Top Ten Famous British Boxers

This could be in any order. Forgive me if I miss others on this list. Feel free to comment and add your favourite British fighters.

JOE CALZAGHE
(Total fights 46, Wins 46 (by KO 32)

The undefeated champion of the world. Not a bad title to have. Having fought in 44 bouts during his career, he is now retired with that unbeaten record still intact. Claiming to be unsure whether he will fight again, in the end Calzaghe defeated Roy Jones Jr. at Madison Square. Calzaghe will surely be remembered for years to come, very possibly as the greatest of all time

Pictured here showing Joe Calzaghe, right, had to endure some trying moments against a determined Bernard Hopkins.

LENNOX LEWIS
(Total fights 44, Wins 41 (by KO 32), Losses 2, Draws 1)

Closer to the present day, Lewis was a monstrous boxer who joined Muhammed Ali and Evander Holyfield as the only boxers ever to win the world heavyweight title three times. His reputation as one of the best in the world was tainted when the press started to doubt the quality of his competitors during his career.

Pictured here shows Lennox Lewis throws a vicious punch on Mike Tyson, facing.

'PRINCE' NASEEM HAMED
(Total fights 37, Wins 36 (by KO 31), Losses 1)

A true showman in the ring, Prince Naseem dazzled crowds around the world with his speed and skill. Armed with a pair of leopard-skin trunks, Sheffield-born Hamed became a star, dancing his way to the WBO and WBC championships whilst racking up a 35-fight winning streak. Marco Antonio Barrera put an end to that run, and Naseem's star began to fade.

Picture shows Naseem Stands over Steve Robinsons as he gets on his knees.

NIGEL BENN
(Total fights 48, Wins 42 (by Knock Out 35), Losses 5, Draws 1)

Nicknamed 'The Dark Destroyer', Benn was a formidable contestant. Famed for his devastating power, he will be remembered as one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers in boxing history. His rivalry with Eubank culminated in a classic contest in 1990, when the latter claimed the WBO middleweight crown. Benn (left) is sure to be remembered as one of Britain's most consistently entertaining performers at any weight.

Pictured here beating Italy's Mauro Galvano, Benn's spell at world level began in April 1990 when he stopped American Doug De Witt in Atlantic City and it included notable fights with other British fighters such as Chris Eubank, Steve Watson and the ill-fated Michael Watson.

CHRIS EUBANK
(Total fights 52, Wins 45 (by KO 23), Losses 5, Draws 2)

Generally considered to be a 'gentlemen' of the sport, it's easy to forget how tough Eubank was in the boxing ring. Clinching the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles during his illustrious career, he certainly left his monocle in the changing room.

Picture: Eubank trades blows with Steve Collins for the W.B.O. Super-Middleweight world championship in Cork, March 1995.

BARRY MCGUIGAN
(Total fights 35, Wins 32 (by KO 28), Losses 3)

Born in the Republic of Ireland, but a British citizen, McGuigan was smaller in stature than many of his peers. That proved to be insignificant, however, as he went on to win 32 of his 35 career fights, and be carried through the streets of Belfast as WBA world featherweight champion in 1985. He retired after the death of his father in 1987.

Panamanian boxer Eusebio Pedroza (right) on the way to losing a 15-round decision and his World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title to Barry McGuigan of Ireland on June 8, 1985.

JOHN CONTEH
(Total fights 39, Wins 34, Losses 4, Draws 1)

Although he won 34 of his 39 career fights, Conteh will always be remembered as a sportsman who never reached his full potential. As he became successful, he grabbed fame with both hands, and chose the playboy lifestyle over that of a professional athlete. Nevertheless, he still managed to claim the WBC light-heavyweight title in 1974.

Picture here showing John Conteh, left, and Matthew Saad Muhammad. They fought each other twice.

KEN BUCHANAN
(Total fights 69, Wins 61 (by KO 27), Losses 8)

With the most fights out of anyone in this ten best, Buchanan also had the most wins. 61 out of 69 gained him hero-status in his native Scotland. The undoubted high-point of his career was his astonishing win over Laguna in Puerto Rico, 1970, with which he claimed the world lightweight title.

Picture here shows Ken Buchanan’s famous knockout of Carlos Ortiz in 1972.

RICKY 'THE HITMAN' HATTON
(Total fights 47, Wins 45 (by KO 32), Losses 2)

Undefeated until recently, Hatton's rough and tumble style still worries any opponent who dares step into the ring with him. Although Floyd Mayweather gave him a lesson in Vegas and Pacquiao showed him up more recently, the hitman still has a record which stands up to the toughest of scrutiny. Let's just hope that his recent defeats don't tarnish what he has done for British boxing over the last few years.

Picture here shows Hatton displayed a straight jab to Kostya Tszyu.