Sumbu Kalambay vs Reggie Johnson

Not comfortably, Reggie is too good for that. But yes Kalambay wins on points

 

Was thinking about this the other day (as well as Kalambay v Toney). Johnson never gave a bad showing and always got stiffed on any tight decisions so I'd predict the same here - Kalambay by close, maybe majority decision.

 

Great post Jel. Reggie was a handful for anyone

 

Best vs. best, I think that Kalambay wins. They had a lot of the same strengths, but Kalambay was better and more consistent over twelve rounds with them. I agree that Johnson never had a bad showing, but he never had a completely excellent showing like the best Kalambay performances. He always ran it close.

In the years when this was a conceivable matchup, 1991-93, it becomes a lot harder to pick, as by that point Kalambay had slowed down and in some fights needed to take rounds off. I think that I'd lean towards Johnson, but it needs to be said that both of them fought Steve Collins in 1992 and Kalambay had the more decisive win, in my opinion.

 

Kalambay was the better overall talent and technician at his best but I could see him taking a bit to come to grips with Reggie being a southpaw and his sneaky straight left counter down the pipe. I just get the feeling that Johnson, though very skilled, was a bit too overly patient, one-paced and lacking the extra drive and dimension to ultimately knock Kalambay out of his comfort zone and stop him from eventually establishing his jab and rhythmic slip/counter approach over the duration. And being without any advantage in terms of skill and stylistic approach (other than being a southpaw) with Kalambay also being the better athlete. Kalambay UD in a high quality technical fight.

 

Every word of this. I have nothing else to add.

 

Bump. A dream match up if you want to see two stylists in a chess match. Personally I think it'll be similar to Kalambay's fights with Herol Graham and Ayub Kalule, both being close match ups. I favor Kalambay to win this by close points in a high speed technical fight.

 

I would go with Johnson who had a little bit more pop then Kalambay.
And throw in that Johnson was a pretty smooth southpaw and thats more problems for Kalambay.
Would have been a terrific match up.

 

I actually thought Herol got straight up robbed vs Kalambay the second time.

 

Kalambay by decision in a good fight. Johnson had skills, but, not always the fire to win in difficult fights.

 

Second fight was a clear robbery for sure. Especially considering it was in Italy. Good fight though.

 

Kalambay UD