Split image of Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury both looking into the distance with an inset of Eddie Hearn looking into distance. Credit: Richard Pelham/Matt McNulty/Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Tyson Fury and Lennox Lewis snubbed as Eddie Hearn names four British boxing GOATs

Originally posted on Bloody Knockout | By Donal Long | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 12:51 PM ET

Britain has managed to produce some of the most entertaining boxers of all time, as dozens of notable champions hail from the region.

Not only has the country hosted rivalries such as Chris Eubank vs Nigel Benn and George Groves vs Carl Froch, but individual stars have also excelled on the world stage.

Much debate has been had in regard to who the greatest fighter to hail from Britain is. Some base their choice on achievements, while others would opt for the skillset of a certain athlete.

One fighter who may know British boxing better than anyone is Eddie Hearn. When asked who the greatest fighter from his home country was, the Englishman gave four names.

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Anthony Joshua included as Eddie Hearn names four British boxing GOATs for different reasons

The Matchroom Boxing promoter was a recent guest on the Let Me Tell You Something podcast hosted by Derek Chisora and former football player Jermaine Jenas.

In the podcast, Hearn was asked who he thought the greatest British boxer of all time was. Before unveiling his top pick, Hearn named three fighters who were the greatest in their own right.

Despite Tyson Fury and Lennox Lewis being two of the greatest heavyweights of all time, neither man received a mention from the promoter.

Instead, Hearn started his answer by saying, “I will say, ability-wise, pure ability and legacy and record, Joe Calzaghe.”

The Welsh fighter retired with a professional record of 46-0, after Calzaghe survived a knockdown from Roy Jones Jr. in his final fight.

Calzaghe was also a unified super middleweight champion before retiring in 2008.

The boxing promoter then mentioned another fighter for a much different reason. “From a natural skill and entertainment perspective, Prince Naseem Hamed”

Hamed was known for his smooth style in the ring, and is considered to be one of the most exciting boxers of all time. In 2002, Hamed retired with a professional record of 36-1.

The third honorable mention from Hearn was his heavyweight star, Anthony Joshua. “In terms of what they did for the sport, AJ.”

Eddie Hearn’s ultimate pick for the greatest British boxer of all time is Carl Froch

Although there were four names mentioned by Hearn in the podcast, he felt that one fighter stood above the rest.

“Because of the experience and because of how tough he was, I have to give it to Carl Froch.”

Hearn added that he didn’t feel Froch was the most skillful British boxer of all time, but justified his reasoning in other ways.

“I know there were better fighters but for me, Carl was like… This guy would scrap. If there was a 5p piece down there, he would have it with you for the 5p.”

Hearn went on to recall Froch’s fight with Lucian Bute in 2012, where he described the British fighter as ‘a man possessed’ and that he loved him for the performance.

Froch retired in 2014, with a professional record of 33-2. During his career, ‘The Cobra’ was a three-time super middleweight champion.

This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

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