If you haven't watched much British boxing lately you'll have missed out on seeing him in action, but all it takes is one glimpse to instantly warm to him. The teak-tough and spunky pressure fighter usually gives up considerable length, whether campaigning at 135 or 130. He also isn't the fastest or slickest boxer on his own block, let alone on the world scene. The positive qualities he does possess more than make up for it, however. He exemplifies heart and will to win, and can be downright vicious when given a clear look at an unprotected torso. He's got the classic warrior's mentality of needing to respond when hit. He also puts his punches together with impressive variety and fluidity for someone whose perpetual strategy is to simply outwork everyone. He's been on a very good run despite taking his second career loss several months ago, and this weekend added some fine feathers to his cap with his long-shot triumph in the single-elimination knockout tournament Prizefighter. A rematch with Gary Sykes (Britain's reigning super featherweight champion, who he blitzed in the round during the tournament) is in demand and would be the perfect way to extend his guts-and-glory streak. For those outside the UK and/or unfamiliar with his exploits, have a look at some of his brighter moments. He might not be a future world champ, but he's exciting enough and easy enough to pull for to merit far greater than domestic exposure. If you like gritty action heroes of the squared circle and don't mind if they aren't on any p4p lists, you need to get acquainted with this fierce little Welshman. :good Upsetting the more experienced Henry Castle last year: [yt]ckopVA3FagM[/yt] His war earlier this year with still-unbeaten British & European champion John Murray, a brave performance in which he lost the fight but won many fans: [yt]arPZLqyLNUA[/yt] [yt]LKt9kuWT3p0[/yt] [yt]3BZPc4oBcWw[/yt] [yt]v0TNCEtm4OY[/yt] [yt]MgTIwMxk4mQ[/yt] Winning the Prizefighter tournament quarter-final against Stevie Bell: [yt]JgR1mLr_gY4[/yt] Winning the Prizefighter tournament semi-final against Gary Sykes: [yt]EYTVn3-DCFI[/yt] Winning the Prizefighter tournament final against Derry Matthews: [yt]ZE_JAa0imlI[/yt] Those last three were all in the span of a couple of hours. He was a slight favorite over Bell but produced major upsets in the next two rounds.
Last nights prizefighter sure as hell made up for the last heavyweight one with it's wheezing collection of obese OAP's. Buckland was great value for money last night, he's probably always going to get outboxed at a higher level but he is a tryer and so help me god but I do love a tryer. War Buckland!!!!!!?
I was pleased for him, it was the perfect way to rebound from the Murray loss and it's not like he had an easy route either, although he made it look that way.
Pleased for him. Who would have given him the go ahead over Lawton, Choi or Sykes. Its great when the underdog comes through.
It was a great PrizeFighter overall, I was pleased to see Buckland win, he had a tough run to the final and fought well. Sweet KO over Sykes as well.
ye his knockout vs sykes was a huge upset. i saw him vs murray, and he fought brave but he was clearly outclassed. seemed like he would go onto be a tough domestic level fighter but never really domestic champ. sykes has to give him a rematch now surely.
Really happy for the guy, 32k richer and has a lot of options. Sykes rematch for the British, Foster for the European or Walsh for the Commonwealth.