The benchmark when it comes to domestic rivalries. The genuine disdain mixed with an electric first meeting made their rematch a colossal event.
Like Eubank and Benn before them, these two warred in a bitter first meeting before settling their feud in an historic stadium event.
Tensions rose before their 1985 meeting, with Christie accusing Kaylor of racism, prompting a couple of pre-fight brawls.
- Tony Bellew vs Nathan Cleverly
The bad blood between these two still exists today with their rivalry standing at 1-1 after a terrific first fight followed by a dire rematch.
- George Groves vs James DeGale
This London pair had history and it boiled over into a heated build-up followed by a very close affair. A rematch is still clamoured for.
- David Haye vs Dereck Chisora
A press conference fight turned this rivalry into national news and the pair inevitably clashed in the ring – though the British Boxing Board of Control refused to sanction it.
- Lennox Lewis vs Frank Bruno
Bruno said Lewis – who had won Olympic gold for Canada – was ‘not British’ while Lewis mocked Frank’s appearances in pantos before they met in 1993.
- David Haye vs Audley Harrison
This mismatch generated an enormous amount of attention, mainly thanks to the staged public disputes the pair were involved in beforehand.
- Joe Bugner vs Henry Cooper
This rivalry began at the end of their fight when Bugner was handed a controversial decision. Cooper retired and refused to speak to Joe for years.
- Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte
Joshua’s profile went through the roof after reigniting his venomous dispute with amateur rival Whyte.
