Comment: Frustrated Arthur needs to face up to reality

By Ben Carey

I read with interest Alex Arthur’s recent comments in The Sunday Mail that he is planning imminent talks with promoter Frank Warren concerning his future career direction.

Arthur, surprisingly outpointed by Nigel Wright on the undercard of Amir Khan’s one-round demolition of Dimitriy Salita last month, is frustrated over his perceived lack of opportunities and may consider leaving long-time promoter Warren.

Dave Ferguson, living the dream

By John Hannen

Martin Rogan knows a tough man when he’s hit by one! So when the ex-Commonwealth heavyweight champion says that Newcastle’s Dave Ferguson gave him his toughest fight during the first Prizefighter competition then take it as read that the aforementioned, Mr Ferguson, is one tough Geordie.

It’s interesting times for boxing in the North East as Frank Maloney, small in stature but big in experience, throws his promotional weight behind a batch of promising fighters from the area. Ferguson is one of these boxers and he recently took time out from his schedule to talk to UKFightNews.co.uk about all things boxing.

September British Ratings

By Ben Carey

I celebrated getting married to my long-time partner Ann-Marie on 9 August and spent my honeymoon in Costa Rica which explains the lack of content on this site throughout August. Thank you to those loyal readers who have been wondering!

I’m guessing I was the only person sat on the beach compiling a british boxing rankings list, but having read the latest editions of Boxing News and Boxing Monthly several times over it seemed like the only thing left to do, with the exception of grabbing a glass of vino from the bar.

So, to see where I rate Britain’s top 10 boxers in each division, please click the link below. As always, rationally worded feedback is most welcome.

Small, Pryce, Smith & Lynes enter the world’s top 15

Southern Area light-middleweight champion Anthony Small, Commonwealth light-middleweight king Bradley Pryce, English middleweight champion Paul Smith and European light-welterweight holder Colin Lynes have all recently entered the world’s top 15 rankings. To find out where they and the rest of the Brits are currently ranked by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO, click the link below.

Khan cracks WBC top 15

By Ben Carey

Despite his shaky win over Willie Limmond in July, Amir Khan has appeared at 13 in the World Boxing Council’s latest ratings. The Bolton prospect has also climbed three places and is listed at no.7 by the WBO, as is heavyweight Matt Skelton.

The other British fighter who has enjoyed a hike in the ratings is super-featherweight Kevin Mitchell. The Londoner is ranked as high as 5 by the WBO and could realistically become a future opponent for current interim champion Alex Arthur.

To find out where the rest of the Brits are currently ranked by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO click the link below.

UKFN July British Ratings

By Ben Carey

Overall, June has been a relatively quiet month but that will all change during a jam-packed July where we have Khan-Limond, Bami-Mutley, Maccarinelli-Braithwaite, Kirakosyan-Johanneson, Pryce-Small, Skelton-Sprott and Cook—Luevano all to look forward too. I can’t wait, can you?

This month, Matthew Hatton’s hard fought points win over Edwin Vasquez and Francis Jones’ upset KO of former British champion Neil Sinclair sees them gatecrash our welterweight top 10. Click the link below, where you will also see the rest of our British ratings from heavyweight to flyweight.

Khan cracks WBO Top 10

By Ben Carey

Amir Khan has received a welcome boost ahead of his Commonwealth title challenge against Willie Limmond next month. The Olympic silver medalist is listed at no.10 in the World Boxing Organisation’s latest lightweight ratings despite failing to record a victory of note in his fledgling career.

Incidentally Limmond, who will provide Khan’s sternest opposition to date, is ranked 13. Luton’s Graham Earl, another potential rival for the Bolton quicksilver, is listed at 9. To find out where the rest of the Brits are currently ranked by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO click the link below.

Friday Mailbag

By Ben Carey

This feature was supposed to be The Monday Mailbag but a hectic week at work writing about cement and trailer tracking systems placed this on the backburner. However, I do genuinely appreciate your comments and emails so keep ‘em coming.

Click the link below to read my thoughts on David Barnes, Hatton-Castillo, Froch-Kessler, UKboxingpress and I also respond to a reader’s query concerning my light-heavyweight rankings.

Froch eyes Kessler after being made WBC no.1

By Ben Carey

Carl Froch’s mission to prove that he is the best super-middleweight in the world moved a step closer after he was named as the WBC’s no.1 contender following his devastating destruction of the normally durable Sergey Tatevosyan. The Cobra, who has recently undergone corrective surgery to address a long-term ligament problem, could challenge current WBC champion Mikkel Kessler next year.

Negotiations between Kessler’s camp and Joe Calzaghe, to determine the 168lbs division’s undisputed kingpin, would appear to have stalled which could pave the way for a Kessler-Froch showdown. It would be ironic if Froch landed a fight of such magnitude having failed to reach an agreement with Calzaghe’s promoter Frank Warren for an all British clash against the Welshman this Summer.

To find out where the rest of the Brits are currently ranked by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO click the link below.

UKfightnews.co.uk June British ratings

By Ben Carey

The British boxing season may be drawing to a close but there has been some welcome activity in the previously stagnant light-heavyweight division this month. Tony Oakey captured the vacant British title after stopping Steve Spartacus, and we saw a shock when English champion Peter Haymer dropped a surprise eight-round points loss to Paul David.

To discover where we rank Britain’s leading light-heavyweights in a new look top 10 click the link below, where you will also see the rest of our British ratings from heavyweight to flyweight.

The History of the Lonsdale Belt

By Ann-Marie Cartwright

The much coveted Lonsdale belt originated from the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Cecil Lowther. A keen enthusiast of sports, Lowther became the first president of the National Sporting Club and bequeathed the first Lonsdale belt in 1909 for a boxing championship trophy. The original Lonsdale belts are crafted from porcelain and are twenty-two carat gold making them valuable items. An anonymous owner recently auctioned a nine-carat gold Lonsdale belt awarded to Randolph Turpin over 40 years ago, which packed a punch of its own, fetching a staggering £23,000.

The first boxer to be decorated with the Lonsdale belt was former British lightweight champion Freddie Welsh in 1909. Due to its historical and financial value, the original Lonsdale Belt is now kept at The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, South East London. Unfortunately it is not exhibited to the general public.