The most over-rated British boxers in history by Oliver Fennell Nov 16th 2007

Oliver Fennell concludes his mini-series looking at the most under-rated and over-rated boxers in Britain, both today and in history. Part four looks at five fighters from British boxing history who have been given greater credit than their achievements deserved. 1- Henry Cooper Sixties idol Cooper was the epitome of a working class hero, loved by all from the blokes down the pub to the grandmas at home. He was also the closest thing Britain had had to a world-class heavyweight since Tommy Farr in the 1930s. Note I said “close to” world-class, rather than actually world-class. To look at his record soberly betrays a marked lack of accomplishment in such company. Cooper's legend is based around him knocking down a young Muhammad Ali – a fine moment, to be sure, but the aura of his opponent aside, one which got him no closer to victory than Kevin Lueshing over Felix Trinidad or Barry Jones over Acelino Freitas. “Our ‘Enery” dined out on this single left hook – and the self-propagated myth of Ali getting an extended interval between rounds afterwards – for decades, but it is indicative of us as a nation that we often celebrate brave losers more than we do our winners. Cooper was no nearly-man – stoppage defeats to Ingemar Johansson, Zora Folley, Floyd Patterson and Ali in a rematch, as well as a handful of domestic setbacks, proved his level. 2- Howard Winstone Winstone is celebrated in Britain – and especially in Wales – as a genuine world champion; a holder of the most sought-after WBC belt, no less. Winning this iconic green strap is enough to secure a fighter immortality on these shores, and usually this is deservedly so. But while most will argue Winstone's coronation was a triumph for tenacity, I think instead it was rather fortunate. Three times the Welshman had been pegged back by WBC and WBA featherweight king Vicente Saldivar, suggesting Winstone would always fall short in the top flight. Yes, they were stirring, proud efforts from the challenger, but in this sport there are no prizes for second best. Winstone was finally crowned champion only after Saldivar retired, beating Mitsunori Seki of Japan in 1968 for the vacant WBC belt. Seki was himself a multi-time world championship failure. There was a hollow ring to Winstone's finest hour, which reverberated when he lost the title in his first defence, and which was compounded when Saldivar came out of retirement to recapture his throne in 1970. Winstone, as cruel as it sounds, had only been a caretaker champion. 3- Chris Eubank Many fans don the rose-tinted glasses when it comes to Eubank. A frequently-heard refrain is how things were so much better in the good old days of Eubank and Nigel Benn. In a way, they were. Despite British boxing's current high, the majority of big fights are tucked away on digital television, while the majority of Eubank's reign played out to eight-figure audiences on ITV. This, coupled with his bombastic personality and the unusual frequency of his contests, makes his memory that much more accessible. But for all his undeniable box office appeal, what did Eubank actually achieve? His five-year, two-weight, 20-fight run as champion was conducted almost exclusively within the confines of the WBO (the sole exception being the drawn rematch with then-WBC holder Benn). His biggest fights were against domestic or Irish rivals, he fought more than his share of hand-picked challengers, against whom he often failed to impress, and he also received a number of controversial decisions. Consider also he was never at any time considered the number one in his division and he did not chase this distinction. What makes this especially galling is that Eubank was a top talent. But money and fame were his goals, and he found he could achieve both in spades without taking what he considered unnecessary risks. Perhaps his competitive ambitions were dulled by the disastrous Michael Watson rematch, in which he inflicted near-fatal brain damage on his opponent. It would take a hard heart indeed to not sympathise with this. But whatever the reason, the inescapable fact is that Eubank did not make as much of his talents as he could have, and his fame exceeded his achievements. 4- Barry McGuigan Imagine if Ricky Hatton loses to Floyd Mayweather next month, never again fights for a world title, and then gets retired by, say, Colin Lynes. Would you put him in the Hall of Fame? Despite the impressive victory over Kostya Tszyu, the answer for most would be no. If that is the case, then we have to consider McGuigan an undeserving incumbent at Canastota. But Hall of Fame aside, McGuigan has an unshakeable place in the public's affections, when others might be more deserving. There are a few reasons for McGuigan's enduring legend. First of all, as with Hatton, he commanded huge crowds and massive television ratings. Secondly – and perhaps most importantly – as a Catholic Ulsterman married to a Protestant woman, he was a high-profile figurehead for religious tolerance in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. Also, at the peak of his fame, McGuigan was the star of a computer game still fondly remembered by players of a certain vintage. Finally, he has maintained a presence in the sport long since his retirement in 1989 due to a regular column in the Daily Mirror and an almost omnipotent attendance on televised boxing shows. Such is the stuff of celebrity, but being well known should not be the same as being afforded the status of a great boxer. McGuigan has just the one victory which could legitimately be described as great; that marvellous WBA featherweight title-winning effort against Eusebio Pedroza in 1985. But as rightly lauded as the victory was, Pedroza was in a similar position as Tszyu in that he was an ageing warrior bowing to a younger man enjoying home advantage. McGuigan needed then – as Hatton needs now – to capitalise on that performance, but he never did. A short reign was ended by the unremarkable Steve Cruz, and The Clones Cyclone never attempted to regain his crown, coming unstuck at domestic level against Jim McDonnell three years later. The reasons for McGuigan's fame are many – and justified – but separate his boxing career from the politics, the computer game and the TV shows, and he likely wouldn't have been within sniffing distance of the Hall of Fame. 5- Alan Minter Another man to make his reputation from one opponent is Minter. He outscored Vito Antuofermo in 1980 for the undisputed middleweight championship, which on paper was fine result, but he too had a short reign followed by a crushing defeat and would never again fight for a world title. Antuofermo, too, was best known for one result, having held Marvin Hagler to a draw in his previous fight, but it was a verdict considered by many to be generous to the Italian-American. He hadn't particularly impressed before or since. Minter repeated the win over Antuofermo in a rematch, but then a marauding Hagler came to London to rip the title away in three savage rounds. He followed this up with a knockout over Antuofermo to underline how both men had simply been keep the belts warm for him. No disgrace to have lost to such a fine champion as Hagler, of course, but the brevity and finality of Minter's defeat proved he was some way short of the “modern great” status some afford him. And nothing Minter had done either side of meeting Hagler suggested he was or could have been anything more than a caretaker. Before his big break, his best wins had been at British level against Kevin Finnegan and against the American duo of the under-achieving Sugar Ray Seales and the ancient Emile Griffith. Following the loss of his title, Minter would fight only three more times, losing twice, and for the last time by crushing knockout to compatriot Tony Sibson. With Hagler towering over the rest of the division, Minter's post-title career seemed to underline how lucky he was to have reigned at all. (Please use the comments facility below if you wish to make a point regarding Oliver's article - Ed.)

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With respect Nov 19th 2007, 05:49:38 by oliverfennell Alan, thank you for your comment. However, while it is always a more thankless task to criticise than congratulate, as I had also written about under-rated boxers, I felt for balance I should also list some who were, in my opinion, over-rated. I hoped I did this with respect, because my point was never that these men were not good boxers, just that they were not quite as good as some would have you believe. I believe my reasons, outlined with examples and comparisons, showed that I am indeed qualified to write about it, regardless of whether or not you agreed with my choices. I did not pick these people blindly. Everybody has an opinion, after all. Would you be "furious" if one of your mates was to criticise these fighters in a pub conversation? Should I be "furious" at you for not sharing my opinion? Everybody has opinions, everybody has a right to express them, and people do express them every day. The only difference is that I have put mine in the public domain.   Denigration? Nov 18th 2007, 10:57:11 by alan phillips Oliver Fennel, I am furious about your would be denigration of some great fighters. It is all very well to want to write about something but can't you find a different subject. What about blow football? I don't think you are qualified to write about such great fighters! Alan Phillips. 60 years in boxing!   Eubank part 3/3 Nov 16th 2007, 12:15:57 by kg444 And the Collins fight was a great fight, too, and I thought Eubank won clearly personally. Benn x 2, Watson x 2, Holmes, Rocchigiani, Wharton, Thornton, and arguably Collins (at Millstreet). Not bad at all! He beat Thompson the first time too!! Officially he went undefeated in 43 fights, 19 of which world title fights, and was Old School in that he often defended every 6-8 weeks! The man is a proper boxing great, IMO   Eubank part 2 Nov 16th 2007, 12:15:38 by kg444 Not since Joe Louis had boxing seen a six-inch punch like Eubank delivered on Ray Close - that short uppercut almost took his head clean off! It saved him his title and the big rematch with Benn. Benn-Eubank II was a great fight, bar the negative commentary of Reg Gutteridge and Jim Watt. Everyone who attended said it was the best fight they'd ever seen while Watt seemed to make it out to be one of the worst ever. Rocchigiani was a former and future world champion, a southpaw with the Floyd Patterson defence, and Chris did him over IN GERMANY looking absolutely brilliant despite the most hostile of crowds. The Wharton fight was a great night. Henry was no push-over, as he showed against Benn when he got warmed up after giving away the first 5 rounds, and as he showed by punching guys through the ropes with his left hooks. Chris that night was sensational - throwing awesome combinations and jabbing relentlessly.   Eubank part 1 Nov 16th 2007, 12:14:42 by kg444 Chris achieved alot, IMO. Nobody gave him a chance against Logan or Benn, he came through in flying colours with little posing during rounds. Stretch was a tall, tricky southpaw who'd only lost on cuts (and ko'd 67-0 George Collins in a round in London), and confident. Watson gave Mccallum all he could handle, but you can count on one hand how many punches he landed against Eubank in the first half of their fight. The Watson rematch would be remembered as an all time classic in any boxing ring if not for the tragic ending, Watson was a machine that night and Chris still prevailed. He great left hand work and defensive skills against Malinga, albeit with low effort, and his ko of Jarvis was the absolute peach of ko's. Essett was a mover and boxer while Thornton was a brawler and mauler and he outdid them both in the summer of 1992, while former world champ Lindell Holmes told the British press he was going to 'bring the title back to America' and ended up demolished over 12.