Americans - who do you rate as Britains Best Ever Modern Era Fighter ?

definitely lennox lewis

 

I'd have to go with Lewis on that one. You never knew what Lewis was gonna show up. There was a more technical and reluctant performance against Tua and then he had exciting crown pleasers like Briggs. Part of his excitement was trying to guess his tactics prefight. He really grew into a great fighter. Unlike Calzaghe, Lewis' record is a who's who of 90's heavies. You cant fault Lewis for a Bowe fight not happening and Foreman was no longer relevant when Lewis was at his best. It's hard to argue when he's beaten every man he faced even if it was by rematch.

I enjoyed watching Calzaghe and his undefeated record is impressive especially being trained by his father for his entire career. He practically was the 168lb division for years. Boxing isn't main stream in the US and some of the fans here aren't too knowledgable so most folks did not know JC until the Lacy fight. I was well aware of JC and his skills going into that fight so it wasn't much of a shocker for me but
I feel this was his best performance. The way he dominated the limited Lacy was suprising. Joe had not been real active in years leading up to this fight and add his hand problems and it was a good show. Lacy was way over rated but he was strong, undefeated, put on lots of pressure, and intimidated his previous opponents in a manner somewhat similar to Tyson (although it may have been unwarranted). That fight was his peak to me and he ruled the division for at least 6 years prior to that fight. The other names on his list are not impressive to me. Eubank was part it. Hopkins was a good fight but he was not the Exucutioner of years past. They should both be blamed for not fighting each other when it was more relevant. Jones was waaay past it so that win has an asteric*beside it for me.

For me Hamed is one of the most exciting fighters from across the pond. Thats when I was in middle school and high school and we would bust our asses to get a friends dad to purchase a pay per view. I hate cheesy entrances like RJJ rapping to his own songs but Hamed's ring walk and prefight stuff was entertaining. His arrogance and mouth was quite amusing. I don't think anyone will ever come along and duplicate his style. He was an entertainer as much as a fighter. Power in both hands and reflexes only few people per decade are born with. My only bone to pick w/ Hamed is that he does not have the longest resume- he beat people in impressive fashion but he did not beat that many people. Kevin Kelley is probably his best win. For somebody to be that gifted and leave the sport after one loss is unacceptable. I don't think he was on the decline he just met Barrera, a ring legend himself, and styles make fights. That loss must have ****ed his head up. I think you really found out what a champion is made of in defeat and NAZ failed.

 

It always frustrates me that Lloyd Hunnigan and Kirkland Laing were easily good enough to earn the right to belong in that list with people like Lewis and Calzaghe.

But its gotta be between Lewis and Calzaghe, id go for Lewis. Oh wait im British myself so this doesnt count does it.

 

Good post

 

Lewis, Naz, Hatton. In that order. Throw in Eubanks and that covers everyone worth mentioning on the world level. Calslappy and Haye are ranked somewhere between Skelton and a half eaten orange.

 

1.Lewis
2.Hatton
3.Calzaghe

 

It's gotta' be Lewis. There was a heavyweight that came to fight. Super- heavyweight with good lead and counter skills. Seemed at his most natural when he was countering power shots landed on him (Rahman and McCall being notable exceptions, though... they did raise legitimate questions about him in ATG vs ATG debates).

 

:deal nice explanation

 

Great post :good

You have actually explained yourself which seperates you from most others on here

 

My fav is Hatton, but Lewis is most accomplished.

 

lewis
hatton
calzaghe
naz

 

Only Lewis remotely qualifies.

calzaghe and naz were BOTH guys who made a living fighting old, over the hill guys with some name recognition.....or forcing lighter guys to move up in weight to fight them. Both avoided fighting top fighters AT THEIR WEIGHT and IN THIER PRIMES. Frauds, in other words. Now haye is going down exactly the same path.

Lewis had a few flaws.....but NOBODY could ever say he ducked anyone, or was cunning and calculating in who he fought (and more importantly, who he avoided). Lewis fought everyone he could get his hands on who deserved a fight. The others on your list were carnival hucksters by comparison. Haye and Naz in particular.

 

Lewis by MILLIONS of Miles.

 

Buchanan
Conteh
Benn

 

Im sorry but the U.K didn't take to Joe Calzaghe as they did The Prince & Lennox Lewis, that being said its simple.

Lennox Lewis - one of the greatest heavyweights of all time
Joe Calzaghe - one of the greatest super middleweights of all time
Prince Naseem - in the top 20 greatest featherweights of all time