British fighters need to step up at 20 - 0 , not 40 - 0 then get beaten up

I have been watching this sport for about three decades now , but only in the past 10 years has it become so apparent that British fighters build great records without fighting anybody.

Take a look at these.

Micheal Jennings - 34 - 1 when he fought Miguel Cotto , but most of his fights were 8 rounders against very average European competition.

Thomas McDonagh - 34 - 3 . Fights 6 rounders?????

Ryan Rhodes - 45 - 4 . Fought an 8 rounder before fighting for the WBC world title????

Matthew Hatton - 41 - 5 . 6 and 8 rounder champion.

John Murray - 31 - 0 . Has yet to face anybody , I mean anybody at world class.

Kell Brook - 23 - 0 , no world class fighters anywhere on his record.

Lastly Matthew Macklin and Darren Barker , they are both fighting for world titles soon , and we dont really know if they are even the best in Europe.

I am Briitsh and love this sport , but for whatever reason it seems fighters from these shores need to get to 40 - 0 , fight for WBU belts , then get thrown into world class , and the gulf is huge.

The only fighter who went down this route and did ok was Ricky Hatton.

The best fighter in Britain who went into a real world title fight in his 22 fight , which is about right is Carl Froch.

Now not everybody is Holyfield going into a world title fight at 11 - 0 or Mayweather around 18 - 0, but the records us Brits build that just dont justify the qualities of the fighter , and we just look out of our depth. I mean poor Jennings took a beating off Cotto and didnt know how to respond , but tougher fights earlier in his career may have given him a different strategy , you shouldnt be looking scared after 35 fights, but he did because he didnt know what to do.

Peace , enjoy your Sunday.

 

It has to be numbers , because if it was based on talent Jennings , M Hatton , Mackin and Barker wouldnt be talked about at world level . But they are facing the best in the world and their resume's although long are very thin on quality.

 

If you read what I said about Froch , I said he stepped up at the right time , 22 fights is about right.

I agree some fighters need more time , but look at the names I have mentioned and have they really learned from these 6 round fights against 'walk over competition'?? Or has it just padded out a record?

 

That means they are just not good enough.

I am British , and it embarrasses me when I see one of our fighters with a record of 35 - 1 fighting for world titles , when I know he hasnt done ****, and is going to get knocked around the ring.

 

I agree , he was like Ricky Hatton , but there were some B level fighters in there .

These guys now dont even have that .

Tell me who Barker has beat to fight the Middleweight champion of the World??