I think the fights were easy to score, obviously subjective and with 2 totally different styles opinions will differ. I felt he lost them clearly, thats not to say the scores were wide but the rounds imo were easy to score so clearly. I had the McCallum fight closer than 4 rounds. It was that fight that got Watson to go straight at McCallum in the belief he would tire. Collins was lightly regarded at that time.
The Johnson-Collins fight was very close and could have gone either way. Steve put up a very good effort against McCallum too after giving away the early rounds trying to stick and move. The Kalambay loss is a bit of a black mark though considering where Kalambay was at that point in his career, and yes, it was a clear loss despite Collins taking some rounds on workrate. He barely hit Kalambay all night; it was all gloves and arms (and air). That being said, I like Steve over Froch more often than not, he'd thread that awkward but deceptively accurate right a few too many times for Carl to overcome. Froch's only arguable advantage here is his power, and even that wouldn't come anywhere near to damaging the block of adamantium that was Collins' skull.
I'd like to see your scorecard, Atberry. Having Collins 'streets ahead' after seven is overdoing it somewhat, lol. I thought they were trading rounds and it was very nip and tuck early, i don't think any man had a big edge at that point. The 10th or 11th (can't remember which one) was massive for Johnson. Close fight, but I think Collins lost it in the middle rounds. He was trying to counter-punch too much, iirc. We should watch it together sometime. :good
Wouldn't go that far, but yes Johnson did look pretty darn good, as slick as snot on a doorknob at times.
I would, leading with those right hooks and straight lefts, bang on. He used to better Jones in sparring at that time, too.
It's a pity that Johnson was past it and overweight by the time he and Jones faced each other actually. He was very mediocre at 175 but might have made a good fist at it at 160. Not that I'd pick him to win when all's said and done.
classic analysis from steve there, and in a way i can see where hes coming from collins is underated imo
Thought Kalambay bamboozled Collins tbh. I had Collins edging the Johnson fight though. Christ this a tough one to pick though. Have to favour Collins. Better skills imo.
lol I wonder who made Haye bottle it...I can believe it though after seeing Haye scared to engage against both Valuev and Klitschko I have Collins beating Froch in a long hard fight, with both taking a lot of damage along the way
I think you can imagine Froch winning if he boxed but from what we have seen Collins is the more technically adept fighter henceI have to go Collins on point much as I like Froch.
This would be a great fight. I would say Collins based on the opposition he faced. Not saying Froch has faced no marks, far from it, just think Collins resume is better. Would be close though.
Collins for me. He's just too solid all round for Froch. Carl for me would struggle, going into a fight knowing that his opponent would love nothing more than to meet him in the centre of the ring and have an argument, and that he could take whatever he threw at him and just smile. Steve might get rid of him actually.