Nigel Benn's opp vs Calzaghe's

To me it's not even close. What do you think?

Benn fought guys like Sanderline Williams, Robbie Sims and Sugar Boy Malinga in NON-title fights. Those alone are better operators than ALL of Calzaghe's World title challengers!

That's not even taking into account DeWitt and Barkley in their 20s in the US in their literal home towns (Doug lived in NJ and Iran lived in LV), coming off great performances against Matt Hilton and Mike Nunn and both having done so well against Tommy Hearns (DeWitt cut him up). Benn nearly took Barkley with the very first shot and scored a 10-8 round against DeWitt in just the first round WITHOUT a knockdown!

Eubank was as far from faded as can be when Benn fought him. Watching the Eubank-Watson II fight in its entirety, how can you tell me the square-like Calzaghe was involved in anything like that kind of fight between hugely muscled, fast, fit, skilled specimens in their mid 20s just exchanging huge combinations and short right hands (with knuckles being turned over).

Benn fought very often, his entire career was shorter than Calz WBO reign. Successful defenses against Barkley in Vegas, Eubank in front of 47,000 at Old Trafford (should've won), and McClellan in London in the most violent atmosphere ever trump any three of Joe's defenses by a distance, surely?

Benn also stood toe-to-toe with huge men in Watson and Collins without going to the body, men who completely dwarfed him. Joe always looked like the bigger man in all his fights.

He also fought unbeaten mandatory Wharton who was favoured to beat him, Wharton for me had a far better left hook than Jeff Lacy - watch Wharton climbing the ranks, punching guys out of the ring with treble hooks to body and head.

And Morgan (robbed against Tiozzo in previous fight), Piper and Gent were light-heavyweights and cruisrweights coming down. Joe never risked against bigger guys, even Hopkins and Jones Jr were former middles and looked smaller than him.

I can't not rate Benn as the greater fighter with the better opponents.

 

'The Nigel Benn that beat Doug DeWitt would have beaten any middleweight in the world. And I mean any middleweight, then, now or any time.'

-Manny Steward

 

Oh he's far too big and strong for Nigel. If Calzaghe killed himself to make 11st6lb though, Benn's natural weight, he'd be obliterated (he'd be weakened). Benn forced 12st, to chase Eubank. He always came in at 12st on the night, whereas Chris, Gerald, Steve and Joe were 13st in there (with more fat on a butchers knife).

 

Holy ****.

But even then, Benn at middle was weighing in at 11-6 ON THE DAY OF THE FIGHT. He's still smaller than GGG, who would've been a super-middle or light-heavy in 1990. No wander Benn's kayos dried up, because he moved to super-middle the same time the weigh-ins changed to the day before!

 

When Nigel fought Rod Douglas in the 1985 London ABA semi-final at 11st2lb, Douglas dwarfed him. I think Benn left welterweight for his mate Tony Velinor. Benn was actually doing well moving in and out of range with fast shoeshiners and mobile legs, but Douglas just over powered and out strengthen him.

 

It's natural size and strength of Calzaghe that would be too much for Benn, on top of the awkward southpaw stance and quick shots to the sides of the head (can't bob and weave, duck or slide what are arm punches from the sides).

Calzaghe was very easy to hit with right hands, I just don't see him standing up to McClellan's I'm afraid. McClellan was a huge man too.

 

Interestingly, Eubank lost in the 1985 New York Golden Gloves semi-final at 156lb, and Benn lost in the 1985 London ABA semi-final at 156lb/71kg. How about that.

The guy who beat Eubank, Joseph Henry, turned pro with Anthony Logan out of Florida. They trained together.

The guy who beat Benn, Rod Douglas, Eubank sparred with at Thomas A Becket before Douglas turned pro (and got the better of Eubank).

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Isn't it funny how things work out.

 

Barkley lost to Nunn by close dec in his previous fight who was near the top of the lb4lb lists, the undisputed #1 at 160.

Julian Jackson was also high on the lb4lb lists when McClellan beat him. He was the champion and the favourite!

He beat Eubank.

Calzaghe never unified until 15 years into his career. Benn's whole entire career was nine years! Both had problems unifying due to politics, the Showtime/HBO issue for Benn (RJJ) and the Ottke/Germany issue for Joe (why be robbed).

Barkley never fought Sugarboy, who was a South African based light heavy in the 80s and Iran a bigtime US middle.