Top 10 Must Happen Fights Involving British Fighters

As it says on the tin - the following article will highlight what I believe to be ten fights which will have British fans positively salivating at what I reckon will be cracking action. The sport right now in terms of the standard of fighters we have is in rude health to say the least - if even half of these fights were to be made then British Boxing would be flying!

Rules: Simple. The fight simply has to involve a British fighter, whether that be against another British fighter or not. I will outline why it's such a great fight and what I believe would happen should the fight come to fruition.

1. David Haye v Wladimir Klitschko

Assuming Haye gets past John Ruiz in April then it is well documented that he would like a Klitschko to be next. I believe this should be the more beatable Klitschko in the form of Wladimir.

What you would have is two supposed chinny bangers and we all know what happens when chinny bangers collide. Haye, by his antics has angered the Klitschkos and I believe you would see a fully focused Wladimir in there trying to take Haye's head off. Big mistake. I am going to go for the slight upset. Haye to knock out baby brother in less than three rounds before coming up agonisingly short against big brother.

2. Ryan Rhodes v Sergio Martinez

If there is any justice in the world then Rhodes deserves a fight of this magnitude after re-building his career in heartwarming fashion. It seems a million years ago that we were all watching Rhodes being smacked around in three rounds by Lee Blundell on the BBC. Since then Rhodes has steadily worked his way back into contention and the liekable 'Spice Boy' from Sheffield finalised all his good work in the memorable fight against Jamie Moore last year.

To be honest, I couldn't see Rhodes beating a man who has gone life and death with Paul Williams, but you know what? I don't care. Rhodes deserves the fight for the pay day alone. A brilliant ambassador for British Boxing and probably the most deserving of any fighter of his dream fight than anyone on this list.

3. Matthew Macklin v Jamie Moore

Now this fight needs no selling, just stick on the tape of their first fight to see why this has to happen again. For the record, this time the fighter on the up - Macklin - gains revenge and stops Moore in eight rounds after another memorable fight.

4. Kevin Mitchell v John Murray

Probably the fight on this list which I would look forward to the most; we have a pressure fighter who has paid his dues (and then some) in Murray and a re-born Mitchell, conqueror of that nasty Breidis Prescott. This fight could only be a an absolute barn burner. The outcome? I feel Murray late on would be the percentage call due to his slightly better chin and desire after having been frozen out of the scene recently. However, this could go either way.

5. Amir Khan v Timothy Bradley

You know what? I really like Amir Khan, and I wish many others did to. It is difficult to fathom why he is the subject of so many hate threads on forums, etc. I also happen to think he is a great fighter, and in Bradley he would have an opponent which should he beat he would get the credit he deserves. Khan's speed against Bradley's sheer all round ability would be a fascinating contest. Speed kills, and on that score Khan wins a close but deserved unanimous decision.

6. Amir Khan v Ricky Hatton

I like Khan and I really like Ricky. This fight should happen (if Hatton's comeback fight goes well) and if it did I would love Hatton to turn the clock back which if he did would be enough to win the fight. The reality is that at this stage of the game Khan would probably cut Hatton to ribbons, again speed being the key factor and would stop Hatton inside six rounds.

7. John Simpson v Martin Lindsay

Two of the lesser known fighters on this list, does not mean they are any less deserving. Simpson wins on points in a tough battle.

8. Joe Calzaghe v Carl Froch

Slight change of tack in that one of the fighters has 'retired'. However, I believe this fight could still happen especially if the admirable Froch wins the Super Six. These two don't like each other and this always makes for a good fight. In schoolboy parlance, Froch 'started it' but its fair to say Calzaghe has given more than his fair share back. However, in terms of the fight I couldn't see any back and forth action with the fists, what I could see is Calzaghe outclassing Froch a la Lacy on the way to a wide points win and then proper 'retirement', aka an appearance on Loose Women.

9. Darren Barker v Matthew Macklin

Second entry here for Macklin, this time against the admirable, all-rounder in Barker - arguably the two best middleweights in Europe here. Again, I lean towards Macklin purely because I don't think Barker has had it tough enough yet. On the premise that these fights happen in 2010 then Macklin wins; beyond that its a 50-50 fight.

10. Nathan Cleverly v Tony Bellew

Top man Tony, BoxRec poster and genuine good egg really wants a piece of Cleverly. However, if the wish came true would he have bitten off more than he can chew. Cleverly is one of those fighters who is much better than people think (and people think he's very good) so make of that what you will.

As much as I think Bellew is a very good fighter, he is still a prospect whereas Cleverly I think is the real deal. A la Macklin v Barker if this fights happens in 2010 then Clev wins by mid rounds KO, any later and it becomes closer.

How many of the above will happen? Probably fewer than half, but what a list of fights and it reminds you how good British boxing could be.

Frank (x2), Mick, Barry et al - make them happen!