Best fighter? RJJ, Benn or Eubank?

[mikeeod]

This question depends on how you are defining "fighter". Roy was the most naturally gifted of the three, and would be my favorite in head to head match ups (understanding that this is boxing and all three could bang, so anything can happen). Benn was the meanest, best defined "fighter" of the trio (vice "boxer"). Eubank was, in my opinion, the most cerebral and awkward of the three, with arguably the biggest punch (all three were beasts in my opinion, but the shot Eubank landed on Watson was scary).

When looking at level of competition, I feel like Roy takes it with wins over Hop, Ruiz, Tarver, and Toney. Benn has G-Man and Barkley on his resume, while Eubank has Watson and Benn. Looking st the style match ups, Roy's natural gifts/speed are a nightmare for both, while Eubank probably gives Roy the harder fight than Benn.

Now for the controversial part of my post: I think Roy ducked both fighters and I started to lose respect for him for not fighting Benn after Nigel beat G-Man (Roy's friend). This was the period where Roy started to look at boxing as purely business and risk vs reward, and stopped chasing greatness. Seeing Gerald crippled definitely had an affect on Roy, and while I don't blame him for looking out for his and his family's best interests, I have to be honest and say it affects his historical rankings on many lists. The most frustrating aspect of this is that I'm pretty sure he could've run through Benn, Eubank, Darius, Collins, Frankie Liles (Collins/Liles would've been toughest style match ups of that group, but I still think Roy wins)...etc., and would've retired as one of the top two or three p4p ATGs EVER. Instead, we have to watch the most talented boxer ever lose to people who shouldn't even be his sparring partners. Sad.

[Master]

You are tough on Roy, who was a marvel in the ring which we have never seen before.

Benn, who was the smaller fighter, was a vicious hitter with either hand whereas Eubank had a sharp/heavy right hand.

[mikeeod]

You are tough on Roy, who was a marvel in the ring which we have never seen before.

Benn, who was the smaller fighter, was a vicious hitter with either hand whereas Eubank had a sharp/heavy right hand.

Agree that I'm tough on Roy, but feel I am consistent/fair. I have four kids now (I'm old) and I'm much harder on my oldest daughter than I am on the others. She's three grade levels above where she should be, and in honors classes on top of that. She is in trouble with me if she gets a B+. One of her brothers is the opposite, where he gets "B"s from time to time and I don't punish him at all, I reward him. Roy is like my oldest daughter, he's a phenom who the sport will likely never see the likes of again. Head to head I would pick Roy against anyone in history, to include Robinson. Roy didn't fulfill that potential. He had a phenomenal career, but when you are that gifted, a phenomenal career is a given. Had he possessed Manny's desire for greatness and audacity, Roy would've beaten everyone at or near his weight class, to include guys like Tyson, Jirov, Holyfield...etc.

[Master]

You are tough on Roy, who was a marvel in the ring which we have never seen before.

Benn, who was the smaller fighter, was a vicious hitter with either hand whereas Eubank had a sharp/heavy right hand.

Agree that I'm tough on Roy, but feel I am consistent/fair. I have four kids now (I'm old) and I'm much harder on my oldest daughter than I am on the others. She's three grade levels above where she should be, and in honors classes on top of that. She is in trouble with me if she gets a B+. One of her brothers is the opposite, where he gets "B"s from time to time and I don't punish him at all, I reward him. Roy is like my oldest daughter, he's a phenom who the sport will likely never see the likes of again. Head to head I would pick Roy against anyone in history, to include Robinson. Roy didn't fulfill that potential. He had a phenomenal career, but when you are that gifted, a phenomenal career is a given. Had he possessed Manny's desire for greatness and audacity, Roy would've beaten everyone at or near his weight class, to include guys like Tyson, Jirov, Holyfield...etc.

Roy was never a heavyweight and would have been obliterated by Tyson.

Give your eldest daughter a break and praise her.

[vidgil]

It's natural to look at Roy as the naturally talented boxer, but we forget he had a big punch in both hands! Especially at 168.

He knocked Sugar Boy dead with one punch, something Eubank and Benn failed to do.

He knocked out the iron chinned Tony Thorton in 3 rounds, something Eubank and Toney couldn't do. Tony was at the end of his career but still, impressive.

Merqui Sosa in 2, not a great fighter but a very hard out.

At 168 I would put Roy's power up there with either man. Perhaps Benn had a bigger wallop overall but RJJ was not far behind IMO.

[smashup]

So where's my hero Michael Watson in the list?
How can he not be included....?
Beat Benn by KO with a single Jab and 100% beat Eubank on points in the first fight which every journalist and pundit agreed was the right result. (should never have been that fateful second fight)
Would he have beaten Jones..? Who Knows but maybe and

Anyway out of the 3 the best boxer was easily RJJ then Eubank then Benn.
But in a War RJJ would have got smashed by Eubank and Benn which is why he swerved them both