Greatest British fighters of all time - Your top 10

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by TFFP, Apr 15, 2008.


  1. TFFP

    TFFP Guest

    Doing a little study, so I thought I'd see what the knowledgable sorts in the classic think

    Based on achievements, competition, longevity and overall skill

    If you could also explain the reasoning behind your top 3 it would be much appreciated

    For the purpose of this thread Lewis (of the Lennox variety) and Fitzsimmons ARE British - because I said so :yep

    Go
     
  2. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    1. Len Harvey
    2. Don Cockell
    3. Larry Gains
    4. Jack Peterson
    5. Johnny Arthur
    6. Bruce Woodcock
    7. Lennox Lewis
    8. Henry Cooper
    9. Johnny Williams
    10. Bunny Johnson
     
  3. TFFP

    TFFP Guest

    Some very interesting names that don't immediately spring to mind. Isn't Larry Gains Canadian?

    Thanks :thumbsup
     
  4. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    Bob Fitzsimmons
    Ted Kid Lewis
    Randolph Turpin
    Jimmy Wilde
    Benny Lynch
    Joe Calzaghe
    Lennox Lewis
    Len Harvey
    Herol Graham
    Nigel Benn
     
  5. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    1. Jimmy Wilde - Beat the **** out of plenty of much bigger men - frequently and consistently
    2. Jim Driscoll - The most skilled Brit by quite a way imo. Resume isn't the best, but head to head he has 'em all beat.
    3. Bob Fitzsimmons - I still feel quite ignorant of him, but his acheivements really do speak for themselves. Beat good champs for every division he conquered.
    4. Ted Kid Lewis
    5. Owen Moran
    6. Ken Buchanan
    7. Jackie Kid Berg
    8. Freddie Welsh
    9. Lennox Lewis
    10. Benny Lynch

    Others there abouts:
    Len Harvey
    This content is protected

    Rinty Monaghan
    Joe Calzaghe - Could move into the top ten if he dominates a no-further-deteriorated Hopkins
     
  6. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Not knowledgeable ,but I'l have a go
    Wilde
    Kid Lewis
    Fitzsimmons
    Driscoll
    Welsh
    Lewis
    Berg
    Buchanan
    Conteh
    Moran

    On the bench Calzaghe,Macavoy,Charnley,Harvey,Winstone.
     
  7. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    My order:

    Jimmy Wilde
    Lennox Lewis
    Bob Fitz
    Kid Lewis
    Joe Calzaghe
    Jim Driscoll
    Nigel Benn
    John Conteh
    Ken Buchanan
    Randolph Turpin
     
  8. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    Nice list mate. A few of those nearly made my list as well as the likes of Eubank, McGuigan and maybe Honeygan too. Hamed warrants a mention; rather like Eubank I disliked Hamed, but can't deny that he was hugely gifted.

    This is a Bugner free zone, by the way. No room for London or Dunn either I'm afraid. :p
     
  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Forgot Jack Doyle and Audley! :patsch :lol:
     
  10. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    Fraudley is a few levels below even the Bugners of this world. He's that awful.
     
  11. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    On the other had Cooper was a good fighter, and one of our best heavyweights between Fitz and Lewis (along with Farr). His major weakness was his fragile skin tissue which left him extremely suseptable to cuts.

    Although robotic Bruno at least had a fine jab, decent ability and packed some power in his punches. A pity that he could never piece meaningful combos together for neither love nor money, had suspect stamina and no survival or killer instinct. Aww well at least he had a reasonable go, despite falling short virtually everytime he stepped up regarding class of opponent.
     
  12. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Saw Cooper v Mildenberger at Wmbley Pool the German was chucked out for butting ,Cooper looked sharp that night.
     
  13. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    1 - Bob Fitzsimmons. One of the greatest of all time and has the wins to prove it. One of the greatest punchers that ever lived, too. Three weight world champ with his best weight probably around 160. Beat great MW and HW champs.

    2 - Jimmy Wilde. Another absolute great with wins throughout the divisions. Probably doesn't have the names that Fitz has but relative to his own weight he has an astonishing resume.

    3 - Ted Kid Lewis. An all time great WW with challanges from FW to LHW.

    4 - Lennox Lewis

    5 - Jim Driscoll

    6 - Freddie Welsh

    7 - Benny Lynch

    8 - Ken Buchanan

    9 - Joe Calzaghe

    10-Randy Turpin.
     
  14. Minotauro

    Minotauro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    1. Ted Kid Lewis
    2. Bob Fitzsimmons
    3. Jimmy Wilde
    4. Lennox Lewis
    5. Jim Driscoll
    6. Jack Berg
    7. Ken Buchanan
    8. Benny Lynch
    9. Howard Winstones
    10. Joe Calzaghe

    Just a first draft.
     
  15. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I do agree with most people's top 3 with Fitz, Wilde and Ted Kid Lewis.
    All are impressive on film,