Calzaghe vs The Nigel Benn who beat Gerald McClellan

Benn was long retired by the time Hopkins came to prominence as an elite fighter. As for Toney, he was simply all mouth and no trousers, called Benn out from the safety of the US over a video link, but when the time came to come over here and prove himself against the best the UK had to offer he was nowhere to be seen.

I doubt very much that a prime Benn would have gassed, that guy was marvellously conditioned (okay he did it against Watson very early in his career but that was due to youthful, naivety thinking he could take Watson out early) and can't really see Calzaghe's power bothering Benn. I think he has what it takes to give Benn some problems, but the best Benn ever (McClellan) versus the best Calzaghe ever (Kessler), Benn wins for mine. Earlier in his career when he had more pop before the hand injuries, Calzaghe's speed and power could probably bewilder a less experienced Benn, however, would also leave himself far more open for one of Benn's monster hooks.

 

Calzaghe faced no one near Benns level.

 

I'm really liking Benn from Eubank II through McClellan, that was his peak. Re-watched Eubank II, Giminez fight and then Benn-Wharton this afternoon. Giminez was a replacement for Darrin Van Horn and went for broke, he was tough as nails that bloke as we saw in the Eubank and Duran fights. Benn's counter-punching against Giminez is fantastic.

Against Eubank at Old Trafford we see a lot of slipping, weaving and ducking to the point where he made it appear as if Eubank was throwing 12 rounds of inaccurate shoeshiners. His left-hand jab and in-and-out movement against powerhouse Wharton was terrific.

Those are the four fights he made least mistakes in I believe.

That sorta Benn would prob go over 12 with Joe, and hold his own.

But nah I think he'd try and make Calzaghe swing with him (and early), he'd have to.

 

I agree Calzaghe would win but please dont compare Benn to Lacy, it would be far more competitive than that.

 

On James Toney - is it just me that doesn't see the amazing superstar that he is reputed to be.

I mean.... he was great defensively and a smart fighter - but there ain't a lot on his resume really.

Wins over McCallum, Nunn, Jirov and Holyfield..... a HOF'er for sure, but not an ATG - he was battered by Jones, edged out by a half decent Griffin and outboxed by Sam Peter.... mixed with long periods of sitting on his arse talking and eating junk food.

 

Toney's opposition is incredible. Nunn, McCallum x 3, Reggie Johnson, Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Tim Littles, Tony Thornton, Merqui Sosa, Prince Charles Williams, Roy Jones Jr, Montell Griffin x 2, Jirov, Evander and the heavyweights. There is no better post-Hagler/Leonard/Hearns/Duran, none that even compares.

Nunn, McCallum and Jones Jr were the three best lb4lb boxers outside of Pernell Whitaker and Toney fought them all. His performance against Barkley was, in my opinion, the most skilful display of the 90s.

 

But a 'superstar' he was not.