A look back at the greatest “Battle of Britain” in the boxing ring – legendary boxing duels in which British boxers fought out their rivalries and made boxing history.
Between July and October 1940, the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom and the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany fought for control of British airspace in the Battle of Britain. The Battle of Britain was a decisive military conflict of the Second World War. In boxing, however, a “Battle of Britain” does not require German participation. The British, who are not exactly squeamish when it comes to war metaphors, can do it all on their own. After all, the Battle of Britain in (boxing) sport is now about supremacy in Great Britain, which is decided in a duel between two British boxers. Below we have listed some of these historic ring battles, some of which were characterized by great rivalry.
Chris Eubank (England) vs. Nigel Benn (England), 1990, middleweight
There was a bitter rivalry between Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn. Eubank, the self-confident showman, mocked Benn, the hard puncher with the WBC title. The fight took place on November 18, 1990 in Birmingham. It was a brutal fight, with both boxers repeatedly hitting each other hard. In the ninth round, Eubank hit Benn with a right hook, whereupon the fight was stopped. Eubank won by technical knockout. The fight became one of the most famous in British boxing history.
Lennox Lewis (England) vs. Frank Bruno (England), 1993, heavyweight
Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno were among the best British heavyweights of their time. Lewis, a rising star, and Bruno, an experienced boxer, met in Cardiff on October 1, 1993. Bruno started strongly and used his experience to frustrate Lewis. But the tide turned in the seventh round. Lewis landed a series of hard punches and stopped Bruno by TKO. With this victory, Lewis defended his WBC heavyweight title and established himself as one of the world’s best heavyweights.
Carl Froch (England) vs. George Groves (England) I, 2013, super middleweight
The fight between Carl Froch and George Groves on November 23, 2013 in Manchester was one of the most dramatic British boxing matches. Groves, the young challenger, promised to dethrone Froch and started strongly, knocking Froch down in the first round. Froch fought back and an intense exchange developed. In the ninth round, the referee stopped the fight after a series of punches from Froch. Groves and many spectators thought the stoppage was premature, which led to a controversial ending.
David Haye (England) vs. Dereck Chisora (England), 2012, heavyweight
The rivalry between David Haye and Dereck Chisora began at a press conference when the two got into a brawl. The fight took place on July 14, 2012 in London and attracted a lot of interest. Haye used his speed and technique to dominate Chisora in the early rounds. In the fifth round, Haye landed a powerful combination that sent Chisora to the floor. Chisora got back up but was knocked down again shortly after, whereupon the fight was stopped and Haye won by TKO.
James DeGale (England) vs. George Groves (England), 2011, super middleweight
James DeGale and George Groves knew each other from their amateur days and their rivalry continued in the professional ranks. The fight took place on May 21, 2011 in London. Groves fought tactically smart and used his reach to keep DeGale at a distance. Both boxers had their moments, but Groves’ counter-punching and speed put him in the lead. After twelve close rounds, Groves won narrowly on points and secured one of the most important victories of his career.
Chris Eubank (England) vs. Michael Watson (England) II, 1991, super middleweight
After their first fight in 1991, which Eubank controversially won, the rematch took place in London on September 21, 1991. Watson had improved and dominated the first rounds with precise punches. In the eleventh round, Watson sent Eubank to the floor, but Eubank countered and hit Watson with a devastating uppercut. The fight was stopped in the twelfth round and Eubank was declared the winner. Tragically, Watson suffered serious head injuries that would change his life.
Anthony Joshua (England) vs. Dillian Whyte (Jamaica/England), 2015, heavyweight
Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte had already fought each other as amateurs, with Whyte winning. Their professional fight on December 12, 2015 in London was therefore eagerly awaited. Both boxers started aggressively and Whyte hit Joshua with hard punches that put him in trouble. Joshua recovered and took control in the following rounds. In the seventh round, Joshua hit Whyte with a huge uppercut that sent him down. Joshua won by knockout and retained his unbeaten record.
Frank Bruno (England) vs. Joe Bugner (England/Hungary), 1987, heavyweight
Frank Bruno and Joe Bugner met in London on October 24, 1987. Bugner, an experienced heavyweight, returned from retirement to take on the up-and-coming Bruno. It was a physically intense fight with hard punches on both sides. Bruno used his youth and power to bring Bugner to his knees with a series of punches in the eighth round. The referee stopped the fight and Bruno won by TKO.
Tony Bellew (England) vs. David Haye (England) I, 2017, Heavyweight
Tony Bellew and David Haye had a bitter rivalry that led to a thrilling fight in London on March 4, 2017. Haye, the favorite, injured his leg in the sixth round, but continued to fight. Bellew seized the moment and took control. When Haye went down again in the eleventh round, his corner threw in the towel. Bellew won by TKO in a fight that forced Haye into retirement and established Bellew at heavyweight.
Henry Cooper (England) – Joe Bugner (England/Hungary), 1971, heavyweight
Henry Cooper, a popular British heavyweight, met Joe Bugner in London on March 16, 1971. It was Cooper’s farewell fight and many fans were hoping for one last victory for the veteran. It was a hard-fought fight in which both boxers had their moments. The younger and stronger Bugner eventually won on points. The decision was controversial and divided opinion, but Bugner was declared the winner. Cooper retired from boxing as a result.
George Groves (England) vs. Chris Eubank Jr. (England), 2018, super middleweight
The fight between George Groves and Chris Eubank Jr. took place on February 17, 2018 in Manchester as part of the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series. Groves, the experienced WBA World Super Middleweight Champion, used his experience and reach to keep Eubank Jr. at a distance. Eubank Jr. fought aggressively, but Groves’ precision and tactics gave him the advantage. After twelve rounds, Groves won by unanimous decision on points to secure a place in the final of the tournament.
Josh Taylor (Scotland) vs. Jack Catterall (England) I, 2022, light-welterweight
The fight between Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall on February 26, 2022 in Glasgow was a close duel. Taylor, the undisputed world light-welterweight champion, was considered the favorite, but the unbeaten challenger Catterall put Taylor under pressure with precise punches. Many experts and spectators saw Catterall as the winner, but the judges narrowly awarded Taylor the victory. The controversial decision led to discussions and calls for a rematch.
Chris Eubank Jr. (England) vs. Liam Williams (Wales), 2022, middleweight
On February 5, 2022, Chris Eubank Jr. and Liam Williams met in Cardiff. Eubank Jr. started strongly and knocked Williams down several times in the early rounds. Williams battled back and showed great fighting spirit in the final rounds, but Eubank Jr. had enough of an advantage to take the fight by unanimous points. This victory secured Eubank Jr. a top spot in the middleweight division.
Tyson Fury (England) vs. Derek Chisora (England) II, 2014, heavyweight
Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora met for the second time on November 29, 2014 in London. Their first fight took place in 2011 and ended with a points victory for Fury. In the rematch, Fury dominated from the start with his reach and technical superiority. Chisora struggled to hit Fury and after ten rounds Chisora’s corner gave up the fight. Fury won by technical knockout and cemented his status as one of the leading challengers in the heavyweight division.
Kell Brook (England) vs. Amir Khan (England), 2022, welterweight
The eagerly awaited fight between Kell Brook and Amir Khan will take place in Manchester on February 19, 2022. The rivalry between the two British welterweights had been going on for years and fans were eagerly awaiting who would emerge victorious. Brook dominated the fight from the start with precise punches and great aggression. In the sixth round, the referee stopped the fight when Khan was hit by a series of punches. Brook won by technical knockout, ending one of the longest rivalries in British boxing.
Joe Calzaghe (Wales) vs. Robin Reid (England), 1999, super middleweight
Joe Calzaghe defended his WBO super middleweight title on February 13, 1999 in Newcastle against former WBC world champion Robin Reid. Reid, an experienced and strong opponent, gave Calzaghe a close and hard-fought fight. After twelve rounds, Calzaghe was declared the winner by a narrow points decision. The fight was very controversial, as many spectators and experts felt that Reid had landed more punches. Nevertheless, the fight was a typical “Battle of Britain”, as two of the best British super middleweights of the time clashed.
The “Battle of Britain” that never happened:
Ricky Hatton (England) vs. Junior Witter (England)
Although the fight between Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter never took place, there was much discussion and public calls for a “Battle of Britain” fight between the two during their active careers. Both boxers fought at light-welterweight and were regarded as the best British boxers in that weight class. Their rivalry was based on a mixture of personal animosity and a desire to assert supremacy in British boxing. Unfortunately, the fight never came to pass, but it remains a significant “what if?” in British boxing history.
Text: Andreas Ohlberger