When they fought in '96 Nigel was at the end of his career. Supposing Collins had the Benn circa 1991/92 to contend with ? I can't make up my mind on this. Let your opinions roll out people :good
Benn. Faster and sharper with better upper body movement. Their fight in 96 bears no relavence what so ever. I think the fight would be simular to the Doug De Witt clash.
Normally I'd agree with you as Collins was a very tough fighter, but Benn was utterly ferocious during his first reign as champ.
Benn by decision. As powerfull as Benn was Collins was very tough and durable and was a very big supermiddle. The Benn that did fight Collins was way past his best mybe even shot, his timing and accuracy was way off. I think it would have still been a tough fight for Benn as Collins was awkward and very strong and could man handle Benn in close but Benn would land too often with big shots to earn a hard fought decision.
I think Benn on points in a really hard fight. Because Collins beat both Benn and Eubank whilst past their best, he probably gets a bit underrated as a result.... forgetting the fact that he was a real tough *******, could bang a bit - an all round good fighter.
Collins was a real good boxer too with fast hands and good stamina, if Benn didn't get him out of there-and its a 50/50 thing-, Steve wins it.
Benn would have taken it, he was clearly shot by the time Collins got to him. After the McClellan fight he had brain bruising, busted kidneys, broken jaw and I forget the rest of the injuries. He said he was in better shape at 40 than he was against Collins because he was still harbouring the injuries then. He clearly wasnt the same in his next few fights after GMAN
At middleweight,Benn was stopped by Watson,who was stopped himself in his very next fight against McCallum.Anyone who tries to compare Collins to Doug DeWitt,who had 6 losses by the time he'd fought Benn,is crazy.In fact,anyone that knows anything about DeWitt,would know that he was good,but nothing special.Collins by decision or by late stoppage.
He was never stopped,and Benn was a few times.By the way,who is Benn's greatest victim?Come to think of it,it appears Benn is more overrated.
Yep, prime Benn would have ruined Collins in the same way prime Eubank or Watson would have, Collins was an opportunist of Calslappy levels. He got the right guys at the wrong time.
Nonsense. Collins was a B level challenger when he beat Eubank (closely both times) and when he got to Benn, Benn was shot to ****. Collins liked to fight shot fighters to form his resume, his ducking of Slappy Joe tells the real story. And Slappy Joe wasn't even that good, as shot Eubank proved.