5 All-British Fights That Boxing Fans Would Love to See in 2016
In his address to accept the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in 1968, Richard Nixon said: "After an era of confrontation, the time has come for an era of negotiation."
He was talking at the time to the leaders of the Communist world, but the words also match the current climate in British boxing.
Negotiations took place in 2015 between Eddie Hearn and Barry McGuigan, leading to a unification fight between Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton being signed for February 2016.
It is not the only long-awaited showdown between two Brits that could take place in the coming months.
After all their verbal sparring in the media, Kell Brook and Amir Khan could be set to meet in a ring at Wembley Stadium.
Brook's promoter Hearn is confident a deal can be struck, per John Dennen of Boxing News: "We’re talking, I’ve sent through the figures for a proposed bout June 4 at Wembley [Stadium] and I think it will happen."
When you add in lightweight Terry Flanagan's world title defence against Derry Mathews on January 30, the British boxing fans are finally getting the fights they want.
But, what are the other clashes that could happen in 2016?
Here, Bleacher Report has picked out five all-British bouts that would be great to see in the next 12 months. We have also rated the chances of them happening.
Honourable Mentions
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Options, options, options. Yes, there are plenty of options. However, not all of the potential fights made the final list.
Tyson Fury is one of Britain's 12 current world champions, and the heavyweight is an obvious target for his domestic rivals now he holds the IBO, WBA and WBO titles.
However, his immediate future is tied to Wladimir Klitschko.
The Ukrainian suffered a first defeat in 11 years against Fury, but he has since confirmed on his Instagram account that he will trigger a rematch clause. We await confirmation over where and when it will take place.
Fury and David Haye were due to meet in the past, yet confirmed dates were cancelled twice by the latter due to injuries. It's unlikely they will try for a third time.
Anthony Joshua is making waves in the division; however, 2016 is too soon for a fight with Fury.
Britain also has a number of lightweights who could be pitched against each other.
As well as world champions Anthony Crolla and Terry Flanagan, there is also Ricky Burns, Luke Campbell, Derry Mathews and, depending on his plans, Kevin Mitchell.
The super middleweights are well stocked, too; though, there is one fight between two legendary names in the division that nobody should be in a rush to see—Chris Eubank Sr. against Nigel Benn.
Gents, the first two fights you had were outstanding. However, there is no need to make it a trilogy now you have a combined age of 100.
Now, on to the five fights. They have been listed in weight order, starting with the heavy men.
David Haye vs. Anthony Joshua
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An all-London heavyweight clash between David Haye and Anthony Joshua would rock the capital.
Haye knows that, too, telling Martin Domin of the Mail: "The heavyweight division is a complicated one so I'm going to take it one fight at a time. A fight with Anthony Joshua is one the British public would love to see later on in 2016."
Of course, the tantalising prospect can only happen if Hayemaker not only stays fit but also shows some of the old magic.
The 35-year-old has not been seen in a ring since he stopped Dereck Chisora in July 2012. He retired due to a shoulder injury but is scheduled to make his comeback against Mark de Mori on January 16.
Joshua, meanwhile, is the darling of the British boxing scene right now.
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist has compiled a 15-0 record since turning pro after the London Games, with all of his victories coming via knockouts.
He is seen as a future heavyweight champion of the world. Haye has achieved that in the past, yet he would like the chance to show he can still reach the same heights again.
Will it happen in 2016?
There's a good chance, yes. Haye hasn't got time to hang around in his second coming, and Joshua should welcome the chance to beat a former world champion. Oh, plus it would make both fighters a lot of money.
James DeGale vs. George Groves
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Super middleweights James DeGale and George Groves don't like each other.
The rivalry stems back to their amateur careers but was fuelled further by an early meeting in the paid ranks.
Groves has beaten DeGale three times so far, including a points win in May 2011 that saw him walk away with the British and Commonwealth titles.
However, Saint George has failed in three attempts to become a world champion.
In contrast, DeGale is now in possession of the IBF belt. He has teamed up with Al Haymon to maximise his earnings potential, with his last two bouts taking place in North America.
Yet while he may hold a world title, Chunky doesn't own a win over Groves, as his fellow Londoner reminded him, per Declan Taylor of the Mail: "Every time we box I'm going to beat him. I've got his number. I'm more than happy with that."
The only way to settle the score is to have a rematch.
Will it happen in 2016?
Not likely. DeGale told Taylor in an article for the Star: "If he wants the chance, and wants to make a bit more money, he’s got to be a bit nicer to me and start giving me a bit more respect. I don’t need him."
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Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Billy Joe Saunders
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Chris Eubank Jr. and Billy Joe Saunders also don't have a lot of time for each other.
The animosity between the middleweights stretches back to the buildup before their meeting at the ExCel Arena in London back in November 2014.
Saunders came out on top by a split decision on the scorecards. The narrow win saw him secure the British, Commonwealth and European middleweight titles.
The southpaw has since gone on to become a world champion, beating Andy Lee by a majority decision on the scorecards to take the WBO belt from the Irishman in December 2015.
Saunders' win puts him at the big boys' table.
He has been offered a deal to take on Gennady Golovkin in April. However, Oleg Hermann—GGG's manager—reckons the fight won't happen, per Sky Sports.
Eubank Jr. didn't waste much time putting his name in the frame to the face Saunders, tweeting just minutes after the result against Lee had been read out that the old enemies should "get it on in 2016."
However, he is also next in line to challenge WBA champion Daniel Jacobs.
A second clash between Eubank Jr. and Saunders would be made even better if both were able to bring major belts to the table.
Will it happen in 2016?
No. Neither will back down in negotiations, so it would be easier if they just went their separate ways—for now.
Anthony Crolla vs. Terry Flanagan
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The city of Manchester would be divided if lightweight world champions Anthony Crolla and Terry Flanagan were to meet.
Flanagan has another Englishman to deal with first, as he defends his WBO title against Liverpool's Derry Mathews on February 13.
However, Crolla would be a profitable option to consider later in the year.
Frank Warren—Flanagan's promoter—attempted to make it happen in 2015, telling Sheldan Keay of the Manchester Evening News: "We offered Anthony Crolla a lot of money to fight Terry Flanagan but they turned it down in order to have the rematch with Darleys Perez."
Crolla duly defeated Colombian Perez to become the new WBA champion.
As a Matchroom fighter, bouts against Ricky Burns, Luke Campbell and Kevin Mitchell—who are also part of Eddie Hearn's huge stable of fighters—would be easier to make.
But, while he turned down Warren's offer in 2015, that doesn't mean Million Dollar isn't open to the idea of facing southpaw Flanagan.
He told Matt Christie of Boxing News: "It’s not going to be our next fight but if it makes sense, and it will be huge in Manchester, then it’s certainly something I’m interested in and I’m sure Terry is."
Will it happen in 2016?
Both men have talked up a unification fight. It has the potential to be held at a football ground; though, whether it's staged at Manchester United's Old Trafford (the team Crolla supports) or the Etihad Stadium (home of Flanagan's Manchester City) could be a stumbling block in negotiations.
Lee Selby vs. Josh Warrington
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Lee Selby has in his possession something Josh Warrington wants: the IBF featherweight title.
Welshman Selby became champion with victory over Evgeny Gradovich in May 2015. He went on to defend it on American soil, beating Fernando Montiel on points in Arizona.
The Barry Boy Assassin has joined forced with advisor Al Haymon to open up opportunities on American soil.
However, he doesn't have to travel too far to find a willing opponent who also makes financial sense.
Per Sky Sports, Selby is open to the prospect of facing Warrington: "I want to get back in February, over here, not in the States. It looks like it will be mandatory then Warrington in the summer. That's what I want."
Englishman Warrington is the current Commonwealth and WBC International champion.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has previously suggested to Sky Sports that a bout with Selby could take place at Elland Road, the home of Warrington's beloved Leeds United.
Will it happen in 2016?
Yes. If both win fights early in the year, Selby-Warrington will happen in the summer.
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