GGG v Benn (prime)

[Loynesy]

I don't think anyone is disrespecting Benn, I'm from the era where I saw him fight in the flesh many times. Just don't see how he would have coped with GGG's footwork and ability to get inside with two handed power.

[Wales]

This is true; however, we have seen Golovkin tagged by hard shots and he has barely blinked, which usually indicates a fighter with a very good chin indeed, he also doesn't allow himself to get hit anywhere near as much as Benn did even at his best. GGG's footwork and balance is so much better than Benn, he was always falling in with shots.

I understand what you mean but this may be a case of opponents flattering him. When Wladimir was able to spend years fencing and holding ineptitudes he was a glorious reinvention who could not be defeated. When Tyson Fury showed him some nous his whole game collapsed. Gauging GGG's level is pure ggguess work.

To be fair, Wlad was almost 40 at the time, and looked a bit creaky in his previous fight.

Hindsight is wonderful thing.

[Wales]

To he fair Benn operated at a far better level than GGG has to date. However, as much as it pains me to say, I think GGG would've been to good technically for Benn.

[Syntax Error]

I watched Benn v Barkley again last night as a consequence of this thread. What a tear up that was. Benn was lucky not to get disqualified. He clearly hits Barkley when he`s down (not a massive shot, but enough on it) for the second knockdown.

Just a 3 minute war. The 3 knockdown rule ruined what could have been an ever better fight. Barkley was fully capable of continuing as the last knockdown was not a massive one. It was also right at the end of the round.

The WBO`s 3 knockdown rule robbed us of an better fight. Either way, what a shootout. Benn had some power on him.

What would have GGG been like coming up against a raging Benn like this?

A competent fighter with good skills (like Golovkin) would have no troubule dissecting a reckless & on-rushing Benn.

Michael Watson picked him apart comprehensively before Benn learned to box properly & even after that, when he had honed his skills much more, Sugar Boy Malinga comfortably beat him twice, but was robbed the first time around.

[aliboy123]

golovkin as most have said has not yet fought the same calibre of men as nigel did. so we don't know how he keeps his boxing together under benns bombs, his pressure, his ferocity and his much improved movement. if he stays cool, as Watson did, he surely wins but if he tries to trade, in my view benn wins inside the distance. some really great fighters have unravelled when the heat became too much.

[lurkyshaka]

I rate Golovkin, but those giving Benn no chance are kidding themselves. Benn came out in Dark Destroyer mode then there is every chance he'd find the bombs required to beat Golovkin. Course he could get taken out himself. But to say he'd stand no chance is ludicrous given his punching power, speed and ferocity.

We've yet to see Golovkin mix it with anyone near Benn's level....that's a fact.

Nobody is saying Benn couldn't have won, just that it's more likely he wouldn't have.

If they fought ten times, I'd imagine Golovkin wins 8 of them.

At this point people's opinion is based on seeing GGG knock over people Benn would have also ran over with ease. Punchers always look the dog nuts whilst they're knocking seven shades out of over matched opposition. Nobody GGG has beat thus far means jack in relation to how he'd do against someone like Benn in all honesty.

[Autobarn]

golovkin as most have said has not yet fought the same calibre of men as nigel did. so we don't know how he keeps his boxing together under benns bombs, his pressure, his ferocity and his much improved movement. if he stays cool, as Watson did, he surely wins but if he tries to trade, in my view benn wins inside the distance. some really great fighters have unravelled when the heat became too much.

Good post. The best fighters either looked like they didn't want to be in there with GGG, or they ducked him. So Golovkin has not encountered the resistance necessary for us to judge his chances in the big fights.

Benn actually did his best in the really nasty wars, Barkley and McClellan. A dangerous opponent, one who can out fear in him, can bring the best out of him.

Benn at 168 had developed a few extra dimensions to his game. I felt he boxed very well in the debatable rematch draw with Eubank. I know he can be bit and miss. We've seen him beaten up bravely but we've also seen him fight through serious scares and terrible punishment to prevail.

And Nigel could beat real bully, hitting when people were down, mauling. Benn was a master at holding and hitting well before Hopkins, as well. He could be an intimidating figure, up close.

I'd go for a mature Benn to take this one, at 168. Whereas the hotheaded, careless 160 pound bomber possibly gets picked apart in a belter of a fight. A past his prime Benn gets pummelled.

[aliboy123]

golovkin as most have said has not yet fought the same calibre of men as nigel did. so we don't know how he keeps his boxing together under benns bombs, his pressure, his ferocity and his much improved movement. if he stays cool, as Watson did, he surely wins but if he tries to trade, in my view benn wins inside the distance. some really great fighters have unravelled when the heat became too much.

Good post. The best fighters either looked like they didn't want to be in there with GGG, or they ducked him. So Golovkin has not encountered the resistance necessary for us to judge his chances in the big fights.

Benn actually did his best in the really nasty wars, Barkley and McClellan. A dangerous opponent, one who can out fear in him, can bring the best out of him.

Benn at 168 had developed a few extra dimensions to his game. I felt he boxed very well in the debatable rematch draw with Eubank. I know he can be bit and miss. We've seen him beaten up bravely but we've also seen him fight through serious scares and terrible punishment to prevail.

And Nigel could beat real bully, hitting when people were down, mauling. Benn was a master at holding and hitting well before Hopkins, as well. He could be an intimidating figure, up close.

I'd go for a mature Benn to take this one, at 168. Whereas the hotheaded, careless 160 pound bomber possibly gets picked apart in a belter of a fight. A past his prime Benn gets pummelled.

I like it