Sumbu was at his best 1987-1991.The ageing 1992.. 36year old version of kalambay was good enough to beat herol graham (v close fight) and Steve Collins ( close too). The middleweight Benn drastically improved after the watson fight and 1990 represented the finished article. Super middle benn 1992- 1995 represents the very best benn. Both have the firepower to hurt the ageing 1992 kalambay maybe floor him but sumbu would still outbox him. The 1987-1991 kalambay...will outbox the 1990-1995 benn 116-112...and stop the 22-0 Benn of the Watson fight in 10.
Sumbu would win barring a big ko shot from Benn not impossible but unlikely. Very few middle weights In history beat Kalambay .
I think that, at Middleweight, Benn is too one dimensional for the slick, stiff punching Kalambay. A bruising and painful defeat for Nigel, probably around 9 or 10.
While I pick Kalambay I'm not picking a stoppage. I think Watson/Eubank were stronger and harder hitting at the weight than Kalambay
Sambu likely wide decision, if Benn gasses out like he did against Watson could be a stoppage but likely decision.
Some styles are just not great for a guy like Benn. Kalambay is one of them. Or another thread was GGG vs. Toney. Toney would not be great for GGG.. GGG would be outskilled, although it matters which Toney showed up. And interesting fight would be Benn vs. GGG.
Kalambay by wide decision. Benn wouldn't know how to deal with Kalambay's piston jab, movement, and defense.