Nigel Benn

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 06 Aug 2004, 09:33

Michael Watson was arguably the best of the bunch.

After our Herol of course.

journeyman · Post by **journeyman** » 06 Aug 2004, 09:35

of course

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 06 Aug 2004, 09:38

DavidPayne wrote:Michael Watson was arguably the best of the bunch.

After our Herol of course.

I think Bomber was the most naturally talented fighter to come out of the UK.

As for Michael Watson, he was a class act and I still recall the Benn fight ( primarily as I called it spot on

)

The first time I really realise that he may be a notch above was when he beat "Dangerous" Don Lee. It was one of those lower level defining fights when a domestic fighter steps up and beats a recognised opponent. I recall MW having a fantastic defence and sending in some piercing body shots

In many ways, the best of the bunch

Slapsie

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:06

Slapsie Maxie wrote:
DavidPayne wrote:Michael Watson was arguably the best of the bunch.

After our Herol of course.
I think Bomber was the most naturally talented fighter to come out of the UK.

As for Michael Watson, he was a class act and I still recall the Benn fight ( primarily as I called it spot on )

The first time I really realise that he may be a notch above was when he beat "Dangerous" Don Lee. It was one of those lower level defining fights when a domestic fighter steps up and beats a recognised opponent. I recall MW having a fantastic defence and sending in some piercing body shots

In many ways, the best of the bunch

Slapsie

Dare I say it Dave, but I seem to recall you once arguing with me over the merits of Watson, nice to see you've come around.

For me Watson was clearly the best of the bunch, he was still improving when he gave Benn a boxing Lesson, and really worked Eubank over in their first fight and most of their second too.

I think Watson would have gone on to be something pretty special, he was a good all rounder, good boxing abilty, decent whack, and a fantastic defence.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:08

Slapsie Maxie wrote: I think Bomber was the most naturally talented fighter to come out of the UK.

Maybe so, but he could never win the big one, and he had plenty of chances too. At least Benn delivered on the big stage - and that's what will be remembered.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:11

Natural talent doens't count for shit. It's achievement. Kirkland Laing had all the talent in the world, and look where it got him. Herol consistently failed to win the fights which mattered.

journeyman · Post by **journeyman** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:13

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Natural talent doens't count for shit. It's achievement. Kirkland Laing had all the talent in the world, and look where it got him. Herol consistently failed to win the fights which mattered.

consistently failerd to land the fights that mattered as well. bomber was shamefully ducked for the vast majority of his career

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:17

I dont remember the discussion James? I'm not saying your lying, I just dont remember it and I'm bemused if I've ever under-stated Watson's capabilities.

I cant see under what circumstances I would have denounced him?

Anyway, of course Herol did lose his crucial encounters.

Kalumbay was a close one in ITALY....and I know some who thought it was contentious.

Jackson was a travesty, Graham was winning handily.

One judge thought he beat a PRIME Mike McCallum.

And even way past his best at Super-Middle, Eubank never fancied his chanes of catching up with old Herol.

He was the original. The one. The best.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:18

Michael at 26 probably hadnt reached his peak when he was tragically injured.....

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:22

DavidPayne wrote:I dont remember the discussion James? I'm not saying your lying, I just dont remember it and I'm bemused if I've ever under-stated Watson's capabilities.

I cant see under what circumstances I would have denounced him?

Anyway, of course Herol did lose his crucial encounters.

Kalumbay was a close one in ITALY....and I know some who thought it was contentious.

Jackson was a travesty, Graham was winning handily.

One judge thought he beat a PRIME Mike McCallum.

And even way past his best at Super-Middle, Eubank never fancied his chanes of catching up with old Herol.

He was the original. The one. The best.

Just ribbing you anyway, though I seem to remember us getting into one over who was better, might not have been you.....

I feel though that Graham's own strategy worked against him, you needed to force the fight against McCallum and Kalambay to make sure of the decision, and the fact that he never sat on his punches, meant that big hitters like Jackson always knew they were one punch away from winning the fight.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:23

Even if he couldn't actually SEE Herol.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 06 Aug 2004, 10:25

Poor old Julian, was it cataracts or retina damage he ended up with, I forget now, but he ended up half blind.

Boxingmad · Post by **Boxingmad** » 06 Aug 2004, 11:38

I wonder who would've won out of Bomber Graham & Kirkland Laing, asssuming they were both the same weight?