Herbie Hide circa early 2000s

[margaret thatcher]

Hide was so glass chinned, at least at HW. A stiff breeze could knock him over, it may even have vs Vitali lol

I'd have to give Haye an edge there

[margaret thatcher]

My memory could be off, but he seemed well past it by the 2000s. P4P I really rated him in the '90s, but he wasn't quite good enough for the best heavies, and then his size and age (for a reflex fighter) were too much of a handicap in the Klitschko's era.

Ask me to compare him to Haye and I'll change my mind from one week to the next. Maybe more often than not I'll pick Hide. For sure I rate '95 Bowe above 2011 Wlad.

He was still a champ in 99 and did okay at cruiser well into the 2000s, well enough that I would've been interested in seeing how he'd have done there if he'd move there straight after the Vit fight in 99

[polecateddy]

I think you'd have to give a reasonable edge to Haye, who would at least come with a well thought out game plan. I recall stories of F Warren leaving the Hide camp in disgust before the Vitali fight. The prep was pretty clueless - just Hide trying to knock out all his sparring partners, and getting chinned a few times himself.

[dookus]

I think you'd have to give a reasonable edge to Haye, who would at least come with a well thought out game plan. I recall stories of F Warren leaving the Hide camp in disgust before the Vitali fight. The prep was pretty clueless - just Hide trying to knock out all his sparring partners, and getting chinned a few times himself.

Funny, that's got me thinking of all the stories about Hide being massively stingy with money - particularly on training camps - and an incident where he accidentally set a load of money on fire cos he was keeping it in the oven

[Twinkle Toes]

I was on the Herbie train, but he ultimately should have done more in his career with some more self control.

He still had a lot of success, and the win over Tucker was probably his best (even though Tucker looked poor in that fight) - He was too small for the heavyweight division and despite being fleet of foot and putting together fast flurries it wasn't enough. He could bang with either hand though and Bowe famously stated that Hide hit him harder than anyone else ever did.

Hide always looked in amazing shape, but his stamina was an issue as was his punch resistance. I don't think he would have beat Haye.

A life story of Hide would make good viewing, his out of the ring antics are as long as your arm.

[jamesmcdonnell]

To me Hide is one of the most underrated British boxers. He was seriously skilled and carried immense power in both hands. If only he had a granite chin, he could've been an ATG.

He had a terrible defence.

[dr_devious]

A life story of Hide would make good viewing, his out of the ring antics are as long as your arm.

His heyday was pre mainstream internet, suspect Herbert would be a legend on here if he'd been at the top a few years later.

[Grilling Machine]

He was still a champ in 99 and did okay at cruiser well into the 2000s, well enough that I would've been interested in seeing how he'd have done there if he'd move there straight after the Vit fight in 99

Yeah, I remember some of those cruiser fights, but they were at the end of his career when we didn't expect much from him.

I'd have him in my top 20 at 200lb and top 200 at heavy.

[Roco]

Was it Akinwande who they were trying to build a fight with as they met in amateurs didn't they? Or was it Oyebola?

[polecateddy]

Neither that I can recall. I think Akinwande would have been a terrible match up for Hide, who probably wouldn’t have lasted more than 3 or 4 rounds.

[mickey1975]

He was loopy. Set fire to a few grand he hid in a lampshade. Got done for selling coke, brought into every interview how he didn’t need to fight because he was loaded....
Haye would have sparked him at cruiser.

[jamesmcdonnell]

He was loopy. Set fire to a few grand he hid in a lampshade. Got done for selling coke, brought into every interview how he didn’t need to fight because he was loaded....
Haye would have sparked him at cruiser.

Yeah hard some pretty crazy stories about him over the years. Hard to know which are true or not.

[Coco]

Was it Akinwande who they were trying to build a fight with as they met in amateurs didn't they? Or was it Oyebola?

IT was Big, Bad James RIP

He used to turn up to his fights and heckle him!

[orbtastic]

I loved the fact he got a nightclub built into his Norwich mansion because going to clubs was causing too many problems. SKY even did a piece on it, looked like a right nobber with all the lights and music on and just him.

[Onamastus]

Hide was panicking and crying to the ref when a brain damaged Bentt launched a few weak attacks. He really was awful and never beat a live opponent. Fainted vs Bowe and was KOd by a jab vs Vitali.

[Grilling Machine]

We should crowdfund Meldrick to write a book about him.

[Onamastus]

Was it Akinwande who they were trying to build a fight with as they met in amateurs didn't they? Or was it Oyebola?

IT was Big, Bad James RIP

He used to turn up to his fights and heckle him!

Herbie repeatedly ducked Akinwande and, later, Bruno.

[Coco]

IT was Big, Bad James RIP

He used to turn up to his fights and heckle him!

Herbie repeatedly ducked Akinwande and, later, Bruno.

Akinwandee beat him in the ABA final, no heavy and super heavy in those days, Henry was far too big for the teenage Hide.

[margaret thatcher]

Herb had like 8 am fights going into that while Hen had already been an Olympian and was in his 4th ABA final, Hide did well just to reach the finals, 8 am fights is hardly anything

[Onamastus]

Herbie repeatedly ducked Akinwande and, later, Bruno.

Akinwandee beat him in the ABA final, no heavy and super heavy in those days, Henry was far too big for the teenage Hide.

Aye, I had it on tape. He later turned down fighting for the European title because he didn't want to fight Akinwande. After beating the dead body of Michael Bentt he turned down a mega money fight with Bruno that would have made him famous for totally incoherent, laughable reasons. He clearly lacked confidence in himself and knew he couldn't beat either man.

[dookus]

Hide was at one point supposed to meet Tommy Morrison, 1994 I think. Who would have come out as king of the chinny punchers? I think you'd have to favour Morrison's left hook.

[Onamastus]

Hide was at one point supposed to meet Tommy Morrison, 1994 I think. Who would have come out as king of the chinny punchers? I think you'd have to favour Morrison's left hook.

High Noon in Hong Kong, fight cancelled on the day. Morrison was fired up for that one and wanted to murder Hide. While Hide could certainly hurt Morrison, Tommy had huge heart, came off the floor to win multiple times, and was dangerous when hurt. I think he would have terrified and made quick brutal work of Herbie.

[polecateddy]

Bruno was against Mercer on the same bill. I can't imagine Bruno would have won that one. But Hide v Morrison would have been a coin toss. From memory Boxing Monthly favoured Hide, but I think picked Mercer.

[Roco]

Bruno was against Mercer on the same bill. I can't imagine Bruno would have won that one. But Hide v Morrison would have been a coin toss. From memory Boxing Monthly favoured Hide, but I think picked Mercer.

I wouldn't back Mercer with any degree of confidence against Bruno because Mercer was liable to come in out of shape.

[dookus]

We should crowdfund Meldrick to write a book about him.