Dominic Ingle has some high praise for the longest reigning cruiserweight champion of all time, Johnny Nelson.
Fresh off the news that Nelson is to be awarded an MBE for his contributions to boxing and youth work in South Yorkshire, many have been praising the fighter turned pundit and his time in the sport.
‘The Entertainer’ lost his first three professional bouts before silencing any doubters by going on to win a world title and make history.
In response to Nelson making the King’s honours list, Ingle put forward a bold prediction on his standing amongst more recent 200lb champions.
“Tell me I’m wrong, but I fail to see any cruiserweight since he retired beating him in his Prime and yes I include Tony Bellew Oleksandr Usyk, David Haye and Lawrence Okolie.
Come to think of it a prime Carl Thompson would have done the same.”
Tell me I'm wrong, but I fail to see any Crusierweight since he retired beating him in his Prime and yes I include @TonyBellew@usykaa@davidhaye and @Lawrence_tko come to think of it a prime Carl Thompson would have done the same #levelshttps://t.co/ZCPUD4vmZm
— Dominic Ingle (@dominicingle) December 31, 2022
Of course, many won’t be surprised of Ingle’s take considering Nelson cut his teeth in Sheffield’s Wincobank Gym, training under his father, Brendan.
In fact, in a touching tribute, Nelson told Sky Sports that Brendan would have been the first person he called to share the news with. The legendary trainer sadly passed away in 2018.
Like Nelson, all the men mentioned were or are champions in the division.
Tony Bellew held the WBC title between 2016 to 2017, retiring after a knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian went a step further by becoming undisputed – a feat he’s currently trying to complete up at heavyweight, and he’s not far off.
Lawrence Okolie is the current WBO champ, and will likely have a few more fights at 200lb before following in Usyk’s footsteps up the latter to the highest weight class.
Whether or not Nelson would have handled the fights as Ingle predicts is and forever will be up for debate.