Best Ever Single British Win?

Was just wondering, what do you reckon the single greatest British win ever was, I mean you perhaps have to take into account the scale of upset, or how great the victory is in terms of how great the opponent was, taking into account the prime of the opponent etc. etc.

Probably missed a few off, but here are some suggestions -

Lennox Lewis Over Evander Holyfield - The draw between the pair previous takes some shine off the fight, and the fact that most see the second fight which was a win for Lewis as actually closer than the first contest also takes a bit off for him also. HOWEVER, at the time Holyfield was riding a wave after taking out Mike Tyson in style and then the controversy of the second fight known as the bite fight and then avenging his loss to Moorer flooring him 5 times.

Lloyd Honeyghan Over Don Curry - Not many gave Honeyghan any form of chance against Curry who was at the time seen as one of the very best fighters on the planet and moving into an area where he could be talked about among the very greatest ever it was seeming. Honeyghan stopped Curry in 6 rounds making it one of the biggest upsets ever.

Joe Calzaghe over Jeff Lacy - This was just about a 50/50 fight, Lacy did very little afterwards, however the actual lopsidedness of this fight was staggering. One of the worst beatdowns of a supposedly world class fighter you could watch really. It's not quite at the very top in terms of wins due to the fact that Lacy never had any incredible wins himself and did very little afterwards, but the nature of the fight and how Joe performed brings it up there, winning every round at a canter.

Ken Buchanan Over Ismael Laguna - Most felt that Laguna would prevail over Buchanan back in the early 70's however Buchanan stunned Puerto Rico when he won a close but fair decision over him making Buchanan one of the most revered lightweights in the world at the time. He would go on and rematch Laguna only to beat him more comfortably than the first.

Hamed Over Kelly - One of my favorite ever fights and Hameds most important victory sign posted as to why when George Foreman got something right in the commentary position for once. "He's for real!! The Prince is for real!!"

I'm probably missing some easy corkers to be honest but putting this up at like 5am! Can't think of many, what's your guys' views?

Randy Turpin over Sugar Ray Robinson has to be up there. Well, for me it is.

Robinson was already considered a great fighter and for Turpin to beat him was a fantastic accomplishment. It was though, Robinson's 10th fight of the year and his 2nd that month so there's always the chance that Robinson took Turpin lightly but Turpin gave him a hard time in the rematch too.

Ah yeah that one slipped by me actually.

Despite the schedule of his European tour, Robinson Turpin is probably the one that best fits your criteria.

Stracey napoles and honey curry are probably the closest competitors. Napoles was undoubtedly on the slide and never fought again. Mcguigan Pedroza and hatton Tszyu were similar but home rather than away.

Honey curry is tainted only slightly by the fact that don was never the same force afterwards that he had looked before, but at the time a huge shock and great performance.

None title fight but Laing duran is worth a shout, even if duran was in a bit of a career flat spot.

Kevin Kelley was a shade past his best against Naz. Was it his best win? I'd argue Manuel Medina and Steve Robinson were better wins (Tom Johnson had also seen better days).

Turpin is a clear winner but here are a few others worth mentioning:

Kevin Finnegan beating Jean Claude Bouttier on points over 15 in Paris.

Nigel Benn's titanic victory over Gerald McClellan.

Kirkland Laing upsetting Roberto Duran.

Jim Driscoll outpointing Abe Attell in 1909.

Williams was a big outsider against Tyson.

Was Mcauley a surprise over Duke ??

Hamed knocking out a guy who doesn't make a top 50?! Come'onnnn, please. Red hot favourites shouldn't be on anyone's list here for the sake of favouritism.

Hatton vs KT

Bruno vs McCall

Benn vs Gman

Jock McAvoy destroying the middleweight champ Babe Risko in one round at Madison Sq Garden.

Cheers Rodders

Was Bruno-mccall a big upset...

Can't think anyone who watched the Holmes fight thought Mccall was more than a trial horse

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Was Bruno-mccall a big upset...

Nope. It was one highly motivated but limited heavyweight beating an unmotivated, limited heavyweight, who may or may not have been smacked off his t*ts through his training camp.

Not even close to Turpin, Stracey, Benn and some others.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Was Bruno-mccall a big upset...

Can't think anyone who watched the Holmes fight thought Mccall was more than a trial horse

Was a couple of fights removed from knocking Lewis on his pants. And old Frank wasn't the best at either not gassing or taking a ruddy knee when he'd been badly buzzed.

Massive crowd, all the pressure in the world to finally deliver against a guy who'd shocked Lewis and was a clear puncher.. Bruno hanging in there when he'd bolted his load and so forth, not one of the elite best but still deserves a good mention in my eyes

Maybe but he was one of the worst heavyweight champions of his day........If you disregard the WBO which was puke back then..

Remember Buster playing with him..............

But guess it was a solid performance from Frank.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Was Bruno-mccall a big upset...

Nope.  It was one highly motivated but limited heavyweight beating an unmotivated, limited heavyweight, who may or may not have been smacked off his t*ts through his training camp.

Not even close to Turpin, Stracey, Benn and some others.

Indeed, not even on the same page.

TBH, if we're talking JC-Lacey, may as well chuck in Lewis-Grant (though I wouldn't otherwise). 'Huge' wins over 'next big thing' Yank hype-jobs.

Kid Berg taking Kid Chocolate's undefeated record has to rank up there. The fact he beat him again in a rematch a couple of years later showed it was no fluke.

Lacey was more than a hype job............He was a good fighter......

Grant I'll agree wasn't much.....

Great performance by Calzaghe.......Career best...Give him some credit !!

Glenn McCrory picked Grant to beat Lewis. He watched him run through a swimming pool quite fast and that was enough for Glenn.

If only they had filled the ring with water, things could have been so different.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Lacey was more than a hype job............He was a good fighter......

Grant I'll agree wasn't much.....

Great performance by Calzaghe.......Career best...Give him some credit !!

What more had Lacy achieved than Grant though (before their Brit-humblings)?

Grant's stand-out win over Golota was better than Lacy's over Reid, after that neither had really accomplished much impressive. Lacy also had only 21 fights under his belt - he was 'next big thing' hype. Great performance from JC and glad he pulled it off in the manner he did, but it was nowhere near an upset (any more so than Lewis-Grant) as the kid simply wasn't anywhere near his level.

Anybody who saw Golota put Grant on his backside should have seen what was coming in the Lewis fight.

Could argue he got caught cold in the first and fact is he still got up, went on to dominate (if memory serves me correct) and stopped Golota late on. And Golota was one of the top HW's of the day (though on the decline by this point).

Still doesn't make the Lacy win more impressive, in my book.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Anybody who saw Golota put Grant on his backside should have seen what was coming in the Lewis fight.

Is where I was coming from with Bruno. Never said it was a great win, rather it deserved a mention.

And Lewis was still being labelled as chinny following on from the knockout loss to McCall. Many picked him as he wasn't a feather fisted powder puncher. Was suddenly a hype job after Lewis had disposed of him, certainly wasn't what a load were saying before from memory. Lacy was a different kettle of fish as he looked about as average as they came.

And Glenn has got it wrong more times than I've had dumps. Whenever he backs someone get straight down the bookies and pile on to the other guy.

hazharrison wrote:Kevin Kelley was a shade past his best against Naz. Was it his best win? I'd argue Manuel Medina and Steve Robinson were better wins (Tom Johnson had also seen better days).

Turpin is a clear winner but here are a few others worth mentioning:

Kevin Finnegan beating Jean Claude Bouttier on points over 15 in Paris.

Nigel Benn's titanic victory over Gerald McClellan.

Kirkland Laing upsetting Roberto Duran.

Jim Driscoll outpointing Abe Attell in 1909.

Now, you're just showing off with finnegan bouttier. Was a monzon softened, close to retirement bouttier even finnegan's best win, never mind one of the best by any Brit? Toss of a coin maybe with the sibson win. Fine away win for finnegan but not sure it really belongs in this company.

Some nice picks here. A lot of the leading candidates have been mentioned already, but going some way back, Ted Kid Lewis’ first world title win over Britton in 1915 is worth a shout, for sure. The fight was for Britton’s Welterweight title, but Lewis was actually stipulated to come in under the Lightweight limit, and he still decisioned an all-time great Welter to take the crown.

If Freddie Welsh’s fifteen-round decision (official, not newspaper) over Attell in 1908 had been for the title, then that would have been high on any list, too. Still arguably should be, as Attell was still the recognised 126 lb champion at the time. That the title wasn’t on the line is the only small blemish on it (Attell lost a newspaper decision, so not quite as damaging, the very next year to Jim Driscoll, too).

Speaking of newspaper decisions, probably the greatest fighter to get turned over by a Brit across the pond in or around his peak was Benny Leonard, when Welsh took a newspaper decision over him in 1916. Again, the fact that no official verdict was given takes just a little shine off it, and Benny was still a very young pup, but at the same time this was only a year before he won the Lightweight title.

milkyboy wrote:

hazharrison wrote:Kevin Kelley was a shade past his best against Naz. Was it his best win? I'd argue Manuel Medina and Steve Robinson were better wins (Tom Johnson had also seen better days).

Turpin is a clear winner but here are a few others worth mentioning:

Kevin Finnegan beating Jean Claude Bouttier on points over 15 in Paris.

Nigel Benn's titanic victory over Gerald McClellan.

Kirkland Laing upsetting Roberto Duran.

Jim Driscoll outpointing Abe Attell in 1909.

Now, you're just showing off with finnegan bouttier. Was a monzon softened, close to retirement bouttier even finnegan's best win, never mind one of the best by any Brit? Toss of a coin maybe with the sibson win. Fine away win for finnegan but not sure it really belongs in this company.

I'd say so, on away ground also.

Owen Moran's win in San Francisco over Battling Nelson in 1910 is undoubtedly one of the greatest British wins. First time Nelson ever failed to beat the count and worth remembering that he was a superb natural lightweight, while Moran was rising in weight. Great little fighter.

Terry Downes beating Joey Giardello was another decent effort and the underrated Maurice Hope stopped Vito Antuofermo a year or two before Antuofermo became world champion at a higher weight. Another vastly under-appreciated British fighter was Jim Watt; his performance to beat Howard Davis, who was meant to be the next big thing in professional boxing, was nearly flawless.

Surprised no one has mentioned Corbett-Fitzsimmons...

I imagine that was a huge upset of the day......

While I think about it, Honeyghan flattened Gianfranco Rosi at welterweight, some while before the Italian began his endless run of title wins at 154. That looks a particularly good win in retrospect.

Yeah, pretty sure Honeyghan was the underdog for that one wasn't he, captain? The home crowd certainly did go quiet when Rosi was down, out and slumped over that bottom rope.

The young, focussed Honeyghan was great to watch. As well as Rosi and Curry, I like his fight against Shufford, too. That version of Honeyghan looked as fast as greased lightening, was a ball of fast-twitching muscle fibre and could box and bang really well. Not easy to catch, either.

Gianfranco rosi......Now there was an over-achiever............Never gave him a hope of beating Lupe.....and he beat Duane thomas next up.......

Lost to a great fighter next though hey !!.....

But yep two time 154 champ is more than his talent deserved..So fair play to him !!

Talking of Brits knocking out Italians, Robin Reid's KO of Vincenzo Nardiello was a great win for him. Going to Italy where he probably wouldn't have won a decision (not that UK rings are any safer for visiting fighters these days) and knocking Nardiello out is worth a small mention.

Plus the Grim Reaper used to live in the same town as me so gets an extra point for that.

Lower down the list but a few others to toss out there:

Dennis Andries coming back (once again) to stop the concrete-headed Jeff Harding. Scotland's Benny Lynch demolishing English rival Jackie Brown. David Haye's smash and grab raid on Jean Marc Mormeck in Paris and Tommy Farr's heroic shift against Joe Louis.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Talking of Brits knocking out Italians, Robin Reid's KO of Vincenzo Nardiello was a great win for him.  Going to Italy where he probably wouldn't have won a decision (not that UK rings are any safer for visiting fighters these days) and knocking Nardiello out is worth a small mention.

Plus the Grim Reaper used to live in the same town as me so gets an extra point for that.

Reid kidded the locals that he was from Italian stock to get them on his side (and it worked).

Chisora's KO of Wlad


You'll refer back to this at the end of the year and think "wow"

DAVE667 wrote:Chisora's KO of Wlad


You'll refer back to this at the end of the year and think "wow"

Chisora would be a perfect lean-to for Wladimir. He'd have two nipple marks on his back come the final bell.

Think Lynch's win over Peter Kane is an even better example, haz. Kane was an outstanding fighter, borderline top 20 pound for pound man in UK terms, and that was an outstanding fight.

captain carrantuohil wrote:Think Lynch's win over Peter Kane is an even better example, haz. Kane was an outstanding fighter, borderline top 20 pound for pound man in UK terms, and that was an outstanding fight.

Good call -- especially as Bennie had succumbed to the whiskey by that point.

hazharrison wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Talking of Brits knocking out Italians, Robin Reid's KO of Vincenzo Nardiello was a great win for him.  Going to Italy where he probably wouldn't have won a decision (not that UK rings are any safer for visiting fighters these days) and knocking Nardiello out is worth a small mention.

Plus the Grim Reaper used to live in the same town as me so gets an extra point for that.

Reid kidded the locals that he was from Italian stock to get them on his side (and it worked).

Did he, I don't remember that. Everyday is a school day.

He was a bit of an a-hole, Reid. He used to strut around like he was Ray Leonard or something and had a whole mass of groupies that used to hang on his every word. We used to see him around the clubs lording over everyone within earshot. Had some pretty intimidating friends.

I think he was jealous of my good looks and fighting prowess.

Impressive that Reid, up until then, had never even got out of the eight-rounder class beforehand, Tina. Quite a jump, but he pulled it off.

Speaking of the nineties Middles / Super-Middles, Glenn Catley (in terms of career record) is arguably the equal, maybe even the superior, of Reid, but hardly ever gets a mention in contrast. Not as gifted as someone like Reid, but a tough, aggressive banger with genuine power who made the most of what he had.

Comes in as a pretty late replacement (less than a fortnight), having not boxed above 160 before to push Woodhall all the way in a Super-Middleweight title fight, with most (Woodhall included) thinking he should have got the nod. After that, he beats Lucas by stoppage, who even Roy Jones couldn’t get rid of without a corner stoppage between rounds and who would go on to win a belt at 168 a couple of years later, and then goes to Germany and stops the WBC champion Beyer who was undefeated, would regain a title twice more and who after losing to Catley only dropped one close decision, avenged via a knockout, over the next six years before running in to Kessler. Lost his title in South Africa (can’t quite remember his conqueror’s name, Thobela or something of the sort) but in mildly controversial or fishy circumstances.

Not seen the first fight with Haussler, but have heard mumbles that he was a bit unlucky there, too. For such a small Super-Middle and someone not blessed with great natural athleticism like a Reid, Calzaghe or Eastmann, his record is pretty impressive.

For fairytale stories coming true, Darren Barker beating Daniel Geale for the IBF World Middleweight Title has to rank somewhere up there. Barker was never the best, but to climb the mountain like he did and what he overcame was special.

Lewis demolition of Razor Ruddock is surely one of the best wins among the Heavies, easy to forget that Ruddock was favourite going into the ring and had a fearsome reputation at that time. Definitely the fight that made me realise that the big lad was a bit special.

Calzaghe v Lacy barely makes it in to Calzaghe's top 3!

Mayweathers cellmate wrote:Calzaghe v Lacy barely makes it in to Calzaghe's top 3!

Really?

He's only got about 4 to pick from in the first place.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

hazharrison wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Talking of Brits knocking out Italians, Robin Reid's KO of Vincenzo Nardiello was a great win for him.  Going to Italy where he probably wouldn't have won a decision (not that UK rings are any safer for visiting fighters these days) and knocking Nardiello out is worth a small mention.

Plus the Grim Reaper used to live in the same town as me so gets an extra point for that.

Reid kidded the locals that he was from Italian stock to get them on his side (and it worked).

Did he, I don't remember that.  Everyday is a school day.

He was a bit of an a-hole, Reid.  He used to strut around like he was Ray Leonard or something and had a whole mass of groupies that used to hang on his every word.  We used to see him around the clubs lording over everyone within earshot.  Had some pretty intimidating friends.

I think he was jealous of my good looks and fighting prowess.

I met him once. He must have used creosote to get that tan.

Tino is giving Hugh Jackman a rest !!   

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Tino is giving Hugh Jackman a rest !!   

Reid wasn't that bad.

88Chris05 wrote:Yeah, pretty sure Honeyghan was the underdog for that one wasn't he, captain? The home crowd certainly did go quiet when Rosi was down, out and slumped over that bottom rope.

The young, focussed Honeyghan was great to watch. As well as Rosi and Curry, I like his fight against Shufford, too. That version of Honeyghan looked as fast as greased lightening, was a ball of fast-twitching muscle fibre and could box and bang really well. Not easy to catch, either.

Yeh, that ko, is missing from mist highlight reels but was an absolute peach.

captain carrantuohil wrote:Owen Moran's win in San Francisco over Battling Nelson in 1910 is undoubtedly one of the greatest British wins. First time Nelson ever failed to beat the count and worth remembering that he was a superb natural lightweight, while Moran was rising in weight. Great little fighter.

Terry Downes beating Joey Giardello was another decent effort and the underrated Maurice Hope stopped Vito Antuofermo a year or two before Antuofermo became world champion at a higher weight. Another vastly under-appreciated British fighter was Jim Watt; his performance to beat Howard Davis, who was meant to be the next big thing in professional boxing, was nearly flawless.

Interesting career and character , terry downes. Beaten to a pulp against dick tiger in his third fight ( where I think he suggested his next fight would be with the match maker!) and amongst numerous Less impressive performances and cuts defeats, gets wins over pender giardello and Robinson (admittedly an ancient version).

Agree watt was as impressive against Davis as arguello was against watt.

I put Super Joe and Lacy up there down to the fact that it was about as much of a pick 'em as you could have gotten at the time but Calzaghe won every second of every round putting one of the worst beatdowns ever. Kessler is technically a better win, same with an old Hopkins you could say, however it's the manner of victory etc. that in my view puts it up there as a single better win, depends what you're looking for

milkyboy wrote:

88Chris05 wrote:Yeah, pretty sure Honeyghan was the underdog for that one wasn't he, captain? The home crowd certainly did go quiet when Rosi was down, out and slumped over that bottom rope.

The young, focussed Honeyghan was great to watch. As well as Rosi and Curry, I like his fight against Shufford, too. That version of Honeyghan looked as fast as greased lightening, was a ball of fast-twitching muscle fibre and could box and bang really well. Not easy to catch, either.

Yeh, that ko, is missing from mist highlight reels but was an absolute peach.

Honeyghan and Curry strangely enough had the same problem...Naseem had it too !!

All forgot It was their Boxing skill that got them to the top..........When they started bombing people out !!.......

All three thought their power was enough and it was a shame.....Honey certainly looked sharp in sept 86..

The Lewis demolition of Ruddock was VERY impressive and SHOULD have lined up the fight against Bowe. Oh well, Tony Tucker had to do.

Benn was given virtually no chance against McClellan but hung on to win in disastrous circumstances. A great win, but a costly one.

Ricky vs Kostya was great and a big shock.

However, the clinical brutality that Calzaghe showed in the Lacy fight puts it right up there for me. (My era is about 88-onwards).

There is, of course, Audley vs Richel Hersisia. But we all know that's ona another level...

Robin Reid's best performance was perhaps in a little known arthouse film.His tan wore off quite soon !