Home Columns Ranking British boxing’s loaded lightweight scene: Campbell, Flanagan, Crolla, Mathews, Mitchell, Burns,...

Ranking British boxing’s loaded lightweight scene: Campbell, Flanagan, Crolla, Mathews, Mitchell, Burns, Coyle

Craig Scott

August 10, 2015

Campbell v Brizuela action — Credit: Jason White

Britain has recently been gifted with a ferocious crop of competitive lightweight boxers. Here we compare the top five, discuss possible match-ups and rank them in order of ability.

The Top Five

Luke Campbell – 12-0-0

Luke Campbell is the future. Dubbed ‘Britain’s greatest ever amateur’ by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom based on his Olympic gold medal, Campbell recently dispatched of local rival Tommy Coyle with a classy 10th round stoppage. Bigger challenges will come thick and fast, but with his slick counter-punching and a seamless transition to the paid ranks, this guy will go all the way.

Anthony Crolla – 29-4-3

Anthony Crolla is the people’s champion. Heartbroken following a majority draw in his challenge to the WBA champion Darleys Perez, Crolla has been granted an immediate rematch based on some questionable scorecards. Displaying a sensational work-rate, unbelievable heart and a focus on working the body of his opponents and with his second chance, I think he will be hard to deny in his hometown.

Terry Flanagan – 28-0-0

Terry Flanagan is the only British lightweight world champion. After sneaking in the backdoor and gaining a shot at the WBO title, Terry Flanagan performed as well as he could before Jose Zepeda gave way through injury. Unbeaten, although arguably untested, Manchester’s Flanagan is a constant worker with a decent range of tactics. He can box and move, or he can sit in the pocket and bang.

Derry Matthews – 38-9-2

Derry Matthews has learned from all of his NINE defeats. His old fashioned approach of fighting anyone and everyone has to be admired. The record isn’t pretty, but he’s currently the WBA interim titlist, and he’s a tricky operator with a ‘by any means…’ type mentality. He digs deep and finds that grit from somewhere. I fully expect some memorable domestic dust-ups in the near future.

Kevin Mitchell – 39-3-0

Kevin Mitchell is English boxing’s almost man. Unsuccessful attempts at a world crown have taken their toll, Mitchell most recently suffering a devastating stoppage at the hands of Jorge Linares. Mitchell had previously attempted to dethrone his now-stablemate Ricky Burns and also interim champion Michael Katsidis. His natural ability, technical approach to the game and precise punching have seen him sweep aside many, but has Mitchell got enough left in the tank to finally claim what many feel is rightfully his?

Also in the mix…

Ricky Burns – 38-5-1

Tommy Coyle – 21-3-0

The Rankings

1. Luke Campbell
2. Terry Flanagan
3. Kevin Mitchell
4. Anthony Crolla
5. Derry Mathews

I feel Luke Campbell is something special, he steals the coveted top spot. Flanagan is champion and unbeaten, he must sneak into second place. Mitchell is just ahead of the other two in terms of previous conquests. Crolla and Matthews are tight, and although Mathews has the heads-up victory previously, I just think Crolla is the fresher man so he nips in ahead in fourth place. Matthews in fifth, but never write him off.

It’s a good time to own a television, it’s a better time for British boxing. As such, here are a few intriguing possibilities for fights with this loaded lightweight lineup…

Potential Match-Ups

Campbell vs. Crolla

I believe Campbell and Crolla would mold nicely. Two physically impeccable athletes with a different approach to the game and both massively determined to achieve as much as they can in their careers. Crolla brings hard work and heart in abundance while Campbell brings that natural technical superiority. This would be a classic.

Flanagan vs. Mitchell

Terry Flanagan is our only world champion at the weight, and nobody deserves a world title more than Kevin Mitchell after his previous bids and heartbreaks. Although I’m unsure if this will ever come to fruition, it would be a cracking fight. Explosive work-rate from Flanagan and scientific accuracy from Mitchell would create an intriguing battle for world honors.

Mathews vs. Burns

I feel ‘Dirty’ Derry is just outside of the four fighters mentioned previously. A little rougher round the edges and with more defeats on his record, there is no doubt he has the ability. Ricky Burns is returning to lightweight and I feel this is a great measuring stick for both men. If Derry wins, he knocks on the door of the four men above him. If Burns wins, he is truly back and challenging. Make this happen!