Best British Boxer Of All Time?

[ianb]

Would be really interested to know who in your opinion was the greatest British Boxer of all time? Would be good to get the opinions of non Brits as well .....

[D-MAC]

Jimmy Wilde

[Henbridge]

Ted 'Kid' Lewis.

To be honest, nobody touches him.

[brown bomber]

Ted 'Kid' Lewis.

To be honest, nobody touches him. Have you got any of his fights on DVD?

[Beeston Brawler]

I am a big Ken Buchanan fan to be honest.

Two of our current fighters, Hatton and Calzaghe, make the top ten.

[ghostlybadge]

Jimmy wilde by a country mile

[SleazeNation]

L L

[toffeejack]

Calzaghe.

Ted Lewis and Jimmy Wilde were apparently greats but I can't see how people can put them on top without even watching footage of them.

You just can't compare boxing back then to what it is now.

[Robbi]

Lewis outweighs Hatton by some degree.

[C HOP]

Randy Turpin

[brown bomber]

Alleyway Jack 'the slap' Williams was awesome. He boxed just like roy jones jnr and once beat gentleman john simmons (who boxed a bit like Joe Calzaghe only with more speed and power) for the leeds iron bridge title by 78th round KO. His record was 9 wins 1 loss (to Paul 'monkey man' kelly.... who was actually a fair ground monkey according to local newspaper reports) 89 no decisions.

[T.C.W]

Calzaghe

[Tony Harrison]

Alleyway Jack 'the slap' Williams was awesome. He boxed just like roy jones jnr and once beat gentleman john simmons (who boxed a bit like Joe Calzaghe only with more speed and power) for the leeds iron bridge title by 78th round KO. His record was 9 wins 1 loss (to Paul 'monkey man' kelly.... who was actually a fair ground monkey according to local newspaper reports) 89 no decisions.

He would have struggled with Witter though. Stylistically Junior is a nightmare for Williams.

I'd go for Lennox.

[Uzi Wong]

I think its Lennox Lewis even though he was only British when it suited him.

[PaddyD1983]

Lennox Lewis but Calzaghe could make a claim along side Wilde. Never seen Ted Lewis so I cant count him myself

[Uzi Wong]

Alleyway Jack 'the slap' Williams was awesome. He boxed just like roy jones jnr and once beat gentleman john simmons (who boxed a bit like Joe Calzaghe only with more speed and power) for the leeds iron bridge title by 78th round KO. His record was 9 wins 1 loss (to Paul 'monkey man' kelly.... who was actually a fair ground monkey according to local newspaper reports) 89 no decisions.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: in those days if it went less than 75 rounds we demanded our nickel back.

[C HOP]

enzo maccranelli

[Fat Joe]

enzo maccranelli

Not even Swansea's best

[C HOP]

Not even Swansea's best

hahaha to true! :D

[Fat Joe]

If Calzaghe breaks his promise of 1 more fight and instead has another 3 good wins he's got a very good shout of being the Best of British

[brown bomber]

Harry 'the hamster' fitzsimmons, undisputed river thames champion 3 weeks running. 7-1-6-168 No decisions.

[ianb]

I'm British and have a great respect for Wales and its boxing heritage. However, and I know I'm going to upset a few folks here, but I'm only being honest when I say that in my opinion Calzaghe is awful to watch. He slaps more than he punches and his technique is all wrong from a boxing purists perspective. I admire his dedication as a sportsman etc and he's a great guy ... however the likes of Leonard, Hearns, Hagler and even Roy Jones in his prime would have beaten him no problem. I think he has made the most of an awkward style and he unsettles opponents through his sheer work rate and refusal to give in. I don't think he has come up against a true great yet to prove himself.

[Uzi Wong]

I'm British and have a great respect for Wales and its boxing heritage. However, and I know I'm going to upset a few folks here, but I'm only being honest when I say that in my opinion Calzaghe is awful to watch. He slaps more than he punches and his technique is all wrong from a boxing purists perspective. I admire his dedication as a sportsman etc and he's a great guy ... however the likes of Leonard, Hearns, Hagler and even Roy Jones in his prime would have beaten him no problem. I think he has made the most of an awkward style and he unsettles opponents through his sheer work rate and refusal to give in. I don't think he has come up against a true great yet to prove himself.

I'm Welsh but i think you've made a fair observation mate. I wonder whether his poor technique is down to being trained by his dad all his life and his dad has no proffesional boxing experience before training Joe. What do you think?

[PaddyD1983]

I'm British and have a great respect for Wales and its boxing heritage. However, and I know I'm going to upset a few folks here, but I'm only being honest when I say that in my opinion Calzaghe is awful to watch. He slaps more than he punches and his technique is all wrong from a boxing purists perspective. I admire his dedication as a sportsman etc and he's a great guy ... however the likes of Leonard, Hearns, Hagler and even Roy Jones in his prime would have beaten him no problem. I think he has made the most of an awkward style and he unsettles opponents through his sheer work rate and refusal to give in. I don't think he has come up against a true great yet to prove himself.

His technique isnt great but he can be good to watch. The Lacy and Manfredo fights in particular (without going as far back as Woodhall and Eubank). His fight against Kessler was also a cracking fight.

Against Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Roy Jones... pound for pound yes they are all streets ahead but there's no shame in that! These are some of the best of all time. Head to head though I'd fancy him against Leonard at SMW and possibly Hearns too! Hagler would KO him and Jones in his prime would school him. I think though, if he does fight RJJ next he'll do a good job on him!

[ianb]

you could be right there ... but I think with boxing you either have it or you don't. The likes of Sugar Ray Leonard etc were naturals. You don't train that kind of ability you encourage it!

[brown bomber]

I'm British and have a great respect for Wales and its boxing heritage. However, and I know I'm going to upset a few folks here, but I'm only being honest when I say that in my opinion Calzaghe is awful to watch. He slaps more than he punches and his technique is all wrong from a boxing purists perspective. I admire his dedication as a sportsman etc and he's a great guy ... however the likes of Leonard, Hearns, Hagler and even Roy Jones in his prime would have beaten him no problem. I think he has made the most of an awkward style and he unsettles opponents through his sheer work rate and refusal to give in. I don't think he has come up against a true great yet to prove himself.:yep Spot on. :good

[brown bomber]

His technique isnt great but he can be good to watch. The Lacy and Manfredo fights in particular (without going as far back as Woodhall and Eubank). His fight against Kessler was also a cracking fight.

Against Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Roy Jones... pound for pound yes they are all streets ahead but there's no shame in that! These are some of the best of all time. Head to head though I'd fancy him against Leonard at SMW and possibly Hearns too! Hagler would KO him and Jones in his prime would school him. I think though, if he does fight RJJ next he'll do a good job on him! I think he means awful to watch technically!:good

[PaddyD1983]

I think he means awful to watch technically!:good

In that case - agreed :good

[dwilson]

Yep. Calzaghe will no go above Area title standard with his poor technique.

[C HOP]

i actully train at a boxing acedemy and i was strating to open my hands when i was fighting and my traininer told me "you seen calzaghe doing it your doing it all wrong" to easy to damage wrists lack of power and joe is ma favourite boxer but his style doesnt really compare to greats like ali n that but he is a great british boxer jus had to much bad training by his dad , but he has a big determination and also he has skill (movement, work output) so it makes up for his wrong punching technique

[dwilson]

Benny Lynch deserves a shout.

[ianb]

If you want to see great boxing technique watch Sugar Ray Leonard in his prime (movement, silky skills, heart, desire, speed, power when needed etc) then watch Joe and compare. No contest! I guess you have all found out my Greatest Boxer of all time now .... trouble is he belongs to Uncle Sam!

[brown bomber]

Yep. Calzaghe will no go above Area title standard with his poor technique.:lol:

[brown bomber]

If you want to see great boxing technique watch Sugar Ray Leonard in his prime (movement, silky skills, heart, desire, speed, power when needed etc) then watch Joe and compare. No contest! I guess you have all found out my Greatest Boxer of all time now .... trouble is he belongs to Uncle Sam! I love watching Joe Louis, Robinson and Chavez.... For me they were just so incredibly perfect fighters..... Even now you watch them and it really is like watching poetry in motion..... Calzaghe is like watching some chavs mc-ing in a garage over 'shooting star' Helter Skelter remix.

[ianb]

I love watching Joe Louis, Robinson and Chavez.... For me they were just so incredibly perfect fighters..... Even now you watch them and it really is like watching poetry in motion..... Calzaghe is like watching some chavs mc-ing in a garage over 'shooting star' Helter Skelter remix.
yeah but now we are talking real class now my friend ..... THE GREATS.

[robpalmer135]

Calzaghe.

[janitor]

I will give some names that nobody has mentioned but sombody should have.

Daniel Mendoza

Dutch Sam

Tom Cribb

Jem Mace

Bob Fitzsimmons

Jem Driscoll

[ThePlugInBabies]

modern times, lewis and calzaghe.

back in the day, fitz.

[GazOC]

Good call on Fitz and Driscoll.

[ThePlugInBabies]

I'm British and have a great respect for Wales and its boxing heritage. However, and I know I'm going to upset a few folks here, but I'm only being honest when I say that in my opinion Calzaghe is awful to watch. He slaps more than he punches and his technique is all wrong from a boxing purists perspective. I admire his dedication as a sportsman etc and he's a great guy ... however the likes of Leonard, Hearns, Hagler and even Roy Jones in his prime would have beaten him no problem. I think he has made the most of an awkward style and he unsettles opponents through his sheer work rate and refusal to give in. I don't think he has come up against a true great yet to prove himself.

with all due respect the only one of those who you could make a solid favourite over calzaghe is RJJ.

[brown bomber]

with all due respect the only one of those who you could make a solid favourite over calzaghe is RJJ.:lol: :lol: :lol: Brilliant. Post of the day!! Are you Fwank?

[ThePlugInBabies]

:lol: :lol: :lol: Brilliant. Post of the day!! Are you Fwank?

solid favourite! should of worded it better but by that i mean the only one i'm close to 100% sure of beating joe is RJJ.

[GazOC]

The only one in that list I would want to try to make a case for Calzaghe beating is SRL based on size, even then I wouldn't fancy my chances of convincing too many people.

[PaddyD1983]

solid favourite! should of worded it better but by that i mean the only one i'm close to 100% sure of beating joe is RJJ.

I'd put Hagler in same category.

SRL and TH P4P are better but head to head at SMW I fancy Joe

[ianb]

I'd put Hagler in same category.

SRL and TH P4P are better but head to head at SMW I fancy Joe
Sorry have to disagree SRL, TH, MH and RJJ all in their prime would have beaten Joe. You are talking about Legends here. Calzaghe is over rated. He is a pressure fighter ... all those guys would have handled him!

[brown bomber]

I can't believe what you guys are writing... have a word!! lol

[ianb]

I can't believe what you guys are writing... have a word!! lol
in what respect?

[ThePlugInBabies]

Sorry have to disagree SRL, TH, MH and RJJ all in their prime would have beaten Joe. You are talking about Legends here. Calzaghe is over rated. He is a pressure fighter ... all those guys would have handled him!

....and the circle jerk continues.

[PaddyD1983]

Sorry have to disagree SRL, TH, MH and RJJ all in their prime would have beaten Joe. You are talking about Legends here. Calzaghe is over rated. He is a pressure fighter ... all those guys would have handled him!

Fair enough...

Pound for pound I'd agree that they are all years ahead of Calzaghe. I just think that at SMW Leonard is too small to face a natural SMW like Calzaghe who, has now proved, he's one of the best around today.

As for Hearns, if he caught Joe his power would transfer at any weight but I dont think he could handle the reverse. I would put Joe ahead of Barkley (controversial I know!) at SMW and Barkley had the measure of Hearns (albeit an ageing version) and so cant see Calzaghe having a problem neither.

I am not saying that Joe is better than any of these, just at Supermiddleweight I think he is genuinely one of the best at that weight!

[ianb]

....and the circle jerk continues.
yeah you do .....

[brown bomber]

All of those guys would have handled Joe with EASE.... not opinion. Fact. These guys and their legacy's are the stuff that JC and FW can only dream of. Get a grip of reality here!

[ianb]

Spot On .... it's a shame but on this forum one particular individual (a Calzaghe lover of 21 years of age) seems to take great upset when his hero is compared with some of the past greats and then can only respond with abuse! Get a life kid .... there was boxing before Joe!

[ThePlugInBabies]

Spot On .... it's a shame but on this forum one particular individual (a Calzaghe lover of 21 years of age) seems to take great upset when his hero is compared with some of the past greats and then can only respond with abuse! Get a life kid .... there was boxing before Joe!

:lol:

[ianb]

Anyway back to the British greats ...... Jim Driscoll ... a real Welsh great even if he didn't officially win a world title.

[cjgloves]

Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis.
Future Haye, froch, Khan.

[TFFP]

Even as the biggest Calzaghe fan on here I can't believe some of you are picking him, do you know shit about British boxing? It makes me cringe when I hear reporters interviewing referring to him as the greatest of all time, I thought some of you would know better :patsch

My personal pick is Jimmy Wilde, whos achievements despite giving up weight nearly every fight speak volumes. I've also seen a bit of film, and I've no doubt he could compete today

Fitzsimmons, Buchanan and Ted 'Kid' Lewis would also be reasonable choices

[brown bomber]

Even as the biggest Calzaghe fan on here I can't believe some of you are picking him, do you know shit about British boxing? It makes me cringe when I hear reporters interviewing referring to him as the greatest of all time, I thought some of you would know better :patsch

My personal pick is Jimmy Wilde, whos achievements despite giving up weight nearly every fight speak volumes. I've also seen a bit of film, and I've no doubt he could compete today

Fitzsimmons, Buchanan and Ted 'Kid' Lewis would also be reasonable choices Anything on the net of Wilde, I haven't seen him.

[JonOli]

Lewis, willing to take on all comers and could have perhaps could beaten anybody in boxing history in the top weight.

[TFFP]

Anything on the net of Wilde, I haven't seen him.
There is very little, only the solitary round in any sort of quality:
igryTKKR2Nw
I've seen the entire fight, and Wilde knocks him out in the 12th if memory serves

I've also seen the entire fight with Pancho Villa, one of the greatest Asian fighters of all-time. Wilde who had been in retirement for 2 years responded to his challenge, like a true warrior, but was well past his best

What people forget is that in modern boxing terms with the weight classes this guy would potentially be a champion at 4 different weights; straw, jr fly, fly and jr bantam despite weighing 100lbs

[dwilson]

Jack "kid" berg. Amazing reume.

[brown bomber]

There is very little, only the solitary round in any sort of quality:
I've seen the entire fight, and Wilde knocks him out in the 12th if memory serves

I've also seen the entire fight with Pancho Villa, one of the greatest Asian fighters of all-time. Wilde who had been in retirement for 2 years responded to his challenge, like a true warrior, but was well past his best

What people forget is that in modern boxing terms with the weight classes this guy would potentially be a champion at 4 different weights; straw, jr fly, fly and jr bantam despite weighing 100lbs Thank you- i don't hate you anymore. :verysad

[TFFP]

Thank you- i don't hate you anymore. :verysad
Hey, no grudes :yep

[dan-b]

Lennox Lewis.

[sean]

i pick lennox lewis as well.

was watching some footage of wilde saturday and while he was a great fighter in his day, IMO that style is suited to exactly that
his day.

also boxing in that era was virtually domestic level only with only a few countries in the world having fighters getting title shots.

its not diminishing there accomplishments they fought more often than they do today and did not have friendly refs etc etc

to use an anology , lasse viren was the greatest runner of his day by far, but there were most probably a 1,000 kenyans in the rift valley at the time who would have needed maths lessons to count how far ahead they would be of him.

same as i see it with pre 1940 boxing among the little men wilde had great power/teed of nice powerfull correctly delivered shots.

but to do so he left his chin way up in the air and his defense was to try and see the punches coming and slip them as was the norm in thises days.

fighters rarely had there hands much above there thighs.

[TFFP]

i pick lennox lewis as well.

was watching some footage of wilde saturday and while he was a great fighter in his day, IMO that style is suited to exactly that
his day.

also boxing in that era was virtually domestic level only with only a few countries in the world having fighters getting title shots.

its not diminishing there accomplishments they fought more often than they do today and did not have friendly refs etc etc

to use an anology , lasse viren was the greatest runner of his day by far, but there were most probably a 1,000 kenyans in the rift valley at the time who would have needed maths lessons to count how far ahead they would be of him.

same as i see it with pre 1940 boxing among the little men wilde had great power/teed of nice powerfull correctly delivered shots.

but to do so he left his chin way up in the air and his defense was to try and see the punches coming and slip them as was the norm in thises days.

fighters rarely had there hands much above there thighs.
Actually, Wilde's style was considered unusual back in the day. That certainly wasn't a textbook style that was commonplace. The funny thing about the hands down approach is that whilst people are critical of it in the 1900's when you look at the best fighters of modern times they often fight in the same way. RJJ and Floyd Mayweather - hands down!

I've never bought into the theory these guys can't compete simply because you can now buy whey in a can

Besides, when you are talking about the best fighter of all-time it is all relative. Wilde's achievements are relative to his era, just as Lewis's are to his

[elle]

For me its Lennox Lewis - especially admire the fact he retired with no unavenged defeats. :good

[heerko koois]

Prime Honeyghan ....[ 1985-1988 ]

[wayne3280]

I love watching Joe Louis, Robinson and Chavez.... For me they were just so incredibly perfect fighters..... Even now you watch them and it really is like watching poetry in motion..... Calzaghe is like watching some chavs mc-ing in a garage over 'shooting star' Helter Skelter remix.

That has creased me! Well done!!!