McGuigan's high praise for Calzaghe: best in history!

[WWatt]

Barry McGuigan on Joe being the best British fighter ever:

"It's never nice to go back and a bit disparaging to say he could beat these guys. I will say that Calzaghe is arguably the greatest British fighter there has ever been, so I don't need to compare him to a Collins or a Benn. But because he's a mysterious individual, because he doesn't behave like a star and lives a fairly arcane life in Newport he doesn't get the credit he deserves. Look at the names on his record - Richie Woodhall, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Robin Reid and of course Lacy. He's beaten all these guys and beaten them well. Look at Mger Mkrtcgian, who's now the European champion. He battered him, took him out in seven rounds. The job he did on Lacy was sensational. He's a remarkable fighter and it's just a shame that for whatever reason he hasn't had more career-defining fights."


And McGuigan on Joe vs Benn, Eubank and Collins in their primes:

"Well Nigel Benn had a punchers chance against anybody and I remember he added good lateral upper body movement to his game when he trained with Jimmy Tibbs. But really Nigel wasn't in the same class (as Joe), Nigel was fast but wasn't as fast as Joe in hands or feet, he wasn't as fast as Joe in the mind and couldn't move in and out as well. Nigel couldn't help getting over-eager and Joe would constantly turn him. Collins was more of a physical fighter, he was awkward because he was more of a pub brawler than anything but Joe's in-tight hooks would land first and Steve would be constantly dazed and tagged. Eubank could only fight in spurts and liked to fight at his own pace, Joe wouldn't allow him. It's as simple as that. Though the Eubank of 1989, 1990, 1991 was a better fighter because he used a greater repertoire of punches, was a more vicious finisher and didn't waste as many shots. A young Eubank is the only one of the three I'd give a realistic chance of beating Calzaghe, and that's by stoppage, he can't beat him on points. I still feel Chris was a massive under-achiever, even though he surpassed even Ali in terms of being a celebrity boxer. Look at Joe, he's done so much more than Eubank yet not even a fraction of the public know him by comparison (to Eubank). It's a crying shame for Joe that he came along at the wrong time, because he's an incredible fighter."

[ICB]

why didnt he mention watson i think watson is better than eubank and benn

[AdamGB]

I agree... out classed Benn and was able to stand infront of him before stopping him... beat Eubank the first time... despite what the judges say... and was on the way to doing it a second before that fatefull shot from Eubank

[ICB]

I agree... out classed Benn and was able to stand infront of him before stopping him... beat Eubank the first time... despite what the judges say... and was on the way to doing it a second before that fatefull shot from Eubank

yep totally agree

[WWatt]

Benn and Eubank were special. Watson was average.

He jus rope-a-doped Benn, not even his own team gave him a chance against Benn! Nobody knew who Watson was before that, and all he had to do was hold his F****** hands up and let Benn punch himself out because Nigel was a F****** idiot back then.

Eubank had to lose 19lbs in four days for the first Watson fight, won the first six rounds easily but then ran out of strength completely and could barely stay stood up, yet Watson wasn't good enough to take advantage.

I agree, in the second Eubank fight Watson was almost inhuman - setting a faster tempo than ever before and much stronger than ever before.. everything Eubank hit him with, nothing, Watson kept on coming and kept up the tempo. Michael used hypnosis for that fight but it backfired tragically..

[GAME]

I agree with Barry . Apart from a prime Eubank , Joe has it all his own way .

Btw Miles may know this or to anyone else who knows . . ? What ring music did Calzaghe have against Lacy ??

[ICB]

Benn and Eubank were special. Watson was average.

He jus rope-a-doped Benn, not even his own team gave him a chance against Benn! Nobody knew who Watson was before that, and all he had to do was hold his F****** hands up and let Benn punch himself out because Nigel was a F****** idiot back then.

Eubank had to lose 19lbs in four days for the first Watson fight, won the first six rounds easily but then ran out of strength completely and could barely stay stood up, yet Watson wasn't good enough to take advantage.

I agree, in the second Eubank fight Watson was almost inhuman - setting a faster tempo than ever before and much stronger than ever before.. everything Eubank hit him with, nothing, Watson kept on coming and kept up the tempo. Michael used hypnosis for that fight but it backfired tragically..

umm nah watson isnt average u also forget watson had to take bombs off benn first fight no way in hell eubank won first 6 rounds i had watson winning by about 2 rounds u also forget watson wasnt that good either in that fight they both looked like different fighters in 2nd fight because extra weight suited both men thats actual insult to waston saying he was average well benn and eubank must be below average then he outboxed benn by being clever benn was always wild and plus no one knew who he was because eubank and benn got media because of there personality benn and eubank wernt special either good fighters but not special and i doubt many people will agree with u about eubank winning first 6 rounds in 1st fight v watson