Quote Originally Posted by sumkalambay View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Spicoli View Post
I give a Primed Benn every bit an equal chance in this one,a fight that DEF should of happened after the McClellan tragedy.It was ripe and ready and much talked about but Roy could bank heavily beating the piss outta over matched and over hyped "people bought this crap" Pazienza with HBO's cushy contract and he knew it.He ultimately did not 'need' Benn,risk/reward.....but Benn EARNED that shot.

Much is made of Benn effected after the war with Gerald...and he was big time.Though to this day I think it also effected Jones Jr also.He spoke openly and often about permanent injury....not getting payed enough to fight this guy...or that guy and watching his good friend McClellan left in that condition ...which can happen to any fighter on any given night...sat with him for a long time.As it did anyone with a conscious and heart.

On paper and stylistically Jones out speeds,out shifts and out maneuvers Benn for a win.But Benn was all but assumed and second thought cannon fodder going into the McClellan fight.He was supposed to get pelayed and mashed....he was predictable,he was so open,his chin was known to take a bath when least expected and Gerald's path of destruction was flat phenominal....he literally layed waist to those in his path.Benn and Gerald displayed enough heart,grit and sheer will power to well up the eyes of many a man that night....I had goose fooking bumps as they went back and forth.Benn stood up to raw flush power shots and showed a tonnage of one intangible they do not and cannot measure on paper...Undeniable Desire and fortitude.He was no Merqui Sosa...Tony Thorton...Bryant Brannon or groomed for a blood letting of a showcase Pazienza.He was a Championship calibur fighter who was most dangerous when hurt,you simply had to respect that power or it would catch up to you.Roy had never faced anyone that fierce and unpredictably dangerous up to that point......and thats a fact!
sorry but this is overrating Nigel Benn big time. Roy would've had Benn hurt early and finished him.

Roy was one of the best ever at reading his opponents and it showed when he faced the most technically skilled fighter in the sport at that time, James Toney. RJJ was an unbelievable ring general.
Sorry....but I'd very much like to know where the overrating Benn big time part is? Is it the on paper Jones owns all advantages and wins part....or the Benns main assets were his heart and power ?If in fact Jones had faced a fighter as fierce and constantly as dangerous as a Benn...I'm all ears Mate?

As big a fan as I am of Benn Ive always given credit to Jones for shutting down Toney.Personally though,I think Toney went into that fight with a conceeding attitude...Jones got into his head,he out Toneyd Toney.It was as clear as Toney shit attitude about the weight and he was trailing before the bell even rang.Is that Jones fault..nah.He did exactly what he should have done and in impressive fashion.In hindsight the weight would not have mattered in the least.

The contrast between Toney and Benn could not have been any further apart.Toney was a master at timing out rounds...he found ground usually ring center and would work off foundation....never one quick of foot and it showed many times.He never fought an entire round,not that I can remember.Benns best asset was his attack...yes which saw him run into surprises but would equally put Jones in harms way....unlike a layed back and content Toney.If Jones knew he had you boxed in...reacting and readable he could be content to walk you around all night.Make you look a fool but not press in instances.As nuts as it sounds Benns abandonment for fundementals was a plus in spots....had he tried to use his new found 'boxing,jab' vs McClellan he may very well have been taken out.Best thing that happened to him was getting blasted so early,It flicked a switch,instinct.Jones cream of the crop,pure reflex but If anything I think Its Benn whos being underrated really.Bit on & on here bud,,,blame the caffeine