Surely, every city with residents who have brought it sporting glory in martial arts, such as boxing, engages in debates about who its greatest fighter is. Birmingham is no exception. Here is a look at the 10 most outstanding boxers from Birmingham of all time. Read more at ibirmingham.info.
Wayne Elcock
Wayne Elcock retired too early in his career, but his record still boasts enough remarkable victories to earn him a place on this list. In fact, Wayne never fully realised his potential. He claimed the middleweight world championship title, defeating Anthony Farnell for the WBU belt in 2003. It was an impressive performance, but not one that would have caused WBC champion Bernard Hopkins to worry.
Elcock also won the British middleweight title by stopping Steve Bendall in 2006 and successfully defended it against Howard Eastman. He retired from boxing after losing the middleweight crown to Matthew Macklin in 2009.
Frankie Gavin
Frankie Gavin was an exceptionally gifted fighter, whose talent earned him the world amateur championship title. Frankie possessed an old-school skill set, which helped him carve a path through British welterweight boxing. His victories include notable names such as Young Mutley, Junior Witter, Jason Welborn, Denton Vassell, Bradley Pryce, Bradley Skeete, and Curtis Woodhouse.
Although defeats to Kell Brook and Sam Eggington tarnished his reputation, at his peak, Frankie was a world-class athlete.
Robert McCracken
Robert McCracken’s outstanding career and success have somewhat faded from public memory. This is partly because many of his famous victories occurred towards the end of his career, when his skills began to wane.
However, at his best, McCracken was a force to be reckoned with. He defeated tough opponents like Andy Till to claim the British welterweight title in 1994. He defended the title against formidable fighters Steve Foster and Paul Wesley before winning the Commonwealth middleweight crown by defeating Fitzgerald Bruni.
McCracken’s ambition to win a world middleweight title was thwarted by Keith Holmes, and he retired after a loss to Howard Eastman in their European title bout.
Jem Carney
Jem Carney secured his place in boxing folklore with one incredible bout. On a scorching day in November 1887, in Revere, Massachusetts, British lightweight king Jem Carney and American world champion Jack McAuliffe engaged in one of the most brutal contests ever witnessed. The fight became infamous when McAuliffe’s supporters stormed the ring three times to prevent their fighter from being knocked out.
The referee, fearing for his safety amidst the escalating violence, declared the fight a draw. Carney protested vociferously, and McAuliffe claimed he had been kneed in the groin and even bitten.
Jack Hood
Jack Hood never secured a world championship, but this consummate gentleman of the ring was good enough to win the British welterweight title twice, as well as claim the European crown. Despite weighing only 107 pounds, Hood defeated Belgium’s heavyweight champion Louis Vusteraad and knocked out European middleweight king Bruno Frattini. In 1929, Hood forced a draw with the great Len Harvey in a bold attempt to win the British middleweight title.
Bunny Johnson
Bunny Johnson makes this list as the elder statesman of Birmingham boxing. Johnson, now in his 70s, became Britain’s first Black heavyweight champion when he defeated Danny McAlinden in 1975. Remarkably, he achieved this feat while weighing just slightly over the light-heavyweight limit. As a fighter, Johnson was slick and possessed surprising power.
He went on to dominate the British light-heavyweight division, earning respect at a time when Caribbean boxers faced significant challenges.
Khalid Yafai
Khalid Yafai is Birmingham’s only boxer to hold a globally recognised world title. Kal defeated Luis Concepcion for the WBA super-flyweight belt in a thrilling night at the Barclaycard Arena. He successfully defended his title against Suguru Muranaka in the same venue.
Matthew Macklin
Matthew Macklin, a whirlwind of unrestrained fighting fury, was destined to become a world middleweight champion. His controversial split-decision loss to Felix Sturm in Cologne was considered a robbery by many. Macklin was a brilliant boxer and an electrifying fighter who claimed British and European middleweight titles. His epic loss to Jamie Moore for the British light-middleweight crown cements his place among Birmingham’s greats.
Charlie Mitchell
Charlie Mitchell, born on 24 November 1861, was the sport’s first self-promoter. His sharp tongue and verbal jabs infuriated his opponents, but he could back up his talk. Mitchell fought twice against John L. Sullivan, the Mike Tyson of his era. Their second legendary encounter at the Chateau de Chantilly in France ended in a draw after both men, battered beyond recognition, were too weak to lift their arms.
The fight, held in pouring rain in 1888, lasted over two hours. Mitchell won numerous bouts but was ultimately defeated by Gentleman Jim Corbett.
Owen Moran
Owen Moran was a ferocious competitor with a fiery temper. Moran had a reputation for ruthlessness and an insatiable desire to inflict damage on his opponents. Known for his aggression, he gained respect in the United States at a time when British fighters were often derided.
Moran’s most notable moment came in 1910, when he dismantled former lightweight champion Battling Nelson in San Francisco, landing a devastating right hand in the 11th round. However, his quest for the world featherweight title was marred by two contentious draws against Abe Attell in 1908 and a loss to champion Ad Wolgast in 1911, following a controversial 13th-round knockout. Moran retired and passed away in 1949.