Yup. And I love Watson. I avoided listening to radio news, TV news and picked up a newspaper like it was a bomb after his injury. I was terrified he might have died. I was a little lad when Johnny Owen died and I ran upstairs and cried when the radio broke the news that he'd died. 36 years last week. Where'd that go?
Johnson was way better than Watson in every department, Watson was really good though, being competitive in that era is an accomplishment and he even beat Benn and schooled Eubank for 23 rounds.
Great fight between two very skilled technicians. I would probably lean towards Johnson, but, not by much. So tragic what happened to Watson. I remember reading about him completing a marathon after his accident. Man must have an incredible fighting spirit.
would be a great fight, If Johnson opts for the come forward and try to out speed him. This would play into Watson's favour, Watson was always excellent when faced with a come forward fighter. Watson was unfortunate in his world title fights and as previous poster said schooled Eubank for 23 rounds, he was a fantastic boxer and an even better human being.
Good matchup. Never seen this one done before. Watson was a quality fighter. Dismantled Benn, and clearly beat Eubank in their first fight. Was robbed blind. I'd favor Johnson though, based on styles more than anything. Watson was at his best against stationary guys who came at him, and Reggie's quickness, and underrated power in his right hook would be a problem for Watson. Johnson by UD.
Both these guys would be superstars today. Man, what a loaded division 160 was in the early 90's. So many possibilities that you could match up anyone ranked 1-10 and it would've been a barnburner!
I started collecting mostly Ring and KO around 1988 and every week or so I visit the "old school" magazines and rankings form that period. I have to say 1991 was a HUGE transitional year in boxing with multiple Super Fights being lined up in not only heavyweight but that stacked middleweight division.
Agreed. Amazing year to be a fan of the MW Division at the time. Question: Does Hagler pick up a "L" against that murderers row or not?
If he fought them back to back, by the law of averages he has an off night against at least one but that shouldn't affect his standing overall. Who wouldn't? But in one off head to heads, Marv in 1982 form and these guys in 1991 form, I see the following. Nice question BB. Wonder how Monzon circa '72 fares? Toney: MMH pts 12 McCallum: MMH pts 12 Jackson: MMH tko 7-10 Kalambay: MMH pts 12 or late stoppage Jones Jr: Honestly don't know. Roy was special but he might be a bit green in 91 for Hagler. We never saw his durability questioned at this weight either so we don't know if he stays with Marvin. I'll go Hagler late tko or quite wide decision with Roy conceding rounds on his bike. Collins: MMH tko 8-10 cuts Johnson: MMH pts 12 or late stoppage Parks: Don't know enough about Parks but the fact that I don't suggests he never did enough to be going the distance with 82 Hagler. Mercado: As above McLellan: The late wild card. In 91 probably not. He'd been done by Milton and Ward a couple of years before. But 93-94 version with that body attack probably has as much chance as anyone, other than Jones, of pulling it off. So, yes, in 1991 MMH late stoppage.
Benn and Eubank were also around in '91. Not that they'd have much of a shot, but I'm just showing how stacked MW was. I think Marv loses a few, I really do. I mean, Toney/RJJ/Kalambay/McCallum - that's a serious group of killers. Then you have Nunn! Nunn could have made Marv look foolish at times, IMHO. It's the best the MW Division has EVER been, IMHO. Marv, as great as he is, doesn't go through that lot without losing one or a few.