Who's the best of the British light heavyweights?

Buatsi

 

It's hard to say just yet because i think Yarde, Arthur, Richards, Callum Johnson, Callum Smith and Buatsi would have done the same to Burton in similar fashion and maybe in a shorter time.

He's definitely going to be a tricky opponent for the top guys in britain.

They all need to fight eachother to find out and make great matches.

 

Callum Smith

 

I would rank them as follows:

1. Callum Smith
2. Callum Johnson
3. Lyndon Arthur
4. Anthony Yarde
5. Joshua Buatsi
6. Dan Azeez
7. Craig Richards
*Others; Rocky Fielding/Hosea Burton/Shakan Pitters

I agree with the OP, that Azeez was spectacular against Burton. It is a bit early to rank him any higher than 6th, as those above him have proven themselves at a higher level.

The LHW division in the UK is on fire, so he needs wins at a higher level than Burton to get higher up the British rankings.

 

Should be no excuse for great domestic match ups not to be made in the 175 and 154 divisions.

 

I'm intrigued to see how Smith does at that weight, I get the feeling that the same problems will occur if/when he goes up against the elite, too stiff.

 

Agreed

 

Strong division for the UK. Callum Smith is the best of the lot for me.

Also, there's Lewis Edmondson and Karol Itauma who look like good prospects.

 

Good list. I think Arthur drops down to 5/6 after the weekend and the rest shuffle up

 

Mundo is my pick too. It could've been Johnson, but he's squandered whatever momentum he gained from his showing against Beterbiev.

 

Wonder what Smiths plans are ? Surely after a warm up it would be easy to make the Bivol fight ? One which he probably loses but what else is out there for him ?

I think Smith beats Johnson and then Smith v Yarde will be a great fight . Even though Johnson hits like a mule I see him wilting around the mid rounds. I think Yarde has a better chance v Smith

 

Yarde loses to anyone who can take the power, was impressed with him vs Arthur though, went for it. Buatsi would whip his head all over the place though with those fast combos and the footwork…

 

Buatsi's chin is still very much an unknown quantity. And tangential to this, I honestly think there's more to him pulling out of the fight with Vlasov -- an experienced and durable operator -- than we've been told.