Having recently been watching the great UK era of Benn, Eubank, and Collins... The question is how does a fight play out between Collins and LaMotta at two weights? 160 and 168? To the UK posters especially, what are your impressions of Collins' wins against Eubank and Benn at the time? Do the skills, and toughness Collins displayed in those fights...are they on par with a Jake LaMotta?
Collins was at his sharpest in 1992. Arguably beat Reggie Johnson (arguably beat Toney) and Sumbu Kalambay in their backyards. Jake is the cuter come-forward fighter, with better defensive moves on the front foot, but Collins has better legs, reflexes and awkwardness. Both concrete. Jake better hook clusters, but Collins a better counter-puncher with the sneak right over. I'd lean towards Collins getting the judges nod.
LaMotta was underrated as a boxer. Collins was as tough as old boots so this one goes the distance at both weights with the Bull winning both.
LaMotta had a cute jab on the front foot, but that overarm right counter of Collins was as sneaky as they come.
If there was a top 10 of overrated boxers Jack Dempsey would be undisputed No. 1. Jim Jeffries seems to to have fallen out of favour.5 Years ago Jeffries could leap tall buildings. Collins was very tough but limited. He beat Benn when the Destroyers spark had gone.He got lucky with one of the decisions against Eubank, but he was a tough, tough lad.
Respect the opinions guys...but it looks to me that Collins has a very good grasp of fundamentals, head/foot movement, defense...and yeah very tough minded. The fights with McCallum and Kalambay showed me alot. McCallum took him to school, but he responded well to the higher level of competition...and Kalambay even at age 37, was a tough out, due to his movement and speed. If Collins did know how to fight...these guys would have blown him away...They didn't. McCallum to me is an ATG. Kalambay is very good...in fact Kalambay would himself would be a tough out for LaMotta with his movement...the faster LaMotta of the forties might have been able to track him down, but it wouldn't have been easy. You guys are a tough crowd to please. Collins was very good...To each their own as opinions go...
Collins looked like he beat Reggie Johnson, and Reggie looked like he had beaten James Toney (arguably the most skilled fighter in history, including Joe Gans). Johnson was as slick as a greaseball back then.
I thought Johnson edged Collins...just barely. Reggie Johnson was no joke, especially in that time frame when he fought Toney and Collins...even good enough later in career to move up and take a light heavyweight bauble, the jump from middle to light heavy is a tough one. Collins' two fights with Kalambay and Johnson could have gone either way...
Collin's is extremely underrated..... He has almost a HOF resume and is easily the most underrated MW-SMW of the 90s. Had he gotten the nod over Johnson i'd say he would be a lock for HOF. Still possible that he get's in at some point, hell they have Gatti in there currently. atsch
Yup, yup, and yup... I thought Collins edged Kalambay in that one...Collins fought some tough comp...and did well.
