BoxRec

In his 37 fight professional career what do you reckon was his peak performance.......................

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aswome fight against kelly !

robinson.

badillo in 2nd place.

Kevin kelley now that really surprise's me.....

feargalocuinneagain wrote:

Hardhitters11 wrote:Kevin kelley now that really surprise's me.....

Naz was dropped Three times but still came back to ko Kelley. That's got to mean something?

Yes, it means he was wide open & bad defensively, loaded up too much on his punches, & seemingly didn't have a clue what to do apart from wade in & try & land the big one.

I think he was at his best in the Robinson fight or against Jose Badillo. He had far more talent than he thought he had, if that makes sense, but over time he grew to utilise it less because he was so in love with his power.

Which, admittedly, did the job most of the time. So, you know. It mystifies me when people say he was a "waste of talent" or whatever, because he achieved so much & beat so many top fighters.

Bungu.

Although coming up in weight, he was a very solid and respected champion who, if memory serves, had not lost in 10 years. True, he was the underdog, but most people expected him to give Naz a good fight, but he barely laid a glove on him.

Robinson was a great performance bty Naz, but the Welshman was not as good as Bungu. Kelley and Johnson were bigger names and probably better than Bungu, but Naz's performances, while exciting, were sloppy. He was punch-perfect against Bungu.

He was punch-perfect vs Badillo too, but Badillo came in at short notice (a week or so).

Vasquez, Medina and Soto were good scalps, but messy performances by Naz.

So in terms of ranking Naz's on-the-night performances, he was flawless against Robinson and Bungu, which gives the nod to Bungu as the better scalp internationally.

Footnote: Belcastro was a helluva performance by Naz when still a prospect.

oliverfennell wrote:Bungu.

Although coming up in weight, he was a very solid and respected champion who, if memory serves, had not lost in 10 years. True, he was the underdog, but most people expected him to give Naz a good fight, but he barely laid a glove on him.

Robinson was a great performance bty Naz, but the Welshman was not as good as Bungu. Kelley and Johnson were bigger names and probably better than Bungu, but Naz's performances, while exciting, were sloppy. He was punch-perfect against Bungu.

He was punch-perfect vs Badillo too, but Badillo came in at short notice (a week or so).

Vasquez, Medina and Soto were good scalps, but messy performances by Naz.

So in terms of ranking Naz's on-the-night performances, he was flawless against Robinson and Bungu, which gives the nod to Bungu as the better scalp internationally.

Footnote: Belcastro was a helluva performance by Naz when still a prospect.

Agree with every word of that, including the 'notable mention' for the Belcastro win.

Scored some sizzling KO's over the likes of Juan Polo Perez and Enrique Angeles, ok, not exactly household names but was pretty fun seeing him, the crowd, the effects, ringwalk etc, oh and he could fight pretty well, too DD DD

Deserter wrote:

oliverfennell wrote:Bungu.

Although coming up in weight, he was a very solid and respected champion who, if memory serves, had not lost in 10 years. True, he was the underdog, but most people expected him to give Naz a good fight, but he barely laid a glove on him.

Robinson was a great performance bty Naz, but the Welshman was not as good as Bungu. Kelley and Johnson were bigger names and probably better than Bungu, but Naz's performances, while exciting, were sloppy. He was punch-perfect against Bungu.

He was punch-perfect vs Badillo too, but Badillo came in at short notice (a week or so).

Vasquez, Medina and Soto were good scalps, but messy performances by Naz.

So in terms of ranking Naz's on-the-night performances, he was flawless against Robinson and Bungu, which gives the nod to Bungu as the better scalp internationally.

Footnote: Belcastro was a helluva performance by Naz when still a prospect.

Agree with every word of that, including the 'notable mention' for the Belcastro win.

Apart from the embarassing show boating that spoiled the fight. I think it was Reg who said "Don't call us, we'll call you".

Deserter wrote:

oliverfennell wrote:Bungu.

Although coming up in weight, he was a very solid and respected champion who, if memory serves, had not lost in 10 years. True, he was the underdog, but most people expected him to give Naz a good fight, but he barely laid a glove on him.

Robinson was a great performance bty Naz, but the Welshman was not as good as Bungu. Kelley and Johnson were bigger names and probably better than Bungu, but Naz's performances, while exciting, were sloppy. He was punch-perfect against Bungu.

He was punch-perfect vs Badillo too, but Badillo came in at short notice (a week or so).

Vasquez, Medina and Soto were good scalps, but messy performances by Naz.

So in terms of ranking Naz's on-the-night performances, he was flawless against Robinson and Bungu, which gives the nod to Bungu as the better scalp internationally.

Footnote: Belcastro was a helluva performance by Naz when still a prospect.

Agree with every word of that, including the 'notable mention' for the Belcastro win.

x2. I miss the days of Nas - he really was an international superstar and attracted so many casual fans to the sport.

of corse the kelly fight was a bit of a disaster technically, but one of the most thrilling up-and-down-ding-dong-tear-ups I've seen, so i voted for that reason

I voted Badillio -

I thought that alot of posters on here would overlook that performance for some of his bigger name fights like Kevin kelly and Steve Robison

But Badillio is leading the poll - so it seems I'm not alone in thinking that was Naz's most disciplned impressive performance the way he was patient and and just worked behind a heavy southpaw jab he use to break Badillo down and he even threw in some very impressive show boating in between - a vintage Naz - saving his best performance for his hometown Sheffield crowd

opticald wrote:...........................,-~*`llllllllllllllllllllllll¯`*-,...................................................
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The fighters during Naz's time were terrible, really, really awful. Not one of these guys will go into, or anywhere near the hall of fame. This is supposedly one of the greatest British boxers of all time, yet the only hall of famer he came up against made him retire.

Kevin Kelley was even past his best when Naz fought him. His record may have looked decent on paper with only one defeat. He never once beat a genuine world class opponent.

Naz beat no elite fighters during his career - not one. Yet he was considered by many to be at the top of the pound for pound list.

Overall, Naz was a great fighter, but people will look at the record books and although they'll see an impressive KO record, they'll also notice that the only name opponent he came up against he got beaten by.

Robinson or Kelley he was good in both it was a great achievement to beat Robinson at such a young age but I think Kelley was better than Robinson so that's why that fight is up there as Kelley was a very good fighter and Naz beat him although didnt look great in the process

I'd say Boom Boom Johnson.

Naz had lost it by the Kelley fight, not shot but something had gone in his head.

johnswan1 wrote:The fighters during Naz's time were terrible, really, really awful. Not one of these guys will go into, or anywhere near the hall of fame. This is supposedly one of the greatest British boxers of all time, yet the only hall of famer he came up against made him retire.

Kevin Kelley was even past his best when Naz fought him. His record may have looked decent on paper with only one defeat. He never once beat a genuine world class opponent.

Naz beat no elite fighters during his career - not one. Yet he was considered by many to be at the top of the pound for pound list.

Overall, Naz was a great fighter, but people will look at the record books and although they'll see an impressive KO record, they'll also notice that the only name opponent he came up against he got beaten by.

Many had Calzaghe #2 in their p4p list.

Who did he beat?
Lacy? Kessler?

I've got to admit I was never over keen on him, but that was more to do with personality than ability. I was ringside for the Badillo fight and I've gotta be honest, he was breathtaking.

Kevin Kelly. Simply because - I`d put kelly as the best he actually beat.

The rest- especially Robinson and Johnson - were well shop worn and past their best.

observer1 wrote:

johnswan1 wrote:The fighters during Naz's time were terrible, really, really awful. Not one of these guys will go into, or anywhere near the hall of fame. This is supposedly one of the greatest British boxers of all time, yet the only hall of famer he came up against made him retire.

Kevin Kelley was even past his best when Naz fought him. His record may have looked decent on paper with only one defeat. He never once beat a genuine world class opponent.

Naz beat no elite fighters during his career - not one. Yet he was considered by many to be at the top of the pound for pound list.

Overall, Naz was a great fighter, but people will look at the record books and although they'll see an impressive KO record, they'll also notice that the only name opponent he came up against he got beaten by.

Many had Calzaghe #2 in their p4p list.

Who did he beat?
Lacy? Kessler?

Calzaghe also beat Hopkins, who is better than anyone Naz ever beat. Funny you left him out

crusader wrote:

observer1 wrote:

johnswan1 wrote:The fighters during Naz's time were terrible, really, really awful. Not one of these guys will go into, or anywhere near the hall of fame. This is supposedly one of the greatest British boxers of all time, yet the only hall of famer he came up against made him retire.

Kevin Kelley was even past his best when Naz fought him. His record may have looked decent on paper with only one defeat. He never once beat a genuine world class opponent.

Naz beat no elite fighters during his career - not one. Yet he was considered by many to be at the top of the pound for pound list.

Overall, Naz was a great fighter, but people will look at the record books and although they'll see an impressive KO record, they'll also notice that the only name opponent he came up against he got beaten by.

Many had Calzaghe #2 in their p4p list.

Who did he beat?
Lacy? Kessler?

Calzaghe also beat Hopkins, who is better than anyone Naz ever beat. Funny you left him out

Well he got the decision, same as he did against Reid (both fights which I and alot others thought he lost). Naz, apart from Barrera, beat ALL other belt holders convincingly.

Hopkins is a whole level above anyone Naz ever beat though and most people though Calzaghe won that fight. Naz didn't beat Kevin Kelly convincingly and Tom Johnson, Vuyani Bungu, etc, are hardly great opposition. Naz fought one great fighter in his career and he was beaten thoroughly, the rest of his resume has very average opposition for a fighter who is considered a legend by some.

crusader wrote:Hopkins is a whole level above anyone Naz ever beat though and most people though Calzaghe won that fight. Naz didn't beat Kevin Kelly convincingly and Tom Johnson, Vuyani Bungu, etc, are hardly great opposition. Naz fought one great fighter in his career and he was beaten thoroughly, the rest of his resume has very average opposition for a fighter who is considered a legend by some.

A KO is pretty convincing to me.

opticald wrote:

crusader wrote:Hopkins is a whole level above anyone Naz ever beat though and most people though Calzaghe won that fight. Naz didn't beat Kevin Kelly convincingly and Tom Johnson, Vuyani Bungu, etc, are hardly great opposition. Naz fought one great fighter in his career and he was beaten thoroughly, the rest of his resume has very average opposition for a fighter who is considered a legend by some.

A KO is pretty convincing to me.

Getting dropped three times in four rounds is hardly convincing