Sheeraz vs Berlanga - Anthony Joshua, Lennox Lewis, and other British fighters in New York City

The famous fighting city has welcomed many fighters from Britain before, and Christopher Walker looks at some memorable battles where Brits have looked to conquer The Big Apple. 

Lennox Lewis vs Evander Holyfield – 1999 

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Lennox Lewis’ first crack at undisputed glory came at Madison Square Garden as he faced Evander Holyfield for heavyweight supremacy. 

For large portions of the bout, Lewis was the dominant fighter, and although he celebrated confidently at the final bell, his happiness was soon soured when the fight was controversially scored a draw. 

Lewis would get revenge later the same year when he outpointed Holyfield in Las Vegas to finally land all the belts. 

James DeGale vs Badou Jack – 2017 

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Brooklyn hosted the superb super-middleweight battle between James DeGale and Badou Jack that was fairly scored a draw. 

Jack climbed off the floor in round one to rally brilliantly in the closing stages and he even dropped DeGale in the final session. 

Both men had their moments, but the judges could not split them after 12 terrific rounds.  

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Naseem Hamed vs Kevin Kelley – 1997 

Naseem Hamed wanted to make a huge impression on his American debut, and although he managed that, it perhaps was not how he intended. 

In a thrilling see-saw battle, Hamed and Kevin Kelley, a New York favourite, traded multiple knockdowns inside Madison Square Garden before the Prince prevailed in the fourth round. 

Hamed had been brought to America to become a superstar, and his first outing there ensured it happened immediately. 

Joe Calzaghe vs Roy Jones – 2008 

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The final fight of Joe Calzaghe’s career took place in New York City when he headlined Madison Square Garden against longtime rival, Roy Jones Jr. 

The pair had been linked to a contest for many years and the timing favoured Calzaghe, who would go in with a faded version of the former pound-for-pound superstar. 

Jones started well by dropping Calzaghe in the opening round, but it was all Calzaghe after that, who took a wide decision on the scorecards to end his career unbeaten. 

Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz – 2019 

Anthony Joshua’s American debut could not have gone any worse as he was dropped multiple times before being stopped by Andy Ruiz in one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets. 

Joshua had been scheduled to face Jarrell Miller, but a failed drug test forced the New Yorker out of the bout. 

Ruiz stepped in and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands to become world champion.

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