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

Euro 2012 - The French Revolution?

Recently i have spent a fair amount of time discussing the Euros and in particular these three questions. Who will win it? Who will be top scorer? And who will be the break out player? And to my surprise very rarely has anybody mentioned the French. Unbeaten in their last twenty games and boasting a hungry young squad they are a team that are at the forefront of our minds due to England's opening fixture but this i feel has led to them being overlooked as tournament contenders.

This is a completely different team from the one that crashed and burned at the World Cup. No longer are they an unsettled squad but the new coach Laurent Blanc has brought a cohesion and happiness to the French camp. In fact it has been argued that the current squad is too inexperienced with many players plying their trade in the French league and possessing less than 20 caps. However this contrast's with the star studded squads that have braced previous tournaments and has led to a lack of egos and an increase in unity in the squad. Something that can be viewed as nothing but positive. 

Blanc is likely to utilize an effective 4-2-3-1 formation which places strong emphasis on keeping the ball and using it efficiently. This is possible due to the attacking and flexible threat players such as Benzema, Nasri, Martin and Ribery bring to the team. They are complemented nicely by the defensive base that can be provided by the likes of Cabaye, M'vila and Diarra. Although there are worries about the French central defenders, the Mexes and Rami partnership looks shakey with some even calling for the much improved but inexperienced Laurent Koscienly to start against England , they have the magnificent Lloris in goal and a number of solid full backs to choose from (Evra, Clichy and Debuchy). If the French can overcome some defensive issues and their tricky opening fixture they will be well placed to perform strongly throughout the rest of the tournament due to the strength of their squad.. Odds of 10/1 to win the tournament look very appealing. 

This brings me on the subject of top goalscorer. Robin Van Persie and Mario Gomez are in some sense the rightful favourites to win the golden boot. However many are talking about Jelavic or Lewandoski as potential dark horses due to their blistering club form. Yet criminally, Karim Benzema is being overlooked. His impressive goal tally for Real Madrid (32 goals in 52 games) has been overshadowed by the astonishing feats of Ronaldo and Messi and although it is true that he is yet to light up the international stage he is currently in the form of his life. He will be the sole focal point of the French attack and will be given plenty of opportunities to score from the creative three behind him with Ribery in particular determined to impress. Therefore not only do France possess the squad to challenge at the Euros they also have a world class striker who could light up the tournament. 

Finally my last question - biggest breakout player? Every international tournament always throws up a player or players that makes their name on the world stage with some dazzling performances. In the 2010 World Cup  it was Muller, whilst the 2008 European Championships gave us Arshavin. Players who although relatively well known in their own league or country had yet to have their class appreciated on a global scale. My tip for the break out player of the tournament is Mathieu Debuchy. Almost certain to start at right back due to absence of Sagna. Debuchy is a tough tackling, adventurous full back who is able to produce consistently good crosses. He needs some work on the defensive side of his game but with top class sides like Man United and Barcelona supposedly on the look out for a new full back a good tournament for Debuchy could lead to great things. 

Could Euro 2012 herald a new era for the French? Unfortunately for England the signs are positive but we will find out soon enough. 

jgeorge 

Transfer Mill: Rumour and Assessment

Update and short analysis of this Summer's movements


Alan Dzagoev - £20m+ - Linked with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea

After his stellar performance against the Czech Republic it is clear Russia's hopes are down to the potent partnership of  Dzagoev and Arshavin. Sitting pretty in my Fantasy Football team, Dzagoev's performance will certainly have caught the eye up of some of Europe's elite clubs. Having racked up 153 games and 37 goals at CSKA Moscow along with 21 Russia caps and 6 goals at just 21, Dzagoev is indeed hot property. With the ability to find killer passes and run with the ball from midfield, Dzagoev stretched the Czech back four into submission. The babyfaced assassin, Dzagoev has been strongly linked with the Premier League and playing in the tough Russian Premier League should certainly be an excellent apprenticeship. Although other Russian stars have failed to make a strong impact in England, Arshavin, Zhirkov and Pavlyuchenko for example, I believe Dzagoev has the appetite and determination to succeed. As the Euro 2012 competition continues I'm sure we will see his asking price rocket.


Dorlan Pabón -  £5m-£8m - Strongly linked with Galatasaray, also Roma, Rubin Kazan and Tottenham Hotspur

This 24 year old Colombian who plays for his native Atletico Nacional is on the wishlist of many European clubs this Summer. It seems as if Glatasaray have taken the lead for his signature but nothing definitive as yet. Pabón is an attacking central midfielder, both robust and skilful, with more than an eye for goal. He is currently the second highest scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 7 goals. He made a name for himself with a 40 yard free kick against rivals Penarol (right). Pabón can operate both behind the strikers and in a more traditional central midfield role. He certainly has the attributes for European football and hopefully we will see him in the Premier League soon.

Leandro Damião - £15m approx. -Linked with various clubs.

Leandro Damião is a player in high demand. With Tottenham having bids of around £14m rejected and interest from Spain and Italy, it seems it will not be long before Damião graces our European shores. At 22 he is not a raw and unadulterated talent nor is he the finished article, but he is a natural born goalscorer. At nearly 6 ft 2 in Damião possesses strength and pace and would not come unstuck in the physical Premier League. His typically brilliant Brazilian touch and composure has led to an incredible 68 goals in 111 career games. In winning the Copa Libertadores in his debut season with Brazilian club Internacional,with a goal in the two legged final, Damião has become a household name on the flair continent. With comparisons to Edinson Cavani, Damião would be a cheaper option for clubs looking to bolster their attacks. He also has international experience with 8 caps for a nation with a wealth of goal scoring talent, in addition to his maiden Brazil goal which he happened to score at Craven Cottage against Ghana and a mesmerising performance against the old foe Argentina. Damião looks set to move and is certainly a man to look out for.
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Shinji Kagawa - Manchester United - £12m approx.


United's first ever Japanese player looks set to arrive from German champions Dortmund. The cynical view would be that of a long term replacement for Park Ji Sung, with an eye on Asian shirt sales over impact on the first team. However such cynicism would be naive, Kagawa has filled the boots of the often injured and highly lauded Mario Gotze. With back to back titles and a stellar performance in the German cup final thrashing of Bayern, Kagawa will bolster United's aging midfield. At the tender age of 23 he already has 30 caps for his country and nearly 100 career goals from advanced midfield and wide positions, 29 in his last 2 seasons on the continent along with 15 assists is an accomplished return. Much like Hernandez, Fergie will know how to get the best out of the Japanese wonderkid and he will have to work hard to garner a first team position, patience is a must and taking his chances in the first half of the season will be crucial to establishing himself in a competitive, if not star studded, Manchester squad. Overall he seems a good purchase and will have a part to play in the upcoming season.