From York Hall to Wembley Stadium, British boxing is jam-packed with talented pugilists fighting across a variety of weight classes. The U.K. has boasted numerous champions over the years, including Naseem Hamed, Joe Calzaghe, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Lennox Lewis to name a few.
Boxing behemoths Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury seem to have a stranglehold over the heavyweight division and possess a horde of adoring acolytes. With both fighters jostling for heavyweight supremacy, the finalised blockbuster bout will be one to rival the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Suggested Images: Anthony Joshua
Arguably, British boxing has never been stronger with all the weight classes being densely populated with a plethora of talented fighters. Let’s have a look at the best British boxers in the world right now and how the future looks for Brits on the boxing circuit.
Tyson Fury
The self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” is one of the biggest names in the sport. His redemption story is that of legend and the Mancunian has achieved feats that only some boxers dream of.
Fury pummelled his fierce-rival Deontay Wilder in a way few could have imagined following their controversial 2018 draw, toppling the knockout-artist to the canvass in the third and fifth rounds.
Suggested Images: Tyson Fury & Deontay Wilder
Fury proclaimed that this was more than a world-title win, it was a statement, and as Fury was relishing in victory, he was also banishing the memory of what cost him his belts in the first place.
Anthony Joshua
Once the most sought-after man in boxing, now forced to share the spoils with long-time rival Tyson Fury. It seems that Joshua has the Midas touch, turning everything that he touches to gold.
Currently in possession of the IBF, WBA and WBO straps, the Watford-born brawler has exercised his supremacy over the heavyweight division.
Andy Ruiz Jr is the only man to thwart Joshua’s belt dominion, when the Mexican boxer dethroned the British boxer in emphatic fashion dropping the champion to the floor four times on June 1, 2019.
Joshua ratified his shocking loss to Ruiz in the rematch, by beating the Mexican on points to regain his heavyweight title winning by unanimous decision. Joshua exercised focus, discipline and pinpoint precision to steamroll an unprepared Ruiz.
The Londoner has reached the upper echelons of the sport capturing a plethora of accolades. Joshua has reached every milestone in his career except fighting long-term rival Fury. Sporting Index provides exciting fixed odds on a potential Fury vs. Joshua match up.
Billy Joe Saunders
Often referred to as the bad boy of British boxing, the Hertfordshire fighter boasts an unblemished record as a two-weight world champion in a 30-fight career. Originally from Chesnut, Saunders grew up in a Romanichal travelling community with boxing in his blood.
Suggested Image: Billy Joe Saunders
Saunders’ trajectory has been halted over the years, despite winning the vacant WBO middle and super-middleweight title. Saunders’ curtain raiser with Alvarez in May is certain to shake up the boxers dry run of fixtures over the last few years.
Billy Joe is arguably one of the most technically gifted active boxers in the world at the moment and can cause a swing of momentum if he is victorious against a dangerous Alvarez.
Josh Taylor
Taylor was one of the standout fighters of 2019, announcing himself on the world stage in two epic world title fights. Firstly, the Scot fought in the World Super Series against a durable Ivan Baranchyk, defeating the IBF super-lightweight champion in front of home-partisan support in Glasgow.
The ‘Tartan Tornado’ second and final bout of 2019 would be against Regis Prograis, the undefeated WBA (super) super-lightweight champion from the United States in a unified title fight.
Taylor dispatched the American in one of the fights of the year, winning by majority decision in front of a sell-out 02 Arena in London, demonstrating his supremacy over the super-lightweight division.
Josh Taylor’s stock has risen among the boxing faithful and the Scot has bridged a gap to the mainstream in facing Carlos Ramirez in May.
Callum Smith
The youngest of four British boxers, including former world champion Liam Smith, Callum is arguably the most successful in comparison to his siblings. 2018 was a coming-of-age year for the brawler, who beat Nieky Holzken and George Groves back-to-back.
It’s been a rapid rise for the Liverpudlian over the past couple of years and, at 6’3 in height, a move up to light-heavyweight division might be imminent. After a defeat to Saul Canelo Alvarez, Smith will be looking to go back to the drawing board.
Alvarez is an intelligent boxer with a venomous jab and Smith was on the receiving end of the best pound-for-pound in the division. Smith will be eyeing up a move to light-heavyweight and a chance to be a two-weight world champion. To read more on topics like this, check out the blog category.
