Sumbu Kalambay vs Reggie Johnson

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Eye of Timaeus, May 4, 2020.

  1. Eye of Timaeus

    Eye of Timaeus Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2019
    Messages:
    1,893
    Likes Received:
    1,190
    I see Kalambay winning comfortably on points against Reggie. Thoughts?
     
  2. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    Messages:
    11,782
    Likes Received:
    4,529
    Not comfortably, Reggie is too good for that. But yes Kalambay wins on points
     
  3. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2017
    Messages:
    7,834
    Likes Received:
    13,128
    Was thinking about this the other day (as well as Kalambay v Toney). Johnson never gave a bad showing and always got stiffed on any tight decisions so I'd predict the same here - Kalambay by close, maybe majority decision.
     
    Gatekeeper and Clinton like this.
  4. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2009
    Messages:
    20,237
    Likes Received:
    6,503
    Great post Jel. Reggie was a handful for anyone
     
    George Crowcroft and Jel like this.
  5. clum

    clum Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2017
    Messages:
    397
    Likes Received:
    707
    Best vs. best, I think that Kalambay wins. They had a lot of the same strengths, but Kalambay was better and more consistent over twelve rounds with them. I agree that Johnson never had a bad showing, but he never had a completely excellent showing like the best Kalambay performances. He always ran it close.

    In the years when this was a conceivable matchup, 1991-93, it becomes a lot harder to pick, as by that point Kalambay had slowed down and in some fights needed to take rounds off. I think that I'd lean towards Johnson, but it needs to be said that both of them fought Steve Collins in 1992 and Kalambay had the more decisive win, in my opinion.
     
    George Crowcroft, Tin_Ribs and Jel like this.
  6. Tin_Ribs

    Tin_Ribs Me Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2009
    Messages:
    4,405
    Likes Received:
    3,881
    Kalambay was the better overall talent and technician at his best but I could see him taking a bit to come to grips with Reggie being a southpaw and his sneaky straight left counter down the pipe. I just get the feeling that Johnson, though very skilled, was a bit too overly patient, one-paced and lacking the extra drive and dimension to ultimately knock Kalambay out of his comfort zone and stop him from eventually establishing his jab and rhythmic slip/counter approach over the duration. And being without any advantage in terms of skill and stylistic approach (other than being a southpaw) with Kalambay also being the better athlete. Kalambay UD in a high quality technical fight.
     
    Xplosive likes this.
  7. Xplosive

    Xplosive Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2008
    Messages:
    24,341
    Likes Received:
    9,959
    Every word of this. I have nothing else to add.