Most underrated British fighter.

I feel Nigel Benn as slightly underrated in the US. Benn came back from a devastating loss to Watson to win a title, came back again after losing to hated rival Eubank to win a second more prestigious belt (WBC vs WBO) and modified his style enough to draw with Eubank in the rematch (possible won!) rack up a bunch of defences and of course defeat McClellan in possibly his signature fight.

While there were many more skilled fighters I think Benn should get more respect for his sheer guts. Imagine if Hamed or Hatton had Benn's determination and durability? So many fighters are derailed by brutal losses or burn out, get lazy, get arrogant. The more I treasure fighters like Benn who have an old school vibe about them.

 

I am almost certain Colin Jones, Alan Rudkin and maybe Pat Cowdell would hold a belt these days.

 

I remember Robinson's title run, seemed like a nice chap and I was always rooting for him. He took on the cream on UK featherweights and did the business. Shame he had to loose to arrogant pr*ck Hamed, and I say this as a Hamed fan! I hope Steve made some money and is doing well after boxing.

 

Steve Robinson's reign is underrated, didn't he make like 8 title defences ? Against good names aswell and stopped plenty of them. He reminds of Mike Weaver somewhat, both were considered average fighters until they made it, and when they did make it. They seem to surge in confidence and improved immensely.

 

Duke McKenzie springs to mind. While he definitely benefited from the blizzard of world titles available he was a tenacious tidy fighter. While I would struggle to favour him head to head with other champs at fly and bantam I think his career overall is solid and he is a bit forgotten for someone who fought over 4 weight divisions with success. I maybe wrong but he is the only UK fighter to be world ranked in 4 weights over his career?

 

Colin McMillan was a lovely fighter to watch! For sheer skills he is underrated. Maybe just a tiny bit too fragile for a long time at the top but always a joy to watch.

 

John H Stracey's win over Jose Napoles could be seen as the same level as Honeyghan's over Curry.

I naturally tend to rate fighters who won undisputed titles from "the man" more than later alphabet titlists with loads of defences and it is a shame if fighters like John and Alan Minter for example are underrated considering that for however briefly the were "the man" at their weights which couldn't be said for Eubank for example (although I am a fan).

I think some younger fans may underrate many of the UK's undisputed champs from the past considering it seems mandatory for a modern champ to have won titles (both regular and also "interim" or whatever crap) across three weighs and made 10 defences before they are 25.

Personally I would rate Minter and Stracey's careers as a notch above Eubank and Hatton for example overall, although head to head they are by no means a certain winner. Not to disparage any of these guys careers, they are all excellent.

 

I was agreeing with you 100% until your final paragraph.All four had excellent careers and i find it difficult to put them in any order

 

The issue with Stracey as much as like him, his notable victories over Napoles, Lewis, they retired straight after losing to Stracey. Which shows you they were well past there sell by date, still good wins of course but that has to be taken into consideration.

 

No patronizing intended,I'm impressed with your posts and feel you are a valuable addition to our ranks!

 

Good point! I actually edit my post after your replied to put Hatton rather than Honeyghan. However to be fair both Ricky and LLoyd beat "the man" at their weights and could be viewed as undisputed or at least linear champs. I can't remember if Curry had both belts at the time Lloyd beat him but was clearly the best at Welterweight.

I stand by my point re Eubank, he is a terrific fighter, but IMO was never seen as the best at his weight and never fought the lineal champs. With Alan and John there was no doubt they were the world champion (although I suppose Hagler may have had something to say re Alan!) Again not knocking Chris, a fantastic fighter and could mix with the very best no doubt. In fact I should do a fantasy match up thread with him vs Alan if not done already!

 

Thanks very much, appreciate it!

 

Mickey Duff in his book said ,after watching Napoles struggle with Muniz,he rang Terry Lawless,[Stracey's manager], and told him," we need to make this match he is gone, the next good man who fights him will beat him."

 

To add to my post about Duke McKenzie, I also admire him as he was never hyped really, he was just a solid pro, not built up to be a superstar. Also fighting in the lower weights no doubt kept him under the radar. I remember his third title win over Jesse Benavides (which was seen as a bit of an upset) merited only a couple of lines in mainstream papers at the time (when you had to get results from a newspaper!), although there was coverage in the trade papers of course.

 

Came here to say this.