Who had the best chin - Steve Collins or Chris Eubank (Senior)?

[stujones]

I genuinely don't believe Collins was fearful of Joe, but did see Joe as too big a threat for too little reward - he was only looking for the pay day then. Such a shame we didn't get to see RJJ at his best against any of the brits (except Clinton Woods).

[stujones]

On a side issue form the original question - just was thinking about it - my god Eubanks' son has inherited his dad's chin also. He's taken some big shots from big punchers and not been budged.

[Stobbo]

On a side issue form the original question - just was thinking about it - my god Eubanks' son has inherited his dad's chin also. He's taken some big shots from big punchers and not been budged.

Agreed. He took his lumps well against Groves and not many hit that hard.

[mickey1975]

On a side issue form the original question - just was thinking about it - my god Eubanks' son has inherited his dad's chin also. He's taken some big shots from big punchers and not been budged.

Didn't he touch down against Groves?

[Noxy]

I genuinely don't believe Collins was fearful of Joe, but did see Joe as too big a threat for too little reward - he was only looking for the pay day then. Such a shame we didn't get to see RJJ at his best against any of the brits (except Clinton Woods).

You’re right, of course he wasn’t scared. Those elite guys don’t think like that.

[Noxy]

So probably the truth is nobody really ducked anyone just for the sake of it. Collins was having worrying collapses after a long, hard career. And Calzaghe had chronically compromised hands and effectively could no longer spar. I’d imagine the thought of taking on a Team GB superstar wasn’t too enticing after coming through against Jones and Hopkins.

If my memory serves me correctly, Collins pulled out of the Calzaghe fight with a foot injury. After that he wanted another go and collapsed when sparring.

[mickey1975]

Wasn't he sparring Eastman?

[Noxy]

Wasn't he sparring Eastman?

Aye, I’m pretty sure he was.

[dookus]

On a side issue form the original question - just was thinking about it - my god Eubanks' son has inherited his dad's chin also. He's taken some big shots from big punchers and not been budged.

Didn't he touch down against Groves?

Yes, should have been counted at least once. (A bit like Lewis against Akinwande, har har!)

[jamesmcdonnell]

Wasn't he sparring Eastman?

Aye, I’m pretty sure he was.

Yeah he was.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I genuinely don't believe Collins was fearful of Joe, but did see Joe as too big a threat for too little reward - he was only looking for the pay day then. Such a shame we didn't get to see RJJ at his best against any of the brits (except Clinton Woods).

You’re right, of course he wasn’t scared. Those elite guys don’t think like that.

Exactly - the exception being Duran, who went to see a witch doctor because he was terrified of Hearns, who believe had some sort of supernatural power.

I guess it's not surprising really, Hearns' power did seem otherworldly, like he was summoning some sort of dark force to crush his opponents.

[coghaugen11]

Bare in mind Roberto was used to fighting 5ft2 guys at lightweight, and Hearns being 6ft2…!

[jamesmcdonnell]

On a side issue form the original question - just was thinking about it - my god Eubanks' son has inherited his dad's chin also. He's taken some big shots from big punchers and not been budged.

Agreed. He took his lumps well against Groves and not many hit that hard.

Yeah Groves could bang, ask Froch.

Eubank Jr has a world class chin, and also his physical conditioning is exemplary. He's a specimen, like his dad.

He almost beat Saunders, with nothing much more than superior fitness.

[coghaugen11]

Collins fought Benn twice, and heavyweights as an amateur, and a Bodysnatcher like McCallum as a sixteen fight novice. He wasn’t scared.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Bare in mind Roberto was used to fighting 5ft2 guys at lightweight, and Hearns being 6ft2…!

It was more than that, he thought that Hearns was possessed by an evil spirit.

There's a whole section on it, in Christian Guiduce's book 'Hands of Stone' which I highly recommend.

[coghaugen11]

He was poorly, then.

[coghaugen11]

Reggie Johnson in the 10th round v Collins was like a southpaw version of a peak Roy Jones. Collins came back and won the 11th round. He was the only guy who had McCallum actually run away in the last couple of rounds. He was hard as nails and fearless.

[polecateddy]

Reggie Johnson in the 10th round v Collins was like a southpaw version of a peak Roy Jones. Collins came back and won the 11th round. He was the only guy who had McCallum actually run away in the last couple of rounds. He was hard as nails and fearless.

Collins was kind of the middleweight version of Jeff Harding. Tough, relentless but slow.

[JamesPhilips]

Reggie Johnson in the 10th round v Collins was like a southpaw version of a peak Roy Jones. Collins came back and won the 11th round. He was the only guy who had McCallum actually run away in the last couple of rounds. He was hard as nails and fearless.

Collins was kind of the middleweight version of Jeff Harding. Tough, relentless but slow.

Yeah although Harding had the better punch...... but Collins had the better defence and boxing skills.
Harding just hated slipping a shot

[THEBUTCH]

Collins was a better "boxer" than he gets credit for.

Calzaghe did put the fear in him IMO for the simple reason that when the first bell went no one 'wanted it' more than Joe.

Collins had a strong will to win, but not compared to Calzaghe.

Throw in the speed, combinations, power and iron chin himself and Collins would have been torn to shreds.

[polecateddy]

I kind of wonder if the ragged pressure Collins brought to Eubank 1, was really any better than the effort Wharton brought to his Eubank fight? Perhaps Eubank had gone further backwards against the Irishman, bad knees effecting cardio, etc. Timing and reflexes slipping.

[Noxy]

Collins was a better "boxer" than he gets credit for.

Calzaghe did put the fear in him IMO for the simple reason that when the first bell went no one 'wanted it' more than Joe.

Collins had a strong will to win, but not compared to Calzaghe.

Throw in the speed, combinations, power and iron chin himself and Collins would have been torn to shreds.

Joe’s will to win? Where does that come from? I’m not saying he didn’t have it but he hadn’t had a hard fight by the time he was supposed to meet Collins.

[coghaugen11]

Reggie Johnson in the 10th round v Collins was like a southpaw version of a peak Roy Jones. Collins came back and won the 11th round. He was the only guy who had McCallum actually run away in the last couple of rounds. He was hard as nails and fearless.

Collins was kind of the middleweight version of Jeff Harding. Tough, relentless but slow.

He had fast hands pre-Eubank/Benn fights. Early Collins had good speed, good ring movement and was a v.crafty counterpuncher!

[coghaugen11]

Collins was a better "boxer" than he gets credit for.

Calzaghe did put the fear in him IMO for the simple reason that when the first bell went no one 'wanted it' more than Joe.

Collins had a strong will to win, but not compared to Calzaghe.

Throw in the speed, combinations, power and iron chin himself and Collins would have been torn to shreds.

He hadn’t been tested at all at that point though. Indeed, Eubank took the fight so late because he took one look at Calzaghe and thought ‘pretty boy! He can’t take it’ -he was wrong of course

[polecateddy]

Reggie Johnson in the 10th round v Collins was like a southpaw version of a peak Roy Jones. Collins came back and won the 11th round. He was the only guy who had McCallum actually run away in the last couple of rounds. He was hard as nails and fearless.

Collins was kind of the middleweight version of Jeff Harding. Tough, relentless but slow.

He had fast hands pre-Eubank/Benn fights. Early Collins had good speed, good ring movement and was a v.crafty counterpuncher!

I think Collins has said himself in old interviews with Boxing News and Boxing Monthly, that he was past his best in those Eubank and Benn fights. Obviously they all were.