I know he fought decades ago but Sibbo never gets a mention on TV whenever they start reeling off British middleweights of the past. Very underrated in my opinion and a proper old fashioned, no nonsense fighter.
First fighter that comes to my mind is Nigel Benn. I grew up near Ilford in Essex, UK - Nigel Benn was from around that area. He was one of my hero's growing up, even though I only caught the tail-end of his career! He's still a local legend now
From my neck of the woods, we have Marciano and Hagler, but I think the type of guy you mean is Mickey Ward.
Yeah that always surprises me , definitely loved a scrap and while not always the prettiest style he was pretty efficient up to a certain level and always brought it with enough balls to fill Old John (little reference for any other Leicestershireans)