Matthew Franklin vs Eddie "Flame" Gregory

The Great John L · Post by **The Great John L** » 29 Dec 2006, 14:12

On March 11, 1977 two young LH prospects, Matthew Franklin with a modest record of 13-2-2 and Eddie Gregory, 20-2-1 met in a televised fight and fought a very close, somewhat controversial (at least in my opinion) fight with Gregory winning a SD. Within a few months, Gregory would fight and lose a close decision to Victor Galindez, and a few years later they would both hold LH titles and would be called by Muslim names.

If Eddie Mustafa Muhammed and Matthew Saad Muhammed had fought a rematch in 1980, who do you think would have won?

BoxBuzz · Post by **BoxBuzz** » 29 Dec 2006, 23:48

Hey JohnL this one has been hashed about a bit and the majority seem to say that Saad was overall better but that Mustapha has his number and could probably beat him head to head 2 out of 3. I was part of the minority viewpoint that thought it might have been a fluke. But when I look at the fight I'm not sure....Mustapha did seem to have Saad figured out at least the one time they went around.

kick asner · Post by **kick asner** » 30 Dec 2006, 14:22

It always seemed that their was a problem in uniting a title and maybe thats why a rematch never happend, because not to long after their fight they both became champions and the only thing I can think of is their were the usual people who wanted dual title holders. But if they would have fought again I would have to have given the edge to Saad. As his career went on he showed steady improvement until he finaly reached his peak. Their contrasting styles could have caused this be be a very ineresting matchup and probably a great fight.

Nile4000 · Post by **Nile4000** » 17 Jan 2007, 10:46

Saad would've handed Mustafa his behind.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 17 Jan 2007, 11:33

I wasnt aware the full version of this fight was available. How did you guys see it? as it ends after the 4th round.

At the time maybe Saad did get jobbed, but as World Champions i think his style would have played into Mustafas hands.

They were shceduled to unify on the original Cooney/Norton undercard but it fell apart due ot Howard whatever his name was and the Wells Fargo scam.

The Great John L · Post by **The Great John L** » 17 Jan 2007, 11:40

overhand_right wrote:I wasnt aware the full version of this fight was available. How did you guys see it? as it ends after the 4th round.

I saw it live on TV when it happened and haven’t seen it since.

overhand_right wrote:At the time maybe Saad did get jobbed, but as World Champions i think his style would have played into Mustafas hands.

I remember at the time that I thought Saad should have won a close decision, but I think agree that he would have a had tough time in a rematch. As champ he became a much more aggressive fighter and that would have played into Mustafa’s style.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 17 Jan 2007, 12:31

The Great John L wrote:
overhand_right wrote:I wasnt aware the full version of this fight was available. How did you guys see it? as it ends after the 4th round.
I saw it live on TV when it happened and haven’t seen it since.
.

John you fool! You should have taped it! Weren't you aware that nearly 30 years later it would be a much sought-after collectors item??

The Great John L · Post by **The Great John L** » 17 Jan 2007, 12:39

overhand_right wrote:
The Great John L wrote:
overhand_right wrote:I wasnt aware the full version of this fight was available. How did you guys see it? as it ends after the 4th round.
I saw it live on TV when it happened and haven’t seen it since.
.
John you fool! You should have taped it! Weren't you aware that nearly 30 years later it would be a much sought-after collectors item??

Ambling Alp · Post by **Ambling Alp** » 18 Jan 2007, 17:41

This would have been a great fight if they had a rematch. Both had improved a bit since their first fight. They were both great fighters in diferent ways. They were about even as can be. If they would fight 10 times each guy probably would have won 5.
There were a lot of great fights in the lightheavyweight division in those days, but hardly anyone had VCR's until a few years later.