seems very humble and generally a nice bloke, prehaps nicer than i gave him credit for
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgcl9...eature=related
if you fancy a watch
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seems very humble and generally a nice bloke, prehaps nicer than i gave him credit for
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgcl9...eature=related
if you fancy a watch
Good stuff.Was that after the Nardiello kissing beat down lol.From everything I remember and have seen (Stateside mind you),Benn was always yearning for a go and calling Jones out.And no not for the money,though it helped;D.....but much more to take the #1 spot from the one he considered the best.Roy was all about making the money then,and HBO said "ok".The politics/promotions got in the way.That fight was soooooo there to be made.Shame it never happened,I might be alone but I think Benn had more than chance.Love that dude,always wore it on his sleeve and had such vigor & spirit.
I like Benn, but Jones would have destroyed him.
i remember that interview, benn was awesome. that would of been a real fight & he & eubank had a good chance of a victory against RJJ in my book!
benn would of been tailor made for RJJ if you ask me and would of walked on to far too many quick right hands for me to even consider him having a chance.
But still great to here from nige who is to this day considered an all time great in britain, not surprised to here how humble he is about another fighter either. Even amongst the likes of chris eubank and don king nigel never went down the route of selling himself to be anything other than a london boy fighting his way up!!
Agree with Taeth. Benn was my favourite fighter, but Jones would've absolutely ruined him!!
I used to think Roy would have slaughtered Benn on the bridle... these days I can confidently predict that Benn would have sparked him. Fact.
Lol - me thinks notQuote:
Originally Posted by Fenster
benn was great to watch a would give him more of a chance with rjj than eubank for me benn was far better and maybe benn could of been the 1st guy to ko rjj
Jones was untoucable back in the day. He was more invincible looking than Floyd or Shane looked in their primes.
Benn knew the score and he was honest enough to admit it .The Nardiello fight was his first on sky and I dont think the sky bosses liked ihim saying that cuz someone made him take that statement back . In his next fight vs Danny Perez on the Bruno undercard, Benn said I want to be number 1 second to nobody! but in that interview he said he didnt mind being number 2 to roy Jones
Quote:
Originally Posted by GAME
jones was indeed completely untouchable against everybody he fought
But i still cant help but think the likes of toney/mccullum were never quite the equal of benn/eubank who at the time were world class champions who never got a real go stateside!
Jones in his apparent "untouchable" prime fought a hell of a lot of complete unknowns!!
Yes he would of. Richard Hall stlyeQuote:
Originally Posted by Taeth
I think that at that time, if anyone was up for it and could walk through what jones had and take him out it was Benn. On the night Benn could take out clean, anyone at Middleweight. Would have been fantastic to watch Benn huntin down Jones and Jones pickin the shots on the move..... Anyones fight really. I thought Mclellan had enough to beat Jones, and Benn walked through everythin Mclellan had, and he had alot man.....
Benn deep not walk through what Mcclellan was throwing. He survived itQuote:
Originally Posted by themacmagician
I hope you aren't thinking of the Roy Jones against Tarver and Johnson and Calzaghe as the Roy that would have fought Benn prime 4 primeQuote:
Originally Posted by Fenster
I dont think Roy wanted any part of Benn when it made all of the big fight cents post Toney and McClellan respectably.For whatever reason.For active fighters he was awarded the largest guarenteed multi year network contract since Mike Tyson off of the Toney win and a Benn/Jones fight was there if he wanted it.He was afforded and choose to face a string of alphabet ranked guys/showcase types who collectivley had taken losses in their last major fight,were limited up & comers or war/torn Merqui sosa as opposed to taking big risks,leaving Fla. for a change & facing top threats in division.I think they were grooming Vinny Paz for him freah off Toney win lol....at least thats who Jones called out when asked "Benn or Pazienza" after TKO over Byrd.I think Benn would have given Jones shit-fits and was equal money in that fight.Hindsight being 20/20 :cwm13:
Not trying to sound condescending, but Toney and McCullum are two of the finest fighters of the last twenty years in all of boxing, Benn and Eubanks fall spectacularly short of these two.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammerQuote:
Originally Posted by GAME
jones was indeed completely untouchable against everybody he fought
But i still cant help but think the likes of toney/mccullum were never quite the equal of benn/eubank who at the time were world class champions who never got a real go stateside!
Jones in his apparent "untouchable" prime fought a hell of a lot of complete unknowns!!
Nigel Benn was AWESOME!!! enough said really
you may have an argument for mccullum but i really dont see what the fascination was with toney.Quote:
Originally Posted by TaethNot trying to sound condescending, but Toney and McCullum are two of the finest fighters of the last twenty years in all of boxing, Benn and Eubanks fall spectacularly short of these two.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammerQuote:
Originally Posted by GAME
jones was indeed completely untouchable against everybody he fought
But i still cant help but think the likes of toney/mccullum were never quite the equal of benn/eubank who at the time were world class champions who never got a real go stateside!
Jones in his apparent "untouchable" prime fought a hell of a lot of complete unknowns!!
Benn/Eubank were primarily seen by the american tv companys promoting jones as too big a risk for too little to gain hence the reason they never got to make their make stateside.
Had they of been in their prime nowadays ive no doubts in my mind both would currently be able to walk through the likes of kessler, froch, bute
I disagree in that I think Toney was one hell of a fighter, and if he had of had a good attitude, he would've really been something special, he's an amazingly naturally gifted fighter, just without almost any resolve or dedication to the sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammeryou may have an argument for mccullum but i really dont see what the fascination was with toney.Quote:
Originally Posted by TaethNot trying to sound condescending, but Toney and McCullum are two of the finest fighters of the last twenty years in all of boxing, Benn and Eubanks fall spectacularly short of these two.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammer
Benn/Eubank were primarily seen by the american tv companys promoting jones as too big a risk for too little to gain hence the reason they never got to make their make stateside.
Had they of been in their prime nowadays ive no doubts in my mind both would currently be able to walk through the likes of kessler, froch, bute
I agree these guys in their prime would walk through most of the MW/SMW of present. I also think that some in the US drastically underrate the likes of Eubank & Benn. I don't think Benn would of beaten Jones, particularly not post-McClellan but he would have given him a good fight. Would have been better than RJJ fighting punching bags like Thornton
Quote:
Originally Posted by JazMerkinI disagree in that I think Toney was one hell of a fighter, and if he had of had a good attitude, he would've really been something special, he's an amazingly naturally gifted fighter, just without almost any resolve or dedication to the sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammeryou may have an argument for mccullum but i really dont see what the fascination was with toney.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taeth
Benn/Eubank were primarily seen by the american tv companys promoting jones as too big a risk for too little to gain hence the reason they never got to make their make stateside.
Had they of been in their prime nowadays ive no doubts in my mind both would currently be able to walk through the likes of kessler, froch, bute
I agree these guys in their prime would walk through most of the MW/SMW of present. I also think that some in the US drastically underrate the likes of Eubank & Benn. I don't think Benn would of beaten Jones, particularly not post-McClellan but he would have given him a good fight. Would have been better than RJJ fighting punching bags like Thornton
Eubank would of had a far greater opportunity of beating jones than benn would of done
Nigel for all his heart and spirit was at times too aggresive a fighter and often got caught out coming in which i suspect jones would of been able to do all night long.
Eubank on the other hand had the power and the ability to box off the back foot. Instead of attempting to weigh in at jones for 12rds he would of bided his moments and picked his attacks.
Jones-Eubank both in their primes would of been a complete pick`em fight!!
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammerQuote:
Originally Posted by JazMerkinI disagree in that I think Toney was one hell of a fighter, and if he had of had a good attitude, he would've really been something special, he's an amazingly naturally gifted fighter, just without almost any resolve or dedication to the sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammer
I agree these guys in their prime would walk through most of the MW/SMW of present. I also think that some in the US drastically underrate the likes of Eubank & Benn. I don't think Benn would of beaten Jones, particularly not post-McClellan but he would have given him a good fight. Would have been better than RJJ fighting punching bags like Thornton
Eubank would of had a far greater opportunity of beating jones than benn would of done
Nigel for all his heart and spirit was at times too aggresive a fighter and often got caught out coming in which i suspect jones would of been able to do all night long.
Eubank on the other hand had the power and the ability to box off the back foot. Instead of attempting to weigh in at jones for 12rds he would of bided his moments and picked his attacks.
Jones-Eubank both in their primes would of been a complete pick`em fight!!
Both Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, although i did used to love watching em, would of got taught a lesson by Roy Jones Jr. Nigel Benn in his prime was struggling with the likes of Henry Wharton, Thulani Malinga.
And Chris Eubank was struggling with the likes of Tony Thorton, Ray Close, Dan Schommer. Fighters that Roy Jones Jr would toy with and he did toy with two of em Thulani Malinga, Tony Thorton.
Nigel Benn has a chance of a one punch KO but remember Roy Jones Jr, could hit very hard at Super Middleweight. And Nigel Benn's chin wasn't exactly granite either and he did leave his chin exposed. Nigel Benn would of been destroyed within 6 rounds.
Chris Eubank would of survived the distance but he would of made it, a negative awkward fight for Roy Jones Jr. And it would have been a snoozefest 12 round decision for Roy Jones Jr, i can't see Roy Jones Jr stopping Chris Eubank after i see Chris Eubank move all the way up to Cruiserweight.
And take bombs off a big punching Cruiserweight like Carl Thompson, and those punches didn't even wobble Chris Eubank once. The man had a legendary chin/will but he would be no match for Roy Jones Jr. And i think he even admitted that once.
Kessler, no way, he is so underrated on here. Without being able to spar or hit the bags, Kessler still gave Calzaghe one hell of a fight. Kessler is on their level.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammeryou may have an argument for mccullum but i really dont see what the fascination was with toney.Quote:
Originally Posted by TaethNot trying to sound condescending, but Toney and McCullum are two of the finest fighters of the last twenty years in all of boxing, Benn and Eubanks fall spectacularly short of these two.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammer
Benn/Eubank were primarily seen by the american tv companys promoting jones as too big a risk for too little to gain hence the reason they never got to make their make stateside.
Had they of been in their prime nowadays ive no doubts in my mind both would currently be able to walk through the likes of kessler, froch, bute
Also watch Toney in his prime then get back to me. Maybe you haven't seen his middleweight or SMW stuff in awhile.
Benn and Eubanks didn't want to come over to the states and still not get a 50/50 split. People conveniently priced themselves out of a fights with Roy JOnes Jr.
Also to ICB, I am not sure if Roy could stop Eubanks or not, but I would be pretty sure he could hurt Eubanks, He's hurt guys with the best chins in the business like Merqui Sosa, Malinga, Castro, even James Toney he hurt to the body at one point, Reggie Johnson, Virgill Hill(a big cruiserweight now)".
nah u dunn noooQuote:
Originally Posted by Taeth
benn mite of pulled offf won of his mad knockouts after bein down on points
As much as I would have LOVED to have seen RJJ take on: Benn/Eubank/Collins....he would have flattened every last one of them. Roy was quicker than everyone else, he was more powerful than everyone else, and he did everything better than anyone else IN HIS ERA of course. Did he not take very many risks? Sure he COULD have flown overseas but why risk it when you see what he got by playing it safe? Yes it gyps the fans out of fights but RJJ created an aura about his skills and ability and it's bigger than any of those guys you mentioned
Now in hindsight I really wish Bernard Hopkins and James Toney fought Benn/Eubank/Collins. Those would be more even and I think the Toney-Benn styles really mesh well the same with Hopkins and Collins....although Bernard's style doesn't really mesh with anybody's.
Roy Jones would have beaten Benn, but if he landed that punch Jones would have been KOed like he was against Tarver.
Roy would have had a better time against Eubanks who could not deal with counter punchers but his best chance was when he was still hungry when he beat Benn in the first fight.
Roy Jones handily beat Toney and Hopkins and achieved more in boxing than Benn and Eubanks.
^^^^ yeahh
honestly i reckon benn if he fighted rjj could of throwed a bomb at him out of the blues
Compared to his previous do or die all bombs approach.....I actually think Benn was doing some different things at that point in with Wharton,the Eubank rematch etc leading into the McClellan fight.I saw him showing some maturity and actual boxing...setting traps and alot of head,defensive movement and punching more straight in with Wharton.He was clipped off the top of the head in 5th by Wharton but dont think he was struggling at all really.Quote:
Originally Posted by ICB
Thing with Roy is that he would always try,and more often than not succeed,at setting the table very early and letting guys know "this is my ring,your just visiting" with sharp shots early on in the 1st,2nd round and alot of his opponents up to that point were lost after that.But he also could leave himself in dodgy spots with his follow ups,he was amazing in handspeed but not a technically sound in defense,uppercuts from the floor,wide hooks and rushing in himself.Reflex-instinct-athleticism were his keys.Around 95' point and 160-165 had ever faced a two fisted,end you with one shot possibility ever pressing threat up to that period,no not Toney,A Castro,Sosa,Brannon, etc.On paper and with hindsight being 20/20..now...He may have clipped Benn early for mass effect.But he would not go unscathed himself,Benn would not be in "awe" of moment or Jones aura or intimidated and just fall over when forced.In the minority,but then and now,I think it would have benn a toss up.Would have loved this fight,shame it never came off.
shame RJJ never fought benn/eubank & steve collins, gotta be that RJJ didnt want anything to do with any of them
Eubank struggled with Watson twice in his prime, Jones was on a deifferent level to anything Eubank face, Jones would easily outpoint Eubank. Easy decision for Roy.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammerQuote:
Originally Posted by JazMerkinI disagree in that I think Toney was one hell of a fighter, and if he had of had a good attitude, he would've really been something special, he's an amazingly naturally gifted fighter, just without almost any resolve or dedication to the sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammer
I agree these guys in their prime would walk through most of the MW/SMW of present. I also think that some in the US drastically underrate the likes of Eubank & Benn. I don't think Benn would of beaten Jones, particularly not post-McClellan but he would have given him a good fight. Would have been better than RJJ fighting punching bags like Thornton
Eubank would of had a far greater opportunity of beating jones than benn would of done
Nigel for all his heart and spirit was at times too aggresive a fighter and often got caught out coming in which i suspect jones would of been able to do all night long.
Eubank on the other hand had the power and the ability to box off the back foot. Instead of attempting to weigh in at jones for 12rds he would of bided his moments and picked his attacks.
Jones-Eubank both in their primes would of been a complete pick`em fight!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TaethKessler, no way, he is so underrated on here. Without being able to spar or hit the bags, Kessler still gave Calzaghe one hell of a fight. Kessler is on their level.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammeryou may have an argument for mccullum but i really dont see what the fascination was with toney.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taeth
Benn/Eubank were primarily seen by the american tv companys promoting jones as too big a risk for too little to gain hence the reason they never got to make their make stateside.
Had they of been in their prime nowadays ive no doubts in my mind both would currently be able to walk through the likes of kessler, froch, bute
Also watch Toney in his prime then get back to me. Maybe you haven't seen his middleweight or SMW stuff in awhile.
Benn and Eubanks didn't want to come over to the states and still not get a 50/50 split. People conveniently priced themselves out of a fights with Roy JOnes Jr.
Also to ICB, I am not sure if Roy could stop Eubanks or not, but I would be pretty sure he could hurt Eubanks, He's hurt guys with the best chins in the business like Merqui Sosa, Malinga, Castro, even James Toney he hurt to the body at one point, Reggie Johnson, Virgill Hill(a big cruiserweight now)".
Kessler didnt spar or hit the bags prior to the Calzaghe fight??
I think you will find he did plenty of sparring and i know for a fact and there is footage knocking about of him sparring Peter Haymar and Brian Mcgee leading upto the fight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by skel1983Quote:
Originally Posted by TaethKessler, no way, he is so underrated on here. Without being able to spar or hit the bags, Kessler still gave Calzaghe one hell of a fight. Kessler is on their level.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammer
Also watch Toney in his prime then get back to me. Maybe you haven't seen his middleweight or SMW stuff in awhile.
Benn and Eubanks didn't want to come over to the states and still not get a 50/50 split. People conveniently priced themselves out of a fights with Roy JOnes Jr.
Also to ICB, I am not sure if Roy could stop Eubanks or not, but I would be pretty sure he could hurt Eubanks, He's hurt guys with the best chins in the business like Merqui Sosa, Malinga, Castro, even James Toney he hurt to the body at one point, Reggie Johnson, Virgill Hill(a big cruiserweight now)".
Kessler didnt spar or hit the bags prior to the Calzaghe fight??
I think you will find he did plenty of sparring and i know for a fact and there is footage knocking about of him sparring Peter Haymar and Brian Mcgee leading upto the fight.
Also You must be on some good drugs if you think Eubank and Benn wanted 50/50 to fight RJJ in the States :rolleyes:.
The reason the fights never happened is because the guy is more or less impossible to negotiate with its no coincidence RJJ resume is questioned time and time again, the Eubanks and the Benns of the world wanted a fair deal not some stupid 85/15 split similar to the one Clinton Woods and so many other RJJ opponents recieved.
there was so many fights RJJ could of had but chose postmen instead
Nigel Benn did mature alot as a fighter after his losses to Watson, Eubank, you are right about that. But he did still have alot of trouble against Henry Wharton, he was knocked down legitmately and he faded down the stretch. And i thought he only just about won by about 2 rounds, and thats because Henry Wharton got off to a very bad start losing the first 4 rounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by SpicoliCompared to his previous do or die all bombs approach.....I actually think Benn was doing some different things at that point in with Wharton,the Eubank rematch etc leading into the McClellan fight.I saw him showing some maturity and actual boxing...setting traps and alot of head,defensive movement and punching more straight in with Wharton.He was clipped off the top of the head in 5th by Wharton but dont think he was struggling at all really.Quote:
Originally Posted by ICB
Thing with Roy is that he would always try,and more often than not succeed,at setting the table very early and letting guys know "this is my ring,your just visiting" with sharp shots early on in the 1st,2nd round and alot of his opponents up to that point were lost after that.But he also could leave himself in dodgy spots with his follow ups,he was amazing in handspeed but not a technically sound in defense,uppercuts from the floor,wide hooks and rushing in himself.Reflex-instinct-athleticism were his keys.Around 95' point and 160-165 had ever faced a two fisted,end you with one shot possibility ever pressing threat up to that period,no not Toney,A Castro,Sosa,Brannon, etc.On paper and with hindsight being 20/20..now...He may have clipped Benn early for mass effect.But he would not go unscathed himself,Benn would not be in "awe" of moment or Jones aura or intimidated and just fall over when forced.In the minority,but then and now,I think it would have benn a toss up.Would have loved this fight,shame it never came off.
He also did have alot of trouble against Thulani Malinga, and some people felt he was lucky to get the decision. Nigel Benn for all his improvements which was mostly his head movement and his more controlled boxing. Still left his chin in the air and although we all know Roy Jones Jr never had the best chin in the world, neither did Nigel Benn and even though Nigel Benn hits harder than Roy Jones Jr.
Roy Jones Jr could still hit pretty damn hard at Super Middleweight, Roy Jones Jr may of not been technically sound i've always said that, but at his best he was very hard to hit clean with a power shot. I mean you know how good someone is. When in his prime you can count on one hand the amount of times he was hit with a really solid shot.
One last thing you are right Roy Jones Jr never really met a fighter, with a 2 fisted attack who could bomb you out with one punch. But Merqui Sosa was no slouch in the power department, and he tried to swarm Roy Jones Jr and was just ripped apart with counter shots, he was also very durable yet he felt Roy Jones Jr's power in the first round.
I really can't see Nigel Benn lasting that long with his shaky chin, and with Roy Jones Jr's speedy counters and athletism i think i would put my money on Roy Jones Jr getting too Nigel Benn first.
He didn't spar for the last month because of hand injuries, nor could he seriously do bag work. I am going by what his camp said. I can't see him lying because he took the loss pretty well.Quote:
Originally Posted by skel1983Quote:
Originally Posted by TaethKessler, no way, he is so underrated on here. Without being able to spar or hit the bags, Kessler still gave Calzaghe one hell of a fight. Kessler is on their level.Quote:
Originally Posted by hattonthehammer
Also watch Toney in his prime then get back to me. Maybe you haven't seen his middleweight or SMW stuff in awhile.
Benn and Eubanks didn't want to come over to the states and still not get a 50/50 split. People conveniently priced themselves out of a fights with Roy JOnes Jr.
Also to ICB, I am not sure if Roy could stop Eubanks or not, but I would be pretty sure he could hurt Eubanks, He's hurt guys with the best chins in the business like Merqui Sosa, Malinga, Castro, even James Toney he hurt to the body at one point, Reggie Johnson, Virgill Hill(a big cruiserweight now)".
Kessler didnt spar or hit the bags prior to the Calzaghe fight??
I think you will find he did plenty of sparring and i know for a fact and there is footage knocking about of him sparring Peter Haymar and Brian Mcgee leading upto the fight.
Well considering there is footage on the internet off him sparring Peter Haymor and Brian Mcgee i think you will find it was a crock of shit, Kessler was injured within the last 10 days off camp, when most camps are finishing sparring.Quote:
Originally Posted by TaethHe didn't spar for the last month because of hand injuries, nor could he seriously do bag work. I am going by what his camp said. I can't see him lying because he took the loss pretty well.Quote:
Originally Posted by skel1983Quote:
Originally Posted by Taeth
Kessler didnt spar or hit the bags prior to the Calzaghe fight??
I think you will find he did plenty of sparring and i know for a fact and there is footage knocking about of him sparring Peter Haymar and Brian Mcgee leading upto the fight.
everyone sure does have super hindsight when talking about roy vs benn..when back then, roy jones super motivated, undefeated, and prime, stops a wide open benn inside of six rounds..but since roy got knocked out some seven to eight years after the fact,
i guess it would make sense that he would have been kayoed then too:rolleyes:
This was an era when some of the big fights never got made - glad those days are gone ;)
Nigel Benn was the first fighter I ever truly got behind and I would be on edge and nervous for him from the opening bell. He was a class act and a true warrior but you knew one punch could change it. Will never forget Galvano tagging him with about 6 seconds to go in their rematch , thank gid it was that late !
I did love and get nervous for Frank Bruno too - but only for his life cos I knew he was crap, Benn was in a different league as a fighter.
RJJ v Benn would have been very very interesting. Jones would have been favourite but Nigel would have had a very good chance and I don't think RJJ wanted any part of him. I would favour Jones 60-40 but would not have been surprised if Benn had stopped him in the later rounds.
Nah,what happened years later has little too do with the 'what ifs' and possibilitys at that time in each guys career.Up to that point in Jones career in 95',I was pretty much saying the exact same thing as today concerning a Benn fight while watching Jones fight flimsy alphabet ranked showcase fights and after Toney victory & listening to Larry Merchant call his KO of Byrd "the most exciting 1st round KO in boxing since Mike Tyson over Michael Spinks"....:cwm13:Quote:
Originally Posted by JonesJrMayweather
That fight was there to be had.And saying and assuming a crushing victory over Benn is in no way as impressive as Jones actually doing it in the ring.Benn wanted it....Jones did not.