Any solid/talented UK prospects on the up & up?

john murray's gonna be the one you'll hear about in next couple of years, he's britiish lightweight champ at the miniute, very talented fighter.

 

Unfortunately, John Murray is Euro level tops. His good win over an out of sorts Lee Meager certainly flatters to deceive and does not highlight his annoying habit of blowing hot and cold

 

I think Murray's star has risen a lot lately due to him manning up at British level (not before time I might add) and Khan getting starched.

For me, he has spent too much time ****ing about with the meaningless English title - but better late than never I suppose.

He was motivated for that one - in other fights he has looked clueless against bums. He should look for a defence or two then go for the Euro title and see what happens from there.

 

Remember Murray is still only 23 or 24 I agree 1 or 2 decent defences (starting with McCallister) then if he can capture a Euro title and see if he can go on from there. IMO he can he is the type of fighter who needs big fights, I believe he can go onto world level, we shall see

 

I'd say solid rather than hugely talented. No Calzaghe's, Haye's or even Hatton's on the near horizon I don't think. Maybe a few could scrape towards fringe world class.

Kevin Mitchell is a good offensive fighter that is exciting, but he has no defence and goes to war with journeymen.

John Murray...likewise.

Kell Brook looks okay, but I've not seen enough to judge conclusively.

Nathan Cleverly is a reasonably skilled and adaptable fighter, but he has featherfists and a dodgy chin, not a good combination.

The suprise package has to be Rendall Munroe who came out of nowhere to get the European belt, and has made solid progress. Good skilled southpaw that is big at the weight, but I'm not sure if he has anything special to take him to world level. I could see him going into negative mode and not doing enough, but he wouldn't disgrace himself.

A few wildcards who have yet to pass double figures in fights are Stephen Smith who I'm hearing a lot about, and Denton Vassell who I seem to rate more highly than most.

Then the amateur team was pretty good, a lot of attention will be on them when they turn pro I think.

 

I don't think the likes of Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez are quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Munroe, good fighter that he is.

(Not that those two would be shaking at facing anybody - other than each other :rofl)

I will reserve judgement on DeGale - seems like a decent prospect but thinks he is God's gift already (a bit like Witter) and isn't exactly the kind of guy that people will take to easily IMO.

Are any of the other Olympians going pro?

 

To be honest how did people rate Calzaghe and Hatton on the first 10 fights?

 

A lot of the more known prospects like Mitchell and Murray have had 20 odd fights now, enough to see their progression.

I don't know about Hatton, but Calzaghe was knocking every ****er out back then. So if this place was around I dare say he would have got attention.

Marquez and Vasquez should be quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Juanma. Not that they will, they're fearless, but after their wars I take Lopez as the fresher up and comer over them.

 

Wouldn't really call munroe a new boxing talent, more as you say a surprise package.

Theres quite a few fighters with 10 or so (or less) fights that are being touted but there always are aren't there. Jamie Cox looks decent

 

**** all at the moment.

Outside of Calzaghe, Haye and Hatton it's a bit of a barren wasteland. Murray, Mitchell, Munroe etc are looking Euro class at best. Of course things can change, and someone can still make a charge and surprise me, but as of now I would say things look pretty bleak.

Look on the bright side though; big Audley has promised us he will be World Champion, and I have never known the big man to fail on his promises. Go A-Force!

 

Hatton after 9 fights...

"many of us think is the best prospect at any weight in Britain".
- Ian Darke.

He was rated highly, very early.

 

:good Thanks. Be nice to get a comparison with the guys then and those on the block now.

 

Hatton was destroying everyone in his early days - the trouble is, those journeymen that Ricky was knocking over are taking the young 'prospects' the distance, 12 years and probably 100 fights later.

He was also matched with a couple of young prospects - something which never happens these days - that needs to return, and quick.

 

It used to be normal to clean up the domestic scene. Calzaghe did it with Eubank, Woodhall, Delaney, Reid. All good wins too.

Hatton half did it. He forgot about Witter somewhere along the way.