Let’s get ready to rumble! We love a good boxing showdown here at OJO, but we’ve been thinking lately – who are the best British boxers?
So, we’ve put together a list of the top fighters, including those that have hung up their gloves, as well as those still active in the ring. Do you agree with our selections? Let us know!
BEST BRITISH BOXERS RIGHT NOW
1: TYSON FURY
When it comes to the best active British boxer, it’s hard to look past Tyson Fury. The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ is undefeated in his 32 fights so far. In fact, Fury has won all but one of his professional bouts. He bounced back from a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder by knocking the American out in both of their subsequent rematches.
Fury will put his WBC and The Ring heavyweight belts on the line when he comes face-to-face with Dillian Whyte in April. But he’s well aware that his long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua is the fight that all boxing fans want to see. Will they finally meet in the ring this year?
2: ANTHONY JOSHUA
AJ has been regarded as the golden boy of British boxing for a number of years. However, two defeats in his last four outings have tarnished his reputation slightly. The 2012 super-heavyweight Olympic champion conceded his four belts to Oleksandr Usyk in London back in November.
Despite this latest setback, Joshua is still hot property and remains one of the most-feared fighters in the heavyweight division. While he announced himself on the world stage with a TKO win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017, an inevitable showdown with Fury will surely be his toughest test yet.
3: DILLIAN WHYTE
With all eyes on Fury and Joshua, Dillian Whyte is seen as the next best British heavyweight – although he’d argue that he’s got more than enough in his locker to challenge the big two. The Jamaican-born boxer boasts just two career defeats, with the first of those coming at the hands of Joshua in 2015.
His other defeat came against Alexander Povetkin, with Whyte getting his revenge in the rematch. And he’ll test himself against Fury when the pair meet later this year.
4: JOSH TAYLOR
Unbeaten in 19 career fights, Josh Taylor remains the undisputed light-welterweight champion. The Scotsman has held the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring belts since defeating Jose Ramirez last year.
Taylor retained his titles in a recent bout with fellow Brit Jack Catterall, although the result of the fight has been labelled one of the ‘biggest robberies’ in the history of the sport. Taylor claimed the win on a split decision despite being knocked down in the eighth round.
5: SUNNY EDWARDS
One of the rising stars of boxing, Edwards remains undefeated in his career so far. The 26-year-old is the younger brother of fellow boxer Charlie Edwards and he has enjoyed 17 wins so far, including four by knockout.
Edwards has held the IBF flyweight title since December, having first claimed it from Moruti Mthalane before defending it against Jayson Mama in December and again against Muhammad Waseem this month.
BEST BRITISH BOXERS OF ALL TIME
1: LENNOX LEWIS
Arguably the best British boxer in history, Lewis was a three-time world heavyweight champion, as well as a two-time lineal champion. He also held dual nationality, winning gold for Canada in both the Olympic and Commonwealth games before returning to the UK.
Lewis became the heavyweight champion of the world when he beat Evander Holyfield in a rematch following a controversial draw in the original bout. He also beat a bunch of household names during an illustrious career, including Frank Bruno, Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko.
2: JOE CALZAGHE
Known as the ‘Pride of Wales’, Calzaghe dominated two weight divisions during an incredible career. In fact, he was one of only four European boxers to retire as an undefeated world champion.
The Welshman held world championships in two weight classes, including the unified and undisputed WBA belt, as well as the WBC, IBF, WBO, The Ring and lineal super-middleweight titles, as well as The Ring light-heavyweight title.
Calzaghe is the longest-reigning super-middleweight champion in history. He held the title for more than 10 years and defended it against 20 opponents, having initially claimed it from Chris Eubank.
3: TED LEWIS
Boxing was a whole different sport 100 years ago – and Ted Lewis is a prime example! Known as ‘The Kid’, Lewis turned professional at the age of 14. And within five years of his debut, he’d already won the British and world featherweight titles.
He won a total of nine world titles during his career and became the first Englishman to become champion of the world on US soil. Lewis endured an incredible 301 professional fights and Mike Tyson has described him as the greatest fighter to come out of Britain. High praise indeed!
4: BOB FITZSIMMONS
Another trip down memory lane, Fitzsimmons made his debut in 1885. Despite being born in Cornwall, he never fought in the UK. He made his debut in Australia before making the moving to America.
He was the sport’s first three-division world champion, and he holds the Guinness world record for being the lightest heavyweight champion, weighing just 165lbs when he won the title. Fitzsimmon won 44 fights by knockout during his career, and he’s considered one of the hardest punchers in boxing history.
5: KEN BUCHANAN
Buchanan is otherwise known as ‘The Fighting Carpenter’ and he is widely renowned as Scotland’s greatest ever fighter. He first entered the ring professionally in 1965 and he won his first 23 bouts before beating Maurice Cullen to claim the British lightweight title.
Buchanan continued to conquer all who came before him. Despite a first defeat in his European title shot, he bounced back to win his first world title in 1970 by beating Ismael Laguna.
Ready to rumble?
Phwoooar, that’s got us into a competitive mood! Do you agree with our list of best British boxers? Let us know!
