At Middleweight. I envisage this one being a pretty exciting fight. The incarnation of Tony who got beaten by Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1983 versus the Mugabi who was also licked by Marvin three years later. I forecast a seesaw type battle early on with maybe both combatants tasting the canvas. After a while,though,I imagine that Sibson,the naturally heavier guy stopping John by the time the tenth round elapses.
I'd have more faith in Sibson here. Decent power, decent boxer, decent durability, plenty of heart and will. I think he's the safer bet. Mugabi never beat anyone on his level.
I was watching Sibbo's fight with John Collins last night. This was his best performance in my opinion. Quite remarkable considering it was his first bout post Hagler.
Oh without a doubt, buddy. Hagler, in fantastic shape and hungry to hold on to that title. Doesn't matter who's in front of him. Their getting wrecked!
Sibbo for mine here. Mugabi can’t be discounted but Sibbo was tough, a good puncher, rugged and strong. I’d back him to survive some heated exchanges before Mugabi tires and wilts late. A great match up!
I remember both very well. This would have been an action packed match. Sibbo is one of my favourite boxers ever & I saw him live a number of times (Salvemini, Coolidge, Minter, Marciano Bernardi etc). Both guys (pre-Hagler) have the capability to beat the other here. Mugabi had elite level power with some awkward, unorthodox delivery and pre-Hagler his punch resistance was decent; the on-form & fit Sibbo had a deceptively good boxing brain (see the Minter fight) and a great short jab which he could control opponents behind. Mugaabi's level and particularly his punch resistance seemed to drop off a clliff post Hagler. Although Sibbo had a good chin I think at his best Mugabi had the kind of elite level power at both 154 & 160 to crack all but the very best chins. I think Sibbo would probably be slightly ahead by about the 4th or 5th but would probably get caught by a monstrous shot and either stopped by such a shot or by the follow-up attack, but it would not surprise me if Sibbo outboxed Mugabi. I'm aware that Hagler was shop-worn when he fought Mugabi but I thought The Beast stood up to Hagler's physical powers more robustly than Sibbo did. Overall, my pick is Mugabi here because I think at his best he was a smidgen more durable than Tony and I think Sibbo might "go" first.
If Sibson can survive the Beasts initial assault he might come back for the win but as some have already stated I lean towards Mugabi to stop him. I think Tony will get hit very hard in the first 4 rounds and once he wobbles he ain't slick enough to survive. I make the Beast at least a 60-40 favorite. Certainly not an overwhelming favorite
Agree. Mugabi needs a fast and early knockout to win this one. If the bells ring for rounds 7-8-9, etc his chances go down hill
