Froch upsets Nigel Benn

[Deserter]

RJJ would have whupped both of them.

As much as I agree with that, I think Jones would've brought out The Best from old Senior. Beaten, yeah, but I can't see anyone from history whupping Eubank apart from Robinson (Langford-Eubank would've been terrifying for everyone!). I think he'd have 'Benned' Jones, going all-out, against type, in a brawl. Maybe the ref woulda stepped-in down the road, but there's no way he'd have stood for being shown up.

I loved the Benn, Eubank, Watson, Collins era, but the rose-tinted glasses get put on far too often where they're concerned. In terms of their contemporaries, Jones Jr, Toney and Nunn would all have had the beating of Eubank IMO and in the case of Jones it would have been a similar story to the Toney fight, with Eubank barely able to take a round or two off him.
Take a look at Eubank's record again objectively and tell me what's in there to convince you that no-one is history could have whupped him apart from Robinson, as I'm just astonished by that statement? His best wins are probably Benn, Watson and Graciano Rocchigiani - that's hardly stuff to write home about. Watson never held a world title, while Rocchigiani isn't exactly a 'hall of fame' candidate.
The fact we had some world-class fighters from the same neck of the woods fighting one another made for terrific entertainment and TV, but let's not fool ourselves about their standing in the history books.

[stujones]

I think Froch might have been too big for Benn - who was really always a middleweight.

Eubank vs Froch - I think stylistically, Froch suited Eubank. He's big, strong, hard - but not quick, fights at a good pace but I wouldn't say greater than the pace Eubank faced vs Calzaghe and Collins 2.

Froch's chin is fantastic, but he has been hurt by people who I would consider lighter punchers than Eubank. Eubank would have the power to stop Froch in his tracks. He might not stopped Froch, but I don't think Froch could bulldozer him as he has done vs Bute etc.

Critically I feel Froch's poor defense would be a major issue. Eubank often struggled when he was leading off (which I don't think he would do vs Froch) he also struggled, and looked like a novice, if he ever missed the target - I am not sure he would miss too many times vs Froch.

I think Froch's best chance might be if Eubank hurt him went for it, but could not put him away. Eubank might punch himself out and then Froch could be ready to take over stamina wise. But if Eubank was smart - WPTS UD.

Again I do not mean to do Froch a disservice - after all I did say he beats Benn - but I would say Froch is closer (in terms of strengths and weaknesses) to Henry Wharton than Joe Calzaghe. Tough as old boots, good engine, very strong for the weight, but slow. Calzaghe's handspeed and slightly better work rate (than Froch's) was the difference between Eubank winning and losing in 1997.

[mickey1975]

Henry will be buzzing if I tell him that! Froch had a much better career than Chris. Incomparable in opposition wise.

[palooka]

Henry had a beautiful left hook and from all accounts did not let his success go to his head - that's a success in itself.

[stujones]

Henry will be buzzing if I tell him that! Froch had a much better career than Chris. Incomparable in opposition wise.

Not disputing that at all - no comparison as you said and perhaps we are all looking at our champs of a different age with rose tinted spectacles.

I just think if you are looking at a match up - then I think it was Calzaghe's engine and handspeed that was the biggest factor into why Chris lost to Joe - factors that Froch is inferior too Joe in.

[elev8]

I think it was Calzaghe's engine and handspeed that was the biggest factor into why Chris lost to Joe - factors that Froch is inferior too Joe in.

...also inferior to Chris in I'd say. Add to that an inferior chin.

[whiskey]

...also inferior to Chris in I'd say. Add to that an inferior chin.

We you previously known on here as Coghaugen ?

[mickey1975]

...also inferior to Chris in I'd say. Add to that an inferior chin.

We you previously known on here as Coghaugen ?

My first thought!

[mickey1975]

Personally, I think Froch stops Benn all day long, not sure with Eubank, it's a pick em. Chris had some gifts but when he was on form he was good.

[stevieb_8006]

I think Froch might have been too big for Benn - who was really always a middleweight.

[palooka]

What about Froch v McClellan? (Does it make me a bad person to think about this bout?)

[palooka]

So Eubank was "smart". Pretty sure we already knew that lol

For all the money he's spent on clothes I've always thought he looks aclown. I could have dressed smart as EFF on a tenth of what he's splashed out.

[stevieb_8006]

What about Froch v McClellan? (Does it make me a bad person to think about this bout?)

Frock stops him. He was a light middle.

[Rexob]

What about Froch v McClellan? (Does it make me a bad person to think about this bout?)

Frock stops him. He was a light middle.

McClellan stops Froch from wearing a "Frock"

[stevieb_8006]

What about Froch v McClellan? (Does it make me a bad person to think about this bout?)

Frock stops him. He was a light middle.

McClellan stops Froch from wearing a "Frock"

Fuckin' iPads

[Rexob]

[whiskey]

Gman had already lost before he fought Benn and seemed pretty one-dimensional.

but it made for a fantastic fight.

[SNG]

Gman had already lost before he fought Benn and seemed pretty one-dimensional.

but it made for a fantastic fight.

I've watched that fight loads of times, and I always wonder what Don King was saying to him as he was being counted out.

[magwitch]

I think Froch might have been too big for Benn - who was really always a middleweight.

Eubank vs Froch - I think stylistically, Froch suited Eubank. He's big, strong, hard - but not quick, fights at a good pace but I wouldn't say greater than the pace Eubank faced vs Calzaghe and Collins 2.

Froch's chin is fantastic, but he has been hurt by people who I would consider lighter punchers than Eubank. Eubank would have the power to stop Froch in his tracks. He might not stopped Froch, but I don't think Froch could bulldozer him as he has done vs Bute etc.

I like Froch and I do rate him, but I'd give Eubank and Benn both a good chance against him. Even though he was a slightly bigger man, it appears. Eubank was just as gutsy as Froch, with more guile and I think that Benn would have found his chops on a few occasions. Stoppage or not, I don't know, but it would have done the job of stopping Froch getting into his groove imo.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think Froch might have been too big for Benn - who was really always a middleweight.

Eubank vs Froch - I think stylistically, Froch suited Eubank. He's big, strong, hard - but not quick, fights at a good pace but I wouldn't say greater than the pace Eubank faced vs Calzaghe and Collins 2.

Froch's chin is fantastic, but he has been hurt by people who I would consider lighter punchers than Eubank. Eubank would have the power to stop Froch in his tracks. He might not stopped Froch, but I don't think Froch could bulldozer him as he has done vs Bute etc.

Critically I feel Froch's poor defense would be a major issue. Eubank often struggled when he was leading off (which I don't think he would do vs Froch) he also struggled, and looked like a novice, if he ever missed the target - I am not sure he would miss too many times vs Froch.

I think Froch's best chance might be if Eubank hurt him went for it, but could not put him away. Eubank might punch himself out and then Froch could be ready to take over stamina wise. But if Eubank was smart - WPTS UD.

Again I do not mean to do Froch a disservice - after all I did say he beats Benn - but I would say Froch is closer (in terms of strengths and weaknesses) to Henry Wharton than Joe Calzaghe. Tough as old boots, good engine, very strong for the weight, but slow. Calzaghe's handspeed and slightly better work rate (than Froch's) was the difference between Eubank winning and losing in 1997.

Very good Analysis - as I said, it depends on the version of Eubank who turned up, Lazy Eubank gets beaten on points, on point Eubank, probably triumphs in a close fight.

[banjo]

Gman had already lost before he fought Benn and seemed pretty one-dimensional.

but it made for a fantastic fight.

Aye, people looked too much into the KO record, the best boxer he fought was Julian Jackson, Mugabi was a shell of himself when they met.

[stujones]

Benn was inspired that night against Gman (I know it has been said so many times, but he was!). That was a close to a Rocky Balboa (e.g. non-human) performance I have seen in a real contest.

I honestly think if you had Benn on THAT night then I could see why anyone would pick Benn against pretty much any Middle/ Super Middle in the world of his or the next era but in his near 50 bouts, he only fought that inspired that one night (and there is no shame in that). Even going on his next best night (possibly) with the Eubank draw, he fought at about a 3rd of the pace of the GMan performance - that's where I was judging any Froch vs Benn fight. The fact that Sugar Boy Malinga out boxed him (twice IMO), Eubank quite dominated him in fight 1, Collins broke his heart, Watson broke his lungs - Henry Wharton after a sleepy start fought Benn on much of an even keel from the half way point. A weight drained Nicky Piper came pretty close also (what a fight that was, very really gets mentioned - if you have the chance watch it!).

However, I think Froch - even on his most inspired performances would not be able to "Nigel Benn" the GMan. Yes, Gerald might have been a bit of a one trick pony, but he was no Jeff Lacy - he had very good handspeed and a nice jab also. I think Froch, as good a chin as he has got compared to Nigel's 47 other fights, would not have walked through McClellan's punches like Benn did that night. If George Groves can back up Froch and make him think twice about his own offense, then GMan would do a bit more. McCllelan has a lot more power than any of Froch's advisories and if the likes of Taylor and Groves can put him on his arse, than GMan would have kept him down.

[mickey1975]

Henry swears he could have beat Benn that night. He froze. He doesn't say the same about Eubank. As for GMan hitting a lot harder than Froch's opponents, maybe, but you will struggle to see a bigger shot, even from Gerald, that he walked onto against Groves. Doubled the impact walking in, square on, against a much bigger man than Gerald.

[orbtastic]

You forgot Galvano chinning him in the rematch and the bell going.

Mickey, how does Henry think he'd have done against either Groves or Froch?

[mickey1975]

You forgot Galvano chinning him in the rematch and the bell going.

Mickey, how does Henry think he'd have done against either Groves or Froch?

To be honest, he doesn't follow it that much! He's got absolute respect for Froch and I don't think I've heard him mention Groves. He doesn't talk bad about anyone, but he fancied Froch in the rematch, strongly.