Super Middleweights (Who's the Best of the Best)

[stujones]

. Benn's balance was shot by the time he got to Collins, and with it went his punch power.

Yes, but in the 4th (or 5th) of the rematch, Benn brought in a cross which was out of the memory bank, it landed flush on the chin, it was a beautiful punch. Collins walked on to it and didn't move an inch (I think it was after this punch where Nigel's corner realised he wasn't going to win).

Collins also exposed Eubank, admittedly Eubank's killer instincted was gone, but that stamina weakness was always there. I believe if it wasn't for that rematch, Eubank would have beaten Joe.

Michael Watson, I agree, probably was the most complete out of the three (with less weakness) however, Mike McCallum out muscled and out worked him. I think Collins would have done the same.

The hardest fight for me to call would have been Collins vs a Prime Eubank.

[jamesmcdonnell]

McCallum didn't outmuscle him, it was the fact that McCallum was at his peak, and Watson still learning, plus the simple fact that McCallum was an exceptional fighter.

Watson, a natural counterpuncher, but one with a good workrate, realised he could not win by trying to counterpunch a master boxer like McCallum, so was forced to adopt a high-energy aggressive strategy to try and wear down the old man's legs. Unfortunately for Michael, McCallum had an answer for everything Watson tried, and knew exactly how to marshall his reserves of stamina, and nullify his opponent's work. Watson wasn't suited to the style he fought that night, but did pretty well considering.

I think Watson would have outworked and outsmarted Collins, but it would have been close.

As for Benn Collins, the difference is, that in his prime, Benn would have landed that same shot, over and over again, and no matter how good a chin you have, when it's Nigel Benn twatting that Chin, you're going to feel the string. I think Benn would have beaten Collins, just, in his prime, but in a three fights series it would have been close every time.

Eubank post-watson just wasn't the same man. Look at his fight with Carl Thompson, in both fights, he has Thompson is awful trouble, and just doesn't finish it. Mentally, he was shot to shit when it came to beating his opponents up. Someone had to be giving him a battering before he would really go for it.

[MightyWarrior]

I'd go Calzaghe. And yes, Michael Watson defintely belongs on that list.

I've often wondered how Mike's life would've turned out differently, if Eubank had stayed on the canvas in that fateful 11th round ( like any normal person would've ). Instead he rose and landed that hellacious uppercut...

[JimStone]

The Super Middleweight division has produced some talent in the UK along the years, i make it 7 world champs:-

Chris Eubank - Solid, Give this man respect
Nigel Benn - Absolute Warrior
Robin Reid - Never really seem Him fight (apart from Ottke)
Richie Woodhall - Never seen him fight
Glenn Catley - Never seen him fight
Steve Collins - Nut Case (Absolute crazy man in them Eubank fights)
Joe Calzaghe - Reigned for years at this weight

Steve Collins isn't from the UK, he's Irish.

Calzaghe is probably the best overall, but Robin Reid did enough to beat him when they fought, the judges got it wrong.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Ok, accepted he's Oirish, however, he belongs in the group though as he's from our island group.

[J]

we are proud to call the irish "british" seems a shame it isnt reciprocated, shame to be that way based on history. but what is done is done.

im an eighth irish by the way.