Was 1997-2000 a golden era for British Super Middleweights

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 18 Oct 2006, 05:34

In this time, we had Calzaghe, Dean Francis, Glenn Catley, Richie Woodhall, Robin Reid, David Starie, Mark Baker, Clinton Woods. There were compelling matchups (Francis-Starie, Francis-Baker, Calzaghe-Woodhall, Catley-Neville Brown - albeit at middle), & five of these guys won versions of world titles (thogh Woods did it at 175).

Why isn't it classed as a great time for British super middles? Is it because Francis was never able to fulfuill his great promise, due to the injury? Had they all fought on ITV a lot more rather than Sky, would they have been more highly regarded/popular?

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 18 Oct 2006, 06:13

No.

The golden era was 4-5 years earlier.

When Benn, Eubank & Watson stepped up to SM, they were much more evenly matched.

Calzaghe was far better than any UK SM from 1997 onwards.

The television thing had a massive impact.

After 1997, virtually all top boxing was 'hidden' away on SKY. Before that, we got to see all the top fighters on ITV & this helped to bring the previous generation to out conscience a lot more.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 18 Oct 2006, 06:34

I think circumstances, more than talent, had a lot to do with it. I can't help but think Calzaghe-Francis would've been as good as the Benn-Eubank-Watson fights.

But obviously back in 1990-95, Collins, Eubank, Benn & Watson were all world beaters.

Taki... · Post by **Taki...** » 18 Oct 2006, 12:31

viciousmaussa wrote:I think circumstances, more than talent, had a lot to do with it. I can't help but think Calzaghe-Francis would've been as good as the Benn-Eubank-Watson fights.

But obviously back in 1990-95, Collins, Eubank, Benn & Watson were all world beaters.

I wouldn't include Collins, he caught Eubank after he'd been fighting at a suicidal rate in '94 (6 fights in a calendar year, 5 of them 12 rounders). And Benn was waaaaay past his best.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 18 Oct 2006, 16:03

Taki... wrote:
viciousmaussa wrote:I think circumstances, more than talent, had a lot to do with it. I can't help but think Calzaghe-Francis would've been as good as the Benn-Eubank-Watson fights.

But obviously back in 1990-95, Collins, Eubank, Benn & Watson were all world beaters.
I wouldn't include Collins, he caught Eubank after he'd been fighting at a suicidal rate in '94 (6 fights in a calendar year, 5 of them 12 rounders). And Benn was waaaaay past his best.

Sure, but Collins was a right beast. He might've beaten McCallum & Kalambay if he'd got 'em at 168. (& I'm a major MM & SK fan). He also has a cracking win over Chris Pyatt, although it was a controversial stoppage. I really enjoyed his fight with that Welsh guy, what was his name?

Grilling Machine · Post by **Grilling Machine** » 18 Oct 2006, 22:40

The late '90s had the potential, but the big fights didn't happen.
Jones Jr. never visited our shores; Francis had the injuries...

I also think that Calzaghe would've been forced into taking the fights we wanted, had he fought on terrestrial.

I believe Joe lost to Robin Reid, by a fair margin.
How many others would've felt the same, having seen the fight on BBC/ITV?
Sky effectively killed Calzaghe's career.
Ottke kept himself happy too.

Fans force fights.
It's unfortunate that pay-per-view punters take what's offered too readily.
The 1950s through to the mid-nineties spoiled us in retrospect.