3. Chris Eubank.

Christopher Livingstone Eubank was the cornerstone of a thriving middleweight division in the 1990’s, with one classic encounter after another against a string of rivals who all pushed each other to the absolute physical and psychological limit.

Epic battles with Nigel Benn, Steve Collins, and Michael Watson have all earned the status as stonewall classics despite the second encounter between Watson and Eubank almost ending in tragedy for Watson. Thankfully he has now recovered from his life changing injuries and shares a touching friendship with his foe turned friend Chris Eubank.

Eubank’s penchant for the outrageous would often see him land on the front pages of the tabloids as much as his sporting prowess saw him on the back. His extravagance outside of the ring saw him lavish his hard earned spoils on an aristocratic lifestyle which gained great contempt from fans and fellow boxers alike.

What could not be denied however was Eubank’s granite jaw and warrior like bravery inside the ring that saw him land multiple World Championships across a stellar career that has seen him lauded as one of the greatest middleweight boxers to ever grace a ring.

Or as he would proclaim himself, he was ‘simply the best’.

• boxing
• sports magazine