H2H best SMW's ever

Calzaghe was the best H2H slapper. KO machine!

 

I would have a young Eubank #1 for his chin and dangerous counters and (then) finishing instinct. Nunn, Jones, Joe, Ward, Toney, and a 93-95 Benn. Froch and Kessler are quite a way off, behind even the past-his-best, limited Steve Collins. If we include Michael Watson in his one fight at the weight, he looked literally unbeatable on that fateful night and is surely #1, but Eubank beat him!

 

The top three of Watson, Eubank and Jones Jr are indisputable really. Joe Calzaghe had great workrate, Michael Nunn was a tall rangey busy mobile southpaw master, and the James Toney who fought Iran Barkley showed the best skills we've ever seen in the game. Ward is extremely effective, efficient. The '93-'95 Nigel Benn was a world-beater with his upper body motion! The rest are a way off this batch.

 

I'd have to rank Graciano Rocchigiani above Froch and Kessler. He was simply better. And Lindell Holmes had a terrific win over Frank Tate, punching him all over the ring when Tate was said to be better and stronger at the new weight than the weight-starved version who lost his MW crown to Nunn (considered lb4lb #1 on that performance). Liles was useful too, tall southpaw with a dangerous right hook, who Jones Jr wanted nothing of. Tim Littles was very, very good. Even Tony Thornton, gave a peak Toney a close fight when James was considered lb4lb #1, and beat ultra-awkward banger Sosa with excellent skill. Charles Brewer was very good, too.

 

See, Jones Jr fought so many guys when they were 5 years past their best (in Thornton's case, post-retirement with a completely gone shoulder; Sosa's case post-Williams epic wars), and the likes of Liles and Brewer who were coming into their own he made no real effort to contest.

 

1. Calzaghe
2. Roy Jones
3. Collins
4. Eubank
5. Benn
6. Ward
7. Froch
8. Kessler
9. Watson
10. McCllelan

 

Calzaghe would be the Bute of this scenario

 

I can't see Collins beating Ward, Toney or McClellan, or Benn at his best. Eubank beat him clearly in their first fight with his head shot to bits and referee trying to rob him by discounting Eubank's KD's, counting Collins's bogus KD, long-counting Collins, etc.

 

And I can't see Froch or Kessler (or Collins) beating Michael Nunn, G.Rocchigiani, or even Liles.

 

You seriously think Calzaghe would beat Jones? Calzaghe himself didn't think he could beat Jones, but even that isn't enough for his die hard fans.

And Collins beating Ward

 

Calzaghe would beat Jones, did beat Jones and Hopkins in their own back yard. Jones was always afraid of Michalczewski and for good reason............................

 

Some very good fighters in those 30 years.