Robin Reid - How good was he?

I had forgotten how Reid blew himself out after the fast start and was fortunate to get his second wind before landing the takeout shot.

The Docklands Arena was a good place for boxing back then, albeit a pain in the ass to get home from during that time period, as they hadn't built the Docklands light railway link that later had a station right beside the venue.

I think Warren lost control of the Arena after Marsh shot him. I later recall taking my professional exams at the same venue. Then, I think it was disused for boxing and was eventually demolished around 2007; I can't recall when the last fight was held there. But in the Mid-90s, it was arguably the best venue in London, with Benn v McClellan being the pinnacle.

That fight is a good video to watch; Warren and even the commentators all dressed up in tuxedos, and a young Calzaghe is being interviewed, along with Naz being Naz.

 

Good post mate. I remember Calzaghe having a right face on in the studio and coming across as very negative because he rightfully a bit pissed that Reid was already WBC champ, getting Showtime attention in the US by being on the bill and he himself was treading water a bit while awaiting his own title shot. Shame we never got to see him v Collins, the next fight after Seillier, which was on this bill.

 

Yup,

Collins wanted that big payday against Roy Jones, but for the same reason/excuse he gave for not fighting Calzaghe, Jones never gave him the opportunity. Plus, I think getting knocked down against Craig Cummings in his last fight, he didn't want to fight again unless he was getting that PPV money and you can't blame him.

Despite being raw, Calzaghe was banging people out at that time and fuelled by anger, so I wouldn't have been surprised if he took Collins apart, especially given how Steve fell apart in training camp for the purported Jones fight a couple of years later; he was sparked out or collapsed, I can't remember off the top of my head.

Still, it would have been a great fight to see, especially knowing how far Eubank pushed Calzaghe on short notice.