It's a Knockout! Comparing the Top-Ranked Teams at Euro 2016 to Current Boxers
Boxing and football are sports that go hand-in-hand, right? Right?
Well, maybe not.
However, seeing as Euro 2016 is well underway in France, Bleacher Report thought it would be fun to compare some of the competing nations to current fighters.
Just to be clear, there was some logic behind the teams selected to appear in the list.
Using FIFA's official rankings, the top 10 European countries were chosen. Apologies to those who missed out.
If you have any ideas of your own, please share them via the comments section. And remember, this is all just a bit of fun!
Belgium (FIFA Ranking: 2)
1 of 10
Clearly talented but still with much to prove on the international stage, Belgium are a fascinating team to watch.
They have had their time in the doldrums, but the current crop of players is seen as the country's golden generation.
Belgium have not travelled to Euro 2016 just to compete—they are expected to be challenging for the trophy. The only problem is, however, working out how to squeeze in all their leading names.
They're great for playing with on FIFA 2016, but in real life it's not quite as easy to get all the stars squished into the starting XI.
They're just like...Amir Khan
Obviously talented but still with much to prove, you say? That's a good summary of Khan's career.
After coming to Britain's attention with his performances at the 2004 Olympics as a teenager, Khan has gone on to become a world champion in the paid ranks.
However, there's still a feeling he's yet to make the most of his natural ability. He's prone to suffering painful knockouts, too. Belgium will be hoping the same doesn't apply to them in France.
Germany (FIFA Ranking: 4)
2 of 10
Germany have a tremendous history in major tournaments.
They've won the World Cup four times and the European Championship on three occasions. There is nothing to suggest they can't even up those numbers by lifting the Henri Delaunay in July.
While known for being ruthlessly efficient, the current German squad is far more than just a footballing machine capable of churning out wins.
Their one area of weakness seems to be in attack. Do they have enough punch up front to triumph in the closing stages?
They're just like...Wladimir Klitschko
Klitschko—who has made Germany his boxing home during a long and successful career—seems the perfect match.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion went 11 years without losing before running into Tyson Fury in November 2015.
Dr. Steelhammer is an outstanding professional who doesn't always get the credit he deserves. Unlike Germany, he does have striking power—53 of his 64 victories have come inside the distance.
Spain (FIFA Ranking: 6)
3 of 10
Spain have not lost a game at a European Championships final since June 2004.
According to Sid Lowe of ESPN FC, Turkey boss Fatih Terim, speaking after his side's 3-0 loss to the reigning champions at Euro 2016, branded Spain "good enough to hang in the Louvre."
He's right. They are a joy to watch when in full flow.
It is footballing brutality in a beautiful way. They dominate possession for long periods and have poor opponents chasing shadows.
They're just like...Gennady Golovkin
It is tricky to compare any boxer to the way Spain play football.
But, in terms of dominance, Gennady Golovkin makes the most sense. GGG is unbeaten in 35 fights and has built a fearsome reputation in his sport, just like the Spanish national team.
Who loses first—Spain or Golovkin? Both have an aura of invincibility around them right now.
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Portugal (FIFA Ranking: 8)
4 of 10
When you think about Portugal's national team, you're really thinking about one man—Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid forward is a talismanic figure for his country, although, at 31 years old, time may be running out for him to win a trophy with his compatriots.
Portugal lost on penalties to eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals at Euro 2012. It may well be they missed their chance four years ago, but you've got to be in it to win it.
They're just like...Miguel Cotto
Cotto is a four-weight world champion, so, unlike Portugal, he has had plenty of success at the top level.
However, the Puerto Rican has lost three of his last six outings. At the age of 35, his best days are surely behind him.
Despite going into decline, Cotto remains a huge draw in the sport. Perhaps, like Ronaldo, he's also going to struggle to win a title at this stage of his career.
Austria (FIFA Ranking: 10)
5 of 10
Did you know Austria are ranked 10th in the world? No, neither did I until checking FIFA's list.
A nation on the rise, Marcel Koller's side breezed through qualifying to reach Euro 2016. Their only other appearance in the finals came in 2008, when they were gifted entry as co-hosts (along with Switzerland).
David Alaba is the star turn for the current squad, but Austria are more than a one-trick pony.
They're just like...Errol Spence Jr.
If you want a fighter on the rise, look no further than Spence Jr.
The welterweight has reeled off 20 straight victories as a pro. He flattened Chris Algieri inside five rounds last time out, a feat neither Manny Pacquiao nor Amir Khan managed against the same opponent.
The Truth already looks good, but you get the feeling there's still plenty more to come from him.
Like Austria, the future for Spence Jr. looks bright.
England (FIFA Ranking: 11)
6 of 10
Ah, England. A nation that, when it comes to major tournaments, expects much but tends to deliver little.
While they did win the World Cup way back in 1966, England have made a habit of suffering heartbreaking defeats in recent years. They're particularly poor when it comes to penalty shootouts.
However, that doesn't stop the majority of the country getting really, really, excited again when they qualify for the next event.
Euro 2016 is definitely going to be their year, though. Prepare for manager Roy Hodgson to be knighted in the New Year's Honours list.
They're just like...George Groves
Why don't we just take a look at the similarities between Saint George (without the dragon) and England.
Have they failed to live up to their obvious talent? Check
Have they suffered some tough knockout losses? Check
Do they still have high hopes of glory? Check.
Have they both lost at Wembley? Check.
Case closed.
Italy (FIFA Ranking: 12)
7 of 10
Italy are four-time World Cup winners, although they haven't been quite as successful in the European Championship, lifting the title just the once (in 1968).
The Azzurri have a reputation for being defensively strong.
They are built on solid (if ancient) foundations, with 38-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon seemingly a never-ending presence between the posts.
Age has never been an issue for Italy. According to Opta Paolo, they have the fifth-oldest squad at Euro 2016.
They're just like...Guillermo Rigondeaux
If Floyd Mayweather Jr. were still lacing up the gloves, he would have been the choice here.
However, in his absence, Rigondeaux makes the most sense. The Cuban honed his defensive skills in the amateur ranks, as he won gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.
Rigo, like Italy, isn't always known for wowing crowds with his dazzling displays. He is, though, efficiently excellent and still as good as ever at the age of 35.
Switzerland (FIFA Ranking: 15)
8 of 10
Switzerland perhaps don't quite get the respect they deserve on the international scene.
They have qualified for the last three World Cups, although their European Championship record isn't quite so impressive.
The Swiss have never made it beyond the group stages in their previous appearances in the finals, even in 2008, when they were co-hosts. They didn't even make it out beyond qualifying four years ago.
They're just like...Terry Flanagan
If you're looking for an under-appreciated fighter, how about lightweight world champion Flanagan?
The southpaw—nicknamed Turbo—from Manchester, England, is 30-0 as a pro and holds the WBO belt.
However, he's still in need of that career-defining performance to make him stand out from the crowd. The same can be said for Switzerland.
France (FIFA Ranking: 17)
9 of 10
France are the hosts for Euro 2016, and staging a major tournament always brings a level of pressure.
Les Bleus have enough quality in their squad to suggest they can pull off a repeat of the 1984 European Championship finals, when Michel Platini captained his country to glory on home soil.
There are doubts over their defence, especially with Raphael Varane missing through injury.
However, they have enough pace and power in the final third of the field to cause any opponent problems.
They're just like...Deontay Wilder
The American Wilder knows all about home pressure.
He has carried the hopes of his nation in the heavyweight division for several years—and he has carried them well, too.
The Bronze Bomber is the reigning WBC champion. He's also unbeaten as a pro, with 35 of his 36 victories coming inside the distance.
And yet, despite all his success, there's still a question mark over his defence. Just like France, the test will come when he faces a high-class rival.
Turkey (FIFA Ranking: 18)
10 of 10
You never know quite what to expect from Turkey.
They have plenty of talent, without question. However, temperament and team spirit often scupper their hopes of success.
Their passionate supporters are also quick to turn on their players if results are not up to their high standards.
Fatih Terim's squad finished with a flourish in qualifying to book their place at Euro 2016, recording three successive wins to end up as the best third-placed team.
They're just like...Adrien Broner
You never know quite what to expect from Broner, either.
He is a four-weight world champion who boxing fans seem to either love or hate. Floyd Mayweather Jr. used to like him, but that relationship has soured faster than a Turkish audience bored by a 0-0 scoreline.
Broner's reputation hasn't been helped by some disappointing defeats in the ring and some brushes with the law outside of it.
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