BBC's Poll on Britain's Greatest HW

Anybody that voted for any other fighter than Lewis knows zero about boxing, I'm actually shocked at the 14% AJ got, sad, really sad to see how misinformed some people are on this beautiful sport.

 

I know what you mean, he seems socially quite awkward and comes across a little bit off key. Although I respect him as a boxer and he had a great career, I cant bear him as a commentator. I seem to remember him having a Canadian boxing license and switching early in his career, a little bit dubious I guess but he has a strong claim to the UK, Jamaica and Canada.

 

To his credit, he also won a Lonsdale belt and over the course of his career cleaned out the British heavyweight scene (Mason, Williams, Bruno, Akinwande). He won the British, Commonwealth and European titles and respected them all by defending them until he won his first world title.

 

Yeah, I disregarded Fitz for all of the above. I fell uncomfortable comparing a guy that size with super-heavyweights, and I don't think he would even be loosely regarded as a British heavyweight if it hadn't been for the desperate need to claim him as such throughout the 20th century.

I'd agree that Fury's win over Klitschko should rank higher. It was (in it's own way) clearer, and was also on the road against a Wlad who hadn't lost in over a decade.

An in-ring showdown would hopefully resolve the issue one way or the other. I don't think many casual fans quite appreciate how significant it is for two unbeaten British fighters to be the two outstanding claimants for the heavyweight title. It would have been unthinkable in previous eras.

 

The fact youre only aware of 3 explains a lot about your posts mate....

 

Well done for being able to list them ...but many were only 'partial' world champs - really alphabet soup champs in fairness. The lads beginning with 'W' were all-time greats alright. In the modern era I still rate the recent Irish champs higher though. Burnett should be our next shortly....

 

Lennox Lewis deserves more respect than he currently gets. Solid record against solid opposition and sometimes didn't even look like he was putting in 100% when beating them.

 

Yeah calzaghe was our last great fighter don't overly rate the other world champs they definitely weren't unified or dominat.

But who does Ireland have of that ilk recently?

 

If you're listing 90s WBO champs like Regan, Robinson and Jones, I'd definitely include Driscoll as well for having a claim on the featherweight title that was recognised in Europe. While it's hard to compare across different eras, a partially recognised world title claim would probably be the equivalent of a WBA/WBC title during the 70s.

 

Where's Phaintin' Phil Scott?