5 British Boxers Who Need a Big Fight Before the End of 2016
If you've ever been asked to set up a friend on a blind date, you'll know matchmaking is not as easy as first thought.
Promoters find it just as tricky when it comes to making fights in the world of boxing.
Pick someone too easy and expect plenty of complaints about a mismatch. Choose an opponent too far the other way and you're setting your fighter up for a painful fall.
Politics play a part, too. There are rankings to take into consideration. Add in the need to secure the best financial package available and it shows how tricky the task can be.
Now almost halfway through 2016, several notable British fighters are hoping they will get a career-defining night before the year comes to an end.
Here, Bleacher Report has picked out five who need to face a big name at this stage of their careers.
Please note: There is no honourable mentions slide because, well, an awful lot of fighters could be worth a mention! British boxing is blessed with so many talented pros right now.
Kell Brook
1 of 5
An obvious name for this list, Kell Brook is an unbeaten world champion who has just turned 30.
Since taking the IBF belt from Shawn Porter in August 2014, Brook has faced mandatory challengers Jo Jo Dan and Kevin Bizier, with a domestic defence against Frankie Gavin sandwiched in between.
The welterweight from Sheffield, England, has done the hard yards to reach the top—now he's looking to take on the best at 147 pounds...or higher.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has stated in the past that the Special One (36-0, 25 KOs) will move up to super welterweight in the near future.
According to Phil D Jay of World Boxing News, Brook is set to face WBO holder Jessie Vargas on September 3 in a unification clash.
That's a good start, but there's still time before the end of 2016 to squeeze in someone even bigger.
Whether that is in terms of reputation or size is up to the fighter and Hearn. Brook is simply too good to be wasting time on many more mediocre mandatories.
Terry Flanagan
2 of 5
Like fellow Englishman Brook, lightweight Terry Flanagan is a world champion with an unblemished record.
The 27-year-old from Manchester (30-0, 12 KOs) was last seen defending his WBO title against compatriot Derry Matthews in March.
His next defence is booked in for the undercard of Tyson Fury's heavyweight clash against Wladimir Klitschko, with Flanagan facing Mzonke Fana on July 9.
South African Fana is a former super featherweight world champion. He's also 42 with a mixed record since moving up to 135 pounds.
Flanagan—a skilled southpaw—needs tougher tests than fighters like Fana.
He won't likely get to meet local rival Anthony Crolla in 2017—the WBA holder is now booked to face Jorge Linares in September, as announced by Matchroom Boxing on Tuesday.
David Haye
3 of 5
David Haye's ring return has so far involved a lot more talking than fighting.
The London heavyweight (28-2, 26 KOs) has beaten up the overmatched Mark de Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj in his two comeback fights after a three-and-a-half-year absence.
Both bouts seemed to be more about the occasion than the level of opposition—neither of Haye's rivals were suitable sparring partners, let alone opponents for a main event.
The two-weight world champion appears set to face Shannon Briggs next.
American Briggs is confident. He told Sky Sports News HQ (h/t Peter Gilbert of SkySports.com): "In memory of Muhammad Ali I will be knocking out David Haye in one round."
However, the Cannon is now 44 years of age. Talking himself into a profitable clash with Haye may well represent his biggest victory in the last decade.
After Briggs, Haye should still have time to squeeze in one more outing before the end of 2016.
It can only be hoped it's against a foe better known for their skills in the ring rather than someone who just has the gift of the gab.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Billy Joe Saunders
4 of 5
It seems like an eternity since Billy Joe Saunders became WBO middleweight champion.
The unbeaten southpaw (23-0, 12 KOs) dethroned Andy Lee in Manchester, England, in December 2015 to claim the title.
However, since then his career has been held up by a hand injury.
His first scheduled defence, against Max Bursak in April, had to be cancelled after Saunders hurt himself in training.
In an interview with Matt Horan of World Boxing News, the 26-year-old confirmed plans to return in September.
He also stated again his desire to face Gennady Golovkin, the golden ticket for every fighter at middleweight now Saul "Canelo" Alvarez has vacated his WBC title:
"The super-fight with Golovkin is the big one and the one that can change everything for me and my family. I want the fight and I understand that he is one of the biggest names in boxing so it shouldn’t be all my own way. Even so, I have a lot of say and there are just a couple of little things I want my way, then we can fight.
"
Saunders is a seriously talented fighter of whom we are still yet to see the best in the paid ranks.
Liam Smith
5 of 5
Apologies if you've spotted a common theme here with the majority of the selections.
Like several of his colleagues in this slideshow, Liam Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) is a world champion who still wants more.
Beefy holds the WBO super welterweight title, giving him bragging rights over his fighting siblings Callum, Paul and Stephen (who haven't won a world belt...yet).
However, since picking up the belt, Smith has defended it against two relatively unknown fighters in Jimmy Kelly and Predrag Radosevic.
It's not as if the Liverpudlian isn't keen to take on the best at 154 pounds either.
There is one name in particular that gets his juices flowing, as he told BBC Sport: "Every time anyone mentions Canelo [Alvarez] and [Las] Vegas to me, it gives me goose bumps."
While Canelo may be the top target, there are plenty of other candidates in the division. Twins Jermell and Jermall Charlo and Erislandy Lara all hold world titles.
And what about Demetrius Andrade? The American is a former WBO champion who may want the chance to get his old belt back.
Which British fighters do you want to see involved in big fights before 2017? Bleacher Report wants you to offer your opinion by using the comments section.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
