Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright vs Steve Collins 160lbs bests

Wright's losses are a bit different to Collins's losses.

First off Wright was green as grass vs Vasquez.

Secondly his losses to Vargas, Simon, are highly disputed decisions that alot felt he won especially the Vargas fight.

Thirdly Wright had multiple championship wins at Jr Middleweight so whilst he had losses he also has a substantial resume to fall back on at Jr Middleweight.

Collins was comprehensively beaten by McCallum, and a past it Kalambay.

Is Collins loss to Johnson better than Wright's draw vs Taylor that alot felt Wright won ?

I'm sorry but I think Wright wins by decision I believe Collins is a bit overrated and I still think he was objectively better at Super Middleweight.

 

No worries, I accept Your apologies ).

...and Collins was just as green against McCallum as Winky was against Vasquez - and He got quite a bit rougher assingment, I think most people would agree, for a first title shot?
Past prime Kalambay was also better than Simon ever was - and Reggie is better fighter than Taylor (to me).

So Winky did marginally better - but Steve fought better opposition, up to this point of their respective careers.
The fact that Winky has better resume at 154 than Collins does at 160 is obviously correct - but If Winky followed Collins career path and moved up for a big fight soon after losing to Vargas, I don't think it would mean that moving up made him a better fighter, necessarily.

 

I don't think Winky had a fan favorite style judges liked. And it sure would have been a big factor if he is taking on a Collins in the UK.

It's always been a follow the money sport & the big money was not behind Winky. So tough for those guys to get the W on decision bouts.

 

Collins wasn’t really a name in the UK until after he fought Eubank and Benn. Probably because he wasn’t UK based originally so didn’t build up a following there. I honestly don’t think money or favouritism comes into it in this one.

 

Interesting matchup.

I’ve picked Winky in a close fight that could go either way and Collins would complain that he got jobbed. But I can see Collins grinding out the decision too. Not 100% sure on this one to be honest.

 

Collins has become a bit underrated at middle in some quarters imo, he was more of a serviceable competent boxer there than the mauling, head on grinder who finally gained attention at 168. Awkward and sloppy and not hard to hit but an effective if looping straight puncher with a competent sense of timing and range and obviously excellent strength, durability and conditioning.

The McCallum and Kalambay fights were reasonably competitive as I recall. Collins bollocksed up early doors against McCallum by trying unsuccessfully to box at ring centre with him, but the second half of the fight when he threw caution to the wind was a lot closer with plenty of good exchanges and McCallum having to work hard to keep a step ahead. He looked tired and a bit rattled by the end as well.

Kalambay really rolled back the clock as well and was sharp and on point for a final time, it's not a fight that reflects too badly on Collins for me. Even that version of Kalambay was more multi-dimensional, skilled and talented than Wright, and McCallum at 160 definitely so. I liked Wright a lot and was glad to see him gain him acknowledgement at the back end of his career, but he was flattered by the ageing Mosley and Trinidad wins and should have put more distance between himself and someone like Taylor imo if he was the great defensive technician that he's cracked up to be in some quarters.No reason why Collins shouldn't be able to fight on level terms with him imo even if he hits arms and gloves half the fight, if he was able to hold his own with Johnson and not be outstripped by Eubank.