With the greatest of respect to all concerned:

[Jeff Thomas]

Which was the more incredible fight? Benn Vs Mclellon or Eubank vs Watson 2?

Its so sad that these fights will never be held in the regard they deserve, and the fighters never be allowed to truly emotionally value their hollow victories. I rewatched Watson-Eubank 2 the other night and it was just sensational. As was Benn-Mclellon which becomes more competitive every time I watch it.

Not sure if this thread is a little insensitive but Watson is a proud man, and with his epic recovery I wonder if he has ever watched- what amounted to a truly courageous display of fortitude from both him and Eubank. It was an amazing, amazing fight.

Just wanted to get some thoughts from the 'sensible' forum.

[Jeff Thomas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SrCVph8-u0

[dekker88]

benn vs maclellan...without doubt.

best fight EVER.

[Counter-puncher]

i actually swing towards Eubank - Watson 2 but i would expect to be in the minority

[hurlock]

i think it was the tenth round of the eubank fight :!: greatest round ever in british boxing.

when we face the truth all the greatest tear up's are near death battles sadly, you cant odd's it.

[tonyevs]

For me. It is the Nigel Benn fight.
Benn was seen as the sacrificial lamb to McClellans continuing greatness .. Benn was seen as lacking in pretty much every dept to McClellan ...

I was never much of a fan of Eubank. And Watson, whilst a superb boxer, just didn`t excite too much.

[hurlock]

For me. It is the Nigel Benn fight.
Benn was seen as the sacrificial lamb to McClellans continuing greatness .. Benn was seen as lacking in pretty much every dept to McClellan ...

I was never much of a fan of Eubank. And Watson, whilst a superb boxer, just didn`t excite too much.

if you was a yank fan & the ref protecting benn as he did literally holding mclellan back & taking break's etc. you'd hate it would you not???

just good job you aint a yank

[dekker88]

For me. It is the Nigel Benn fight.
Benn was seen as the sacrificial lamb to McClellans continuing greatness .. Benn was seen as lacking in pretty much every dept to McClellan ...

I was never much of a fan of Eubank. And Watson, whilst a superb boxer, just didn`t excite too much.

if you was a yank fan & the ref protecting benn as he did literally holding mclellan back & taking break's etc. you'd hate it would you not???

just good job you aint a yank

not to mention gary newbon pushing him back into the ring in rd 1...

;;-)

[Bomber 1]

Benn is something that is just pure special and a true one off, however Eubank V Watson cannot be overlooked ,as a fight or just as individual fighters either ,all of them were truly special special fighters IMHO, the outcomes of McClennan & Watson are heartbreaking too, I hope the 2 guys have decent days as they more than deserve it, I truly admire both of them!!

[Andypittcov]

Benn/McClellan

Amazing fight from start to finish

Truly tragic conclusion

[Newport Daz]

Easy. Benn Vs Mcllelan. One of the greatest ever fights that never gets shown because of the tragic consequences. Watson Vs Eubank 2 was a cracker too but not quite as good. It's a pity, both fights irrevocably changed all involved for the worse.

[Glyn Leach]

Both terrific fights and I was lucky enough to be ringside at both, but I'd have to go Benn-McClellan. I couldn't speak for days after it, screamed myself hoarse. All thoughts of professionalism went out the window that night. The press rows were on their feet from start to finish and you'd be surprised at some of the hard-nosed, big name writers who had been there, seen it and done it all but became drawn into the savage intensity of it all and just started yelling, unashamedly. An incredible atmosphere was created by what went on in the ring. The most exciting event of my life, not just fight. An honour to have been there.

[Mimmy]

its a shame we do not have the fighters like that now. To be honest I doubt we will ever see such warriors anymore. The likes of these fighters have long gone now. Also we will never see the likes of mike tyson anymore a man who won fights before he entered the ring. Boxing seems different now I do not know why maybe someone can answer that.

[dondada]

One dimension that no one has mentioned yet is that McClellan was expected by most to smash Benn up...so when he didn't and it went into the trenches, it added a lot more to the occasion; Eubank-Watson II was expected to be a much more even fight.

[SweetLikeSugar]

Eubank-Watson II. There was a lot more quality in the boxing in my opinion and just as much ferocity.

I agree about the quality of boxing but no way was it as ferocious as Benn v Mclellan. There was obviously a genuie dislike between the two but neither Watson or Eubank had the absolute natural power of Mclellan and that, for me, makes Benn/Mclellan a much more ferocious fight. I also think the atmosphere at that fight (from the comfort of my armchair at least) attributed to it being a better occasion.

[Jeff Thomas]

Ok, with respect- a bit more controversial again- and sincere respect to all concerened.

James Murray Vs Drew Docherty- Now this one never, ever gets spoken about- anyone remember it? Tell me what you remember.

I remember Murray was a big favourite going in. He was just 15-1 with five KO's but had stopped four of his last five- beating good man like my old trainer Louis Veitch, Shaun Anderson, Adey Benton and Keith Jones.

Docherty was 14-2-1 with just three early. He was coming off a terrible beating at the hands of Alfred Kotey but was a lovely technician and as brave as they come. Seem to recall this been another munumental bout with Docherty on the floor three times in the first two rounds before coming back to stop Murray in the last round when behind on points.

Murray kicked the canvas as he was counted out- utterly devestated I presume at having lost the bout. fans rioted- and poor James died.

I always remember the fight but sadly - once again the bout itself and the participants are never really spoken about- like it never happened. Anyone else remember or have any thoughts....

One of the best.

[Counter-puncher]

Eubank-Watson II. There was a lot more quality in the boxing in my opinion and just as much ferocity.

i agree but like i said, i thought we'd be in the minority

the pace Watson pushes on Eubank is every bit as frightening as the savagery of the slightly less-frequent exchanges in Benn - McLellan IMO

[dookus]

Ok, with respect- a bit more controversial again- and sincere respect to all concerened.

James Murray Vs Drew Docherty- Now this one never, ever gets spoken about- anyone remember it? Tell me what you remember.

I remember Murray was a big favourite going in. He was just 15-1 with five KO's but had stopped four of his last five- beating good man like my old trainer Louis Veitch, Shaun Anderson, Adey Benton and Keith Jones.

Docherty was 14-2-1 with just three early. He was coming off a terrible beating at the hands of Alfred Kotey but was a lovely technician and as brave as they come. Seem to recall this been another munumental bout with Docherty on the floor three times in the first two rounds before coming back to stop Murray in the last round when behind on points.

Murray kicked the canvas as he was counted out- utterly devestated I presume at having lost the bout. fans rioted- and poor James died.

I always remember the fight but sadly - once again the bout itself and the participants are never really spoken about- like it never happened. Anyone else remember or have any thoughts....

One of the best.

!

[Deserter]

One dimension that no one has mentioned yet is that McClellan was expected by most to smash Benn up....

Think you must have missed tonyevs's comment earlier in the thread Ian...

[bennie]

Ok, with respect- a bit more controversial again- and sincere respect to all concerened.

James Murray Vs Drew Docherty- Now this one never, ever gets spoken about- anyone remember it? Tell me what you remember.

I remember Murray was a big favourite going in. He was just 15-1 with five KO's but had stopped four of his last five- beating good man like my old trainer Louis Veitch, Shaun Anderson, Adey Benton and Keith Jones.

Docherty was 14-2-1 with just three early. He was coming off a terrible beating at the hands of Alfred Kotey but was a lovely technician and as brave as they come. Seem to recall this been another munumental bout with Docherty on the floor three times in the first two rounds before coming back to stop Murray in the last round when behind on points.

Murray kicked the canvas as he was counted out- utterly devestated I presume at having lost the bout. fans rioted- and poor James died.

I always remember the fight but sadly - once again the bout itself and the participants are never really spoken about- like it never happened. Anyone else remember or have any thoughts....

One of the best.

I think boxing fans have to pretend it never happened, because this one really hurt.

[Glyn Leach]

One dimension that no one has mentioned yet is that McClellan was expected by most to smash Benn up....

Think you must have missed tonyevs's comment earlier in the thread Ian...

There was also the perception that McClellan had been brought in to do a number on Benn, like a hit man. Nigel seemed to feel that was the case, as his post-fight comments in the ring reflected. Very emotional. I don't think a fighter has ever captivated the animal instincts of the British public in the way that Benn did that night. It was real 'he's our warrior and we're behind him' stuff, not beerboys on the jolly singing football songs.

Take Jeff's point about the Murray fight, but for some reason - and I don't think it was because someone died rather than being 'only' seriously injured - I have trouble recalling that fight as a fight, if you get my drift. Bennie's got that spot on, too traumatic. It's like my mind won't accept it on that level, it was just too bloody sad. Very very upsetting. Thanks for bringing it up Jeff, I really must watch it again, out of respect.

[Srebmun]

For me. It is the Nigel Benn fight.
Benn was seen as the sacrificial lamb to McClellans continuing greatness .. Benn was seen as lacking in pretty much every dept to McClellan ...

I was never much of a fan of Eubank. And Watson, whilst a superb boxer, just didn`t excite too much.

if you was a yank fan & the ref protecting benn as he did literally holding mclellan back & taking break's etc. you'd hate it would you not???

just good job you aint a yank

not to mention gary newbon pushing him back into the ring in rd 1...

;;-)

You need to watch the fight again, closely, if you think Newbon pushed Benn back in.

Why do people make such ridiculous comments.

[Jeff Thomas]

One dimension that no one has mentioned yet is that McClellan was expected by most to smash Benn up....

Think you must have missed tonyevs's comment earlier in the thread Ian...

There was also the perception that McClellan had been brought in to do a number on Benn, like a hit man. Nigel seemed to feel that was the case, as his post-fight comments in the ring reflected. Very emotional. I don't think a fighter has ever captivated the animal instincts of the British public in the way that Benn did that night. It was real 'he's our warrior and we're behind him' stuff, not beerboys on the jolly singing football songs.

Take Jeff's point about the Murray fight, but for some reason - and I don't think it was because someone died rather than being 'only' seriously injured - I have trouble recalling that fight as a fight, if you get my drift. Bennie's got that spot on, too traumatic. It's like my mind won't accept it on that level, it was just too bloody sad. Very very upsetting. Thanks for bringing it up Jeff, I really must watch it again, out of respect.

Glyn i'd really like to see it again if you can point me in the right direction.

Bennie totally agree- it was a terrible night in a lot of ways! I always remember it because it was Friday the 13th. They made a point of saying that in the build up. It was just terrible- think I was about 15.

[Lenny]

I agree with the guys who have said that Eubank v Watson contained more skill and quality than Benn v McLellan which was as close to an all out brawl as you can get but lots of untidy work in comparison.

But, maybe I dunno, the Benn fight has been a lot more acceptable to watch in recent years? Maybe it's the revelations about McLellan's animal cruelty, the fact he's American and not one of our own or something else but it seems to be a much easier watch for some people??

[Andypittcov]

I wouldn't say benn/McC was an all out brawl,yes it was a ferocious fight and benn was super pumped for it but the way he boxed in rounds 2 and 3 were exceptional,totally turned it around,landed at will and didn't take much back,agreed that the majority of the shots were full power but it just wasn't the all out brawl of say a ward/gatti it did have it's slower passages of action