Who is Britains greatest ever boxer of all time?

I did not always like the way he fought. While I have a personal soft spot and great affection for the greatest Scottish fighter of all time the great Ken Buchanan it is very difficult to go against Lennox Lewis all things considered. Have to be Lennox Lewis.

 

What made Ken Buchanon great? I don't get it? Before I get a torrent of abuse from the Scottish fans, please save it. I want someone to explain what made this guy greater then Calzaghe or Lewis. I've watched him fight and unless i'm missing something h2h he's behind, and i've looked at his record and its not overwhelming. Whats the crack?

 

Kenny was undoubtedly a Britsh great. How many British fighters have won an undisputed world title in Puerto Rico? How many British fighters have wowed hard-bitten New Yorkers in the old home of boxing: Madison Square Garden? If you can imagine a British fighter today repeatedly delighting audiences with pure boxing ability on big shows in Las Vegas, that is Ken Buchanan.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000, Ken topped the bill at Madison Square Garden in September 1972. On the undercard was Muhammad Ali. He was also obviously ducked by Duran, as regards a rematch.

 

i don't wnt to pick lewis and calzaghe apart,so i cant split lewis,calzaghe and buchanan.
buchanan lost to the best fighter he fought but neither lewis or calzaghe beat any fighter approaching the class of duran.
calzaghes best win were versuskessler and lacey.hopkins and jones were both over the hill.
the best name on lewis's record was a shot mike tyson and klitzsko.
split them,i cant

 

What about John Conteh, he boxed his first 17 fights at Heavyweight when only 13 stone, moved down to light heavy, was superb and won world title, broke a bone in his right hand a couple of times, then fell out with bbbofc and many other people he thought was ripping him off, was stripped of WBC title, then they re-installed him as number one challenger, fought Mate Parlov in his home city of Belgrade, lost split disision (home town desision) had loads of problems with the demon drink, but on his day was one of the best in the world, even Muhhamad Ali, said he was the best boxer to come out of Britain, watch any old fights of him he was class!

 

:-(

 

My personal favourite. The most talented of the lot although he didn't achieve as much as some.

Oh Jeff. This is why Buchanan is held in such high esteem. He really, really was that good!:good

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfVKFjbZLGE[/ame]

 

Lennox Lewis
Randolph Turpin
Jimmy Wilde
John Conteh
Benny Lynch

 

Buchanan beat an all time great in Laguna who was just at the end of his prme but still in it. He beat him away from home in an enviroment that favoured the champ but Ken gritted it out and took the decision from Laguna in a great graet fight where early on Ken was the equal of the great boxer of Laguna but he came on strong at the end to out-tough Laguna.

Buchanan made 2 defences over Ruben Navvaro (who was a late replacement for Sugar Ramos who caught an STD) Navvaro was a top 10 contender and a decent fighter and Buchanan fairly handily outclassed him. Then he defended against Laguna but Laguna was abit past it and wasnt the same fighter and Buchanan took an even wider decision over him. In between these fights he beat Paduano in a brillaint display of offesive boxing and bet the legendary former LWW champ Carlos Hernandez although he was a tad past it he beat him at LWW.

Buchanan lost his title to Duran. After that he beat a past it Ortiz who was still dangerous but ill be honest this fight dosent count for much.

Buchanan after his loss to Duran comes back and beats future world champion Jim Watt for the British title and this was Ken past his prime. He then beats Puddu for the European title and that was quite a big win in those days (akin to an alphabet title IMO)

The European title led him to a shot at the Japanese WBC champ Guts Ishimatsu. Buchanan hurt his eye in sparring before the fight but it was his own fault so i cant hold it against Ishimatsu. In one of the most boring fights i ever seen i thought Buchanan at least deserved a draw or better i didnt think Guts got the win (a hometown decision i believe).

After that he lost his European title to Nash and retired and then he came back but it is irrelevant to his rankings.

Thats his accomplishments out of the way heres why he is good.

Buchanan was the classical British stylist. Boxed behind a snappy and cultured left hand and had phenomenal movement. Although not being a defensive wizard he was hard to catch clean because of his movements and anticipations but he could be hit.

His jab and clever feet movement are his best assets. With his movements getting him great angles to punch from and his jab used to set up his attacks or as a defence and a range finder. He had quite fast hands that had some good combinations particulary straight shots.

But what makes him better than the rest is his heart and determination. Now whatever Ken lacked in (punching power most noticeably) he made up for by being tough. He took a great shot without being hurt and had a very good chin. He also had great stamina that let him come on strong in the later rounds. His determination helped him 'let it hang out' in the later rounds and overcome his opponents will.

But most of all Ken Buchanan was a GREAT ring general. He controlled that ring and was hardly ever caught out of position. Even against another great Ring general in Laguna he still controlled it. Using his jab and movement. It is quality to watch just how he seems to demand controll of the ring. In fact the only person i have ever seen completly out ring general Buchanan is one of the finest Ring generals ever in Roberto Duran and he used aggresion to do it and Ken's lack of power aided Duran and Ken wanted to take Duran to the late rounds so conserved his energy early but Durans aggresion took away Buchanans generalship and it took a top class figher like Duran to do that.

Now i would rate Buchanan perhaps a top 20 Lightweight. Hes not on the level of Ortiz, Duran, Williams, Leonard, whittaker or Gans but he belongs with Arguello, Brown, Jack, Laguna or Canzoneri. And in Britain i would struggle to find a greater fighter perhaps Fitzsimmons and Wilde are the only locks for above him and its almost even with him and Lennox Lewis, above teh border Buchanans the better man and south of it Lewis. But i prefer Buchanan.

 

explain to me why Turpin is better than Fitzsimmons, Buchanan, Walsh and Driscoll

 

he had amazing ability, great power, good head movement, powerful combinations, good defense and was just a great all round fighter who did not make the most of his talents.

 

I am surprised no one has mentioned Honeyghan who went to Vegas and became undisputed welterweight champion stopping who at the time was the best P4P fighter in the world Don Curry.

As for the most talented obviously John Conteh comes to mind but Kirkland Laing is probably the most talented fighter these shores have produced.

It is a crying shame that Laing succombed to addictions as he had everything and could have been a world star and one of the best fighters ever.

 

but despite his win over Ray Robinson his CV dosent make scratch for me and past his win over Robinson he didnt realy have a lot of depth in his CV either.

Also talent wise im not too convinced he was obviously a good fighter with an awkward style that upset Ray but i think its a styles thing (but obviously he has to be good with it)

Kirkland Laing aint as talented as Conteh, if he didnt have that win over a proper shite Duran he wouldnt be remembered he was just a pretty good fighter nowhere near the class of Conteh etc..

 

Didn't Turpin beat Ray Robinson when he was on his european tour and more interested in his dancing than boxing? I'd rate Fitzsimmons and Wilde higher personally.

Lennox Lewis is without question the best of the post war era imo. I'm with Jeff on Buchanan.

Naz is my favourite fighter but not the best.

 

pater very good post as usual but there were a few crucial bits

just at the end of his prime

just a bit past his prime


your going to kill me here but i think berg at lightweight would of taken your fellow scott in a close by ud over fifteen rounds

berg beat a prime kid chocolate at lightweight and also beat canzoneri which i think gives him a better shout at being best lightweight brit