The Best British Boxer of 2008 ?

I must have imagined Haye on the canvas.

 

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

 

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 ****. 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.

 

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.

 

Calzaghe edges out Haye IMO; Froch over Hatton for a honourable mention.

 

Calzaghe

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Ryan Rhodes and Jon Thaxton would get my vote if Calzaghe hadn't beaten such impressve names. Courses for Horses.

 

:huh