Better fight: Chris Eubank vs Nigel Benn 1 or Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn

Neither were considered amongst the best MWs in the world, that's what I meant. It wasn't a real title fight.

 

Benn was considered one of the best middleweights at the time, he was rising through the ranks after losing to Watson in 89, only McCallum and Nunn were rated above Benn at the time and maybe Kalambay but his stock had dropped after Nunn sparked him in the 1st round, Graham`s career had stalled after McCallum beat him, opinion would have been spit as to whether Graham, Watson or Benn were the best British middleweights in 1990 leading up to this fight.
1989 ring mag ratings:

1. Michael Nunn
2. Sumbu Kalambay
3. Mike McCallum
4. Roberto Duran
5. Iran Barkley
6. Michael Watson
7. Herol Graham
8. Steve Collins
9. Nigel Benn
10. Dennis Milton

 

1990 ring mad top ten middleweights list:

1. Michael Nunn
2. Julian Jackson
3. Sumbu Kalambay
4. Mike McCallum
5. Steve Collins
6. Chris Eubank
7. Roberto Duran
8. Michael Watson
9. Nigel Benn
10. Reggie Johnson

 

It was a domestic fight. The winner wasn't considered a legitimate world champion.
Watson was clearly superior to Benn as he'd just knocked him out.

 

No, Benn improved vastly when he changed manager after his fight with Watson, Barkley was rated as high as Watson, then after losing to Eubank Benn went up another level by changing manager again.

 

No, you hugely underestimate Watson. Barkley had lost to Nunn and Duran remember, he also lost to Benn due to 3 stoppage rule.

No one felt Benn vs Eubank was for the best in the world, it was arguably the best in Britain though.

CEJ vs Benn probably also crowned the best British MW.

People just have to remember how lowly regarded the WBO belt was.

It was about the names, not the belt.

 

The stoppage was correct and not too early, Benn was out on his feet taking punishment when Steele jumped in, Ambrose Mendy ran across the ring to get Nigel who was not protesting it and neither were his team, Nigel was actually leaning on Steele's chest crying.

 

I agree, but Barkley only lost to Nunn on a split decision and I feel Duran could have beaten Watson even at the age of 39.

 

The problem in reality was the divisions (MW and SMW) were far too fractured and we didnt see the top guys fighting each other often enough.

McCallum fought Watson and Collins, and Barkley fought Benn but that's pretty much where it stops.

And because of this it's hard to know the actual level off Benn and Eubank, without doing lots of mental gymnastics.