Sumbu Kalambay vs Michael Watson At MW

Kalambay gives Watson a boxing lesson.

 

Watson gives him more trouble than McCallum, who struggled chasing a jabber, and Barkley, who struggled staying tight and relaxed.

Watson was huge for a middleweight and quite wooden though smooth which made him awkward, changing torso angle to get in shots to body and head, and Sumbu would have to move even more than ever because he wouldn't keep him off.

Watson is an unknown quantity over 15 at middle, so might catch up and stop him.

Kalambay UD15 most likely in the toughest fight of his career

 

Kalambay wins on points

 

I see Watson winning this. Kalambay was a brilliant Boxer, his win over Herol Graham, the first defeat of Graham's career was greeted with disbelief at the time. He effectively out countered the arch counter puncher by pinning Herol on the ropes and in corners by staying close and bullying his man. There's no way he's doing that to the immensely strong Watson.
Kalambay can't hope to out jab Michael either. Watson had a hugely hurtful and powerful jab and you can absolutely forget Kalambay tagging Watson with a big shot and pushing him back, this is a guy that stood right in the pocket with Nigel Benn and never gave an inch.
After 4 rounds, Kalambay is going to have to stick and run meaning he will gas in the later rounds which Watson would dominate.
Watson by wide decision or late stoppage.

 

There is no evidence that Watson will be able to beat Kalambay based upon his record... his victory over Benn does not give me the sense that he can outbox the Italian.. his defeat to McCallum does not help his case... I watched that live and was very disappointed after all of the buildup of making believe he could be a real threat... I love Watson but feel he would be defeated 7-5 or 8-4 ish...

 

One thing for sure is that it would be the hardest fight of Kalambay's career, and could turn into a shootout down the stretch with one or the other being stopped

 

I think Kalambay is right for Watson. He can't hit hard enough to discourage Michael. All he would be able to do is hit and hop.
I thought Watson did great credit to himself in the McCallum fight. I've often said it, I thought he was a much better Fighter after that.

 

Watson wins this based on his victories over. ............ Whom?

 

Sumbu legitimately beat (and, then barely lost) to a Mike McCallum that kicked prime Watson's ass.

 

Bare in mind Watson was ring rusty against McCallum, as could clearly see in first two rounds, then Watson was arguably winning after six like 3-2-1. And fighter A beats fighter B beats fighter C is rarely how it pans with diff styles/strengths - Watson walked through anything McCallum and Eubank had and even Benn couldn't budge him, he was so big and strong, like oak; it was body shots and exhaustion vs McCallum and the most devastating punch in history v Eubank. Sumbu was a mover and jabber and counter right-hander, a master but he's struggling to keep Watson off for 12.

Mike Watson's easy handling of Mugabi in sparring after the Hagler fight (when Duff knew he was special), easy handling of Don Lee at 22 as a substitute (Lee was #1 contender to Hagler at one point and giving next big thing Olajide hell before premature stoppage) - couldn't miss that right hand from the opening bell, and easyish handling of 22-0 (22 brutal KO's) Nigel Benn to become WBC & WBA #1 showed he was top notch with big things ahead.

 

I remember Watson saying he was amazed at McCallum's chin, saying those timed overarm rights had always scored him knockdowns (including am world #1 John Beckles in one round in '84 in London at 165lb)

(always had pedigree and was spoken of in the game Watson, even handling Laing after Duran fight at Colveston BC when ****ing 17)

 

Also Kalambay was the champion, McCallum the challenger, so Sumbu got on his bike and fiddled. Watson had to take the fight to McCallum, the Body Snatcher.....

 

There is a good deal more to Boxing than the names on a Fighter's record. If that was not the case we wouldn't have these discussions, we'd just go to Boxrec and that would be an end of it.

 

Like this match up but Kalambay is too much for Watson.
People are forgetting Kalambays movement is going to trouble Watson and Kalambay was faster then Watson.
Graham tried to be an aggressive boxer against Kalambay the first time and paid for it.
The second fight Graham flat out got robbed vs Kalambay.
Sparring means nothing. I've been in gyms and watched World Champions get worked over by boxers with 5 wins and 14 losses type records.