Lennox Lewis vs. Frank Bruno, 1993
Arguably the biggest British fight of all time occurred almost 30 years ago as Lennox Lewis defended his world title against Frank Bruno at Cardiff Arms Park. Bruno was the darling of U.K. fight fans but his spot as the top fighter in the region had been taken by Lewis, who had made a stunning start to his pro career.
Bruno started the fight brilliantly and managed to shake Lewis on multiple occasions before past demons from his career returned to haunt him. Lewis found the target of Bruno in round seven and he refused to let his opponent off the hook. Further attacks followed before the referee sensibly stepped in to prevent Bruno from taking further punishment.
Shea Neary vs. Andy Holligan, 1998
Long before Liverpool had a waterfront Arena to host big events, a tent in a park was the only suitable solution to stage a bout the size of Shea Neary vs. Andy Holligan in 1998. The latter was vastly experienced and had shared a ring with Julio Cesar Chavez, but in Neary, he was facing a fighter on the rise.
Once battle got underway, the action was as exciting as everyone expected. Both men had their moments, but Neary was taking control as the contest reached the halfway stage. “The Shamrock Express” took over massively in round six, and following another relentless attack, Liverpool’s new boxing star registered the biggest win of his career.
David Haye vs. Derek Chisora, 2012
A fight that was never in anyone’s plans until they came face to face at a German press conference. Derek Chisora had just lost to Vitali Klitschko, and David Haye was in town to secure a bout with the Ukranian monster. A brawl between the two Brits ensued and suddenly British boxing had a nasty rivalry.
Using licences from Luxembourg as the BBBC wouldn’t grant either man permission to fight, Haye and Chisora delivered a mini-classic inside a congested Upton Park. Haye’s extra power counted for a lot and when he hurt Chisora in round five, he followed up with another heavy attack to take the contest.
Anthony Crolla vs. John Murray, 2014
Once identified as one of British boxing’s brightest hopes, John Murray’s career was massively derailed in 2011 when he endured two heavy defeats against Kevin Mitchell and Brandon Rios. Still desperate to prove that he could compete at the highest level, Murray took on Anthony Crolla in a Manchester derby that had the city split.
Once former training partners in Joe Gallagher’s gym, Crolla and Murray put aside their past connection as they delivered a brutal fight that was decided by Crolla’s freshness and accuracy. Murray tried valiantly to stay in the fight, but he sustained too much punishment and was bravely rescued in the tenth session.
Sam Eggington vs. Frankie Gavin, 2016
Britain’s greatest ever amateur boxer, Frankie Gavin was expected to transfer his vested form to the pro game but two defeats to Leonard Bundu and Kell Brook ensured that world level was perhaps out of his reach.
Returning to the domestic scene in 2016, Gavin met Sam Eggington in a second city derby that didn’t disappoint. Eggington’s rise had been done away from the bright spotlights that followed Gavin, but he proved he was a match for his local rival when the bell finally sounded. Eggington’s strength was his biggest asset, and he used that invaluable attribute to stop Gavin in seven rounds.