Nope. He had outstanding natural physical gifts, but he never had good boxing ability, not even close. He was headhunter with good reflexes from day one till the day Barrera jabbed him into oblivion. If you understood boxing, you would understand this. :deal
Ah, you meant TECHNICAL ability. That's not the same as just "ability", is it? Now I see where you're coming from, although you're still very wrong. Watson's technical ability exceeded Eubank's by far.
Nope. I meant overall fighting ability, not merely technical ability. If we were talking purely technical ability, Herol Graham would be a major player in the debate. But Naseem's horrible lack of fundamentals scuppers his chances as a serious contender in either debate.
I tried to give you an out, but you've voluntarily gone back to true ******ation. There's no hope for you. I mean, forget everything else I've said on this thread - no great fighter gets outclassed by Watson in their prime. That is basic fact.
I don't think he was outclassed, it was a close fight. It was too close to merit the description 'outclassed'. Eubank was no Pernell Whitaker, but he was very effective all-round, and his performance was better in the rematch. And Michael Watson was a damn good fighter.
I take it you're kidding, I was talking about the rematch when he was getting outclassed! The first fight was a close fight which I thought Watson deserved to win (although I have no real qualms with anyone thinking otherwise). The second fight was Watson all the way for 9 rounds.
It just struck me - why am I dignifying someone who actually said DEAN ****ING FRANCIS was better than Chris Eubank?! **** you, you complete and utter tool! But I'm feeling charitable today so I'll toss you another head-scratcher: who had better ability, Prizefighter's Scott Belshaw, Jane Couch or Chris Eubank?
Eubank thoroughly out-boxed and out-classed Watson in their first fight without really trying. The return fight saw a completely different Watson fighting like a man possessed, out-strengthing and out-thinking and out-fighting Eubank, incredibly. Eubank's rights to the head were walked through without even blinking, and he just kept charging at Eubank for 11 rounds straight with blistering clusters of combinations. It looked like Eubank simply gave up in about the 6th because his punches were having such little effect and Watson was showing no signs of tiring. I still don't know how Watson did that. Or how Eubank did what he did..!
Lack of knowledge exposed once again, the fact that you called Eubank a good all-rounder speaks volumes.
Mathematically it ended up being close. But early on before dehydration kicked in, Eubank was just out-classing Michael with what seemed like a coasting ease. It was very impressive, really skilful - considering Watson's technical ability.
That wasn't one of the options. Belshaw, Couch or Eubank please. At your leisure. And while you're at it, are you seriously telling me Michael Watson wasn't a world-class fighter?