Most skilled MW post-Hagler era: McCallum, Toney, Nunn, Kalambay, Graham?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Feb 15, 2019.


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  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The MW division was pretty stacked with talented fighters during the late 80s/early 90s even after Hagler retired. Out of these talented MWs who do you think was the most skilled fighter in your opinion? Who would have given Hagler the most trouble had he not left? In a way they were like a modern murderer's row.

    McCallum and Toney were old school technicians while Nunn and Graham were more like Ali clones who relied on their reflex. Kalambay was also a solid technician who relied on his movement and jab to box on the outside.
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 15, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 15, 2019
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  2. Scrap_Iron_Johnson

    Scrap_Iron_Johnson Member Full Member

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    I gotta say Toney.
     
    Scrap_Iron_Johnson, Feb 15, 2019
    Scrap_Iron_Johnson, Feb 15, 2019
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  3. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Toney
     
    THE BLADE 2, Feb 15, 2019
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  4. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    McCallum
    Kalambay
    Toney
    Nunn
    Graham

    But this is a solid group of guys so I picked in order of who I thought would give Hagler a tougher fight rather than most skilled.
     
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 15, 2019
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 15, 2019
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  5. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    All those guys were exceptionally well skilled.

    They all had weaknesses.

    Probably the most well rounded, for a time, was Nunn.

    I thought about listing McCallum first, but Kalambay showed he could be befuddled by clever movement and highlighted Mike's relative lack of footspeed.
     
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2019
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2019
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  6. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Toney
    McCallum

    Nunn
    Kalamby

    Graham
     
    AwardedSteak863, Feb 15, 2019
    AwardedSteak863, Feb 15, 2019
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  7. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    agreed
     
    THE BLADE 2, Feb 15, 2019
    THE BLADE 2, Feb 15, 2019
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  8. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    Toney/McCallum
    Kalamby
    Nunn
    Graham
     
    roughdiamond, Feb 15, 2019
    roughdiamond, Feb 15, 2019
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  9. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Foot movement and defense are skills. Yes, Nunn had fast reflexes, which he used to enhance his movement and defense.

    This notion that he had reflexes without skills is misguided.
     
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2019
    Saad54, Feb 15, 2019
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  10. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Nunn was also a skilled boxer himself who had to use his athleticism and slick reflex to avoid punches, sometimes making technical mistakes.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 15, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 15, 2019
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  11. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Would have been an amazing MW era if all 5 actually fought each other, along with Jackson, Eubank, Benn.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 15, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Feb 15, 2019
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  12. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Based on pure skill. I would have to say Michael Nunn.
     
    ETM, Feb 15, 2019
    ETM, Feb 15, 2019
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  13. PernellSweetPea

    PernellSweetPea Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nunn, Kalambay, Toney, McCallum
     
    PernellSweetPea, Feb 15, 2019
    PernellSweetPea, Feb 15, 2019
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  14. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Maybe not pure skill for me as he was so unorthodox but out of that five, at his best in 88 or 89, Nunn looked the hardest to beat. 6'2", quick and a southpaw. A better version of Graham who went neck and neck with McCallum and Kalambay. Quicker and slicker than Reggie Johnson and he must regret not taking Toney more seriously as that was where his career, and possibly life, started to all go tits up.
     
    Eddie Ezzard, Feb 15, 2019
    Eddie Ezzard, Feb 15, 2019
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  15. Tramell

    Tramell Hypocrites Love to Pray & Be Seen. Mathew 6:5 Full Member

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    Question: If Hagler was active today, would he be considered as beating up on smaller opponents?
    Would you hold him accountable for NOT moving up?

    Consider Duran began as a LW. What MW's mentioned in this thread from Toney, Nunn, Kulumbay...adding on RJJ, GGG have any of these guys fought someone under WW?

    Bhop did with Trinidad, Oscar starting off at Super Feather.
    GGG: which foes has he taken out that started out less than a jr. middle?

    It seems we are pretty stern on MW's not moving up today. Anyone willing to state if Hagler were fighting today...U would ripp his arse for not moving up?
    For fighting guys who did move up, Duran , Leonard, Hearns?
     
    Tramell, Jul 26, 2019
    Tramell, Jul 26, 2019
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