Five all-British fights I'd like to see in 2014

2014 is a promising year for boxing. Floyd Mayweather will likely continue as the sport’s main attraction and boxing fans still yearn for him to face Manny Pacquiao, a fight that despite the latter’s stock having fallen isn’t completely dead in the water. Light heavyweight heavy hitters Surgey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson are likely to meet in what should be an explosive fight. And with Vitali Klitschko retiring and vacating the WBC belt, the heavyweight division may get interesting as a new champion emerges. Not to mention the vacant belt could be the treatment required to expedite a recovery for David Haye’s career-threatening shoulder injury (it’s already rumoured that Haye is planning a return to boxing and it certainly isn’t a ludicrous notion). Although amidst the international prospects within the sport, there are several potential all-British fights that will excite boxing fans.

In no particular order, I’ve therefore considered five British fights I’d like to see in 2014. Whether or not they’ll happen as a result of politics remains to be see. But if they do, they should make for great fights.

George Groves vs Carl Froch

Before their first bout, I tipped George Groves for a points win over Carl Froch. It wasn’t the popular choice amongst boxing fans or the bookmakers. Nonetheless, I felt Groves and his now estranged former coach and manager Adam Booth had studied Froch for years and devised a plan to win just as they did against James DeGale. With rumours of Froch having dropped Groves during sparring and Froch’s confidence (and ego) inflated since he dismantled Lucian Bute and beat Mikkel Kessler in their rematch, conversely, Froch was clearly underestimating Groves.

When Groves and Froch eventually met in the ring, Groves did everything he said he would and Froch was outclassed and outmuscled for the duration of the fight. And while Froch might beg to differ, if it wasn’t for referee Howard Foster prematurely stopping the fight in the ninth round, Groves was on course to get the W. Consequently, and with a lack of graciousness even in a controversial win, Froch emerged the villain while Groves’ popularity skyrocketed. The needle between the two fighters seemingly hasn’t eroded and it therefore sets the stage for a great rematch.

Froch, having presumably realised Groves has the game plan to hurt, outbox and even stop him, doesn’t seem to want a sequel to what was one of the best fights of 2014. He claims there are bigger fights with Andre Ward (who convincingly beat him in the final of the Super Six), Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and even Gennady Golovkin (who would provide the sternest test to Froch’s granite chin). Fight fans however, and understandably an aggrieved Groves, want to see the rematch.

If Froch acquiesces to the desires of Groves and fight fans alike, I can see Groves getting the win in a rematch. He won’t hold back and knowing he can and has hurt Froch, he’s likely to put it on him early. Froch, of course, won’t underestimate Groves this time and will prepare to fight someone who is worthy of his respect. Add the genuine dislike between the two fighters and whatever the decision, it should make for a great fight. It’s ultimately just down to Froch if it actually happens.

Kell Brook vs Amir Khan

Amir Khan has long been chasing a fight with pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather and despite conflicting reports from their respective camps, it seems it may happen this spring. Despite Khan having lost two of his last four fights (one by way of TKO), and his increasing reputation for having a glass chin, he still appears to offer marque value, especially in the United States where he’s promoted by Golden Boy.

Meanwhile, and admittedly with a much lower profile outside of boxing circles, Kell Brook has remained a rival of Khan’s and a potential opponent for some time. With their dislike of each other, a fight between Brook and Khan is growing nicely into a domestic grudge match in the second half of the year. Both fighters will have their fight schedules busy until then. Though I expect by then Brook will have the IBF welterweight belt and even with a loss to Mayweather, Khan’s stock is unlikely to be dented.

Behind the scenes, it appears that talks have already started to lay the groundwork for formal negotiations for Brook vs Khan. If it does happen, I’d tip Brook to win. Khan hasn’t previously fought at welterweight (should it happen, his fight against Mayweather will be his first outing in the division) whereas Brook is big welterweight at that. Furthermore, if Khan’s chin can’t withstand big shots at 140lbs, how will he cope with shots at 147lbs? I think Khan is a decent fighter with heart, great speed and technical proficiency. Though he lacks the discipline to not trade with fighters – a foolish if not entertaining tendency for a chinny fighter. Khan’s coach Virgil Hunter has been working on Khan’s defence. Yet even he has conceded that at this stage in Khan’s career, it’s too late to address that to the extent necessary.

Brook, despite not having fought at this level or on such a big platform, has shown his ability, most recently in taking apart Vyacheslav Senchenko within four rounds. Like Khan, Brook has speed but he also has accuracy and power that I don’t think Khan will be able to cope with – especially if he tries to trade with Brook. Add the animosity between Khan (and his sycophantic camp) and Brook, and it’s a fight I’m eagerly anticipating.

Scott Quigg vs Carl Frampton

Scott Quigg vs Carl Frampton is on the wish list of fights for many boxing fans. Frampton, under the tutelage of Barry McGuigan and his son Shane, has been unfortunate to yet capture a title unlike Quigg. Yet both fighters are keen for a domestic match-up with only boxing politics as the likely obstacle. Traditionally, interest in the lower weight classes hasn’t been to the extent as it has for heavier fighters but this fight is bound to attract a sizeable following and boost the profiles of both fighters beyond boxing circles.

Chris Eubank Jr vs Billy Joe Saunders

Like most of Mick Hennessy’s fighters (both former and current), Chris Eubank Jr was probably lured to Hennessy Promotions with the prospect of having his fights aired on terrestrial television in the UK on Channel 5. The deal hasn’t been all it was cracked up to be and Eubank Jr’s exposure has suffered as a result (Eubank Jr has since parted company with Hennessy Promotions). Nonetheless, what we have seen from him shows he’s one of the most promising fighters in the domestic middleweight scene and he’s certainly not trading off his father’s name for success. Eubank Jr has shown speed, power and showmanship (remind you of anyone?) and commitment in the gym. And if he can get the television exposure he deserves, his profile will grow accordingly.

Billy Joe Saunders has achieved more than Eubank Jr and is currently British and Commonwealth middleweight champion. Some might say a fight with Eubank Jr might therefore be a retrograde step. But the fight would be no mismatch, perhaps only needing Eubank Jr to raise his profile and show some progression on his record to make it marketable. Saunders and Eubank Jr dislike each other and those on the fringe of the boxing fraternity will be keen to see if Eubank Jr is anywhere near as talented as his father. It’s not exactly a PPV event but a solid domestic fight that would be great at this stage of their respective careers.

Tony Bellew vs Nathan Cleverly

Both Tony Bellew and Nathan Cleverly’s respective decisions to move up to cruiserweight were preceded by stoppages at light heavyweight. However, with or without their respective defeats, perhaps it was a timely decision. I’ve often thought Bellew, who fought at heavyweight as an amateur, looked weight drained at light heavyweight and the decision to move up in weight was surely overdue. With both fighters stepping up to cruiserweight, they’ll presumably take their rivalry with them in setting up a rematch.

Cleverly has the confidence of a win in their first fight but it remains to be seen to what extent he’s been affected by the Sergey Kovalev KO. Bellew too was stopped by Adonis Stevenson. Although I get the sense he handled his defeat better than Cleverly which could give him a psychological edge as both fighters look to navigate themselves back to a title shot in a new weight class. A rematch would provide a domestic fight akin to David Haye vs Enzo Maccarinelli and rekindle the cruiserweight division. Another potentially big fight if it happens.

Why has mainstream success evaded soca?

Along with reggae and dancehall, soca is very much the music of the Caribbean. Indeed, with its roots in Trinidadian calypso, many would argue that outside of Jamaica, soca is actually a more representative soundtrack to the region.

With Caribbean culture being exported around the world, its music has been no different. Reggae and latterly dancehall has found itself a regular and prominent feature in the pop charts of territories far beyond the Caribbean. Bob Marley is arguably one of the most celebrated musicians of all time regardless of genre. While Beenie Man, Shaggy, Sean Paul and others from the dancehall scene have experienced huge international success. Similarly, albeit with its origins in another continent, so has afrobeat as the contemporary soundtrack of the African diaspora. Yet despite the parallels, soca has struggled to achieve sustained mainstream success beyond the Caribbean.

Where Soca has seen commercial success, it’s typically been fleeting. Barbadian (or ‘Bajan’) Rupee and St Vincentian Kevin Lyttle both experienced global hits. There are of course also soca classics such as Arrow’s Hot Hot Hot that are known far beyond the soca fraternity. But despite the precedents for mainstream audiences finding soca palatable, it has otherwise been brought to unwitting audiences via watered down cover versions. Trinidad and Tobago’s Anslem Douglas first released Who Let the Dogs Out before it was covered by the Baha Men. Similarly, Alison Hinds’ Roll it Gal, a hit in the Caribbean and amongst its diaspora communities, was covered by J-Status with Rihanna and Shontelle but with a more American RnB sound. Is unadulterated soca not deemed commercially viable? And despite the examples to the contrary, why don't record labels consider soca to warrant the marketing push they’re willing to give other genres, particularly from the same region?

Where acts from Caribbean genres have found commercial success, often the characteristics of their signature sound aids this. For example, Sean Paul or Shaggy’s delivery is more melodious and less raw than say Bounty Killer’s or Mavado’s. Their cadence is often slightly slower and more significantly they use less patois and instead more standard English. Furthermore, their subjects of choice are usually more radio friendly than the Five Star General or the self-proclaimed ‘Gully God’ whose sound caters more for the core dancehall fraternity. Formulaic or otherwise, it makes for a sound that mainstream audiences are probably more comfortable with and consequently one that record labels are more willing to invest in.

For soca, the similarities are there with other acts from the Caribbean that have broken the mainstream market. Fast paced cadences are instead replaced with slowed down tempos. Not to mention a seemingly deliberate smattering of local dialect with British or American English replacing overwhelming vernacular and heavy accents. However, those who argue local dialects present a barrier to soca thriving beyond the Caribbean and its diaspora would be mistaken. Germany’s Soca Twins prove that isn't the case as they’ve managed to bring the genre to a territory whose first language isn’t even English. Furthermore, having seen them in Berlin, there isn't anything diluted about the brand of soca they play. Soca therefore needn't compromise itself and its Caribbean essence in widening its audience.

Soca doesn’t need to follow a template for commercial success. Though perhaps previously being too insular with its sound, and a reluctance to diversify in tempo and lyrical content, has worked against it in breaking the mainstream. Although this has increasingly changed. The genre has evolved to showcase its ability to produce music that isn’t just suited to carnival and party atmospheres but a variety of moods. For most genres, this diversification is often a sign of its readiness to break new markets. Nonetheless, despite soca’s commercial potential, record labels still lack the courage to push it into the mainstream.

Being born of the Caribbean, soca is accompanied with vibrant visuals and rich culture. Surely this presents a great marketing opportunity with a culture that accompanies the music - and a culture that albeit intermittently, mainstream audiences have been exposed to. As one of the largest street parties in the world (only second to Rio Carnival), Notting Hill Carnival has long held soca as its original and continued soundtrack. Similarly, the West Indian Day Parade in New York and Caribbean-inspired carnivals around the world showcase soca to the wider public. The introduction to soca is already there but the commitment and investment to capitalise on it has not been forthcoming. Record labels and media outlets either don’t see the potential or aren’t willing to take the risk in pushing a sound that they don’t feel has fully proved itself as commercially viable.

With the demise of Choice FM, Martin Jay’s Caribbean Affair has disappeared from the radio (but can still be found on www.socavision.com) and the likelihood of Capital Xtra bringing soca to its schedule is slim to none. BBC 1Xtra long removed its weekly soca show from its schedule and aside from the occasional burgeoning soca hit, soca only gets airtime during Notting Hill Carnival. As a result, soca’s mainstream exposure is lacking and only granted on an ad hoc basis. Bunji Garlin is currently getting exposure beyond the usual platforms for soca. But how long will it be until the mainstream radio stations and music channels decide they’re happy to allow another token soca hit to grace the airwaves?

In an age of physical music, soca was at a disadvantage in record sales due to the relatively small populations of the Caribbean islands it originated from. Even songs that remained popular throughout the region would not result in big record sales as the population in the region just isn’t big enough. In turn, marketing budgets would have to reflect the anticipated sales and wouldn’t support a significant push overseas. Although, in a digital era where the internet removes all boundaries from promoting music globally, hopefully soca can now get the exposure it deserves.

Soca has long been denied the opportunity to be presented to a mainstream market and showcase the soundtrack to the Caribbean. Nonetheless, as its popularity grows and the Caribbean diaspora continues to champion it, soca will continue to move toward mainstream success.