UK fighters who have too many tough fights before moving on in their careers

Or they found their level maybe?

I suppose it could be a factor for some boxers, but my impression of a career is that you should clear out the domestic scene first then move on up to world level. If you are getting into wars at domestic level more often than not I would think that is an indication of finding their level. If they were true world class operators then they would be blowing through domestic opposition in most cases.

 

With regards to Lenny. He lost to Morrison which really hampered him. He is with Hennessey which ain't great. He was losing love for sport and having to work which meant it affected his displays. For 18 months he was **** poor to be frank. He was struggling with average opponents. Yes he should of been moved on but at same time his poor patch came at a time when Lynes and McCloskey came along so in a way it's been a blessing and also it's held him back. He's now back edging into good form so here's hoping that he can win Belt outright and then go for a European shot.

 

I think it's a case of finding their level, though Moore is probably a slight exception to that rule in fairness - the first (and only) person he should really have struggled with is Rhodes.

Jones and Dixon were half decent but not as good as he was IMO.

A lot of it comes from fighters that aren't with major promoters, they have to take tough fights to get an opportunity - the others tend to get by.

What I don't see the point of doing.... which happens more and more now - is protecting a very average prospect seemingly forever, shove them in with a Stefy Bull or a Steve Bendall and see how they get on.

It takes as much time to look after a potential superstar as it does a glorified journeyman, so you might as well find out which one is which :yep

 

Next week....'British fighters do not get enough tough fights before fighting at world level'.....


I am a fan of Moore like every other boxing fan but he missed his chance in the huge gap of time he was sat around waiting for the Euro belt....then he met a world class fighter and lost. He is a great man and great fighter but it just did not work out like it possibly could have.


Lenny is decent but I can never see him beating a top 10 opponent and his opposition has not been above decent domestic standard, he has hardly looked way above this level of competition either....

 

'The traditional route' is an overrated one, but it does hold a prestigue among British boxing fans. As far as I can tell we are the only ones who put any prestigue towards domestic titles, I know the rest of Europe dont - does anybody know what the German or Italian championship belt looks like?????? And neither does America - NABF, USBA etc are a dime a dozen. You are not a legit champ until you win a world title. That is the mindset we should adopt.

If you look at our biggest successes (Calzaghe, Hatton, Haye) you will notice that the trio of titles is rare which suggests if more emphais is put on international boxing more world titles would be won.

Hatton didnt fight Witter, Urkal or Branco at European level but does anybody care after he won a world title. Fact is its the World title which takes preference, nobody is saying 'oh bur Ricky didnt win the European or commonwealth titles'...

Moore, Eastman, Witter etc should have all made the jump to internastional class sooner.

 

Bull****, the only reason they would be particularly tough fights is because they arent very good themselves. Ie not world class.

 

Hmmmm? Good points here, but can anyone think of fighters who did go the traditional route and went on to be successful at world level?

The best example is probably lewis, think he held British, Commonwealth and European didn't he?

 

it really depends on who the fighter is and who there fighting. For me Nathan Cleverlys career has been perfectly managed by Frank Warren since the Toney Oakey, and Maloney has done a fantasctic job with Rendall Munroe.

 

Clinton Woods is the only fighter i can think off thats won all 3 in the last 10 years and won a World title.

by traditional route I dont think you always have to win all 3 though. As long as you win one or two of them and have 5-6 12 rounds fights agaisnt decent opposition, you will be ready. Carl Froch is a perfect example of this along with David Haye.

 

Yeah, i think Cleverly will be another example if he does go on to world honors.

All in all though I don't think either route is necessarily easier or likely to damage someone's career. I agree with previous posters that it's simply a case of finding your level, with the odd exception.

Funny though, when Degale went for the international title I didn't think he was doing so to 'go the international route'. I though it was just Warren using an available title as a selling point. In other words, for the time being he's avoiding the commonwealth as it's held by Groves, and Warren is probably a bit skeptical about putting him in with Smith just yet.

 

he still says he wants the british.