British Boxing Alert: Five Top Prospects to Watch

By Roy “Sharpshooter” Bennett

When RSR Chief “Bad” Brad Berkwitt asked me to put together a shortlist of the 5 best prospects in British boxing my face lit up like a Christmas tree. Being from the UK myself the British boxing scene is close to my heart. As a young lad from London I would attend professional boxing promotions at such esteemed venues as the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena to watch professional fight cards back in the early 1980’s. I consider it an honor to have seen British greats such as Ken Buchanan, Tony Sibson, Colin Jones, Frank Bruno, Charlie Magri, etc fight in the flesh.

But what of the United Kingdom’s boxing future? I’m happy to be able to report it’s looking very bright indeed. Everybody loves a Blue Chip prospect. That can’t miss young boxer with the look and the skills that lead to the golden ticket of fame and fortune. I’m no different. Right now there are several talented young British standouts punching for pay within the ranks who are making waves that our American brethren across the pond should take note of.

Currently at world level British boxing is enjoying a renaissance with two of our more seasoned young boxers winning ‘world’ titles on American soil within the last year. In August, 2014 Sheffield ring mechanic Kell Brook shut down Shawn Porter to win the IBF welterweight strap, and in May, 2015 former Olympic gold medalist and southpaw Londoner James DeGale let it all hang out in beating Andre Dirrell for the vacant IBF super middleweight title.

Hopefully it won’t be long before one or all five of the British boxers on my list are following in their footsteps and challenging for ‘world’ title honors.

5. Anthony Joshua – Heavyweight

13-0, 13 KO’s

I know what you’re thinking. The 2012 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist isn’t on the list as number one? Is this guy crazy? You’d only be partially right. Unbeaten as a professional, Joshua has bags of talent. The sky is indeed the limit for this impressive heavyweight puncher from Watford, England.

No doubt Joshua has the potential to become a crossover star. He looks and sounds the way a future heavyweight world champion should. Articulate and personable, and possessing a chiseled physique of coffee colored marble hewn from hard work in the gym supported by solid technique, his appeal to fans is already proving to be immense. His fast hands, genuine knockout power, size, and natural athleticism only add to what is already a considerable package. Of his thirteen professional starts not one opponent has managed to hear the final bell.

Joshua’s fellow Olympic team mate Luke Campbell, also on this list, has joked, “Anthony Joshua is the last bloke I’d want to find in bed with my misses.”

In trouble with the authorities as a young man Joshua himself has said, “I could’ve been a stereotype.” Young, black, and in trouble with the law. At one point he was required to wear an electronic tag and was banned from entering a district in the local area for thirteen months. Required to report to the police station three times per week Joshua looked to keep disciplined and stay away from trouble. Boxing came to the rescue, as it has done for so many young ethnic minority youths before him, when his cousin took him to the local boxing club. He never looked back.

Joshua worked hard and showed talent early. As a relative novice he won the national amateur championships at his first attempt in 2010. The following year he repeated the feat. Selected to represent Great Britain at the world championships in 2011 in Baku, Azerbaijan, he won a silver medal. After only boxing for a total of 4 years he won the Olympic gold medal at super heavyweight. Fourteen months later he turned professional.

So far he’s done everything asked of him but the lack of professional rounds in the bank mean it’s time for a step up in the level of his competition. But the spectra of amateur conqueror Dillian Whyte looms large. The unbeaten Jamaican puncher 15-0, 12 KO’s, turned professional in 2011 and seems eager to prove his amateur win over Joshua was no fluke. Word is they are are due to renew hostilities before year’s end and if Joshua comes through that fight unscathed he may well prove to be everything they say he is. Until then let’s just say I’m excited about him but will keep a level head until he proves superior to Whyte. Next up, Joshua is scheduled to face the unbeaten Gary Cornish, 21-0, 12 KO’s,
for the Commonwealth title in September.

4. Callum Smith – Super middleweight

17-0, 12 KO’s

Smith is from a boxing family based in Liverpool, England. At 25 years old he is the youngest of four boxing brothers and the general consensus is he is the most talented of the siblings. Smith won the national amateur championship twice (2010 and 2011) at welterweight and middleweight. He was also a Commonwealth Games silver medalist in 2010.

At 6′ 3″ he is tall and rangy for the weight. An excellent body puncher he shortens up his punches very well and has shown good power with either hand. Smith appears to have a very cool head on his shoulders for a young fighter. He delivers punches in textbook fashion, throws classy combinations, and places his punches accurately. He appears to move through the gears effortlessly when the situation calls for a change in tempo and doesn’t waste punches. I like the patient way he goes about breaking his opponents down in the ring. I can see 2016 being a breakout year for him.

3. Jack Catterall – Junior welterweight

12-0, 8 KO’s

Controlled menace is the term that springs to mind when describing Catterall. Some boxing insiders across the pond in the U.S. are aware of his talent and ability already. He was brought into Floyd Mayweather, JR.’s camp to help the pound for pound king prepare for his mega fight with Manny Pacquiao.

A heavy handed, technically sound southpaw with a laser like straight left. He has the full arsenal of punches in his toolbox. Catterall is very composed in the ring and never looks rushed in the way he goes about his work. Solidly built for the weight class, he is a legitimate puncher who knows how to apply effective pressure with his footwork by cutting off an opponent’s escape routes.

He reminds me of a young Miguel Cotto but you can also see the Mayweather influence in the way he utilizes his defense. Catterall also helped Saul “Canelo” Alvarez get ready for his title fight with James Kirkland. Of the time he spent sparring with Mayweather and Alvarez Catterall recalls, “It was like a university degree crammed into six weeks, but what I got back is experience that for a young fighter you just can’t buy.” He’s definitely one to watch.

2. Mitchell Smith – Junior lightweight

13-0, 7  KO’s

The confident Londoner might just turn out to be the best of an excellent bunch. A former junior and senior national amateur champion in consecutive years (2010 and 2011) Smith started boxing at six years old because he was being bullied at school. They wouldn’t dare try to take his lunch money away from him now.

Smith can crack with either hand and has great timing. The 25 year old has a very mature fighting style, and switches his attacks up and down between head and body with ease. Defensively he’s hard to hit with a clean shot because of his ability to slip punches. Well balanced on his feet, he is always in position to throw a fast hard counter shot and is very accurate. Thus far I like what I see. Talent like this doesn’t grow on trees.

1. Luke Campbell – Lightweight

12-0, 10 KO’s

It’s in the eyes. A steely determination the likes of which only the very special ones have. Campbell is a beautifully skilled southpaw with all the moves and was a highly decorated amateur stand out. An Olympic gold medalist at the 2012 London games, world championship silver medalist, European championship winner, and double national amateur champion, Campbell has top class pedigree and has gone from strength to strength as a professional.

When he was a child his father, a coal miner, took him for runs before school and to the boxing gym after school. Campbell fell in love with the sport and became a special boxer with the fierce determination to back up his technical virtuosity.

Smart, patient, defensively sound with good punching power, he has proven to be a versatile tactician. And he’s a draw at the box office. 10,000 fans came out to support him on his debut in his home city of Hull in northern England in 2013. A stark contrast to some top talents in the sport who despite their undoubted pedigree couldn’t sell out their own front room. Andre Ward and Tim Bradley are prime examples.

Known for his work ethic in the gym he continues to strive for a higher level of performance every time out. Dedicated and ambitious he wants to be the best at what he does while he still has the desire to get up early in the mornings to take long runs around the moors.

Campbell states, “Second to me is the first best loser.” In other words he’s not going to settle for anything less than being the top fighter in his division. He’s going to be a hard man to stop.

In my view these five prospects represent the very best of the talent coming out of Britain at the moment. Of course intangibles like chin, heart, and will to win have yet to tested to a level which will show us how durable, resilient, and truly hungry for success these young boxers are at the top level but all will be revealed in good time.

For now let’s continue to marvel at their considerable talents and watch their career development.

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