why do so many chose nigel benn to beat RJJ

Agree with that.

Dont get me wrong, I definitely think Benn could win, cause even though Jones used his legs more back then, there were sporadic moment in fights where he did fight off the ropes, and did not look that comfortable doing it imo, not defensively anyway, that said, I think the Jones being on the level above him, would see him the winner.

Benn would give him more trouble than Eubank imo, particularly with that style.

 

I honestly didn't think that many people would pick Benn to beat Jones Jr.

Benn was a top class fighter but I can't see him beating a prime Roy Jones. Aggressive brawlers like Benn don't match up well to Jones' counter punching style. While Benn was a big puncher he wasn't the same puncher at super middle as middleweight. Though he was also more durable as well at super middle. It's possible Benn lands something big and stops Jones but unlikely.

I see Jones having some problems because he never faced such an aggressive and determined fighter. But I see him respecting Benn's power and boxing conservatively early on and stopping a brave Benn in the later stages of the fight.

 

Benn really became a really good world champion around '93. He developed great stamina and pacing to go along with his speed and power, as well as a bob and weave defense to go along with his brawling.

He picked more punches, he threw counter-punches (Giminez, Collins I), he went to the body (Eubank II), he jabbed (Wharton); all done superbly. I thought he looked excellent against Collins flaunting that flamboyant bob and weave style he used from 1993-'96, but just twisted his ankle first time and was far too fired up the second time before simply losing his will and being pulled out by his corner. I thought he was getting the better of Collins both times.

As far as Malinga is concerned, he had a very long left jab that Benn really struggled to get past both times - it was a style thing. Benn actually did better in some ways in the second Malinga fight than he did in the first one with Sugarboy (see that perfectly timed counter overarm right for the KD?).

I think the Benn who fought McClellan would've beaten any 168 Michael Nunn.

And I think Benn would've held his own against Jones Jr.

 

Because people like to hate on greatness. Mosley was supposed to kill Mayweather...until he didn't. Hatton was supposed to break Manny's ribs...until he got KTFO. Unfortunately this one will never be resolved.

 

Thats why even though I think Jones would win, that he would struggle to adapt to Benn's style for a couple of rounds, which would be Benn's best chance to win before he got tired, because he would not be able to press the gap as much then, which would give Roy more time to set up and KO him.

Malinga had something Jones did not have, a consistent jab to measure, frustrate and stabilize Benn's bobing style.

 

I agree with that, Eubank would have walked straight into a feinting contest with eyes wide open and once anybody did that with Jones the rest of the fight was a formality.

 

You know its weird, cause I dont think either Benn or Eubank would be a good fit for someone like Toney (prime), infact I suspect, Eubank would last the distance but lose a lopsided decision, where as Benn would take a beating on the inside.

 

After one round, Benn figured McClellan. McClellan would load right hands or throw winging hooks, so it was a case of getting off first or getting under McClellan's long rights and coming up with compact hooks and short crosses - the tactics and technique were perfect.

Benn also realised McClellan didn't use an uppercut, so knew he could go as low as he liked.

That Benn was so superior to the young Benn swinging wide bombs with no thought.

 

Thing with Paz, he wastes a lot of unnecessary side to side motion without closing the gap at times, I noticed this watching his fight with Graham, where as some fighters close the gap as they roll foward, or they throw off the slips.

Also, regarding the jab, its on the backfoot I dont think Jones is as effective throwing it, now im not talking about in the middle of the ring, or off the front foot, im talking about when someone is pressing you from the periphery of the killzone, which is most probably where Benn would want to manoeuvre, navigate him.

 

Agree with that too. Toney would dismantle Benn.
God this is boring, say something silly about the Klitschko's or say Liston was crap or something so we can argue.

 

Liston's jab was so great he pulled his arm out the socket through reaching with it and hitting fresh air, how's that ? :thumbsup

 

why don't you use Castro as an example rather than Pazienza.

Roy was on the ropes quite a lot in that fight, and pretty much dominated Castro.


Anyways as for the fight Jones would be countering Benn's head off. I think Benn would definitely win a couple rounds, but Jones would win in a UD or TKO with possibly a knockdown along the way.

Could Benn win at 168? Possibly, but way more than likely Jones wins. As you know Jones was the greatest H2H at Super Middle.