Gary Mason - what could've been?

Mason was competent boxer. He was slow but had good offensive ****nal, was strong and had an iron chin.

His fight vs Lewis was a war. Lewis was too green. Anyone who thinks it was easy fight for Lennox never watched the fight.

It was even until the 6th round when Mason's cut worsened a lot. Mason wasn't hurt and fought back but his cut was bad enough to stop the fight.

He hit Lennox with many nice shots. Had Lewis had glass chin, he would've lost that fight early.

What if he fought tougher opponents earlier? He'd probably got title shot vs Tyson and lost.

Mason vs Bruno would be great fight.

 

Yes. I think McCall hit harder but they were similar in many ways indeed. Also Mason vs Ruddock would be epic.

What do you think about Mason chances in hypothetical fights vs weaker beltholders like Seldon, Maskaev, Lyakhovic, Briggs, Valuev?

 

Mason was a good fighter good power fast hands rock chin.he fought with the lawless stable of fighters and was always in Brunos shadow .would have been interesting if he had moved to the states with a top gym and trainer could have made a impact but I don't think he could have beaten the very best fighters spoon Tyson dougless holyfield or foreman but would have still been in some great fights and been successful. A real what if situation. RIP Garry you are sadly missed.

 

Wasn't a guy many wanted to fight, including Bruno, or should I say Mickey Duff didn't want Bruno in with him. Was never going to be a top top guy but could have caused somebody an upset if his career had went on a bit longer. Lewis was a bad match up.

 

I'm old enough to remember Gary Mason, I was very young but I remember watching a lot of his fights and also remember watching the British title fight with Lewis.

Mason left boxing with a record of 38 fights 37 wins (34 KO's) and a single defeat at the hands of a young hungry Lennox Lewis. As said, not many stand out victories but definitely some solid ones.

Mason had a very good chin, actually an excellent chin in my opinion, Lewis stopped him on his feet with an eye injury and from what I remember Mason was never really wobbled or what you'd call hurt in that fight although it was clear to see he was losing.

Earlier in his career Mason was somewhat overshadowed by Frank Bruno in the UK, when Mason was winning the British title (1989) Bruno was about to fight the undefeated, fearsome, one man wrecking machine Mike Tyson for a bunch of world titles so the British boxing fans had eyes for only one British heavyweight at the beginning of 1989.

I remember many British boxing "experts" having Mason beating Bruno if that fight ever happened.

The eye injury for Mason was a real shame, I think he could have picked up the European title once Lennox had moved on but I don't think he would have gone on to win world titles, Lewis has already beaten him, Bowe was coming through and there were a few other very good heavyweights would have beaten him in my opinion.

As mentioned, Mason maybe should have stepped it up a few years earlier than he did, it took Mason nearly 30 pro fights to win a British title, that seems crazy these days when young fighters are picking them up after a handful of pro bouts but it was a different era, fighters went out and tried to "learn the trade", build a following and go the traditional route of titles, British, Commonwealth, European and then World.

If he was around today, on the British scene I'd have him beating the like of Chisora and fighters in that bracket, I'd probably say he could pick up the European title and then fall short at world level but with a sound chin, strength and power he'd be a handful for a lot of fighters.

 

Gary mason had huge power and some decent fighting ability from what I've seen of him. He established a nice record on paper and At one point back around 1990, the WBC, WBA and IBF all had him at about #5 or #6 from memory.. But his opposition was quite dire. While it looks good at first glance that he beat guys like Biggs, Tillis and Pritchard, all those men had seen better days. And he looked slower than Malasis in the dead of winter even In his twenties.. He had been well credited for his efforts against Lennox Lewis but Lewis had all but fourteen fights and I don't think mason won a single round.. Contrary to what many British boxing fans and experts have claimed, I certainly wouldn't have favored him to beat frank Bruno.. Frank was noticeably more mobile with greater height, reach and a better jab.. He was also better tested at the world level and for all we know might have had superior power ( though that last one is debatable. ) at his best Gary mason was probably a good fridge contender In his own era.. In a weaker period he might have ascended a bit higher. But in all reality I'm not sure he was any better than Alex Stewart who aside from having a different accent could have been his career twin.

 

Watched his fight v Biggs at the weekend,great fight. Better than most you see these days from both guys.
I always wondered why Gary wasnt fighting at world level after that win, he was already ranked 4 before Biggs, but then went back to fighting journeymen before busting his eye and taking the payday with Lennox.
Strange career when you look at it, never really steped up. He wouldve been a hard fight for anybody.

 

If mason had not fought Lewis when he did he could of fought Damiani for the European title that would of been a good fight or channet that would of been easy for gary.then big fights against other guys in the top ten .that would of been interesting a fight with moorer or ruddock would be a great fight.