If the ill-fated MAPs card had occured as scheduled, who would have won this highly intriguing matchup to unify the Light Heavyweight title. Mustafa was more talented, but Saad had so many intangibles. He may have been sligthly past his best by Feb. '81 but was still highly explosive as shown in his devastaing one punch ko of Lottie Mwale three months earlier. I think Mustafa would have built a lead, but superior conditioning and desire would have lead Saad to a close points win over 15 rounds.
Eddie Mustafa was pretty durable and could punch as well. Saad was terrific but as mentioned lacked defense. I'm leaning towards Eddie Gregory but I suppose its any man's fight.
Eddie beat him once before they were champs. I think most likely he'd do it again, but Saad was a true killer in the championship rounds.
I go back and forth on this one. Eddie had the better boxing IQ and was such an excellent counterpuncher, but was lazy as hell at times. Matt had the better stamina to go 15, had a fine jab and some of the greatest recovery powers ever. With a gun to my head, I'd pick Matt. Shame it didn't happen close to their primes.
Saad was a warrior, and though Mustafa had stronger boxing skills, Saad would win due to his toughness, and resilency. He floored Eddie before in their initial fight, and would do so again, coming from behind to win by 13th or 14th round stoppage.
Mustafa by late stoppage. If title fights were 2o rounds he would have been near unstoppable. He paced himself well to the point of too well and would not be running out of wind in the late rounds which are customarily Saad's. Mustafa also had one punch power, particularly in the right hand. With a bit more killer instinct he could have been anything.
Keep in mind the timing here. The MAPS card was scheduled for February 1981. Over the next few months Saad would have three more defenses before losing to a peak Qawi in the autumn, while Mustafa would lose his next fights to Snipes, in an ill-advised move to heavy, and Michael Spinks. This 79-81 period is the only time I'd pick Saad (maybe - Eddie wasn't a guy who got himself KO'd, just out hustled.). Any other time I'd pick Mustafa. Of course Eddie beat Saad in early '77.
