How big of a puncher was Nigel Benn?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rollin, Jul 8, 2025.

  1. Rollin

    Rollin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    In terms of the heavyweight pantheon, let's say. Was he a Cleveland Williams, or an Earnie Shavers?
     
  2. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    probably more like Cleveland Williams.
     
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  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    He was one of the biggest bangers in British history at the lower weight s.
    Definitely one of the most exciting fighter we've had.
     
  4. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Barrios is a bandit robber - Psalm 144:1 Full Member

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    Much like HW’s Shavers, Williams and Foreman… it didn’t matter, it is basically all the same a guy who gets properly hit by any of them is getting taken out - Benn, Jackson, Robinson etc.
     
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  5. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Shavers
     
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  6. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think that in terms of raw power, Benn was a top 10 MW puncher of all time.

    Purely based on raw power, perhaps comparable to a Lewis/Tyson hybrid at HW. Not top 3 all time, but top 10.
     
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  7. AdamT

    AdamT Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    My dad's friend was hit by him in the street many years ago and said even then he was so explosive and powerful

    He was a soldier in County Derry Northern Ireland when young. I've also heard many other reports on his ability to punch. Back then soldiers regularly got into fist fights with natives when out.
     
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  8. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He was like Shavers when still at middle but very fast and crisp with it too. Knocked out Robbie Sims the only time in his long career, that left hook counter off the ropes had him out on his feet. He had an array of shots!
     
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  9. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think when he moved up in weight, he could still make middleweight comfortably. Hence the punches having less effect on naturally bigger men. It was forced with weight-training to chase Eubank, Nunn and Barkley. And a lot of super-middles then were really just light-heavies who could get down (Piper etc).
     
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  10. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    Hard puncher and maybe the best rabbit puncher ever. Real class act.
     
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  11. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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  12. Turnip mk3

    Turnip mk3 Active Member Full Member

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    Devastating at middle. One of the biggest hitters at this weight in history. Less so at super middle was often fighting boiled down LHWs
    should of stayed at middle imo
     
  13. kingfisher3

    kingfisher3 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    i wouldn't want to get hit by him.
     
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  14. Smoochie

    Smoochie Would deal with the devil for sum Greb footage Full Member

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  15. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He might’ve been firing off with Jackson & McClellan, after Collins in Boston or Dublin or something. Maybe even Toney in 92 - he didn’t re-sign with Arum because he wanted to move up for Eubank or Nunn (neither of which with Arum at time).
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2025
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