Friday 23 October 2009

The Best Of British Boxers



No10: Naseem Hamed

Prince Naseem looked destined for stardom when he was unleashed on the boxing world. Dancing around the ring in his leopard-skin trunks, the Sheffield star dazzled his way to the WBO and WBC featherweight titles. After remaining undefeated in his first 35 fights, Hamed was finally beaten by Marco Antonio Barrera. Hamed spent 16 weeks in prison last year after being convicted of dangerous driving.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlXYuqO2



No9: Nigel Benn

The Dark Destroyer comes in just behind Chris Eubank after he lost in the pair's classic battle for the WBO middleweight crown in 1990. Benn was one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers in the history of the sport. But he never regained his hunger after the devastating outcome of his clash with Gerald McClellan.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlXYuqO2



No8: Chris Eubank

Forget the flashy suits, monocle and the juggernaut parked outside - Eubank was a genuine star. The tough nut with a lisp bagged the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles in his career and was involved in dramatic battles with Benn, Steve Collins and, sadly, Michael Watson.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlXYuqO2



No7: John Conteh

The George Best of boxing could have been even greater if it wasn't for his playboy lifestyle. The Liverpool-born fighter clinched the WBC light-heavyweight title in 1974 and eventually won 34 of his 39 bouts. But how great would Conteh have been if he'd managed just to stay on the newspapers' back pages?

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlY0uzLM



No6: Lloyd Honeyghan

The Jamaican-born star stunned boxing when he beat the great Donald Curry in 1986 to win the world welterweight title at just 26. Honeyghan then became only the second Brit to regain a world title but famously dumped his belt in the bin at protest of fights being allowed to take place in apartheid South Africa. The Ragamuffin Man won 43 of his 48 fights.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlY6vDMS


No5: Barry McGuigan

McGuigan - born in the Republic of Ireland but a British citizen - dazzled in his 35 fights, of which he won 32. The diminutive star was paraded through the streets of Belfast after winning the WBA world featherweight title against Panama's Eusebio Pedroza in 1985. McGuigan retired after the death of his father just two years later - yet his hero status remains.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlYCJOHO



No4: Lennox Lewis

The London-born powerhouse is one of only three fighters - along with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield - to win the world heavyweight crown on three occasions. The only doubt over Lewis's true status is the standard of his era. The giant's most memorable wins were against the emotionally-wrecked Oliver McCall, an ageing Holyfield and Mike Tyson, who was well past his frightening best in 2002.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlYHuQNm



No3: Ken Buchanan

Scot star Buchanan confirmed himself as one of the best Brits ever when he travelled to Puerto Rico in 1970 to snatch the world lightweight title from the much-fancied Ismael Laguna. He won 61 of his 69 bouts and was added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlYNKMNG



No2: Ricky Hatton

The Hitman has to settle for second place - for now. That could all change if he defeats Floyd Mayweather on Saturday in one of boxing's most anticipated fights in years. Hatton is a real fans' favourite - a tough cookie with a huge heart. Has won every one of his 43 bouts to date.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlYT9kHv



No1: Joe Calzaghe

Despite an incredible career that has spanned more than a decade, Calzaghe has only recently propelled into the limelight. The speedy Pride of Wales marched to the top last month when he clinched the world super-middleweight crown by beating Mikkel Kessler. Undefeated in 44 fights, perhaps his greatest skill is his durability.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article525286.ece#ixzz0UlYXiGLf