The popularity of the EBU and its growth over the last 15 years can be directly linked to just 5 fighters and the appeal that they generated. Leading the way amongst that list is DelBrey. He smashed records and dominated the EBU for so long.
After becoming the youngest English Heavyweight Champion in EBU history, he quickly took the British belt in shockingly dominant fashion. He defended that belt on a regular basis and barely lost a round.
When DelBrey fought, no one doubted that he would win, it was a given. Eventually Havey ended the reign of the long time ruler, only to have his own reign cut short by Kuznetsoz. You would have struggled to find someone that would have bet on Havey beating DelBrey. It did take Havey three fights against Delbrey to pull off the unthinkable. Havey may have lightning fast punches and a technically brilliant defence, but in the end that all counted for nothing against DelBrey. Havey’s trainer came up with a genius game plan and he executed it perfectly. I think that the fight trilogy did nothing to damage DelBrey’s career. Havey has never found it difficult to get knockouts. Against DelBrey, Havey was made to miss 78% of his punches.
I spoke to some of the EBUs experts to see how they rank DelBrey. They have seen all of the great champions and are in the best position to judge all time rankings.
K. Joiner, Historian. Let us not forget that DelBrey is still an active boxer. His comeback from defeat is going well. I would rather judge him when he has retired. I expect he will announce that anytime. Certainly before the end of the year. Based on the fighters he has beaten, the longevity of his title run, the way he controlled nearly all of his fights, I would certainly rank him as the greatest EBU champion ever.
M. Havey, Boxer. It shouldn’t even be up for debate. He is so far ahead of anyone else in that sense. Look at what he has done. Youngest champion, highest purse, longest unbeaten run, longest win streak, longest championship run, highest live gate, most former champions defeated and I think he has the highest stream gate. You have seen how hard it is to keep hold of titles. He did 14 years, unbelievable. No one will do that ever again. I think that people will appreciate him even more as time goes on. Retirement is kind to every champions legacy. DelBrey will be really missed in retirement. I think that the thing I will be most proud of about my career is fighting him 3 times.
J. Fearne, Journalist. I Mean no disrespect to the current champions, but they aren’t doing what DelBrey did. He spend nearly all of his unprecedented title run fighting 4 times a year. No champion does that and keeps winning. Infact, he dominated so long that we forget about the great fighters he beat early on. In 2008 he beat 5 English Heavyweight champions. In my opinion he is the greatest, yes.
D. Foster, Promoter. I don’t know. He was a promoters dream. I wish I promoted him. But Havey knocked him out once. Almost knocked him out twice. I think that Meers will be remembered as the greatest champion but he has only just started his campaign. As it stands right now, I think I would pick DelBrey.
E. Jones, Former Boxer. Yes, I think so. He really did set the EBU apart from other organisations. Now the numbers speak for themselves and DelBrey is to thank for that. I think his unbeaten streak is what sets him apart from the other champions. He did that at the highest level.
English Boxing Union 