Britain's next World Champion?

With Britain down to just the two world champions at the moment, I'm surprised that more hasn't been made of the fact that on the same bill as George Groves vs Stieglitz, our interim WBO Cruiser champion Ola Afolabi will be challenging for the world belt when he takes on Marco Huck in Germany next month.

He's faced Huck for the title before, dropping a points decision (In Germany? Really?) in 2009, and although not the most percussive of punchers (Terry Dunstan may disagree on that : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDG362nTBd0 ) he must have a great chance against Huck who is coming back down to cruiser after February's failed dalliance with the heavyweight division.

Two new British world champions on the same night?

Could it happen?

I hope so! Although the Cruiserweight division won't get the attention it deserves if we have a British World Champion just based on name. People are still inherently racist - Ola Afolabi will have questions raised about his nationality, same as Derek Chisora gets stick for being from Zimbabwe, and Lennox Lewis was often given stick for being Canadian at the Olympics.

I know Ola dropped the points decision in the first fight but I actual think it was scored bang on (surprisingly!). He was doing the cleaner work but he was just not throwing enough. If he employs the same tactic but with a higher work rate I think he can pull it off.

I also think Groves will stop Stieglitz late.

I like Afolabi; very game, seems a decent fella and is probably better than his record suggests. Have to confess that while I've seen a fair amount of both fighters, I haven't actually seen the fight they boxed back in 2009 yet. The smart money is probably on a decision in Huck's favour, but if he persists I'm sure a 'real' world title at 200 lb will come Ola's way eventually.

I can see Groves stopping Stieglitz in the championship rounds. Haven't been impressed with the bits and pieces I've seen of Stieglitz, and I don't think he has the power to force Groves on the back foot all night, which I reckon is a gameplan he wouldn't have been all that keen on given that he's got the tricky task of satisfying away judges.

The problems for Groves, I think, are going to come further down the line. Abraham's star may have dimmed over the past couple of years, but he'd still spell huge trouble for Groves, I think.

Really not sure I am happy about Groves getting this title shot, like him as both a fighter and a person but if he beats Steiglitz, and I have not seen enough of him to make a considered opinion I don't see where he goes then, don't think he is ready to mix with the likes of Froch, Bute, Kessler or Ward so what are his options, would be deeply upsetting to see him go down the Cleverly route but given this chance is coming so early, and the belt and promoter he has is difficult to see it going any other way which would be a real pity.

rowley wrote:Really not sure I am happy about Groves getting this title shot, like him as both a fighter and a person but if he beats Steiglitz, and I have not seen enough of him to make a considered opinion I don't see where he goes then, don't think he is ready to mix with the likes of Froch, Bute, Kessler or Ward so what are his options, would be deeply upsetting to see him go down the Cleverly route but given this chance is coming so early, and the belt and promoter he has is difficult to see it going any other way which would be a real pity.

Agreed hope this doesnt happen and I think Chris is spot on with Abraham, got a feeling he has enough of a dig to finish Groves and I dont see Groves having the power to hurt Abraham in the slightest. Hope we are wrong as I have a lot of respect for Groves.

Like Ola Afolabi. His one punch KO of Dunstan 2 yrs ago was sublime too. Can switch off during fights, but has an axcellent cahnce here

Groves then Khan followed by The Cobra. Tyson Fury? hahahaha Brilliant.

Why has my Tyson Fury comment been deleted twice for?

Steffan wrote:Why has my Tyson Fury comment been deleted twice for?

It adds nothing, and is neither funny nor relevant.

I dont see why the Tyson Fury comment is 'not relevant' or meant to be taken as 'funny'

The question was 'Britain's next World Champion?' to which I gave my opinion of Tyson Fury

Chances are neither Groves or Afolabi will win their fights. I doubt the Cobra will either. My money is on Vitali retiring this year which leaves the WBC vacant. Fury being undefeated and British and Commonwealth champion could well get a shot against someone who isnt Wlad. And I would give him a chance against anyone who wasnt a Klitschko. So not so silly and irrelevant after all

I did forget about Khan though to be fair so I retract it as I think he will beat Lamont Peterson in the rematch

That's better, back it up a bit rather than just saying "Tyson Fury".

Good lad.

Steffan wrote:I dont see why the Tyson Fury comment is 'not relevant' or meant to be taken as 'funny'

The question was 'Britain's next World Champion?' to which I gave my opinion of Tyson Fury

Chances are neither Groves or Afolabi will win their fights. I doubt the Cobra will either. My money is on Vitali retiring this year which leaves the WBC vacant. Fury being undefeated and British and Commonwealth champion could well get a shot against someone who isnt Wlad. And I would give him a chance against anyone who wasnt a Klitschko. So not so silly and irrelevant after all

I did forget about Khan though to be fair so I retract it as I think he will beat Lamont Peterson in the rematch

You are becoming a real downer Steffan, say something positive please.

Union Cane wrote:Good lad

Glad I did well (Is not feeling patronised...honest)

Seanusarrilius wrote:You are becoming a real downer Steffan, say something positive please.

Well I said Khan would beat Peterson

Surley thats good for British boxing

isnt (cant spell his name) the guy who lost to donaire fighting for a title again? it was darch.... something or other.

All you seem to do lately is lament or torment. Just be better, YEAH!

Seanusarrilius wrote:All you seem to do lately is lament or torment. Just be better, YEAH!

Il bare that in mind

Personally I think Groves will go on to be a great fighter and a top Supermiddleweight

Unfortunalty I just think that lack of experience at this stage and potential 'judging' will result in a loss against Stieglitz. I hope not though

I agree, Groves KO or points loss. Will need to wear Stieglitz out tho before KOing him, much like Andrade did.

Britains next world champion, didn't even know we had one. Our next proper world champion will depend on whether Khan or Froch win, aside from them no one else deserves the tag.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Britains next world champion, didn't even know we had one

Britain has two. Nathan Clevely at Light-heavyweight and Ricky Burns at Lighweight both are World Boxing Organization world champions

Steffan wrote:

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Britains next world champion, didn't even know we had one

Britain has two. Nathan Clevely at Light-heavyweight and Ricky Burns at Lighweight both are World Boxing Organization world champions

Like I said Britain has no recognized world champions.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Like I said Britain has no recognized world champions.

Whats the difference between a world champion and a 'recognized' world champion then?

Steffan wrote:

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Like I said Britain has no recognized world champions.

Whats the difference between a world champion and a 'recognized' world champion then?

Being amongst the best 3/4 in your division would help.

Imperial Ghosty wrote:Being amongst the best 3/4 in your division would help.

Burns is rated number 5 by the Ring title so he is not far off I guess

He's not really world champion material though is he, only with the joke that is the WBO would he ever get that recognition at lightweight.

Only with the joke of the WBO whos previous champion was JMM at lightweight... cause they really had a joke in previously didn't they..... Burns won the Interim title against a rated fighter and one expected to beat him in Katsidas.... the champion (Marquez) gave up his belt so Ricky gets promoted..... then defends against former champ and rated fighter Moses..... perfectly legitimate in my eyes and more so than most others.

Burns didn't beat Marquez though did he so it's pretty much a mute point, when the other champions included Vasquez, Rios, Guerrero and Marquez, having not beaten one of them he can't to me be seen as a legitimate champion.