British Heavyweight Boxing: What Happens Next?

Boxing is a special sport, full of hope and ambition. Intertwined with numerous rags to riches tails, it has often been viewed as the working man's way out. Highly relevant in today's recession society in which jobs are scarce and the number of young boys with slim prospects is ever growing The heavyweight division is the traditional pinnacle of the sport, but some say it has been through a lull in recent years.

Lennox Lewis' final bout defeating Vitali Klitschko

With no lineal champion, one who is unanimously recognised as the best in the division, since Lennox Lewis, heavyweight boxing has taken an unforeseen backseat in favour of lighter weights. The welterweight division in particular is a wealth of talent with Mayweather and Pacquiao among others. The Klitschko brothers have been the dominant force of the 200lb+ category, but their jab-dominated and orthodox techniques, although effective, are seen as a world apart from the flamboyant and aggressive days of Ali, Frazier, Holmes and later Tyson and Lewis.

Heavyweight had not been a successful division for British boxing. After the 'Cornishman' Bob Fitzsimmons, who was really a Kiwi, held the title in 1899 we did not see another British Heavyweight Champion until Lennox Lewis took a vacant WBC title in 1992. However since then we have had a rich history, with Herbie Hide, Henry Akinwande, Frank Bruno and David Haye all reaching the pinnacle of the boxing world. So what does the present and future hold for the big boys from our shores?

This Summer's main attraction

Of course all the talk at the moment is of David Haye vs. Dereck Chisora. After their highly publicised press conference fight and subsequent war of words, the disgraced Luxembourg-license wielding duo will go head to head on July 7th at a rather befitting Upton Park, a place with a past of semi-illegal brawling. The two boxers are Britain's best heavyweights and despite my cynicism it should be an excellent and enthralling battle. Chisora with his tough style, working almost exclusively on the inside and relying on chin and power, against the fast and flamboyant Haye, with his dancing feet and flashy hands. Almost a throwback to the Ali-Frazier classics of the 70's, perhaps more in style over substance, but all the same it should be a good bout and the most eagerly awaited all-British clash of the year. Haye is the superior boxer and favourite to prevail. After his loss to Wladimir Klitschko it looks inevitable he will set a date to take on his brother Vitali, now likely to be late Autumn or early Winter. This could be the last real challenge to break the Klitschko stranglehold on the division before Vitali retires to embark on a career in politics, and i would not put it beyond Haye to achieve glory. Both Haye and Chisora are both temperamental characters and it is difficult to predict which path their careers will take. The future of British heavyweight boxing maybe lies in the next generation.

One of a crop of Liverpudlian fighters, David Price

David Price is a name on the lips of many. A bronze medal winner in Beijing (losing to legendary Italian amateur Roberto Camarelle), Price is British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion with a record of 13 and 0. Price certainly has the physique of a modern heavyweight, unlike Haye and Chisora, Price is 6 ft 8" and power to burn. He would certainly be a match on this front for the Kiltschkos however at this present time he does not have the skill sets to take them on. He will need to have a few more bouts under his belt before he can step up to the world stage. Cleaning up the national scene would be a more than useful apprenticeship. Tyson Fury is still rated as the number one British heavyweight, and this should be Price's next match up. If he can overcome Fury and then possibly Chisora we can then talk about him fighting other European challengers, Adamek and Chagaev. Price certainly has a long way to go, but has the talent to get there, his left hand can tremble any fighter. The manner in which he conducts himself, in an arena of trash talk, and his oratory approach must be fully applauded. He is without doubt a man to be watched and supported.

Asides from Price and Fury, Richard Towers is a man establishing himself at national level. The former kidnapper turned boxer and role model, was a late comer to boxing. Trained by the Irish guru himself, Brendan Ingle, Towers boasts a 14 and 0 record with 11 KO's. After his epic last fight with Gregory Tony, his unbelievable chin and determined attitude have made many sit up and take notice, and it will be interesting to see what 'The Inferno' can do in the next few years.

Olympic hopeful Anthony Joshua

Some boxing fans prefer that of an amateur nature and the 2012 Olympics will be a great opportunity for some of our brightest young boxers to flourish. Increased Lottery Funding has allowed our amateurs to travel to key events in Azerbaijan and Trabzon and with a 12 strong team, Britain will be looking to take away several medals. In 22 year old Anthony Joshua, Britain has an outstanding heavyweight prospect. Joshua was the ABAE Elite champion in 2010 and 2011 and came to world prominence at last years World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku. After stopping talented German Erik Pfeifer and outpointing aforementioned Beijing gold medalist Roberto Camarelle, Joshua missed out on gold by a controversial one point decision to home favourite Magomedrasul Majidov. He will certainly be looking to go one better at the Excel this Summer, and once he makes that switch to professional, will be looking to establish himself as Britain's best heavyweight.

Price and Joshua are just a host of promising boxing talent coming out of the UK, the future looks very exciting and we should get behind our boxers as fully as possible, as they look to take on the world's best.

JLloyd