Re: Brit boxers. Heard a comedian talking about them once - this would have been back in the '70's - to this effect:

"So you're in Madison Square Gardens, and the announcer is introducing the English guy: 'In the red trunks, Nigel Jones, Heavyweight Champion of All England, heavyweight champion of the United Kingdom, heavyweight champion of All Europe' - just once you'd like him to answer the question that is in the mind of every single spectator: 'He has never fought a black man!'"