given the number of world champs we have, and the mainstream recognition for boxing in the sports personality of the year, is this the strongest British boxing has been for 20 years? The acheivement is all the better as Ricky & Joe are not prime time terrerstial viewing, as their peers were, but are stuck away on satellite obscurity fighting at all hours of the day and night
Probably when Hammed and Lewis were both PPV, or most liley Benn vs Eubank days when Bruno was going for a world title, just before Sports Network moved to Sky.
British boxing is as big as it has ever been since Naseem left ITV in 1995. But it is still no where near what it once was in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.
I agree with Rob. Probably since the early ninties - Benn, Eubank, Hamad, Watson, Lewis, Bruno, et al. When boxing moved away from terrestrial tv it was a big loss to the profile of the sport...just as I feel the increasing coverage on the Beeb (at first) and now ITV have helped to develop names amongst the public again.
Two cruiserweight champions: Haye (WBC, WBA) and Maccarinelli (WBO) One light-heavy champion: Woods (IBF) One super middle champion: Calzaghe (WBC, WBA, WBO) Light welter: Witter (WBC), Rees (WBA) Other famous fighters, including Amir Khan, Ricky Hatton, Alex Arthur, Carl Froch and Kevin Mitchell. It's fairly good. Lennox is obviously being missed at heavyweight, and Naseem was one of a kind.
