British Prospects

[riot187]

So has anybody seen any fighters out there who may just be the next UK big thing after Calzaghe, Hatton, Haye?

I fear for the future of British boxing, but surely I'm wrong. There must be kids waiting in the wings, or rather paying the dues in the small halls hungry for their chance and with the requisites to take it.

I've fallen out of touch with the domestic seen sadly (something I mean to address having been switched back on by the fabulous McDonagh v Purdy fight) so hopefully I'm mislead in my pessimism.

[kerrminator]

A few names to look out for are Paul Appleby (only 12 or 13 fights and has already defended the british title)

Thomas Costello. Midlands fighter, never seen him in action yet but from what I hear he looks brilliant.

[toffeejack]

I've been very impressed by Kell Brook but he looks very small for a welterweight.

I want to see if Kevin Mitchell can make the step up as well.

[TFFP]

Kell Brook
Denton Vassel
Tony Bellew
Tyson Fury
The amateur guys are worth watching of course

These are green prospects I would have some hope for in the long run. You've got "proven" prospects that are at British, maybe commonwealth level but I don't think a great deal of them. They don't have the sort of potential that says to me they will be following in the footsteps of Calzaghe etc.

[toffeejack]

Kell Brook
Denton Vassel
Tony Bellew
Tyson Fury
The amateur guys are worth watching of course

These are green prospects I would have some hope for in the long run. You've got "proven" prospects that are at British, maybe commonwealth level but I don't think a great deal of them. They don't have the sort of potential that says to me they will be following in the footsteps of Calzaghe etc.

Do you think he'll end up or at least have some fights at 140?

To me he looks small for 147, I can't even imagine him getting in the ring with someone like Margarito for example. The size difference would be enormous.

[riot187]

Yeah Kell Brook does look good. I saw him on a couple Woods bills a couple years ago I think. Didn't see the McIntyre fight, but the result was impressive. Thanks for your answers folks. Now hopefully I can get back into those small hall fights I used to love. The McDonagh fight reminded me that some of the best fights I've seen were for British titles.

Not sure about Kev Mitchell, but they have to move him up soon if they're ever gonna. Maybe Frank should be bold and stick him in with Khan. The lads a more solid fighter if not as crowd pleasing, but just imagine how you could market the already quite popular Mitchell as the man who laid the Khan myth to rest once and for all.

Thoughts on Nathan Cleverly? Never seen him myself.

Actually my mate's half brother recently turned pro with the Ingles and is attracting some attention from those in the know. Name of Steve Barnes. A quick Google search of "steve barnes boxing" should yield some results if anyone's interested.

[NJ1979]

Stephen Smith looks pretty good from what I've seen so far.

[TFFP]

Do you think he'll end up or at least have some fights at 140?

To me he looks small for 147, I can't even imagine him getting in the ring with someone like Margarito for example. The size difference would be enormous.
He is small at 5'9, but he seems quite stocky with it. The problem is if you compare him to Margarito of course he looks small. Who does not look small next to Margarito? Compared to your average welterweight he's okay.

If you look at his weights, he's weighed in at 154 a few times. That tells you he's gotta be walking around at least 160.

He's 22 years old, he will grow stronger. I can see him having a Berto like build in a few years. That guy is short too.

[toffeejack]

Actually my mate's half brother recently turned pro with the Ingles and is attracting some attention from those in the know. Name of Steve Barnes. A quick Google search of "steve barnes boxing" should yield some results if anyone's interested.

I just googled him all sounds very promising.

Let's hope he goes far because by the sounds of it he's got a lot going for him.

[Beeston Brawler]

Jordan Burbeck :deal

[mckay_89]

Appleby looks a fairly decent prospect, i don't think his power will hold up against a higher level of fighter so his overall skills will need to improve, but he's still young and has made a great start.

Kell Brook could be the next big thing, i was at the Kevin Mcintyre fight and he simply blew him away, i wasn't too happy at the result but you could see he was a class above Mcintyre.

[PaddyD1983]

Kell Brook and Mike Stanton

[dwilson]

I think we definetly have a few ****** fighters who could become world champions in the WBO organisation but for actual world champions we will probably have to wait and see what the Olympians do. Britain has alot of talent coming through so our domestic scene could be very exciting in the next few years and also at European level, no one has quite shown enough to say we have more WBC champions.

[Olly]

Probably not a "prospect" but definatly British and yet to imppact the world scene would be Jamie Moore, for me hes definatly one to watch

[robpalmer135]

Derik Chisora - Skilled but out of shape heavy, will get to Euro level
David Dolan - gone down from heavy to cruiser, good boxer with amateur pedigree, if he signed with ****** could pick up the WBO maybe
Nathan Cleverly - 21 year old Commoweath LHW after 14 fights. lack power but scored a 1 punch KO in his last fight, hes going for the british title next agaisnt a very good euro level fighter dean francis and if he beats him well we could have a future world champion
Tony Bellew - Top Amateur unlucky not to go to the olympics has 5 KO in 5 fights so far, if he gets in better shape can do some real damage.
James DeGale - Olympic Gold, we will have to wait and see but will be a huge name for years to come, many in the know have rated him for a long time
Darren Sutherland - Irish Bronze medalist at the olympics, has a style for the pros. out of everyone in this list hes the one i would tip to make the biggest name worldwide
Tonny Jeffries - Olympic Bronze medalist, has good style for the pros. Signed with Hobson who got Clinton Woods a world title, so might pick up an alphabet one day.
George Groves - Beat James DeGale last year, he is only 18 but signed with Hayemaker who will take allot of risks with him and fast track the kid. Could end up in the shadow of the three olympians above for along time. Very good style for the pros
Paul Smith - Former contender fight lost his undefeated record in a dodgy decision last year. looks great but never delivers. could pick up WBO under ******
Darren Bakker - ITV exposure will make him a big name, can clean up domesticly by the end of the year, and go may win a title as big names are leaving MW.
Matthew Hall - Young LMW in a very tough division domesticly, ****** will take his time with him. fights allot like Hatton
Kell Brook - Looks like a very skilled fighter, ****** will get him the WBO but we shall see if he pushes on any further
Stephen Smith - Brother of Paul, international amateur unlucky not to make the olympics, looks good so far.
Khan - Big name will leave lightweight soon and that will give Khan a shit. hes got the skills, but everytime he fights a puncher hes gonna get destroyed
Kevin Mitchell - Good fan base, ****** thinks allot of him. if hes put in the right fights he will win a world title, should be up there with Haye and Froch in the next few years
Vinny Mitchell - is tipped to be better than Kevin but lacks the dedication, judging on his last fight, and 1st round KO, he might have it now.
Paul Appleby - Young British champion but in a tough domestic division. maybe doing to much to soon but looks like he could be something special
Rendall Munroe - Popular Eurpoean champion, will likley get exposed at world level as SBW is a shit hot division
Ian Napa - EURO and British champ could pick up a world title in the right fight.

thinks thats all.

[dwilson]

Great list Rob. You did what I could not be bothered doing. Now if I could only find someone to un block the bath room sink.

Truscott could do well if he can add power.

[robpalmer135]

Great list Rob. You did what I could not be bothered doing. Now if I could only find someone to un block the bath room sink.

Truscott could do well if he can add power.

to much time on my hands.

[rooq]

seen jamie cox once and he looked good.

[jabjab]

Tony Bellew was awesome in his last fight on Sky. The guy he beat looked scared of his power. With ****** as manager and Farnell as his trainer he can go a long way.

What about Frankie Gavin????

[Chris1412]

Mark Thompson. Fights at light middle at moment i think but has fought at welterweight. I think he'll be in the british title mix in 09. Reckon he could do something at european level in next few years.

[icemax]

Tony Bellew

Bellew does look decent, but he needs to keep his opinion of himself to himself until he has faced stiffer opposition and has a few more fights under his belt.

[TehRileh]

Denton Vassell
Kenny Anderson
3 Walshy's (If there not in prison)
Craig McEwan
Gary Sykes

[hagler7]

steve smith looks a good un

[GPater11093]

keeny anderson
paul appleby
paul trusscott
darren barker
vinny mitchell
kevin mitchell
nathan cleverly
craig mcewan
james dagale
tony jeffries

[jabjab]

Watch out 2009 for Frankie Gavin and Tony Bellew.....

Look at there records as amatuers and Bellew's so far as a pro (on [Only registered and activated users can see links]). Not much more to say.....

[rockandrollstar]

Was anyone else completely underwhelmed by Darren Sutherland's debut?

I'll let him off though, because of first pro fight nerves etc.

Tyosn Fury could be class, but needs to trim up a bit, if you know what I mean. I reckon he may be part of Haye's sparring for the Vitali fight, though.

I know a lot of people don't like Khan on here, but he looked miles better in his last fight. Gloves covering his temple, but still quick punches. Think his sparring with Pacquiao will serve him well. Although I think Gary Stretch's comments that he'll be ready for Hatton in two fights are quite frankly absurd!

[racheal]

[quote=rockandrollstar;3111028]Was anyone else completely underwhelmed by Darren Sutherland's debut?.

yes.

[icemax]

Jesus...considering that the lads debut lasted a grand total of 2:42 secs how the fuck can you be underwhelmed, or judge anything on that basis?

[PaddyD1983]

Tyosn Fury could be class

Wont make it. Average amateur record at best. Big puncher but clumsy. He's got Roman Greenburg written all over him for me.

[Olu G. Rotimi]

Great list Rob. You did what I could not be bothered doing. Now if I could only find someone to un block the bath room sink.

Truscott could do well if he can add power.

Tony Salam has a great chance despite the setback against Courtney Fry if he uses it as his David Haye moment against Carl Thompson.

[seconds out]

seen jamie cox once and he looked good.

yeah the kid looks like he can go far:thumbsup