View Full Version : The Best British Boxer of 2008 ?
newbridgeboxing
12-29-2008, 09:51 PM
Who has impressed the most ?
David Haye
Ricky Hatton
Joe Calzaghe
Gavin Rees
Amir Khan
Carl Froch
Nicky Cook
Kevin Mitchell
Bradley Pryce
I know who i'd pick but views please !!:think
Beeston Brawler
12-29-2008, 09:52 PM
Who has impressed the most ?
David Haye
Ricky Hatton
Joe Calzaghe
Gavin Rees
Amir Khan
Carl Froch
Nicky Cook
Kevin Mitchell
Bradley Pryce
I know who i'd pick but views please !!:think
:good
Joe Calzaghe.
Hopkins is a far tougher fight than any of the others have encountered this year and he came through. None of the others have done anything to match that on a level playing field. Unless we judge Calzaghe by extremely high standards and the others lower the answer is Joe Calzaghe.
Mandanda
12-29-2008, 10:06 PM
Haye with Froch a close 2nd, I go for Haye because he took out Enzo with sheer confidence and power and also done a good job on Barrett.
Beeston Brawler
12-29-2008, 10:09 PM
I felt Calzaghe lost against Hopkins......
But still, credit to him.
Had he taken out Jones, rather than carried him, I may have given him the award.
JonOli
12-29-2008, 10:14 PM
Haye
Haye has beat Enzo and Barrett. They were two gimmies regardless of the style in which he did it.
Only numpties were ever thinking like either of them had a chance.
newbridgeboxing
12-29-2008, 10:33 PM
Haye has beat Enzo and Barrett. They were two gimmies regardless of the style in which he did it.
Only numpties were ever thinking like either of them had a chance.
Hey man ! My man Enzo had a good chance he just lost his head ! :bbb
Enzo will get his just rewards MARK my words
Hey man ! My man Enzo had a good chance he just lost his head ! :bbb
No worries the janitor picked it up in Row Z.
He had a 1 in 100 chance. At my bookmakers he would be 100/1 no problem. I would have made a fortune on people on here, dumbasses that made it seem like that was a 50/50 60/40 type fight.
JonOli
12-29-2008, 10:41 PM
Enzo was the second best cruiser in the world, we all know that, we've seen it posted enough times.
Hattons return after taking a beating has been very understated, imo. Despite what people say, he barely dropped a round to Lascano (it was a very enjoyable fight as well), and dare I say it, outclassed, no1 contender Pauli. I think he has showed good heart to come back from the near schooling Floyd gave him.
If Floyd was 43, and recently twice beaten, then Hatton squeaked a SD by him, and then Floyd outclassed a brawler from two weights down - would Hatton be fighter of the year? I jest...
I will give it to Calzaghe, but mainly because the others have either been preparing for their own big days, or rebuilding from defeat.
GazOC
12-29-2008, 10:48 PM
Haye.
Enzo was the second best cruiser in the world, we all know that, we've seen it posted enough times.
Hattons return after taking a beating has been very understated, imo. Despite what people say, he barely dropped a round to Lascano (it was a very enjoyable fight as well), and dare I say it, outclassed, no1 contender Pauli. I think he has showed good heart to come back from the near schooling Floyd gave him.
If Floyd was 43, and recently twice beaten, then Hatton squeaked a SD by him, and then Floyd outclassed a brawler from two weights down - would Hatton be fighter of the year? I jest...
I will give it to Calzaghe, but mainly because the others have either been preparing for their own big days, or rebuilding from defeat.
That is pretty much it. If anybody else had done something worth a shit in elite terms, Calzaghe would lose....for once.
onourway
12-29-2008, 11:04 PM
It's hard to pick Calzaghe, because he got dropped by Hopkins and laboured to a win. And he nearly got KO'd by a shot Roy Jones JR.
I'd go with Haye, he dispatched of two good opponents with ease.
Haye got dropped by Barrett.
onourway
12-29-2008, 11:08 PM
No, he didn't.
If a goal gets ruled out for offside in football, but the replays show it was actually a legitimate goal....do we count it as a goal? No, we don't. It's no different in boxing.
I must have imagined Haye on the canvas.
onourway
12-29-2008, 11:16 PM
Fighters slip often in fights.
You count them as knockdowns?
The look on his face wasn't one that told me he was worried about the grip on his boots.
I didn't see you worrying about the semantics when Calzaghe was decked by an illegal forearm, either. That's a change of heart, oh the inconsistencies :good
onourway
12-29-2008, 11:24 PM
The look on his face was one of 'I'm on my arse and Monte's swinging an almighty punch at me as I sit down' and then he got clocked.
It's not semantics, it's what happened. Calzaghe got floored and was close to being KO'd, Haye slipped.
I told you exactly what happened. Haye got floored against a crappy opponent. And no his ass did not slip he got grazed by a cuffing shot that knocked him over when he was doing his lunging shit. Then when he got up he took another knee after Barrett whacked him on the canvas.
It was not even that impressive from Haye, it was wild against a C class.
Calzaghe beat an elite even if it wasn't as clear, but nobody ever beat Hopkins clear except prime Jones. Plenty beat Barrett with ease, including Andre The Giant, and we saw how he looked against a near 50 yr old man. Perspective.
Easily Calzaghe, the only fighter to fight and win against a genuine top 5 p4p fighter. Even if you're of the opinion that Calzaghe lost that fight you'd still have to give him the award on the basis that he was competitive against such a great fighter.
In reality Haye beat two gatekeepers, one of which was happening to hold a belt owned by his promoter. The reason why so many people are choosing Haye is because he's done a great job promoting himself all year round, however, in terms of actual acomplishments he hasn't achieved much.
PaddyD1983
12-30-2008, 05:21 AM
To briefly run through the fighters you've mentioned;
David Haye
Good year for him. Unified CW (well sort of, but after Cunningham was beaten by Adamek the fact that Haye didnt fight him becomes a moot point). Was fairly impressive against Barrett. Has reignited general interest in the heavies.
Ricky Hatton
Good year for him too. A laboured, but relatively easy win against Lazcano followed up by his best performance for years against the widely regarded #2 in the division. Looks to have secured a fight with Pac.
Joe Calzaghe
Great year. Beat Bernard Hopkins. Close fight, but correct decision in my opinion. Dropped only the first round to Roy Jones. Hopkins going on to beat Pavlik gives Joe greater credit. I'd love it if RJJ beat Dawson next year. Wont happen, but it would be great. Kessler regaining and retaining his title has again added to Joe's legacy this year.
Gavin Rees
Seriously? You're putting him as an option?
Amir Khan
See above.
Carl Froch
Good year for Froch in winning a title. Great fight on terrestrial TV has put his name in the minds of casual fans. Nothing I've seen from Froch though tells me he's going to be the man at SMW.
Nicky Cook
Underrated boxer and overlooked this year I feel. Bounced back from a KO last year with a stoppage of his own and then claimed the WBO from an Alex Arthur who some (not me, definitely not me!) were tipping to beat Guzman (there are some muppets on here sometimes).
Kevin Mitchell
Stepped up in class this year with wins over Johanneson and Estrada. Needs to carry this on and fight for a WBO this year.
Bradley Pryce
Fought once this year. I didnt see it so cant comment.
In summary. Calzaghe by a country mile!! Notable mentions though for Kell Brook, Matthew Marsh, John Murray and Paul Appleby.
TBooze
12-30-2008, 05:42 AM
Calzaghe edges out Haye IMO; Froch over Hatton for a honourable mention.
brown bomber
12-30-2008, 06:40 AM
Calzaghe
Beatboxer
12-30-2008, 07:10 AM
Joe Calzaghe, as it has been every year really since 2005 (when Hatton was the clear winner).
2006, 2007, 2008 all about Joe!
Calzaghe had the best win when he beat Hopkins.
however this has been a better year for David Haye overrall.
trotter
12-30-2008, 08:13 AM
I told you exactly what happened. Haye got floored against a crappy opponent. And no his ass did not slip he got grazed by a cuffing shot that knocked him over when he was doing his lunging shit. Then when he got up he took another knee after Barrett whacked him on the canvas.
It was not even that impressive from Haye, it was wild against a C class.
I think Haye was quite impressive, he took Barrett apart really, and he's under big pressure after all the hype he's been creating.
Still, he got dropped, that is beyond dispute. Inconsequential KD but it happened.
I'll go for Joe just because he's been criticised for years for not going to the States. Well, now he has, and he's won, and he's made the guys he fought basically give in to him.
Pair of old fogeys he beat but he's one himself - so he gets my vote.
ps I don't give Hopkins quite as much credit for beating Pavlik as some do. Pavlik jumped 2 weights and gave up a lot of his advantages at middle.
If Pacman had lost to him I don't think people would be so quick to applaud Oscar.
PaddyD1983
12-30-2008, 08:36 AM
ps I don't give Hopkins quite as much credit for beating Pavlik as some do. Pavlik jumped 2 weights and gave up a lot of his advantages at middle.
If Pacman had lost to him I don't think people would be so quick to applaud Oscar.
This is a good point, the reason I mentioned B-Hops win is that many were citing Pavlik to beat Calzaghe at the time. Meaning Calzaghe beat the man who beat the man. I didnt think Pav would beat Calzaghe for one minute. But I did think Pav would beat Hopkins and work a way for a fight with Joe and then Joe would shut up the Yanks with a schooling of Kelly. As it happens, Hopkins schooled him first. Meaning Joe got a 2 for 1 this year in his win over Hopkins.
I take your point and agree with it. I was making a slightly different one.
brown bomber
12-30-2008, 08:55 AM
Ryan Rhodes and Jon Thaxton would get my vote if Calzaghe hadn't beaten such impressve names. Courses for Horses.
It's not semantics, it's what happened. Calzaghe got floored and was close to being KO'd, Haye slipped.
:huh
I think Haye was quite impressive, he took Barrett apart really, and he's under big pressure after all the hype he's been creating.
Still, he got dropped, that is beyond dispute. Inconsequential KD but it happened.
I'll go for Joe just because he's been criticised for years for not going to the States. Well, now he has, and he's won, and he's made the guys he fought basically give in to him.
Pair of old fogeys he beat but he's one himself - so he gets my vote.
ps I don't give Hopkins quite as much credit for beating Pavlik as some do. Pavlik jumped 2 weights and gave up a lot of his advantages at middle.
If Pacman had lost to him I don't think people would be so quick to applaud Oscar.
He wasn't that impressive. He did the job we expected but it was wild. He showed us he can stand out of range and throw right hands. Little else. Not one of his better performances, I think he displayed his skills far better against Mormeck despite being dropped heavily. It certainly didn't hint at great things to come at heavyweight.
Hopkins is a career middleweight. That is a lame excuse from Pavlik's point of view. He was supposed to be picking on an old guy coming off a loss.
Mandanda
12-30-2008, 10:38 AM
Haye has beat Enzo and Barrett. They were two gimmies regardless of the style in which he did it.
Only numpties were ever thinking like either of them had a chance.
He could of made hard work of them plus enzo and barrett always had a punchers chance. i think this list should include ian napa by the way as i think he been superb this year.
realsoulja
12-30-2008, 11:01 AM
David Haye clearing up the CW division becoming undisputed cruiserweight champ
Moving up in weight permanently making himself a name in the HW division
and then securing a match for the WBC Heavywight title against Vitali
I vote for David Haye.
Buggo
12-30-2008, 12:11 PM
Its close between Calzaghe & Haye, but I choose Calzaghe. His victory over Hopkins on US soil is the standout achievement of the year for me.
mrplow182
12-30-2008, 07:32 PM
David Haye clearing up the CW division becoming undisputed cruiserweight champ
Moving up in weight permanently making himself a name in the HW division
and then securing a match for the WBC Heavywight title against Vitali
I vote for David Haye.
He had essentially become undisputed CW after beating Mormeck in 2007, Enzo only had the WBO which so many people are quick to disregard
Other than that he was explosive but got dropped against a veteran HW
BazRandall
12-31-2008, 10:06 AM
Not one mention for RENDALL MUNROE, came from nowhere to take the european sbw title and defended it 3 times all in the last 12 months.
Granted not as high profile as calzaghe but worth a shout.
MUNROE
CALZAGHE
HAYE
HATTON
IAN NAPA
My top 5 in that order , based purely on performances for 2008
BadJuju83
12-31-2008, 10:14 AM
Calzaghe, the Hopkins fight is the difference.
Grant1
01-02-2009, 11:44 AM
Calzaghe.
FLINT ISLAND
01-02-2009, 11:59 AM
No, he didn't.
If a goal gets ruled out for offside in football, but the replays show it was actually a legitimate goal....do we count it as a goal? No, we don't. It's no different in boxing.
Come on mate.........I dont want to fall out with you...........but you must be joking :lol:
Ok its not a official knockdown
But Haye was knocked down..........showing once again he can be vunerable and hurt
I agree with TFFP...........Haye was wild against a C class fighter
I also agree with Trotter that Haye is still a GREEN fighter.
Haye was unconvincing as a heavyweight savior in the Monte barret fight
NJ1979
01-02-2009, 12:01 PM
Calzaghe, for the Hopkins fight.
GPater11093
01-02-2009, 12:06 PM
good shout about munroe he has come out of nowhere and is on the verge of a world title tilt
Cobbler
01-02-2009, 12:58 PM
Come on mate.........I dont want to fall out with you...........but you must be joking :lol:
Ok its not a official knockdown
But Haye was knocked down..........showing once again he can be vunerable and hurt
Whether or not you think it should have been counted as a knockdown, it's very clear from the replay that both of Haye's feet slip from under him before any punch lands or doesn't land.
He was going to end up on the canvas anyway irrespective of any punch, so it doesn't show anything of the sort.
TommyV
01-02-2009, 01:14 PM
Joe Calzaghe, with Froch a close second.
Mookhound
01-02-2009, 01:17 PM
1) Calzaghe - took the Ring belt at lhw, beat one of the best there is in his backyard. Calzaghe won fairly comfy, imo. however, i think that hopkins got his gameplan completely wrong - but nothing calzaghe can do about that.
2) haye - unified a division. Pretty simple, really.
3) Hatton. number 1 in his division beats the guy widely considered number 2 or 3. decent marks for that.
4) Carl Froch. took WBC strap against reasonable contender, and marked himself out in a hugely entertaining fight.
5) Nicky cook. Won a world bout, but I would argue against less impressive opposition than the above.
all in all, a pretty good year for our ring/alphabet world champs.
Thomasl19
01-02-2009, 03:12 PM
Haye,
with Froch a close 2nd. g
rockandrollstar
01-02-2009, 03:36 PM
Haymaker or Cobra for me.
Probably Haymaker.
TFFP, Haye never got dropped by Barrett!?!?!?!
I actually think Haye did a bit of theatrics after he got hit after falling (ie dropping to one knee, holding the rope etc) giving him time to catch his breath to realease some more lethal combos.
Realspitts
01-02-2009, 08:55 PM
haye
Haymaker or Cobra for me.
Probably Haymaker.
TFFP, Haye never got dropped by Barrett!?!?!?!
I actually think Haye did a bit of theatrics after he got hit after falling (ie dropping to one knee, holding the rope etc) giving him time to catch his breath to realease some more lethal combos.
Watch it again. He gets caught with a cuffing shot while he's off balance. He was off balance, but as far as I know if you get knocked down by any sort of punch thats called a knockdown.
Then Barret threw another wild ass punch that barely hit and Haye saw fit to take a knee and recover. It didn't say too much for his durability in the long run.
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