Nigel Benn circa 1990.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 03 Jul 2007, 15:56

Wasn't Bumphus addicted to coke when he fought Honsyghan, i know he had a long history of drug problems.

Working as a trainer now, which is good.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 03 Jul 2007, 16:00

KOJOE90 wrote:It always annoys me the way some USA fights fans slag off Nigel Benn with regards to his wins over Barkley and McClellan. Calling him a dirty fighter, bully etc.

Benn was never a dirty fighter, he was agressive and rough sure and often bent the rules but what top fighter doesn't? Also how the hell was Benn suppose to beat these two tough nuts? Get on his toes and turn into Willie Pep, no he did what he did best and beat them at their own game.

I think a lot of USA fight fans (not all of them) just don't like the fact that a UK fighter beat a Bad Boy from The Bronx at his own game and years later went on to beat the 'unbeatable monster' McClellan.

I also hate it when some USA fans try and blame Benn for The G-Mans injuries. This is Boxing!!! Bad things happen, all fighters no the risks.

Benn may not have been the greatest UK fighter of all time, but he was without a doubt one of the most exciting and entertaining.

I still miss those Benn fights nights and I am just so glad I was ringside for a few.

Even my mother liked to watch Benn fight and she had not followed a fighter since Muhammad Ali.

Both of these wins were immense results. Benn is my second favourite fighter of all time behind Marvin Hagler. What a fight that would have been for 7-8 rounds

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 04 Jul 2007, 04:32

Old bones Ian wrote:The Robbie Sims fight is one that overlooked a bit in the career of Nigel Benn, he was the only person to ever stop Sims, and it was a tough fight to take after the Eubank loss

Yes, great win and performance, and what a finish! Sims wasn't a world beater, but as said, very tough "comeback" fight.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 04 Jul 2007, 06:13

oliverfennell wrote:
Old bones Ian wrote:The Robbie Sims fight is one that overlooked a bit in the career of Nigel Benn, he was the only person to ever stop Sims, and it was a tough fight to take after the Eubank loss
Yes, great win and performance, and what a finish! Sims wasn't a world beater, but as said, very tough "comeback" fight.

Marvin Hagler was ringside, Sims was his half brother.
Just as the KO blow landed they were showing Hagler shouting Sims on.

It may have been the first time Hagler had been back inside of a British ring since he had to escape when beating Minter. He got a great ovation from the crowd when introduced before the Benn fight.

As for Hagler v Benn, it would have been one sided once Marvin had took the sting out of Benn. Both boxers are some of my favourites but Hagler would stop Benn in around 5/6 rounds

chief · Post by **chief** » 04 Jul 2007, 06:23

Agreed.. Nige never lost to an American but that would change if he'd faced Hagler... Stopped by the half way stage IMO...

STP · Post by **STP** » 04 Jul 2007, 06:47

Benn and Hagler would be fun while it lasted, but Nigel's dodgy jaw lets him down soon enough.

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 04 Jul 2007, 09:15

I think the winner of the Hagler-Benn fight would be a foregone conclusion, but Benn would have put up an immense effort for 7-8 rounds. Benn was a class above many of the Hagler challengers from the 1980s

Coco · Post by **Coco** » 04 Jul 2007, 13:27

STP wrote:Benn and Hagler would be fun while it lasted, but Nigel's dodgy jaw lets him down soon enough.

It's strange that he did seem to have a dodgy jaw on occasion, but if he could stand up to Mcllellands bombs, he could stand up to anything.

However Hagler would have paced himself better

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 04 Jul 2007, 13:31

Watch Hagler v Mugabi on how Marvin would have beat Benn.

Hagler's chin was just to good. And he had long arms to catch u on the outside.

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 04 Jul 2007, 15:01

jeej wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyw_v1sN-58

What a fight, and what a 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card Benn had!

dr_devious · Post by **dr_devious** » 04 Jul 2007, 15:26

Coco wrote:
STP wrote:Benn and Hagler would be fun while it lasted, but Nigel's dodgy jaw lets him down soon enough.
It's strange that he did seem to have a dodgy jaw on occasion, but if he could stand up to Mcllellands bombs, he could stand up to anything.

However Hagler would have paced himself better

Well, I thought the Watson and Eubank losses were more to do with Benn going hell for leather from the opening bell, and running out of steam rather than a dodgy chin. He really seemed to learn this lesson after the Eubank fight, and became a more rounded fighter culminating in the win over McClellan IMO

Coco · Post by **Coco** » 04 Jul 2007, 15:32

dr_devious wrote:
Coco wrote:
STP wrote:Benn and Hagler would be fun while it lasted, but Nigel's dodgy jaw lets him down soon enough.
It's strange that he did seem to have a dodgy jaw on occasion, but if he could stand up to Mcllellands bombs, he could stand up to anything.

However Hagler would have paced himself better
Well, I thought the Watson and Eubank losses were more to do with Benn going hell for leather from the opening bell, and running out of steam rather than a dodgy chin. He really seemed to learn this lesson after the Eubank fight, and became a more rounded fighter culminating in the win over McClellan IMO

Sorry I meant Hagler would have paced himself better than Mcllelland did

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 Jul 2007, 16:10

Hagler would have anhilated Benn, I think even in 1990.

For me one of Hagler's main assests was his coolness under pressure - both in terms of intense atmosphere's and the opponent bashing you.

One of the reasons why I have never classified Hagler vs Hearns in the top ten greatests fights is because at the time and watching it since (well obviously) I never doubted that Hagler wouldn't win. The trouble that Hearns had him I've always thought was overhyped - Hagler was always composed.

Hagler could get hurt, or at least backed up, I even think Minter had him in a moments trouble.... but Hagler was so cool.

I think Benn would have played into his hands.... like Tony Sibson did.