25 years ago: Eubank vs Benn 2

It's nice reading from the perspective of the Brits. The Benn-Eubank rematch was broadcast on Showtime here in the States and happened to be a free weekend of SHO for cable viewers. My family didn't subscribe to HBO or Showtime until later so it was a huge treat to watch that weekend 25 years ago. However, I do remember watching highlights of Benn-Eubank 1 and the crowd being extremely electric.

I wanted Benn badly in this one and believed he won a fairly close decision.

 

Was that even part of the conversation. SMH

 

How about it. Everything with this guy is always about HIS opinion on who he thinks is better. He just injects complete nonsense straight outta left field. Suprised he didnt find a way of bringing up his hero Joshua in this.

 

I've heard that before that Americans believed that the Brits were not in the same league as Jones Jr/Toney etc., but Benn stopped Iran Barkley in the 1st round, a fighter who took Michael Nunn the full 12 rounds. Benn also decisively beat McClellan. Whilst McClellan was widely considered to be the most explosive boxer in the world at the time and also the best in the division, Benn took him on, whilst the likes of Toney were trying to avoid fighting him.

I think the only reason that McClellan is not retroactively regarded as one of the greats, is because of his defeat to Benn. Before that defeat, most were tipping him to become one of the greats. I am glad that you give the Brits credit though. One thing you can never say about Nigel is that he avoided anyone. He would take on anyone. Benn did what Watson and Eubank didn't do, and proved himself across the pond. It is interesting though, that both Eubank and Watson defeated Benn, a boxer who had proven himself against top Americans. I do wish though, that Eubank had fought the likes of Toney and Jones, but sadly, all we can do now is hypothesise how he would have fared in those fights. Eubank was finished after the 2nd Watson fight, though. He was never the same after that fight, because he blamed himself for what happened.

 

I wouldn’t have labelled Bernard a polished slugger.

 

Eubank wanted no part of Herol after going up to Sheffield to spar him. He’s openly admitted that.

I’ve not heard of Watson not wanting to have fought him.

Benn would have fought him.

 

Chris had a few things to overcome during that time that took a lot of his aggressiveness away--the Watson bout and the construction worker he ran over. Quite a bit to carry around and he knew he could win via decision and not look to hurt a guy.

 

There’s some great posts in this thread.

Regarding Benn, I’ve seen him in the Sky Sports studio complementing Herol, saying that he wouldn’t have enjoyed fighting him because he preferred guys who’d fight him instead of guys who were great boxers. However, I’ve seen some excerpts from a great book, (I can’t remember the name) focusing on the early 90’s. It quotes Benn as saying that he respected Herol but he thinks he’d have knocked him out as he’d crumble under pressure. I read it last year. He also said that whoever wanted to claim that they were the best MW in the world, would have to beat Sumbo Kalambay beforehand.

Regarding Graham, he gave Eubank a torrid time in sparring in Sheffield. From all of the accounts I’ve read, he had a week of hell until he finally connected and knocked down/out Herol. Herol then claims that Eubank told him to his face that he would never fight him.

Herol was very well respected. When Joe Calzaghe reigned as SMW champ, he was asked his opinion on the great Brit fighters that had come before him. He said that they were all great in their own right, he respected them all, and in his honest opinion, Herol would have been the hardest one of them to fight.

Regarding Mike McCallum, I’m a huge fan of his. I think he’d have beaten both Benn and Eubank.

Fights against Toney would also have been very intriguing.

 

Yes, he was never quite the same after the Watson fight. And that’s perfectly understandable.

 

Great post.

I’ve not heard of Toney deliberately avoiding Gerald.

I know they sparred together at the Kronk.

Do you have any more info?

 

Hes absolutely clueless. Let him stick to his Joshua fantasy threads

 

They were all trying to avoid McClellan, even Jones Jr, who McClellan had previously soundly beaten in the amateurs. He is widely remembered for his speed and power but the guy could box well too. Pretty sure he beat Moorer in the amateurs aswell.

Toney had been the one who initially was calling out McClellan but once he dismantled Sullivan with ease, Toney conveniently decided that he couldn't make the weight anymore. I think he shat it personally but obviously that it only my opinion and not based on anything other than that. Toney was a quality fighter with a great chin and I loved his style but it's hard to argue that he won his second fight fight against McCallum, who by that point was about 36-years-old and past his best. I think both Benn and particularly Eubank would have given him big problems.

 

Gerald was a beast, especially at MW.

I don’t know if James avoided him though. You may be right, but consider all of the guys who he fought. He was mixing it with guys like Sam Peter in his 40’s when he was way past his best and overweight.

Regarding Roy, it would have been interesting to see what would have happen had Gerald have beaten Benn. I’ve heard Roy said that he’d have fought him if he could have compromised with King and not signed into a multi fight deal.