Here's the first of a series of articles celebrating (if that's the right word) the best British fighters never to get their hands on a proper world title. First up is Mancunian warhorse Michael Brodie...
Trying to find a classic Michael Brodie fight is a bit like trying to find a good Chinese restaurant in London's Chinatown - you're spoilt for choice.
'Mikie' couldn't be in a bad fight if he tried and despite having some neat boxing skills, more often than not he would get drawn into a tear-up with thrilling consequences.
Take your pick from his impressive legacy.
One of my personal favourites was Brodie's British Super-Bantamweight Championship see-saw battle with Neil Swain in 1997. These two warriors traded blows for fun, with either fighter looking ready to go at various stages of the scrap. The younger, fresher Brodie eventually prevailed in the tenth round and Swain was never to fight again - despite his heroic efforts.
Another classic battle came in 2003 against In-Jin Chi for the vacant WBC Featherweight title. Going into the bout Brodie was favoured over a relatively unknown South Korean opponent (whose best effort had been a valiant but clear losing effort to the great Erik Morales). In-jin Chi was massive at the weight and used a steam roller method to try and drive back the naturally smaller Brodie. The Mancuanian boxer tried to use the sharper skills and his best efforts came when he used sickening body shots which proved more effective against the granite-chinned Chi. It was hard to separate the two and after Chi had initially been announced the victor, the cards were checked again and a draw was the outcome.
Brodie didn't seem the same after that and lost his next two world title shots. First he was bulldozed by Chi in the rematch (Brodie at this stage appeared to have personal problems surrounding a messy divorce) and a 2005 shot against then WBO belt holder Scott Harrison - despite a few classy moments - ended in a fourth round knockout.
Despite two comback fights the road to a world title for Brodie has long ended.
Surely his best opportunity to win a world title was in 2000 against Willie Jorrin. Attempting to win the Super-Bantamweight Championship Brodie was desperately unlucky to lose a majority points decision after most obsevers had him winning.
It was a hard luck story for Brodie who never managed to get Naseem Hamed in the ring with him (the two had fought has amateurs, with Hamed prevailing). Unfortunately he neither got the chance to fight Spencer Oliver - a hugely talented Super-Bantamweight from Barnet who had to retire at the age of 23 after suffering a brain clot.
Michael Brodie unquestionably had the tools to be a world champion, though he was better suited to Super-Bantamweight as he often lacked the presence of size at featherweight. His strengths were an iron will, nice jab and ability to deliver wicked bodyshots.
To win the British and Commonwealth titles and to defend the European Championship five times is an impressive feat. While to cap it all off, delivering stunning fan-friendly fights is a fine accomplishment.
Assuming he doesn't return to the ring (his last fight was a third round knockout to Anthony Crolla last year), Brodie's record reads 36-4-1. This talented and brave fighter can be justifiably proud of his achievements if consider himself unlucky not to have won a world title.
Trying to find a classic Michael Brodie fight is a bit like trying to find a good Chinese restaurant in London's Chinatown - you're spoilt for choice.
'Mikie' couldn't be in a bad fight if he tried and despite having some neat boxing skills, more often than not he would get drawn into a tear-up with thrilling consequences.
Take your pick from his impressive legacy.
One of my personal favourites was Brodie's British Super-Bantamweight Championship see-saw battle with Neil Swain in 1997. These two warriors traded blows for fun, with either fighter looking ready to go at various stages of the scrap. The younger, fresher Brodie eventually prevailed in the tenth round and Swain was never to fight again - despite his heroic efforts.
Another classic battle came in 2003 against In-Jin Chi for the vacant WBC Featherweight title. Going into the bout Brodie was favoured over a relatively unknown South Korean opponent (whose best effort had been a valiant but clear losing effort to the great Erik Morales). In-jin Chi was massive at the weight and used a steam roller method to try and drive back the naturally smaller Brodie. The Mancuanian boxer tried to use the sharper skills and his best efforts came when he used sickening body shots which proved more effective against the granite-chinned Chi. It was hard to separate the two and after Chi had initially been announced the victor, the cards were checked again and a draw was the outcome.
Brodie didn't seem the same after that and lost his next two world title shots. First he was bulldozed by Chi in the rematch (Brodie at this stage appeared to have personal problems surrounding a messy divorce) and a 2005 shot against then WBO belt holder Scott Harrison - despite a few classy moments - ended in a fourth round knockout.
Despite two comback fights the road to a world title for Brodie has long ended.
Surely his best opportunity to win a world title was in 2000 against Willie Jorrin. Attempting to win the Super-Bantamweight Championship Brodie was desperately unlucky to lose a majority points decision after most obsevers had him winning.
It was a hard luck story for Brodie who never managed to get Naseem Hamed in the ring with him (the two had fought has amateurs, with Hamed prevailing). Unfortunately he neither got the chance to fight Spencer Oliver - a hugely talented Super-Bantamweight from Barnet who had to retire at the age of 23 after suffering a brain clot.
Michael Brodie unquestionably had the tools to be a world champion, though he was better suited to Super-Bantamweight as he often lacked the presence of size at featherweight. His strengths were an iron will, nice jab and ability to deliver wicked bodyshots.
To win the British and Commonwealth titles and to defend the European Championship five times is an impressive feat. While to cap it all off, delivering stunning fan-friendly fights is a fine accomplishment.
Assuming he doesn't return to the ring (his last fight was a third round knockout to Anthony Crolla last year), Brodie's record reads 36-4-1. This talented and brave fighter can be justifiably proud of his achievements if consider himself unlucky not to have won a world title.
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