The British boxing scene in 2004 stands poised and expectant, awaiting the next moves of a few key players.

Heavyweight

To begin with, the UK boasts, among its illustrious few, current Heavyweight king, Lennox Lewis. Since his near-debacle in his last fight with (big brother) Klitschko, Lennox has ridden a wave of spiteful criticism; the self-same criticism that followed his loss to Oliver McCall and his loss to Hasim Rahman. The telling difference this time being this criticism is about someone he beat, asking questions about his popularity once again. Despite a handy assault from Vitali, things were looking increasingly ominous for him as he devoured some teeth-rattling uppercuts just prior to the cuts stoppage after six rounds. The boxing world has just learned that Lennox has indeed spat out his gumshield and retired. So what now? Can the UK offer any answers? It is doubtful.

The boxing world needs – no craves, a freakishly dominant heavyweight champ. No-one’s really interested in six or seven guys of similar ability, power and potential – all playing out their pugilistic round-robins while we try to stay awake waiting for one of them to emerge slightly better than the rest. No, what the boxing world wants and craves is someone who looks unbeatable; someone who astonishes with their dominance. A champion in other words. Foreman shook us all (and his opponents) to the souls of our feet, Ali dazzled us with his ability to win; win against monsters, Mike Tyson put boxing back on the map by simply terrifying us. And now we have Lennox Lewis. Lennox never captured the imagination in the way the aforementioned beasts (and beauty) did, but did distinguish himself from the rest of the current crop by the simple definition of being better than them. All of them.

Waiting in the wings, however is a potential heir apparent (at least as far as he’s concerned, and won’t be shy in telling you as much), Olympic Gold Medallist, Audley A-Force Harrison. Despite a sturdy pro record featuring the toppling of tomato cans, redneck windbags and some of the world’s smallest heavyweights he’s a big, quick, deceptively hard-hitter. And if self-conviction alone won championships then Lewis would simply hand the torch across, no questions asked, ‘Here you go mate, look after it.’ He’s one to watch and looks like a juggernaut about to change gear. Another one to keep an eye on is Matt Skelton. He’s big, he’s strong and (despite owning a face like everyone’s worst nightclub doorman) is a softly-spoken and extremely eloquent chap. Former two-time WBO titlist, Herbie Hide has continued to live up to his name and has not been seen since in or around a British ring in some months and with every passing heavyweight match-up, slips further down every fan’s Audley Harrison opponent wish-list.

Crusierweight

Veteran fistic specialist, Johnny Nelson (long-time WBO champ) has had to contend with serious kidnapping threats back in the UK; interfering with what surely must be his autumn years as a pro boxer. Police uncovered a kidnapping plot against the Sheffield showman in 2003 that were substantiated to the point of round-the-clock police CCTV cameras being installed in his home along with industrial bars for all his windows.

Notwithstanding death threats and the like, the amiable granddaddy of the Brendan Ingle school of Hit-and-Not-Be-Hit (past luminaries including Naseem Hamed and Herol Graham) has still a few fights left in him as he nears retirement. Talk around the gyms of the UK’s North-West return again and again to newboy and serious banger, Welshman, Enzo Maccarinelli. Since displaying the kind of sickening power reserved for notable nose-flatteners, Julian Letterlough, Acelino Freitas and the artist formerly known as Hamed, Enzo has been the toast of the Welsh Valleys. And eyeing him with considerable interest is World Amateur star and new professional, David Haye. David looks all business at this stage, though has yet to mix at a suitably telling level to judge his future chances.