Who takes this one between these two tough little guys at lightweight? Anyone give Michael a shot? Barry Michael, even though he won his title at super feather was really a natural lightweight so Haugen even though he fought at light welter might not have THAT much physicality on him, Michael would've stayed at lightweight, but after beating Al Carter in a little classic and not getting a shot at Boom Boom Mancini like he was promised, decided to move down to super feather when Lester Ellis won the IBF strap and they had what probabily is Australia's biggest ever fight. The first world title fight between two Aussies aswell. He was done by the time of the Rocky Lockridge fight where he got dominated. Greg Haugen was a good little fighter too. And mixed in some great company with the likes of Chavez, Whitaker, Camacho etc. Not on their level but was a very solid fighter. He probabily had more boxing skills than Barry Michael. But Michael was versatile, imo and would probabily press the fight aswell as box in spots. Micheal also had a great chin. I would pick Haugen to win a decision, maybe a very clear one. The one of the Vinny Paz fights and even the one who stopped a faded Ray Mancini. But certainly the one who won the IBF strap the first time.
Haugen is just a level (or two) above Bazza...whom is tough as they come but holds no advantages here..except maybe in the beard department. He is like our own tru blu fair dinkum version of Yuh but like bigger and not quite as good.
What a fight this one would have been. I've only watched replays of their fights but am friends with both. Greg was bigger but as previously stated, Michael had a chin of steel. Tough match to pick. Really would depend on where the fight was as both guy sreally fought with the momentum given to them by the crowd.
Crowds can certainly provide momentum. But don't forget one of Barry Michael's greatest wins was achieved in front of an extremely hostile pro-Lester Ellis crowd :good
