Just how good was Azumah Nelson

Fair enough.

 

The Whitaker fight showed how great Pernell was , no knock on Azumah.

 

I saw him knock Pat Cowdell out with one punch. That was impressive. I'm also certain I read McGuigan saying that his hardest fight was avoiding Nelson.

 

Arguably Africa’s greatest fighter alongside Dick Tiger. Nelson was a complete fighter who could do almost anything in the ring such as box, punch, slug, put relentless pressure, counter, dance around, and put together a cluster of punches. He was very confident in his abilities to rumble with anyone. Although at times he can be inconsistent he always improves in rematches.

Awesome fighter was The Professor.

 

You got that right.

 

He was an absolute great fighter, wise beyond his years.

 

Cool post Pug.

 

Cheers Rich.

 

He is an all time great who was a top 10 pound for pound fighter in the 80’s and 90’s. He fought a beat a murderous list of opponents in both decades. For the Sanchez fight he was a late substitute with just 3 weeks notice to take a fight against the genuine all time great and even though he was not yet ready or the finished article he gave Sanchez hell going 15 rounds in 1982. However you miss the real question as to how Sanchez would fare against Nelson a couple of years later in 1984 had it not been for Sanchez premature death. In 1984 Nelson would go to San Juan, Puerto Rico and knock the great Gomez spark out in his hometown in front of his fans and country men. He fought and defeated all the top featherweights of the era in the 80’s except for the cowardly Barry McGuigan and his handlers who studiously avoided him as an art form. Barney Eastwood who was McGuigan’s manager had been warned by Mickey Duff not to allow McGuigan to ever step in with Nelson as it would be career suicide. Nelson did everything including mocking McGuigan to get him in the ring all to no avail then McGuigan lost to Stevie Cruz in Las Vegas. Don King was so annoyed at the way they messed up a potential massive pay day. As for Jeff Fenech, Azumah Nelson who had moved up to Junior Lightweight won the world title defended his title against Fenech. The fight should actually have been called off as Nelson was sick having contracted malaria but he went on with the contest though far from his best. He outpointed the marauding Fenech on my scorecard with his superior boxing and accurate counter punching 116-112 as per one of the official judges, another judge had it a draw and the 3rd narrowly to Fenech making it a draw. Fenech and his Aussie fans cried like bitches claiming they were robbed. Nelson ever the gentleman and warrior offered him an immediate rematch to prove who was pound for pound the better fight. The rematch was held in Sydney, Australia whereby Nelson systematically destroyed Fenech in a man and boy type of fight or as our beloved Uncle Azumah Nelson would say Professor and Student. He knocked Fenech down 3 times and as he promised the fight won’t go past 7 rounds but he did it in 8 rounds. Fenech was never the same as Azumah Nelson literally took his soul.

Against Pernell Whittaker a consensus top 10 greatest fighter in history arguably the purest boxer ever Nelson lost though he was pre-occupied as his wife Beatrice was dying of cancer. Still he gave a valiant effort losing narrowly on points with the full respect of Pernell Whittaker, 2 all time greats.

Fenech was a great fighter who just ran into Azumah Nelson and got his just desserts. I can’t forgive McGuigan who now tries to rewrite history saying it was a shame they never got it on when even the blind know such a contest won’t last more than 3 or 4 rounds as McGuigan was ready made to order.

 

Hi Bro been busy but just saw this now and provided some more detailed learning for the forum.

 

He did there was a medical report pre the first Fenech fight to confirm that but he chose to carry on with the fight rather than postpone it.

 

Azumah Nelson does not lie. His first wife was dying of cancer during the Whittaker fight. As for the first Fenech he had contracted a bad case of malaria. Don’t take his or my word for it but the medical report which the WBC had a copy of proved it. Despite not being 100% he took the fight and on my own scorecard won 116-112 like 1 of the official judges despite the other 2 making it a draw and a loss respectively meaning officially it was a draw.

 

He had outstanding punching power, was as durable as they come, physically strong and powerful with the heart of a warrior and you have the audacity to say he was not outstanding in any area. He specialised in going to his opponents backyard to defeat them.

 

He is arguably the greatest at Junior Lightweight and one of the greatest at featherweight.

 

McGuigan should not be in the hall of fame. His ducking of Nelson was an absolute disgrace. He is not someone I can respect as a result. Nelson had to take care of Jim McDonell who defeated McGuigan.