Debating my top ten SMW list

If he was tremendous fighter, he would have had a tremendous resume and not only two really impressive performances. He doesn't, so he wasn't.

 

It was always Ray's plan to take Hearns in precisely the 14th, and give away the majority of rounds. Sure thing.

Fighters at that level at that time tried to win every round they ever contested.

 

Froch was a much, much, much better SMW than they were MWs. That they might have been better WWs than he was a SMW (not saying they were, but it's certainly closer) doesn't really factor into this, since they faced Nunn at MW. And Curry was not only above his best weight at that time, he was quite shot as well. So you can't really suggest that beating that version of Curry was anything close to special.

 

Their allaround speed would naturally be even more pronounced against the bigger man Nunn. A bigger man who wasn't a powerful puncher may I add.

 

Their lack of size for the weight certainly was more pronounced against the much bigger Nunn. Starling looked like a midget compared to him, but still was the one coming forward most of the time.

If they were any good at MW, please tell me who they beat at this weight to prove that?

What a fighter actually did surely must mean at least something to you?

 

Froch fought in an era where nobody was really around in any great depth. Its non-comparable to the post-Ali/pre-PPV era when a wave of youngsters caused a never-ending conveyor belt around the middle weights it seemed. He simply would not survive back then in those waves with all the sharks, he wouldn't of got a look-in because of the sheer depth and clear difference in skill and ability - when did you ever see Froch throw the double hook or hook off the jab, or ever bob and weave, or ever throw a sharp combination? Seriously

 

I like, only thing is, I honestly feel that Calzaghe would just pip Ward in a H2H by the slimmest of margins. Although you could still argue that Ward pips Calzaghe resume wise given that Calzaghes best win for me is prime Kessler and Wards is snatching Krushers soul.

A tournament with these 10 guys competing in their prime would be incredible.

 

They were obviously going to 'win rounds' being naturally smaller and faster, until Nunn got them out of there or out worked them if they were forced to cover up

 

Taylor, a blown up middle, and badly faded, won nine rounds against Froch.

 

He wasn't flashy, but he beat flashier fighters. Have many double hooks did you see Monzon throw? Not saying Froch was on the level of Monzon, of course, but a fighter doesn't always have to look that good to be good.

Froch always gave a 100% in the ring, a quality that often gets overlooked here, and someone who does that will always be dangerous. You can never let up against such opponents. Froch didn't beat just about every relevant SMW except Ward during his era because of a fluke. Pascal, Taylor, Dirrell, Abrahams, Johnson, Bute, Kessler and Groves can't all be explained away. He beat those guys because he was a good fighter who almost alway found a way to win - except against one man.

 

Those were lackluster performances. True greats of the division like Hagler and Hopkins would have mowed them down.

 

And?

 

Taylor, Johnson and Abraham were middleweights from previous eras. Pascal, Dirrell and Groves were unknown prospects.

 

A faded version of the very basic Kessler beat him clearly.

 

Eubank and Nunn brushing shoulders

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What a staring contest that would've been