Azumah Nelson talks of his 5 greatest fights

Better than Tiger?

 

I think when it comes to Africa's greatest you can say Dick Tiger, Azumah Nelson and Brian Mitchell, but I slightly prefer Nelson.

 

I already mentioned Steve Cruz's Amateur career in a previous post that he was an outstanding Amateur with multiple golden gloves under his belt.

I never said Cruz wasn't a good fighter but of course the heat and climate made a difference, one is from Ireland where it's cold and cloudy for most of the year. The other is from from Texas so of course Cruz is alot more capable of dealing with extreme heat of 110 degrees. I don't think the UK or Ireland has ever had 110 degree heat weather TBH.

Again I already said its McGuigan and his team's fault for not preparing for the heat and climate properly, but I do think McGuigan would've won under normal conditions yes, McGuigan was ahead after 14 rounds despite not being prepared for the heat.

As I said no excuses Cruz won the fight fairly and good on him, but I do think McGuigan would've won under normal conditions I don't think that's an outlandish opinion.

As for McDonnell yes he was dropped 3 times vs Nelson but he gave him a very a tough fight in a brave effort from McDonnell. McGuigan retired for 2 years after Cruz fight and was never the same fighter I don't think that's an outlandish opinion either.

 

That's not what I said at all and I never suggested that either, when did i say McGuigan would give Nelson a tough fight based on McDonnell fight ? They're two completely different fighters. McDonnell was more of a classic boxer type and McGuigan was an aggressive come forward fighter.

I do think a prime McGuigan would give Nelson a good fight before being stopped sometime in 2nd half of the fight, but certainly not based on McDonnell fight which has no revelance to McGuigan as their styles are not remotely the same.

Finally what do you class as a tough fight ? McGuigan was on a stretcher after a grueling 15 round battle in 110 degree heat, in which he was floored 3 times and suffering from dehydration. It was so tough it took McGuigan 2 years until he thought he was mentally and physically ready to fight again.

Finally to go over McDonnell/Nelson fight once again yes it was a tough fight, and McDonnell won his fair share of rounds and pushed Nelson. I don't think Nelson was ever in danger of losing and he certainly looked a class above McDonnell, but it was still a tough fight and very brave effort from McDonnell until he had nothing left in 11th round.

 

Honeyghan got lucky Both Dave Gorman & Paul Reyes, his trainer, wanted to pull Don out he'd had the flu , hadn't been able to train, was overweight because of this. It was the man I believe helped ruin Don's career Akhbar Muhammad that insisted Don fought. He had to endure the sweatbox to make weight. He was weak as a kitten. Credit to Lloyd he took advantage of a not 100% opponent. BUT He obviously knew this when he point blank refused to rematch Don.
Don wanted to move up & fight Hagler but as we all know Saccharin Ray Leonard, I refuse to call him Sugar Ray, only one Sugar Ray Mr Robinson, stabbed Don in the back & negociated the Hagler fight for himself.
Robbed Marvelous Marvin too in my book. Leonard was not one of Texas favorite sons by far over that

 

He was a snake in the grass, supposedly working for Don as an advisor & hired by Muhammad. Supposedly forced to retire with a detached retina. He kept telling Don to wait while he was angling for the fight for himself.
First we heard of it in Ft Worth was on the News " Leonard is coming back & will face Marvin Hagler"
Leonard beat a hasty retreat from Texas as you can guess like a scalded rat.. I think he was probably wise to do that too