Nigel Benn V Sakio Bika

[banjo]

If I remember rightly Benn wasn't against fighting Toney or Jones Jr. it was more to do with whether he'd get the money he wanted for fighting them, I'm sure he said something along the lines of "if they want me to put my title on the line against Jones then they better pay me a lot of money for it"

Hmmm. In other words, he didn't really fancy it.

Just being smart really, I'd have the same attitude if the fight was one I didn't fancy myself in.

[Autobarn]

They all had the grit, no doubt about that. Nigel was basically being sent out to be a sacrificial lamb against Gerald McClellan, and had to withstand a nuclear attack in that first round. Chris Eubank never gets a huge amount of credit for beating the late Graciano Rocchigiani in Berlin, where usually it was home town decision city. They did all that and a lot more. All three of them were exceptional British fighters.

Agreed.

In hindsight, Benn and McClellan were animals in the ring, wild and savage. And they were made for each other. Even Benn’s early career crime of hitting people on the floor (Barkley) was reciprocated by McClellan. It would’ve been amazing if Benn, McClellan, Barkley and Julian Jackson had all faced each other as they were, to borrow a term currently in vogue, “savage scientists.”

[Autobarn]

Benn stopped Barkley and McClellan for Christ sake. He took it to the Americans in wild, savage and insane fights. He had done this at Commonwealth level with Logan and after a couple of painful learning experiences did it against future 3 weight champ Barkley and the best p4p puncher in the world McClellan. Also he was superb in the Eubank rematch and unlucky not to win. He showed that he actually could stick to a plan and be effective - and I felt he was a better 168 than 160, despite being more exciting as a totally reckless middleweight.

Eubank also had some exceptional performances such as Benn 1, Watson 2 & Thompson 1 - perhaps the best fights ever in a British ring. Plus, wins over Malinga, Thornton, Rocchigiani may have been frustrating (no more so than the usual Jermaine Taylor or Canelo Alvarez fared but were no joke. Only Joe Calzaghe beat him decisively and that was when Eubank had to drop a weight class and take the fight at short notice.

Both won titles in two weights during stacked eras. I wouldn’t call them domestic level at all. Theyachieved at world level, at a time when our domestic level was perhaps the best ever - Watson, Collins, Close, Graham, etc etc. These guys established the platform for names like Calzaghe & Froch, as well as Degale, Groves, Callum Smith. Boxing is more sophisticated now, it’s more technical and the promoters and managers know more about building fighters. I kind of miss these Wild West days of Benn and Eubank. The drama, rivalry, and also the randomness.

I didn't call them domestic level, I called them 'world class domestics'. Big ticket sellers in a small pond. Both skilful, but equally never the best. Eubanks career is particularly viewed with rose tinted glasses, he got a few gifts (post watson 2) and often stunk the place out.

Regarding benn, yes, all credit to learning your trade in america, but he basically beat up a blind old man in Barkley (for a trinket that had zero credibility at the time as the WBO was newly formed). Obviously the G Man performance was Herculean,but it must be remembered that a) Gerald was in his first fight stepping up a weight and b) benn caught him at the perfect time, under prepared and without a corner.

As for being two weight champs... the fact that the WBO was held in such low regard tarnishes that, it held no real stature to the Americans. Basically it was 'our' world title. It should have been called the FWBO. The allegedly Boxing Organisation belt

Re Barkley. The Blade always had eye problems even when he was an up and coming contender. He basically ran the last 2 rounds of a war vs Jorge Amparo when he was an up and coming contender during the mid/late ‘80s. Almost giving the W away, and disappointing the crowd who had until then been thrilled by a battle of left hooks. He was covered in blood and swelling badly in two painful wins over Thomas Hearns, also. Despite being a blind man, he would still win two more titles in thrilling fashion. Very interesting that Herol Graham, Britain’s most elusive fighter was annihilated by Julian Jackson the same year, also a fight that the BBBofC wouldn’t sanction, actually on the grounds of his eye issues. These guys with eye issues are seriously dangerous especially during the exchanges. Especially when one guy goes in for the finish leaving their chin exposed.

Re McClellan. He was the best puncher p4p in the world, and he dumped Benn heavily in both the 1st and the 8th. He hadn’t grown into the weight, but on the flip side people can’t use the “excuse” that he was weigh drained (basically the excuse used by just about every fighter at 160 or 168 who suffered a bad defeat or gave a poor performance). McClellan fought very much like he did in his great, career defining W over Hall of Famer Julian Jackson. Try to score the first round KO, drift through the fight a bit, struggling (against another “blind man”, Jackson) and taking hard shots. Then sucking it up and mustering another volcanic attack. It’s interesting that while McClellan was bothered by a clash of heads against Benn, that Jackson was badly affected by a clash of heads against McClellan.

[tobyh5]

^ bang on.

Some people seem obsessed with diminishing the achievement of others and Barkely went on as Autobarn has said to win two more world titles, including a repeat win over Hearns and McClellan was a dynamite puncher who was meant to destroy Benn. That was a huge win which does not get the respect it should in and out of the industry, almost like end result of the injuries make it so that people do not want to talk about it. Nah, fck that, it is an all-time great British win. I was there that night and it was a night of menace in the air and he walked through hell to get the win, against a tremendous fighter.

[Autobarn]

If I remember rightly Benn wasn't against fighting Toney or Jones Jr. it was more to do with whether he'd get the money he wanted for fighting them, I'm sure he said something along the lines of "if they want me to put my title on the line against Jones then they better pay me a lot of money for it"

Hmmm. In other words, he didn't really fancy it.

Benn definitely didn’t like pure boxers. I recall it was Nunn, who was actually contracted to Showtime, that Benn didn’t really fancy. When you look at Benn’s fairly desultory first fight with Sugar Boy Malinga it’s obvious that he wasn’t always “up for” the challenges presented by rangy boxers withcute defence.

I certainly think the Benn who showed up for Eubank 2, applying solid pressure, using feints, could’ve competed well with Toney. Toney liked opponents to come straight, face forward and recklessly one dimensional. Benn was also a very good pre-Hopkins fighter for using bordering tactics of holding and hitting and I think this awkwardness couldn’t helped him especially versus a clean technician like Toney. I do think the 160 pound version of Benn was made for Toney, though.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Toney would have marmalised Benn, far too cultured a boxer.

[Autobarn]

I used to feel that. A hotheaded Benn would play straight into Toney. The version who blew himself out versus Watson & Eubank 1 in classic fights.

However Toney was great if the opponent slowly attacked in straight lines. Jirov, Barkley, Williams are great performances. But the opponents fought the wrong fight. However, look at Tiberi, who showed something different, using speed and combinations. The Benn of the Eubank rematch, under Tibbs, showed some maturity and some dimensions - even, culture - against an opponent who really bothered him. I know Toney uses the weigh weakened excuse for the Tiberi fight (fortunate decision), but researching the Prince Charles Williams fight (best performance during his prime capped by perfect 1-shot KO) he had loads of weight making problems also. And I know Benn didn’t always fight this way, during his time as a 168-pounder. But that version of Benn I refer to showed some serious signs, of being a very capable, awkward aggressive boxer.

I do find Nunn, even the post peak version, to be a very bad fight for even a best Benn. I’m kind of glad he found the opponents he deserved, the nasty slugging Americans. Underrated Ws, IMO, versus DeWitt and Sims as well.

[tobyh5]

Talking of Nunn, maybe he could be the opponent, he must be after some coin at the moment

Seriously though, not a peep has been heard from him since the release and I thought someone, one of the youtubers maybe, would have collared him for an interview.

[coneye]

Benn and Eubank great British fighters will both go down in history has great British fighters , Both were world class , But both never fought the best in there era , and i highly doubt any of them would off beat Jones ,or Toney .

Froch on the other hand another great BRITISH fighter , and he did fight the best of his time , only problem is the best of his time with perhaps the exception of Ward , were definetly not has good has the best in Eubank / Benns time , and he lost to ward , who i highly doubt in his prime would off beat Toney or Jones .

Calagzie ,, well i really do rate him but he did give the best a miss until they got old , could'nt fly would'nt fly , unless it was on holiday.. Sort of think with his chin and fast slaps , he would be the best of the british in that round about era , but highly doubt he would off beat a prime Toney , Jones and a couple of others .

[Autobarn]

Benn does look in phenomenal shape for a guy of his age. But the last thing we want is a fighter coming back, way, way after his last fight. He and Eubank look in way better shape now than most of the top guys of their era - if not all. Barkley and Julian Jackson's eye problems, Toney’s slurring and weight, Collins still looks hard but no longer athletic, RJJ looks old (if ripped), I think McCallum was a little overweight albeit healthy looking last pic I saw, etc. Bomber Graham kept fit, flexible and lean with the martial arts, by the sounds of it.

[Autobarn]

Benn and Eubank great British fighters will both go down in history has great British fighters , Both were world class , But both never fought the best in there era , and i highly doubt any of them would off beat Jones ,or Toney .

Froch on the other hand another great BRITISH fighter , and he did fight the best of his time , only problem is the best of his time with perhaps the exception of Ward , were definetly not has good has the best in Eubank / Benns time , and he lost to ward , who i highly doubt in his prime would off beat Toney or Jones .

Calagzie ,, well i really do tate him but he did give the best a miss until they got old , could'nt fly would'nt fly , unless it was on holiday

Froch had a ferocious run. World class wars with Pascal, Taylor, Kessler, Groves - some of the best fights in the division’s history. And two absolute clinics of assertive/aggressive boxing against Abraham and Bute. No shame in the Ward loss. Froch isn’t the only great aggressive fighter to get outboxed: Orlando Canizales (To Paul Gonzalez x2, Jr Jones), Arguello (Vilomar Fernandez). Danny Lopez (to Chacon & Salvador Sanchez). And so on. A number of American experts see him as a “future Hall of Famer.”

Pascal, a scalp I rated from day 1, has stuck around and is still causing surprises now and again. Beating highly rated Browne, stopping promising spect Elbiali and gruelling draw with contender Gonzalez. Offsetting the recent losses to Alvarez, Bivol, Kovalev. IMO he was kind of a Canadian Eubank, with the poor tactics and balance issues but also the iron chin, ability to go in the trenches, fight through terrible pain (2 brutal wars with WBC holder Diaconu fighting through a dislocated shoulder)

[coneye]

Could'bnt argue with that Froch was in some great fights and wars ,,,, BUT ,,,,, Its about levels , you can put 2 novices in together and watch a great fight and a war , Unfortunatly for Froch the real greats of his division he did'nt meet , Kessler , Groves , and others were simple not on the same level has a prime Jones,,, Toney

[Steveh583]

Bomber Graham kept fit, flexible and lean with the martial arts, by the sounds of it.

He's really not well though is he

[ERIC GUY]

Nigel Benn is fighting again, and I am looking forward to it,
he brings exitement to the game, its gonna be in Birmingham, I am sure the media will lap it up, I think people forget how exciting he was to watch, ,
he wore his heart on his sleeve, a true fighter, I was lucky to be there in the early days, great fun, and fantastic atmospheres..

[liamlion]

Nigel Benn is fighting again, and I am looking forward to it,
he brings exitement to the game, its gonna be in Birmingham, I am sure the media will lap it up, I think people forget how exciting he was to watch, ,
he wore his heart on his sleeve, a true fighter, I was lucky to be there in the early days, great fun, and fantastic atmospheres..

You obviously don’t remember his last 3 pro fights, that were over 20 years ago... he was shot then.

[Loynesy]

Surely no one wants to see the shell of the shell of Nigel Benn?

[ShadrachSimmo]

Talk of him fighting Sakio Bika?

[spudder56]

Surely no one wants to see the shell of the shell of Nigel Benn?

It’s a BIBA show I don’t think the board would give him a licence and I agree he was a shot fighter when he retired 20 plus years ago I just hope he doesn’t get hurt

[samwbr]

Nigel Benn is fighting again, and I am looking forward to it,
he brings exitement to the game, its gonna be in Birmingham, I am sure the media will lap it up, I think people forget how exciting he was to watch, ,
he wore his heart on his sleeve, a true fighter, I was lucky to be there in the early days, great fun, and fantastic atmospheres..

55yr old men should not be fighting.

[spudder56]

Nigel Benn is fighting again, and I am looking forward to it,
he brings exitement to the game, its gonna be in Birmingham, I am sure the media will lap it up, I think people forget how exciting he was to watch, ,
he wore his heart on his sleeve, a true fighter, I was lucky to be there in the early days, great fun, and fantastic atmospheres..

55yr old men should not be fighting.

Neither should a 46 year old mayorga who is well past his best

[polecateddy]

Is Sakio Bika still being lined up? Surely a terrible choice as he'll just use Benn as the proverbial punchbag. You'd have to worry about Benn's health.

[MasterG]

Is Sakio Bika still being lined up? Surely a terrible choice as he'll just use Benn as the proverbial punchbag. You'd have to worry about Benn's health.

.November 23 at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena

and it seems Bika is going to be announced as the opponent

[overhand_right]

If Benn's fighting Sakio Bika not even the referee of the McClellan fight will be able to help him. In fact Nigel will probably wind up like McClellan, getting wheeled out for charity fund raisers with his mushy brain oozing out of his ears.

[polecateddy]

Should have picked a long retired Brit like Glenn Catley, but even then 12 rounds with presumably proper fighting gloves is too much trauma for a 55 year old to be putting himself through.

[margaret thatcher]

Maybe Bika's been 'offered' a 'little' 'extra', if you 'know' what I 'mean'