After reading a thread a few moments ago stating that eubank was just a contender, i wanted to guage peoples views on these guys, taking into consideration the epics they had together, and the fact that RJJ did anything but want to fight Steve Collins!
Yup I think he can only be considered a contender given the fact he never won a world title belt. Nevertheless he was an incredibly accomplished fighter who was in some exciting fights. Eubank lost the fights with Collins mentally, Roy Jones would have schooled a reasonably limited fighter like Collins. Nigel was also involved in some thrillers & his battles with Eubank will be remembered for years to come.
Eubank was a very good fighter and champion pre Watson, but i know the thread that you are referring too and that still doesn't take away from the fact that he was past his prime when Calzaghe beat him. He was a very good fighter with very good skills though its really a shame that never had a chance to get on he big stage and get the big money fights with Jones, Toney, McClellan( Before the horrible tragedy, with all due respect to the G-man of course) ect.
Well, Benn was a much more recognised world champ than either two as he stopped world class Americans like Barkely and McClellan. However, Eubank and Collins both stopped Benn. They were all very good fighters. Collins gets a lot of stick, but he would have done well in this era. Back then, the world was bigger. Top fighters from different countries weren't fighting each other. They are now. Have to say, though, that as good as Eubank was, he did act like a paper champ for much of his career. Though he was in some massive UK events and made lots of money.
Eubank should have probably got the nod & taken the WBC from Benn in their second fight. What did you think?
I just got some Benn fights in the mail the other day. I'm very impressed with him. I hope to finish the collection by monday its 42 fights. I'm on fight #20
Keep going! Hope you are enjoying them... are you watching them in order? If you are you've just watched the very good logan fight and will have the Watson fight soon. After that you will start to see him develop from a brawler to a world class fighter.
I thought the score was roughly correct. Had it not been for the point deduction Benn would have got the nod. Close fight though. That was probably both fighters at their best - in Eubanks case physically at least, but of course not mentally. EDIT: In any case the WBA and WBO champ runnign so close kind of brough some parity to the WBO belt.
Unlike many Eubank was always upfront about it. He was in boxing for the money and despised the sport as brutal. To get in the ring with a dangerous opponent like Benn he wanted paying well and I can't blame him for that. He did very well at it though - I have read somewhere over a certain period only Tyson earned more. Dunno if that is true or what the period was but he certainly earned his share.