofeld Active Member Full Member

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    Yes that was a brilliant showcase, seems to be underrated by US fans, but I think US fighters and trainers admired it more than the fans.
     
    Blofeld, Aug 7, 2023
    Blofeld, Aug 7, 2023
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  4. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Blofeld, the only one I would disagree with you on was the Duke McKenzie v Jesse Benavides affair. I scored it for Benavides 116-113. Moreover, the announcing team of Ian Darke, Glen McCrory and Gary Mason also had Benavides ahead by at least 2 points. Not Duke's finest hour. If I was to substitute a performance for this one, I think I would go for the Jack 'Kid' Berg v Tippy Larkin fight. Jack was on the downside of his career and not expected to do too much with the hard-hitting top contender other than add his own name to Larkin's roster. There may have been a hand injury incurred by Larkin, but hey, Jack saw his opportunity and took it. Winning a 10 rounder when he was being brought in as the sacrificial lamb. You take every opportunity in this business.
     
    scartissue, Aug 7, 2023
    scartissue, Aug 7, 2023
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  5. Blofeld

    Blofeld Active Member Full Member

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    Good points, I have not seen that fight for years so will rewatch at some point, I added more as an historical achievement overall but if I was to replace with another Duke performance perhaps his win over Gaby Canizales?

    Good pick re Berg vs Larkin!
     
    Blofeld, Aug 7, 2023
    Blofeld, Aug 7, 2023
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  6. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Turpin beating Robinson would be my pick.

    Beating the p4p best fighter of all time for the undisputed middleweight title (Boxings marquee division) can’t be topped imo.

    Calzaghe beating Jeff ****ing Lacy certainly isn’t in the same realm.
     
    young griffo, Aug 7, 2023
    young griffo, Aug 7, 2023
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Benn v The G-Man for me. No one hardly gave Benn a single chance.
     
    Fergy, Aug 7, 2023
    Fergy, Aug 7, 2023
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  8. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Randolph Turpin beating SRR is by far the best performance from any British fighter, Sugar Ray Robinson was 129-1 and is considered the best P4P fighter of all time.

    Some other good ones that haven't been mentioned

    Kirkland Laing vs Roberto Duran
    John H Stracey vs Jose Napoles
    Alan Minter vs Vito Antuofermo 2
    Carl Froch vs Jermain Taylor
    Joe Calzaghe vs Mikkel Kessler


    Some brave losing efforts from British fighters that i rank highly due to their performance against ATG's.

    Jim McDonnell vs Azumah Nelson
    Kevin Finnegan vs Marvin Hagler 1
    Pat Cowdell vs Salvador Sanchez
    John Conteh vs Matthew Saad Muhammad 1
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Aug 7, 2023
    Dynamicpuncher, Aug 7, 2023
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  9. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    Owen Moran D25 Abe Atell.
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Aug 7, 2023
    My dinner with Conteh, Aug 7, 2023
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  10. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Watching Owen Moran whip Battling Nelson was a real eye opener for me. It showed me that the old guys could really fight. A sublime display by Moran.
     
    young griffo, Aug 7, 2023
    young griffo, Aug 7, 2023
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  11. Vic The Gambler

    Vic The Gambler Active Member Full Member

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    Two of them that stand out to have understandably already been mentioned…

    Randolph Turpin beating SRR
    Kirk Laing beating Duran

    But I rate this one highly too, from one of my all time favourite Brit boxers,John H Stracey…

    Stracey beating the legendary (but past his best) Jose Napoles
     
    Vic The Gambler, Aug 7, 2023
    Vic The Gambler, Aug 7, 2023
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  12. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    I was going to plump for that one actually YG, due to Nelson's famed durability, but went for one of the Atell draws.
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Aug 7, 2023
    My dinner with Conteh, Aug 7, 2023
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  13. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    Yeah, I think I prefer Johnny's performance vs Hedgemon Lewis myself. I live around the corner from John too.
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Aug 7, 2023
    My dinner with Conteh, Aug 7, 2023
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  14. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    I would not agree with this.

    Froch pasting Bute and Bellew wiping out Makabu are better wins. . Most people thought Tony was going to shuffle off this mortal coil when he entered the ring with Makabu.

    Other I like are :
    Bellew vs Haye
    Fury vs Wilder 2&3
    Warrington vs Frampton
    Saunders vs Lemieux
     
    dinovelvet, Aug 7, 2023
    dinovelvet, Aug 7, 2023
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  15. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    Benn/McClellan
    Calz/Lacey
    Hatton/Kosta
     
    Brixton Bomber, Aug 7, 2023
    Brixton Bomber, Aug 7, 2023
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