Both were capable of making the very best fighters struggle mightily, but you don't hear much about either fighter anymore, regardless of the great skill of both. Who had a better resume? Which was a better fighter? Both had several very close fights, some of which were straight up questionable (Castro vs Johnson) Anyone have any recollections about their scorings of eithers close fights?
Johnson has the better resumee because he had success in several weight classes vs just 175 for griffin. Griffin was also more fortunate than johnson in getting the nod in close fights
They are both good fighters. But, Reggie Johnson is superior in both categories. Griffin was very fortunate to have gotten the DQ victory over Jones in a fight that was quickly turning in Jones' favor. The rematch erased any controversy about who was better. Griffin was also fortunate to face James Toney during a point of James' career when he just refused to get in shape. (Toney lost to Drake Thadzi around that time for Christ's sake) Had Griffin fought an in shape and motivated Toney (but, obviously this is not Montell's fault), we would probably have never heard of Griffin. How Toney could not motivate himself for the rematch is so frustrating. Had the two fought two years earlier, or two years later Toney would have likely stopped Griffin.
Reggie in both categories. The only real hard luck story in Griffin's career was the Michalczewski fight, where he'd been in control until the questionable stoppage - but it was hardly a disgrace and Dariusz did have him in a spot of bother. That aside, Montell certainly had more good luck than bad. To be fair, he had given Jones real problems; those who claim Roy had been the boss all night and that Griffin's victory was totally hollow are wide of the mark. But at that moment in the ninth, Roy would almost certainly have ended matters had his overeagerness not got the best of him. He also got a gift in the first Toney fight, albeit his win in their rematch was probably fair enough, just about. Compare that to Johnson, who conversely seemed to be consistently unlucky when it mattered most. The Toney fight was desperately close, but there's no doubt in my mind that he clearly beat both John David Jackson and Castro at least once. I've not seen the second Castro fight, but the first one stunk of home town cooking, particularly when you see Castro's cornermen being allowed to stand on the ring apron during rounds, bellowing instructions at their man and geeing up the crowd without facing any warning or sanction from the referee or commissioners. I think Reggie also produced more exemplary performances against good divisional rivals than Griffin. His showings against Collins, Parks and Guthrie showed that he was a really solid all-rounder whose record doesn't really do him justice - which shows how good he was, because it's still a very fine record in its own right. For those reasons I think the Reggie win is one of Roy's greatest performances. Absolutely nobody ever dominated and outclassed Johnson like that before or after.
Agree with most of this but i think toney was in reasonable shape for both fights but was robbed , especially the second time. Griffin just gave him problems because of his style and eddie futchs gameplan of spinning toney and hitting him from an angle. Toney could just not adjust to griffin stepping around him in the rematch. I still feel toney did enough to win
I saw one of them years ago (Can't remember if it was I or II) The way I remember it, Johnson got robbed. Castro was nearly impossible to KO. And, in Argentina (where both fights were held if memory serves) Castro always got the benefit of the doubt. Decisions in Argentina were often corrupt. Had this fight been on neutral ground, I believe Johnson would have prevailed. If you want proof of what goes on in Argentina watch Juan Coggi- Eder Gonzalez I. It is one of the most corrupt examples of helping the hometown fighter in boxing history! Truly shocking.
Great post, exactly the kind I was looking for. Thanks Chris. How do you feel Johnson would have done if he came along a little later? Say, he was active now. Would he be on top?
On paper Montell got wins over 2 ATGs in their prime.Who can say that? Not many In realtity though, he lost or was losing those fights
Reggie was really unlucky not to get the nod vs Toney. I wish he'd have let his hands go just a bit more in that fight to seal it with the judges, but I had him winning it. That fight's up on YouTube, and worth watching for the left hand Reggie floored James with in round 2 alone. Considering Toney's great chin and ability to roll with shots, to see any shot cleanly knock him down is worth checking out.
Actually Toney won that fight without controversy.However, there was a lot if controversy for the Griffin fights.The 2nd Toney - Griffin fight was elected as the worst decision of the year.
