Azumah Nelson vs Barry McGuigan

How would this have gone?

 

This was so highly anticipated in 1986. Everyone was distraught when Cruz upset McGuigan. Really though, Barry was starting to wilt a bit before that when Cabrera caused him such grief just one fight before.

Nelson would have dominated and because he was so determined to beat "Miss Quiggle" as he called him at the time (not my opinion of Barry certainly, though I was a big Nelson fan back then and wanted him to win) I think he would have been aggressive with McGuigan early and would have stopped him by the middle rounds. McGuigan was starting to eat a lot of punches by then, and he'd have paid the price.

 

Nelson, and comfortably.

 

Azumah Nelson by KO in the 10th!

 

I felt the same at the time(wanting Nelson to win). I agree about the outcome, too. I wish the fight had happened, though.

 

Nelson. Fun while it lasts though.

 

Having seen Nelson/Cowdell, the general feeling among those I knew, who knew the sport was that the fight may have even been a borderline mismatch.

With thirty-ish years of hindsight, I think that was a bit harsh on the Clones cyclone. I think he would have been competitive, but in the end Azumah would have been too powerful.

 

I lean towards Nelson here more versatile.

 

I think McGuigan was an example of a fighter being better on his way to the title.
That McGuigan was certainly a handful for anyone and would have gave Nelson a fight, but overall I think Azumah was just a bout a level above Barry, and would have stopped him mid to late rounds.

 

Nelson too strong and offensively dangerous for Barry.You can really see the difference in strength if you watch both fight Cabrera.McGuigan was an intelligent solid punching pressure fighter, but not a particularly strong or physically gifted one.He slipped punches technically well on the way in, but wouldn't have the reflexes to keep that up consistently against Nelson.

Nelson could be inconsistent but more so at 130 this is a very stylistically favourable fight for him.

 

Nelson takes him apart and stops him late. No other outcome is possible.

 

Azumah was peaking by 1986 while Barry was starting to head south. As some have already stated his time was up. But prime for prime this would have been a competitive fight I think.

 

Azumah would've stopped Barry in 8 rounds. A couple of rounds are competitive, but after that part, Nelson takes charge.

 

A terrible fight for Barry and he's lucky it never happened .. Azumah was too strong and too good ..