Tony Sibson v. Mustafa Hamsho

Hamsho's rep was a bit overblown when he was in his prime, not that he wasn't oen of the better contenders for a time, but he was also one of the most hyped.It was an east coast American thing.Similar to the Milt McCrory reputation at the time which was even more overblown than Miguel Cotto in recent years.

One other thing to consider though is that Sibson was a bit of a less than the sum of the parts fighter, who could blow hot and cold.Where Hamsho was the opposite.

 

this fight would not garner any attention because they are basically borderline tomato cans:think

 

Would that be 'Progresso' or 'Classico' or 'Bertolinni' or 'Contandida'

 

This for me is like a Very Strong Current, Hamsho Vs a Vicious Flash Flood, Sibson, Whilst Hamhso brings a constant wearing, tiring, gradually drag you under, type of Large Effort but slow acting overcoming of opponents, Sibson can Blow you away with extreme suddeness if he catches you right, he displayed this aptly as a youngster, when pitted against tough experienced wardog Wildman Frankie Lucas, for four rounds Lucas came at young Sibbo like a man against boy, Sibbo boxed off the back foot, gritted his teeth through some rough patches when necessary, and just when it looked like sibson wa going to be overwhelmed by the physical maturity of the aggressive Wildman Lucas,...."BAM..." Sibbo catches Lucas coming in with one Left Hook, after that it was simply a quick mopping up exercise for Sibson, Undefeated Irish John collins, and Alan Minter himself also fell Victim to Sibbon's sudden "Rolling Thunder".

With Hamsho what you see is what you get, With Sibson however there was a few extra layers that could ambush the unwary, He was built like a Bulldog and you would think he would be more Hamsho'eque in style than Hamsho himself, and Yet Sibbo could fight off the Back foot, when he came forward his" Rolling Thunder" advance ment he could slip shots, and when he let his shots go his combinations could be very fast indeed, all topped off with a big Left hook any Philly Middle would of been proud to own, Sibbo could be frustrated by a slick tough operator like an on form Kevin Finnegan, But Hamsho does not possess that type of varied bag of Tricks, Plus as mentioned Hamsho's not a one shot hitter . Siibson i feel would Map Hamsho quite quickly, and use his verity to Matador Hamho's straight-Line Approach, and if Hamsho Does get too Frisky , Sibbo has those Fast Combinations to Dampen down his efforts to take over the driving seat, Minter Shook Hamsho to his Boots with a Left Hook in the 9th as i recall, seemingly by chance, Sibbo may acheive more - by Intent ?

It wouldnt surprise me at all to see Sibbo Floor Hamsho, with perhaps the "Accessible" Hamsho Following - being Led - by Sibbo Down a Cul-de -Sac - and There waiting for him i That Left Hook, and Follow-up if Necesary, - But would that Cul-de-Sac lead to the Coup-de-Grace ? Hamsho was very tough, And Sibbo might stick to the less troubleome winning formula, Sibson on points - But if he is in a John Collins type mood, looking to prove a point, the scorecards might not be needed.
Hamsho's Strong, for sure, but for me, too Hittable for an On-Form Sibson.

 

AREA 53,

Excellent analysis,,,,,,,,,
Still difficult to keep Hamsho off you, the man was tough and had an iron jaw.
And, he liked it dirty,,,,,,,hitting you low, below the belt, on the hips, neck,,,,etc.

If the fight was in the U.K., maybe Sibbo wins a close decision.
But he ain't hurting Hamsho.

 

bump

 

Sibbo,better puncher, better boxer ,faster .He probably stops Hamsho by tko.

 

I don't remember him as the best middleweight outside of Hagler.
Only ranked number 1 in 83

1979=7
1980=6
1981=2
1982=3
1983=1
1984=6

 

Well if we're talking peak here and at their best then Sibson is a threat to anyone, although he was stopped several times in his career.
However rough house face first brawlers even high class ones like Hamsho style wise were probably made for him, because as has been mentioned although Sibson essentially liked to be on the front foot, he had good boxing skills a good jab, was light on his feet could step back, and could generally move around the ring very well
I think this is just a question of whether Hamsho can take Sibson's power, if he can then he could wear Tony down and stop him late or eke out a messy decision.
On the other hand and I know it's not as simple as this, but I think it was in the 5th round and Minter had Hamsho in trouble in their fight, if that had been Sibson, then the chances are Hamsho's being taken out.
I can't believe that in this contest Hamsho wouldn't at some point be hurt by Sibson who was a very good finisher, i'll take Sibbo here by stoppage.

 

Excellent post!

 

Sibson wins in a good rough scrap. Probably by a late stoppage but he'll have his chin tested .

 

Bloody hell, I miss Mante/lora and AREA53.....

 

Hamsho

Both are very physically strong.

I think Hamsho was a bit stronger.

Sibson is more skilled

Hamsho is more resilent.

He smothers Sibson for a UD. in a competitive fight.

 

Concur ^. Saturday afternoon on CBS Sports Spectacular and invite your compadres over for beers.

 

I and alot of others saw Sibson as a top middleweight....Hagler was at his very best against Sibson the very apex of Haglrrs abilities. Sibbos only draw back was his tendency to hop on his toes...hus boxing was very good but I wonder how things may have been different had be walked fightrrs down like a puncher....I always saw a Sibson Hamsho fight as a stoppage for Sibson....Sibbo would have cut him to Ribbons while hurting him in a brawl.