The UK has always had a good supply when it comes to talented lightweight athletes, and here are 10 of the…
1 Ken Buchanan
Buchanan won the British lightweight championship in 1968, then overcame Ismael Laguna in 1970 to win the world lightweight title. The belt he lost to Roberto Duran in 1972, but Buchanan went on to win British and European titles afterwards.
2 Freddie Welsh
The Welshman won British, European and world lightweight titles in a career that began in 1905. He won the world title in 1914, beating Willie Ritchie by more than 20 innings. , and went on to beat men like Benny Leonard, Battling Nelson and Ad Wolgast before retiring in 1922.
3 Jim Watt
After losing his first British title in 1972, Watt recovered by winning the title later that year and then winning the European Championship in 77 and the world lightweight title in 79, stopping Alfredo Pitalua in round 12. He defended the title four times before losing. against Alexis Arguello in ’81.
4 burns from Ricky
Following on from his success in the ultralightweight division, Burns won the WBO lightweight title in 2011 overtaking Michael Katsidis. It was the belt he held on four occasions before competing against Terence Crawford in 2014.
5 Anthony Crolla
A famous Mancunian, Crolla won the British lightweight title in 2011, defeating Willie Limond, and won the WBA title against Darleys Pérez in 2015. He defended the title once against Ismael Barroso and to lost to Jorge Linares.
6 Terry Flanagan
Flanagan became the British lightweight champion in 2014, beat Martin Gethin in retirement and then won the WBO lightweight title with another retirement bout, this time against Jose Zepeda, who suffered a concussion. love. Five defenses after Maurice Hooker dethroned in 2018.
7 Billy Schwer
After winning the British and Commonwealth titles, Schwer retired (due to a cut) against Rafael Ruelas in 1995 for the IBF lightweight title. He then won the European title, the belt he defended three times, in ’97.
8 Gavin Rees
Although his world title came in lightweight, Rees still campaigned successfully at lightweight, winning the 2010 British Championship with a goal from John Watson, then overtaking Andy Murray the following year to become the winner. European Championship.
9 John Murray
All action and fun, Murray twice won the British lightweight championship, stopping Lee Meager and Jon Thaxton, while also lifting the European title, a belt he held twice, after knocking down. Gary Buckland in round 11.
10 Dave Charnley
Known as the “Dartford Terminator”, Charnley excelled at the world championship once in 1959 and 1961, being defeated both times by Joe Brown, but remained the British lightweight champion. , Commonwealth and Europe, defeating Willie Toweel, Mario Vecchiatto, and Fernand Nollet in title battles.
