Benn, Eubank, Collins and Watson. Who was the best?

[taansend]

I watched all four live, I'm proud to say.

Collins came on great late. He was a boring bastard early on in his career. I saw him on the undercard of Benn Gent at Earls Court and he just jabbed his way to a TKO. But somehow, soon after that, he turned into a great brawler, often taking 2/3 to land one and winning fights with attrition. He has the best round robin record in the quartet.

Watson had great skill. After an early loss to my homeboy - the under-rated James Cook (boxer not sailor) - he had a great run, ending the '0' of Benn with precision boxing and I really thought he would beat McCallum, who was getting on at the time.... BUT, like Herol Graham, he was just one of those fighters never destined to win a title. Lesser men have done it, but Watson never won the big one.

Benn may well be my favourite British fighter of all time. I attended plenty of his fights and nothing ever came close to the excitement. Just waiting for him to come out and then hearing the Big Ben Chimes was enough to get the hairs standing. I stayed in the same hotel as him for the Eubank rematch and had a great time chatting to his posse.

Eubank had the chin, heart, skills and footwork to be the greatest British Boxer of all time. Unfortunately, after the Watson tragedy he won fights by doing just enough. But Eubank was huge TV and his persona and attitude will always have my respect.

I don't know who was the best! Eubank could've been but lost his bite after Watson. Benn had the heart but not the chin although his win over McClellan was the greatest of the quartet - albeit with tragic circumstances. Watson had all the tools but lacked that extra spice needed to be a World Champion. Collins got better and better with age deserved all the accolades he received although I think he would have lost the scheduled fight against Calzaghe - but thats just my opinion. I've been wrong before

I'm just happy that I lived in this amazing era of British Boxing....

[Kev]

I loved this era of british boxing and I think everyone will agree it produced some great fights. But who was the best? Who would have beat who on their best night? This is the order I saw the british middle/supermiddleweights of the early to mid 90s.
#1) Watson
#2) Eubank
#3) Collins
#4) Benn

Has anyone got a different point of view?

Watson was imo he beat Benn and EubanWatson vs Eubank 1 fight alot of people thought Watson won and in rematch with Eubank he was a mile ahead on points when Eubank got a lucky uppercut out of nowhere but unlucky in Watson's case the Watson who fought Eubank in 2nd fight was incredible imo the best out of the 4.

I actually scored the first Watson Eubank fight a draw but I did have Watson a mile ahead for the 2nd and that is why I put Watson at no1. I think that Eubank before the second Watson fight would have beat Collins too.

Without wanting to sound callous though, Eubank won that rematch with Watson in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, getting straight off the canvas to knock Watson out. Completely tragic what happened to Watson but it doesn't alter the fact that Eubank won.

Watson was also knocked out by McCallum which is why he ranks lower than Eubank and Benn imo.

He could have gone on to acheive more possibly, but sadly we will never know.

Not meaning to sound disrespectful here but if you rank Eubank above Watson for the fact that he beat him, then how can you rank Benn above Watson? If I remember rightly he stopped Benn in the 6th round!

I'm suprised you even ask the question

Benn won world titles in two weight divisions beating one of the most feared men in the middleweight division at that time in Gerald McClellen. He also destroyed a legend in Iran Barkely. He also defended his WBC title 10 times I believe.

Michael Watson never won a world title fight. It's tragic and but for a twist of fate he may have gone on to acheive greater things than Benn but that's just the way things panned out unfortunately.

And he beat Benn before Benn became a world champ. Nigel Benn was a far better fighter later in his career.

As much as I'm a fan of Watson he's bottom of this list imo as he never won a world title. Do I think he had the potential to acheive more? Absolutely but I also think that about Spencer Oliver, Herol Graham and even Audley Harrison.

you can only judge on concrete achievements not on what might have been sadly.

[rjj tszyu]

I loved this era of british boxing and I think everyone will agree it produced some great fights. But who was the best? Who would have beat who on their best night? This is the order I saw the british middle/supermiddleweights of the early to mid 90s.
#1) Watson
#2) Eubank
#3) Collins
#4) Benn

Has anyone got a different point of view?

Watson was imo he beat Benn and EubanWatson vs Eubank 1 fight alot of people thought Watson won and in rematch with Eubank he was a mile ahead on points when Eubank got a lucky uppercut out of nowhere but unlucky in Watson's case the Watson who fought Eubank in 2nd fight was incredible imo the best out of the 4.

I actually scored the first Watson Eubank fight a draw but I did have Watson a mile ahead for the 2nd and that is why I put Watson at no1. I think that Eubank before the second Watson fight would have beat Collins too.

Without wanting to sound callous though, Eubank won that rematch with Watson in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, getting straight off the canvas to knock Watson out. Completely tragic what happened to Watson but it doesn't alter the fact that Eubank won.

Watson was also knocked out by McCallum which is why he ranks lower than Eubank and Benn imo.

He could have gone on to acheive more possibly, but sadly we will never know.

Not meaning to sound disrespectful here but if you rank Eubank above Watson for the fact that he beat him, then how can you rank Benn above Watson? If I remember rightly he stopped Benn in the 6th round!

I'm suprised you even ask the question

Benn won world titles in two weight divisions beating one of the most feared men in the middleweight division at that time in Gerald McClellen. He also destroyed a legend in Iran Barkely. He also defended his WBC title 10 times I believe.

Michael Watson never won a world title fight. It's tragic and but for a twist of fate he may have gone on to acheive greater things than Benn but that's just the way things panned out unfortunately.

And he beat Benn before Benn became a world champ. Nigel Benn was a far better fighter later in his career.

As much as I'm a fan of Watson he's bottom of this list imo as he never won a world title. Do I think he had the potential to acheive more? Absolutely but I also think that about Spencer Oliver, Herol Graham and even Audley Harrison.

you can only judge on concrete achievements not on what might have been sadly.

Alright then Benn beat G-man but really he should have been disqualified when he went flying out of the ring in the first round because the rules state that if you go through the ropes you must return to the ring unaided and there were at least 2 people pushing him back up. I just wish that it was Benn Watson was fighting when he was fighting Eubank (2nd time) because there is no way Benn would have got back up the way Eubank did to finish it and and we wouldnt have been robbed of one of the best british talents of the last 20 years.

[SEANIE]

I loved this era of british boxing and I think everyone will agree it produced some great fights. But who was the best? Who would have beat who on their best night? This is the order I saw the british middle/supermiddleweights of the early to mid 90s.
#1) Watson
#2) Eubank
#3) Collins
#4) Benn

Has anyone got a different point of view?

Collins was a good middleweight who came up short against mccallum and kalamby. he beat pyatt to win the WBO middle title, the stepped up to supermiddle and beat eubank.

Eubank beat Benn at middleweight then in my opinion lost the rematch (which was for the WBC title as they wouldnt allow Benn to box for the WBO title)

watson beat a crude swinging Benn (who punched himself out) he then lost to mccallum (he got twatted) a fight in which bizarley watson was favourite to win (obviously the bookies had been smoking funny giggies) and i bet on mccallum and was made up when he won.

Benn in my opinion was the best of the bunch and heres why. he learned from his loses and came back better. After losing to watson he changed his style slightly and became more of a boxer and after the first Eubank fight he improved no end. He could not only slug but had the biggest heart. the first post in this thread puts watson at number one in my opinion thats based on his win over a crude swinging Benn and two fights with Eubank (and i could be here all day telling everyone how he was robbed in the first bout and if the ref had given him a standing 8 count he would have won the second Eubank fight) But the fact is Eubank beat him twice and had a more succesful carrer defending his third rate WBO titles against no marks.

Lets put this simply Eubank, Watson or Collins would not have defeated Mcclellan if they had boxed him 50 times. benn in this fight showed more heart in this fight that the other 3 showed in there entire careers. i truly believed that Mccllellan was going to destroy Benn. but Nigel rose to the occasion and produced one of the truly outstanding and amazing performances by any british boxer ever.

Heres my top 4
1) BENN
2) COLLINS
3) EUBANK
4) WATSON

[GAME]

1. Eubank
2. Benn
3. Watson
4. Collins

But to be fair I think Calzaghe would possibly beat all of them.

[SEANIE]

1. Eubank
2. Benn
3. Watson
4. Collins

But to be fair I think Calzaghe would possibly beat all of them.

But would Herol Graham?

[GAME]

1. Eubank
2. Benn
3. Watson
4. Collins

But to be fair I think Calzaghe would possibly beat all of them.

But would Herol Graham?

I think Herol would have outboxed Collins and Watson . I think he'd also hand out a boxing lesson to Chris and Nigel and be ahead in the fight until he got caught . He had more natural talent Herol did I just worry about his chin vs Eubank and Benn

[ICB]

I loved this era of british boxing and I think everyone will agree it produced some great fights. But who was the best? Who would have beat who on their best night? This is the order I saw the british middle/supermiddleweights of the early to mid 90s.
#1) Watson
#2) Eubank
#3) Collins
#4) Benn

Has anyone got a different point of view?

Watson was imo he beat Benn and Eubank got gift decision in first Watson vs Eubank 1 fight alot of people thought Watson won and in rematch with Eubank he was a mile ahead on points when Eubank got a lucky uppercut out of nowhere but unlucky in Watson's case the Watson who fought Eubank in 2nd fight was incredible imo the best out of the 4.

I actually scored the first Watson Eubank fight a draw but I did have Watson a mile ahead for the 2nd and that is why I put Watson at no1. I think that Eubank before the second Watson fight would have beat Collins too.

Without wanting to sound callous though, Eubank won that rematch with Watson in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, getting straight off the canvas to knock Watson out. Completely tragic what happened to Watson but it doesn't alter the fact that Eubank won.

Watson was also knocked out by McCallum which is why he ranks lower than Eubank and Benn imo.

He could have gone on to acheive more possibly, but sadly we will never know.

But Bilbo the question was who on there best night would of come out on top and if Eubank would of been given the mandatory 8 count that uppercut would of never landed Eubank got a lucky punch out of nowhere and Watson imo was robbed in there first meeting i would pick the Watson who fought Eubank in rematch to beat Benn, Eubank and Collins.

Watson was so unlucky i think he was better than Benn, Eubank and Collins its just a shame he had very bad luck because he was well on his way to winning the 2nd fight with Eubank until that uppercut out of nowhere.

[Kev]

I loved this era of british boxing and I think everyone will agree it produced some great fights. But who was the best? Who would have beat who on their best night? This is the order I saw the british middle/supermiddleweights of the early to mid 90s.
#1) Watson
#2) Eubank
#3) Collins
#4) Benn

Has anyone got a different point of view?

Watson was imo he beat Benn and Eubank got gift decision in first Watson vs Eubank 1 fight alot of people thought Watson won and in rematch with Eubank he was a mile ahead on points when Eubank got a lucky uppercut out of nowhere but unlucky in Watson's case the Watson who fought Eubank in 2nd fight was incredible imo the best out of the 4.

I actually scored the first Watson Eubank fight a draw but I did have Watson a mile ahead for the 2nd and that is why I put Watson at no1. I think that Eubank before the second Watson fight would have beat Collins too.

Without wanting to sound callous though, Eubank won that rematch with Watson in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, getting straight off the canvas to knock Watson out. Completely tragic what happened to Watson but it doesn't alter the fact that Eubank won.

Watson was also knocked out by McCallum which is why he ranks lower than Eubank and Benn imo.

He could have gone on to acheive more possibly, but sadly we will never know.

But Bilbo the question was who on there best night would of come out on top and if Eubank would of been given the mandatory 8 count that uppercut would of never landed Eubank got a lucky punch out of nowhere and Watson imo was robbed in there first meeting i would pick the Watson who fought Eubank in rematch to beat Benn, Eubank and Collins.

Watson was so unlucky i think he was better than Benn, Eubank and Collins its just a shame he had very bad luck because he was well on his way to winning the 2nd fight with Eubank until that uppercut out of nowhere.

Ok so putting all their acheivements aside and just focusing one one fictitious night where all four of them came together at their absolute peaks and gave the performances of their lives.........who would win? Hmm, ok after much deliberation I'd have to say............................................... ........................










































Chris Eubank


I'm being totally serious here, Chris proved in fights with Nigel Benn, Michael Watson, Joe Calzaghe and Carl Thompson that he could go to the well and summon up inhuman resources of strength and resiliance.

The man was practically superhuman in his ability to absorb punishment and at his very very best would have worn out Benn and Watson just as he did. Collins was another tough guy and could take one hell of a shot but he against a prime and hungry Eubank he would have been outfought imo.

It suprises me that you don't credit Eubank at all with his strength of character in coming off the canvas on the brink of defeat to get up and finish Michael Watson in the sensational style that he did.

It was tragic what happend to Michael but let's be honest that fight was one of the greatest ever seen, a Castillo Coralles type brawl and Chris, unbeaten at the time and desperate to stay that way showed the grit of a true champion.

[Nium]

Watson in Eubank-Watson II seemed absolutely out of this world but to me he'd never looked near that good before, just stiff and awkward and fairly neat.

Aside from that, it's Chris Eubank hands down, easily. Not even close. He was a cut above these guys, it's really quite clear to see IMO.

Nigel was actually a bad style match-up for him because he laid on the front foot and bent in front of you which meant Eubank couldn't get his jab or combinations going properly in either fight. Eubank clearly wasn't his self in the Collins fights, in the first one it seemed he just wanted to hurt Steve with every punch and Steve countered with two's and three's, in the second one his head looked elsewhere.

Eubank at his best, not weight-drained or spooked or anything, beats Michael and Collins on the same night. He was just so superior to these guys, and called them both average in early 1990. His movement, jab and combinations was much better Watson's and Collins's, basically.

[ICB]

Watson in Eubank-Watson II seemed absolutely out of this world but to me he'd never looked near that good before, just stiff and awkward and fairly neat.

Aside from that, it's Chris Eubank hands down, easily. Not even close. He was a cut above these guys, it's really quite clear to see IMO.

Nigel was actually a bad style match-up for him because he laid on the front foot and bent in front of you which meant Eubank couldn't get his jab or combinations going properly in either fight. Eubank clearly wasn't his self in the Collins fights, in the first one it seemed he just wanted to hurt Steve with every punch and Steve countered with two's and three's, in the second one his head looked elsewhere.

Eubank at his best, not weight-drained or spooked or anything, beats Michael and Collins on the same night. He was just so superior to these guys, and called them both average in early 1990. His movement, jab and combinations was much better Watson's and Collins's, basically.

Eubank at his best, not weight-drained or spooked or anything, beats Michael and Collins on the same night.

Total nonsense Watson beat your boy in 1st fight but didn't get the nod and was outclassing him and giving Eubank a beating in the rematch until Eubank threw an uppercut out of nowhere and if the ref would of gave Eubank the mandatory count Eubank would of never landed that uppercut the round would of been over do you ever comment on a thread not related to Eubank, or Benn DD ??

[Althugz]

I agree Eubank all day long..the other 3 are debatable and maybe i'm biased because I have such good boxing memories of Eubank when I was younger but I still believe Eubank to be a cut above these 3. Eubank was a classier and technically much better boxer than both Benn and Collins..and like Bilbo said earlier, regardless of how Eubank Watson 2 was going..Eubank came up and closed the show in spectacular fashion. End of the day he WON.
If I had to i'd go 1)Eubank, 2)Benn/Watson (interchangeable with 3) 3) 4) Collins

and I also disagree Calzaghe would have beaten all of them if each were in their prime..I still see Eubank being too clever in his prime. Collins even might have had that rough style to give him a good fight. Benn's power would have troubled him if Benn could land.

[GAME]

I agree Eubank all day long..the other 3 are debatable and maybe i'm biased because I have such good boxing memories of Eubank when I was younger but I still believe Eubank to be a cut above these 3. Eubank was a classier and technically much better boxer than both Benn and Collins..and like Bilbo said earlier, regardless of how Eubank Watson 2 was going..Eubank came up and closed the show in spectacular fashion. End of the day he WON.
If I had to i'd go 1)Eubank, 2)Benn/Watson (interchangeable with 3) 3) 4) Collins

and I also disagree Calzaghe would have beaten all of them if each were in their prime..I still see Eubank being too clever in his prime. Collins even might have had that rough style to give him a good fight. Benn's power would have troubled him if Benn could land.

Agree with every single word . CC !

[CutMeMick]

I loved this era of british boxing and I think everyone will agree it produced some great fights. But who was the best? Who would have beat who on their best night? This is the order I saw the british middle/supermiddleweights of the early to mid 90s.
#1) Watson
#2) Eubank
#3) Collins
#4) Benn

Has anyone got a different point of view?

Watson was imo he beat Benn and Eubank got gift decision in first Watson vs Eubank 1 fight alot of people thought Watson won and in rematch with Eubank he was a mile ahead on points when Eubank got a lucky uppercut out of nowhere but unlucky in Watson's case the Watson who fought Eubank in 2nd fight was incredible imo the best out of the 4.

I actually scored the first Watson Eubank fight a draw but I did have Watson a mile ahead for the 2nd and that is why I put Watson at no1. I think that Eubank before the second Watson fight would have beat Collins too.

Without wanting to sound callous though, Eubank won that rematch with Watson in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, getting straight off the canvas to knock Watson out. Completely tragic what happened to Watson but it doesn't alter the fact that Eubank won.

Watson was also knocked out by McCallum which is why he ranks lower than Eubank and Benn imo.

He could have gone on to acheive more possibly, but sadly we will never know.

But Bilbo the question was who on there best night would of come out on top and if Eubank would of been given the mandatory 8 count that uppercut would of never landed Eubank got a lucky punch out of nowhere and Watson imo was robbed in there first meeting i would pick the Watson who fought Eubank in rematch to beat Benn, Eubank and Collins.

Watson was so unlucky i think he was better than Benn, Eubank and Collins its just a shame he had very bad luck because he was well on his way to winning the 2nd fight with Eubank until that uppercut out of nowhere.

Ok so putting all their acheivements aside and just focusing one one fictitious night where all four of them came together at their absolute peaks and gave the performances of their lives.........who would win? Hmm, ok after much deliberation I'd have to say............................................... ........................










































Chris Eubank


I'm being totally serious here, Chris proved in fights with Nigel Benn, Michael Watson, Joe Calzaghe and Carl Thompson that he could go to the well and summon up inhuman resources of strength and resiliance.

The man was practically superhuman in his ability to absorb punishment and at his very very best would have worn out Benn and Watson just as he did. Collins was another tough guy and could take one hell of a shot but he against a prime and hungry Eubank he would have been outfought imo.

It suprises me that you don't credit Eubank at all with his strength of character in coming off the canvas on the brink of defeat to get up and finish Michael Watson in the sensational style that he did.

It was tragic what happend to Michael but let's be honest that fight was one of the greatest ever seen, a Castillo Coralles type brawl and Chris, unbeaten at the time and desperate to stay that way showed the grit of a true champion.

Bilbs, very well said shit Bilbs your getting pretty good at this debating stuff. Well done for you now if only we can get you to say that 'Finito' Lopez is one of the greatesr technical fighters ever.

I agree Eubank all day long..the other 3 are debatable and maybe i'm biased because I have such good boxing memories of Eubank when I was younger but I still believe Eubank to be a cut above these 3. Eubank was a classier and technically much better boxer than both Benn and Collins..and like Bilbo said earlier, regardless of how Eubank Watson 2 was going..Eubank came up and closed the show in spectacular fashion. End of the day he WON.
If I had to i'd go 1)Eubank, 2)Benn/Watson (interchangeable with 3) 3) 4) Collins

and I also disagree Calzaghe would have beaten all of them if each were in their prime..I still see Eubank being too clever in his prime. Collins even might have had that rough style to give him a good fight. Benn's power would have troubled him if Benn could land.

Well said Althugz.

[ICB]

I loved this era of british boxing and I think everyone will agree it produced some great fights. But who was the best? Who would have beat who on their best night? This is the order I saw the british middle/supermiddleweights of the early to mid 90s.
#1) Watson
#2) Eubank
#3) Collins
#4) Benn

Has anyone got a different point of view?

Watson was imo he beat Benn and Eubank got gift decision in first Watson vs Eubank 1 fight alot of people thought Watson won and in rematch with Eubank he was a mile ahead on points when Eubank got a lucky uppercut out of nowhere but unlucky in Watson's case the Watson who fought Eubank in 2nd fight was incredible imo the best out of the 4.

I actually scored the first Watson Eubank fight a draw but I did have Watson a mile ahead for the 2nd and that is why I put Watson at no1. I think that Eubank before the second Watson fight would have beat Collins too.

Without wanting to sound callous though, Eubank won that rematch with Watson in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, getting straight off the canvas to knock Watson out. Completely tragic what happened to Watson but it doesn't alter the fact that Eubank won.

Watson was also knocked out by McCallum which is why he ranks lower than Eubank and Benn imo.

He could have gone on to acheive more possibly, but sadly we will never know.

But Bilbo the question was who on there best night would of come out on top and if Eubank would of been given the mandatory 8 count that uppercut would of never landed Eubank got a lucky punch out of nowhere and Watson imo was robbed in there first meeting i would pick the Watson who fought Eubank in rematch to beat Benn, Eubank and Collins.

Watson was so unlucky i think he was better than Benn, Eubank and Collins its just a shame he had very bad luck because he was well on his way to winning the 2nd fight with Eubank until that uppercut out of nowhere.

Ok so putting all their acheivements aside and just focusing one one fictitious night where all four of them came together at their absolute peaks and gave the performances of their lives.........who would win? Hmm, ok after much deliberation I'd have to say............................................... ........................










































Chris Eubank


I'm being totally serious here, Chris proved in fights with Nigel Benn, Michael Watson, Joe Calzaghe and Carl Thompson that he could go to the well and summon up inhuman resources of strength and resiliance.

The man was practically superhuman in his ability to absorb punishment and at his very very best would have worn out Benn and Watson just as he did. Collins was another tough guy and could take one hell of a shot but he against a prime and hungry Eubank he would have been outfought imo.

It suprises me that you don't credit Eubank at all with his strength of character in coming off the canvas on the brink of defeat to get up and finish Michael Watson in the sensational style that he did.

It was tragic what happend to Michael but let's be honest that fight was one of the greatest ever seen, a Castillo Coralles type brawl and Chris, unbeaten at the time and desperate to stay that way showed the grit of a true champion.

He never wore out Watson though Watson should of won first fight but Eubank got a gift decision and in rematch Watson was easily beating Eubank and that was Eubank at his very best until Eubank threw an uppercut out of nowhere out of desperation and Watson was very unlucky when he went down that his head whiplashed off the ropes and i give Eubank credit thats where your wrong but if he we are on about both at there best Watson would win just like he was doing in the 2nd fight with Eubank and he would of won 2nd fight if the ref would of give Eubank the mandatory count when Eubank went down no doubt Eubank was tough as nails and one of the toughest fighters to ever lace em up but i truly believe Watson had Eubank's number and didn't Benn and Eubank say they consider Watson the best ??