Let's Examine the Career of the Great Azumah Nelson

[Counter-puncher]

Gomez makes Nelson look a little long-armed at times- which I think nelson was, relative to his shortish height- and Nelson was no great inside fighter really, but the power is so evident, he seems to hurt Gomez nearly every time he lands, certainly every time he lands cleanly.

[campfire]

He is a p4p All time Great............The Best African Champion ever

Well, maybe the great Dick Tiger's fans have something to say about that. Of Africa, those two are the most notorious boxers ever.

Here we go

[Redback Rasta]

Slightly off topic but what the heck >>>

Azumah Nelson - The Best I Faced:

BEST JAB
Calvin Grove: He had a good jab. He was a boxer-fighter and could move very well too. He was a champion before we fought.

BEST DEFENSE
Mario Martinez: I would have to go with Mario “Azabache” Martinez. He would make you think.

BEST CHIN
Juan Laporte: I fought him in Australia. He could certainly take it. He would take it without even shaking.

FASTEST HANDS
Grove: Grove definitely was the fastest of them all. He was fast with both hands. Irving Mitchell had a very quick right hand but Calvin Grove was just quick all around.

FASTEST FEET
Grove: Calvin Grove was also very quick with his feet, which made him a very good boxer overall.

SMARTEST
James James Leija: Most of them were smart … but I would say Jesse James Leija. I liked him so much as a person I could not hurt him. It was as if I would hold back on my punches. I could not execute against the guy for some reason.

STRONGEST
Martinez: I give him a lot of respect. … He would throw a punch and I would feel it in my hand. I would tell myself if that punch landed on my jaw, I would go flat (on my back).

BEST PUNCHER
Laporte: He could punch but was easy to read because I could see the punches coming. That suited me.

BEST SKILLS
Wilfredo Gomez: The Puerto Rican was the best boxer and he could also hit. Also Salvador Sanchez was a good boxer, good movement in and out. Though it must be said I was not ready for (the Sanchez) fight. It could have been different had I been ready. Pernell Whitaker was a very good boxer. At the time I just wanted to finish the fight and leave; my wife was in hospital at the time. I was not focused. That is why I do not talk much about the Whitaker fight.

BEST OVERALL
Martinez: There were quite a few of them but the best of them was Mario “Azabache” Martinez, the Mexican. I fought him twice. He was a good boxer, could read a fight well and knew what to do at the right time. He also had a big punch.

[Counter-puncher]

[Bodyshot3]

@Redback Rasta...good stuff; and very interesting that Fenech does not get even a name check!

[campfire]

@Redback Rasta...good stuff; and very interesting that Fenech does not get even a name check!

But the truth is Fenech ran into the REAL Azumah in Australia and that finished Fenech for good

[Ezzard]

Where does Azumah rank in a 1980s P4P list?

[orbtastic]

He'd have to be right up there.

[Ezzard]

On pure skill set he is as good as anyone. Could fight going forwards or backwards. Was a power puncher who could also box. Excellent defence. Greta balance. Hand speed. Footwork. Solid chin.

He didn’t really have any weaknesses.

[elmersalsa]

On pure skill set he is as good as anyone. Could fight going forwards or backwards. Was a power puncher who could also box. Excellent defence. Greta balance. Hand speed. Footwork. Solid chin.

He didn’t really have any weaknesses.

You got it right. He was a COMPLETE BOXER

[Redback Rasta]

@Redback Rasta...good stuff; and very interesting that Fenech does not get even a name check!

I saw most of Fenech's fights and was one of his biggest fans. That's what attracted me to Nelson's list in the first place - to see if Fenech would in fact get a mention. Wasn't really surprised he wasn't mentioned when you look at the categories and who Nelson nominates as best against each.

[elmersalsa]

Where does Azumah rank in a 1980s P4P list?

I got him in ninth place in an era of great pound per pound boxers. This in my view, were the very best of the 80s decade:
1. Sugar Ray Leonard
2. Mike Tyson
3.Julio Cesar Chavez
4. Marvin Hagler
5. Salvador Sanchez
6. Michael Spinks
7. Larry Holmes
8. Thomas Hearns
9. Azumah Nelson
10. Roberto Duran

[campfire]

Where does Azumah rank in a 1980s P4P list?

I got him in ninth place in an era of great pound per pound boxers. This in my view, were the very best of the 80s decade:
1. Sugar Ray Leonard
2. Mike Tyson
3.Julio Cesar Chavez
4. Marvin Hagler
5. Salvador Sanchez
6. Michael Spinks
7. Larry Holmes
8. Thomas Hearns
9. Azumah Nelson
10. Roberto Duran

I think your num 5 selection is a bit odd................. You rate Salvador over Nelson by 4 spot's so who was the Great Mexicans last fight's :?? how many BIG wins did Nelson go on to have after his fight with Sanchez once Nelson gained more experience do you think he could have handled Sanchez any better I for one do

[Ezzard]

I don't usually put HWs in p4p lists.

I'd have Fenech in the top 10. And I'd consider Pedroza, Galaxy, McCallum...

[elmersalsa]

The great Mike Tyson was so awesome in the 80s that at one time, he was considered as the best fighter in the world.

It was hard to put out one of my favorites, the great Eusebio Pedroza off the list of the best of the 80s

[elmersalsa]

The great Azumah Nelson used to throw punches with wicked and evil intentions. I saw his fights with Marcos Villasana and Danilo Cabrera last night. The Cabrera win was a NASTY KNOCKOUT!

[elmersalsa]

I just saw for the first time the two Nelson vs Marcos Villasana fights. The first fight was a great one in which The Professor showed all his all around skills. The second fight, Nelson won more comfortably mainly because Villasana got deducted for low blows. Villasana had about fifty something fights at the time he fought Azumah. Nelson beat a very good fighter.

Now, I am watching Nelson vs Mario Martinez I fight.

[elmersalsa]

I have seen Azumah Nelson vs Mario Martinez fight #1 and to tell you the truth, Mario was ROBBED BIG TIME!

Martinez decked The Professor with a perfectly timed left hook. Martinez should have had the decision

[Seamus]

Thanks for the tip, I'll check out the Martinez fight.

[elmersalsa]

I have seen the following fights:
Nelson vs Lupe Suarez
Nelson vs Mario Martinez II
Nelson vs Jim McDonnell
Nelson vs Pernell Whitaker

It seems to me when Nelson aka The Professor move up on weight, he abandoned his boxing skills and became much more of a banger with tremendous speed and stamina. He like totally forgot what made him special: The ability to box and adapt to an opponent's style. At featherweight, he was much better. The Martinez rematch and the McDonnell fights ended by a brutal KO.

But, he met his match when he faced The Sweet Pea. Whitaker was a masterful boxer. He dominated The Professor. If Nelson was the professor, then, Whitaker was the Dean of the boxing institution. Strictly, world class!

[bollox]

Nelson's fight V Whitaker is to be ignored. He was never a lightweight and his wife had just died (or was seriously ill at the time). A brilliant fighter, I would have loved to have seen a Sanchez rematch in about 1985

[elmersalsa]

Nelson's fight V Whitaker is to be ignored. He was never a lightweight and his wife had just died (or was seriously ill at the time). A brilliant fighter, I would have loved to have seen a Sanchez rematch in about 1985

We can't dispute the masterpiece of the great Pernell Whitaker.

[elmersalsa]

I saw today Azumah Nelson vs Calvin Grove. Grove was outboxing Nelson from round 2 to 5. All that after being dropped by a Nelson left hook. But, from rounds 6 to the finish, Nelson started using his left jab to set up his attack and was doing very well. The last 3 rounds were even in my book. A good fight by both men. It's the first fight that I recall that the last 3 rounds were even in my view.

I also saw Nelson's fights with Jeff Fenech. The first fight in Las Vegas, Fenech dominated inside and was robbed outright. He should've won his fourth world crown that night. But, Nelson was always better in rematches. And he stopped The Thunder from Down Under in 8. In Fenech's backyard! That's a mark of a great champion.

[bollox]

Nelson's fight V Whitaker is to be ignored. He was never a lightweight and his wife had just died (or was seriously ill at the time). A brilliant fighter, I would have loved to have seen a Sanchez rematch in about 1985

We can't dispute the masterpiece of the great Pernell Whitaker.

Fair point, no disrespect was meant towards Whitaker. Boring as fukk fighter with defensive abilities from another planet

[elmersalsa]

Sweet Pea gave The Professor angles moving in circles and not being a stationary target. It was one of his greatest performances.