The
super-middleweight division in the UK has largely been responsible for putting
British boxing on the map. The likes of Watson, Eubank, Benn, Calzaghe and
Froch have all had a huge impact on the sport this side of the pond.
In
the past 10 years, there has been a new wave of British super-middleweights
threatening to become the world’s best. ‘Saint’ George Groves had his moment in
the spotlight when he almost derailed, the man with the granite chin, Carl
Froch. However, since their first fight in Manchester, Groves has looked a
shadow of his former arrogant self and there is little chance that he will
return to the upper-echelons of the division. His chin and gas tank have always
been questioned even though this has never been a major issue for him, but he
simply does not have the same snap on his punches that he used to.
Groves’
arch-rival, James DeGale, a man who made a complete fool of himself when he was
beaten by Groves in a majority decision back in 2011, has had to rebuild his
career both in boxing terms and with the fans. He managed to win the IBF belt
back in 2015, beating Andre Dirrell on points and he defended it against a past
his best, Lucian Bute. He is now in negotiations with WBC champion, Badou Jack,
to decide who is no.1 in ever-weakening 168 lb division. DeGale has never shown
a desire or an eagerness to be the best, he shows glimpses of his unbelievable
talent in the ring but only ever glimpses. 15 second bursts of brilliance are
never linked together across a whole fight shows that he is more interested in
his bank balance than in being the best.
Callum
Smith towers above the rest his opponents at an astonishing 6’3 and how he
makes super-middleweight is simply beyond me. He is the current mandatory
challenger for Jack’s WBC title however if DeGale and Jack fight first as
expected, fans could be treated to a domestic bust-up at some point next year.
There is no doubt that Smith has the potential to be a 168 great however at
this moment in time it is only potential and it will be fascinating to see how
his career pans out in the next year or so.
However,
the man who is going to rise above all the others is Swindon born, Jamie Cox.
Sitting pretty with a padded record of 20-0, the man is yet to be fully tested
largely due to injuries he has sustained throughout his career and a six-month
prison sentence, which he has now served. Promoter, Frank Warren has struggled
to get the big fights for Cox simply due to the danger he poses to the top
level fighters and without a name, he is simply not worth the risk.
Now
30 years old, Cox really needs the big fights and fast, if he is going to fulfil
the huge potential that he has shown. Like all Warren fighters, the WBO will be
the desired route however the belt is currently with Mexican, Gilberto Ramirez
and it is unlikely that Bob Arum will risk his prospect just yet with an animal
like Cox. It is certainly the case that he could beat all the top fighters this
side of the pond however it is more a question of whether he can get in the
ring with them rather than if he could beat them. Let’s hope he gets the break
his skills deserve.
Sam
Metcalfe
@boxingguru44
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