This is a match-up which I always hoped would happen in the 90's, but it never did. I think the best time for these two to have fought would have been around 1990. I say that, because Nigel Benn was an improved boxer by then, (since his Michael Watson defeat) and Herol Graham still had much of his speed and reflexes. This is a fascinating one to consider, because they were entirely different fighters, which is mostly why such a match-up would have been so interesting. Nigel Benn always seemed to struggle against boxers, so I could see Herol giving him something of a pasting, and Herol's punch power, I think, was often a bit underestimated, so there was a chance he could have worn Benn down and stopped him. But on the other hand, Benn wouldn't have stopped pressing forward, and he was most dangerous when hurt, plus there was that murderous power he had at middleweight. We all know what happened to Herol Graham when Julian Jackson caught him, so perhaps Nigel Benn would have got close enough eventually, and flattened him? Graham also had the bad habit of clowning, or dropping his hands as well. If the fight had been set to take place then, I think I would have put my money on Graham, but who knows? What do others think?
Graham would bamboozle Benn for 8/9 rounds and then stop him. I think Graham would have done the same to the likes of Watson and Eubank. Remember the Rod Douglas fight ? Douglas also had good power but Graham totally outboxed him and eventually forced a stoppage.
Yeah, I saw that fight on the BBC. Herol practically turned it into a panto, and Douglas still couldn't lay a glove on him. Then when Herol finished him with that dazzling combo, Douglas suffered a blood clot. Thankfully, he recovered, but was never to box again. I wonder what he's doing now?
The last I heard (which was some time ago) he was managing a pub. I still remember that fight, stayed up to watch it and it was a school night.
Douglas was stupidly thrown in over his head imo. From what I remember he was quite the prospect. Graham is all wrong for Benn, clear ud or late stoppage though you have to give Benn an ok punchers chance.
Benn would not of been able to beat a pre 1991 Graham. Watson was not in Graham's league (look how each did against McCallum), and yet he made pre 91 Benn look silly.
I pick Benn. He would have caught up with him at some point. I wouldn't risk any of my own money on it though.
Graham's defence is vastly overestimated. He doesn't have the right kind of style to outbox Benn and relies far too much on punching in bunches and outspeeding fighters, rather than quality textbook boxing. Benn had faster hands and would eventually catch up to him and brutally starch him as Graham steps straight back with those hands down.
it would have been exactly the same as the julian jackson fight with graham outboxing him b4 benn lands a big one and puts his lights out.
