Two top cuties from overlapping generations who both met common opponents at differing stages of their and their opponents developments, both got stopped by Frazier, both posted wins over quarry, Machen lost to Patterson some say Ellis did too, despite the official verdict, Ellis beat a rock throwing Bonavena, and Machen took an all conquering Liston to a points decision, in retrospect a performance every bit as good as Ellis against Bonavena, both surprisingly got nailed in the first, Eddie against Ingo and Jimmy against Shavers, and both petered out losing to Boone Kirkman, two birds of a feather, but who would have crowing rights if these two met in their prime ?
I am actually inclined to leaning towards Machen. Neither man had much in the way of power so I am guessing that a decision is the likely scenario. Eddie had an outstanding run prior to picking up his first loss to Johannson and continued to be a tough player in the division for years after. Both guys beat a fair number of good opponents but I think Machen was a bit more battle tested against better guys. Tough call and in truth it could go either way.
close fight, I have to give it some thought. Jimmy had that sneaky right hand and Eddie was pretty tight defensively....I see it going the full route ....close decision a bit of a chess match
Both guys would be evenly matched in their primes. I'd give Jimmy Ellis the edge in power and quality of opposition, though. Ellis scored wins over more name opponents (Chuvalo, Patterson, Quarry, Bonavena, Martin). Machen's biggest wins were probably against Maxim, Jones and Quarry. Ellis also floored Bonavena multiple times and knocked out Leotis Martin. It would be a very close bout. I don't think either guy wins by stoppage. But I'd give the edge to Ellis. Machen couldn't seem to get over the hump in a lot of his biggest fights.
It could have gone either way, but I'm leaning towards Ellis by the slimmest of margins....and may I say that if Machen showed up belligerent and in shape,....only if..., he might have pulled it off.
IMO actually the Ellis-Martin was a bit of an anomaly if you've seen their fight. Why Leotis went 'body-hunting' in that one is beyond me. Jimmy busted up Leotis's nose and mouth which caused the stoppage tho Martin appeared to be coming on at the time of the stoppage. PvP? Unless Jimmy lands his big right a few times and takes some big rounds, Eddie would slip and slide, counterpunch, and cop a UD. My $0.02
Machen wasn't comfortable with being the aggressor,...so if I were his cornerman, I'd tell him to stay the hell away from Ellis and make him be the aggressor....make him do all the leading and counter his ass off, or try to anyway.
