I can't imagine anyone other than Ricky Hatton or Frank Bruno. Both made it to the mainstream, which is pretty rare over here. Eubank, Calzaghe, Benn, Lewis etc., were all popular, but they didn't make the transition, I don't think. Both Bruno and Hatton are massively popular.
i take bruno...he was a nice guy too nice really but could get aggresive. was big was incredibly muscular had a big laugh made some jokes and had a nice smile. and after all that he would knock guys out...everyones happy not to mention that he does pantomine. just guessing but does anybody in america know waht panto is? there must be a formula for the englands fan fav?
Sie 'enry is probably #1, then Bomber Bruno with Benn third (since WWII). Turpin was huge until his death...
Not yet. There's plenty of time for Bruno to work towards a knighthood; some sports/mental health charity work would do it. Henry Cooper got his knighthood on the basis of what he did outside of the ring anyway. After all, if you look at their ring accomplishments, Bruno did MUCH more than Cooper. Bruno also did a lot for race relations in this country.
Benn would never have drawn money the money he did without Eubank. He didn't have the charisma to be a serious draw. on his own, he would be comparale to Lewis. great, but nobody cared. Eubank was pretty much despised, like Liston. People didn't buy tickets to see him - They bought tickets to see him get beat. Because of that, he didn't make the full transition into the mainstream. Hatton IS mainstream. He was one the news every single day for over 2 weeks. He's been on quiz shows, sports shows, the radio, the back page of every single newspaper, regularly in the sports columns. Boxing may not be as popular as it was with Benn and Eubank, but Hatton is the most popular fighter out of the three.
