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
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
Some very interesting names that don't immediately spring to mind. Isn't Larry Gains Canadian? Thanks :thumbsup
Bob Fitzsimmons Ted Kid Lewis Randolph Turpin Jimmy Wilde Benny Lynch Joe Calzaghe Lennox Lewis Len Harvey Herol Graham Nigel Benn
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
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.
My order: Jimmy Wilde Lennox Lewis Bob Fitz Kid Lewis Joe Calzaghe Jim Driscoll Nigel Benn John Conteh Ken Buchanan Randolph Turpin
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.
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.
Saw Cooper v Mildenberger at Wmbley Pool the German was chucked out for butting ,Cooper looked sharp that night.
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.
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.