A prime Steve Collins could beat Calzaghe

[Irländsk]

How can a guy who defeated Eubank and Benn (twice) get so little recognition? Steve Collins was the toughest fighter of the 90's hands down. Even an old collins would have given Calzaghe a tough go but a prime Collins vs. Calzaghe would be a fight of the century candidate, like Gatti/Ward on a higher skill level. Collins was the tougher of the two, he is left standing.

CollinsTKO11

[lefthook31]

Calzahge is still unbeaten but really untested. He showed he can deal with a one dimensional banger, but we really havent seen what he can do. Its ashame he missed out some of the better fights against Jones and Hopkins.

[DanePugilist]

He bested old Benn and Eubank. No doubt he is undervalued, but no one has Calzaghes number - yet. That is resume.

When it comes to skills I think Calzaghe wins by more than a nosehair.

Lets continue this discussion when JCs career is over.

[semichin]

How can a guy who defeated Eubank and Benn (twice) get so little recognition? Steve Collins was the toughest fighter of the 90's hands down. Even an old collins would have given Calzaghe a tough go but a prime Collins vs. Calzaghe would be a fight of the century candidate, like Gatti/Ward on a higher skill level. Collins was the tougher of the two, he is left standing.

CollinsTKO11 I wouldn't call it either way for certain, but it's not a bad thought. But he did beat Benn at the same age as Collins was, handly i may add...and he beat a fairly young Eubank...so maybe, that is MAYBE Steve could pull it off

[Artani]

Great thread , i liked .
I think Calzaghe , Benn , Eubank and Collins are the best super middleweight in the last 20 years, but i agree with you if can be posible to see in that time fight betwen Collins - Calzaghe.

[DanePugilist]

Great thread , i liked .
I think Calzaghe , Benn , Eubank and Collins are the best super middleweight in the last 20 years, but i agree with you if can be posible to see in that time fight betwen Collins - Calzaghe.So you dont consider RJJ in that equation?

[kg0208]

They always talked about Collins - Jones . I don't know why it never happened ?

Jones is on record before the Brannon fight that Collins turned him down.

The real question is, Jones also said Hopkins was considering an offer from him at the time. What happened there? This would have been smack in the middle of Hopkins prime.

[Artani]

So you dont consider RJJ in that equation?

I consider Roy Jones and James Toney in the light heavyweight .

[kg0208]

I consider Roy Jones and James Toney in the light heavyweight .

Toney never won a title at LHW though. I would venture to say Jones was a better SMW than LHW. But thats my opinion. Too each their own.

[Fighting Weight]

Collins was the right man in the right place at the right time regarding Eubank and Benn....prime V prime he'd have lost badly to both those guys, end of discussion.

I can't stand Calzaghe but he beats any version of Collins.

[Irländsk]

Jones is on record before the Brannon fight that Collins turned him down.

The real question is, Jones also said Hopkins was considering an offer from him at the time. What happened there? This would have been smack in the middle of Hopkins prime.Not at all the version I have heard. JOnes olly offered Collins a fight AFTER he had retired, declining to fight him a number of times while still an active champion. And collins never rejected the offer, he was forced to retire from a head injury which could've been life threatening if he fought again.

[Artani]

Toney never won a title at LHW though. I would venture to say Jones was a better SMW than LHW. But thats my opinion. Too each their own.

You are right about Toney. He coudent to win nothing in the light heavyweight , just WBU title, but im consedering him one of the best with Roy Jones Jr in the last 20 years.

What you think about Montell Griffin .

[kg0208]

Not at all the version I have heard. JOnes olly offered Collins a fight AFTER he had retired, declining to fight him a number of times while still an active champion. And collins never rejected the offer, he was forced to retire from a head injury which could've been life threatening if he fought again.

Collins retired after 1997.

The interview with Jones takes place in 1996 and it was stated that Collins had already turned down an offer along with Nigel Benn and Frankie Liles.

Jones stated this in the pre fight interview after Lampley confirmed that HBO doubted Jones in his efforts to land a big fight but was also turned down when trying to get big fights for Jones.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

See for yourself.

[kg0208]

You are right about Toney. He coudent to win nothing in the light heavyweight , just WBU title, but im consedering him one of the best with Roy Jones Jr in the last 20 years.

What you think about Montell Griffin .

Griffin is far better than people give him credit for. I think that fight with Jones shook his confidence a bit, but prior to that, he was a tough fight for anyone. I think Toney nicked one of their fights, but hey, fighting Toney AND Jones close puts you in high regard.

[Irländsk]

Collins retired after 1997.

The interview with Jones takes place in 1996 and it was stated that Collins had already turned down an offer along with Nigel Benn and Frankie Liles.

Jones stated this in the pre fight interview after Lampley confirmed that HBO doubted Jones in his efforts to land a big fight but was also turned down when trying to get big fights for Jones.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

See for yourself.Thanks for the link, never seen that interview, still not sure I take his word for it, but then again in boxing its hard to know who to believe as everyone says everyone else is ducking them etc. etc. probably another case of promoters/sanctioning commitee fucking up a fight we all want to watch.

[kg0208]

Thanks for the link, never seen that interview, still not sure I take his word for it, but then again in boxing its hard to know who to believe as everyone says everyone else is ducking them etc. etc. probably another case of promoters/sanctioning commitee fucking up a fight we all want to watch.

I never take a fighters word....even Jones who is my favorite fighter.

However, HBO all but confirmed that they too were trying to get fights and were turned down. The question is, was the list that Jones rattled off the list of fights HE tried to negotiate and was turned down, or was he taking the lead from Lampley and telling the list of fighters that turned down HBO. Perhaps the lists are the same. We will never know.

[Artani]

Griffin is far better than people give him credit for. I think that fight with Jones shook his confidence a bit, but prior to that, he was a tough fight for anyone. I think Toney nicked one of their fights, but hey, fighting Toney AND Jones close puts you in high regard.

I have respect for him , thanks for answer :good

[Irländsk]

I never take a fighters word....even Jones who is my favorite fighter.

However, HBO all but confirmed that they too were trying to get fights and were turned down. The question is, was the list that Jones rattled off the list of fights HE tried to negotiate and was turned down, or was he taking the lead from Lampley and telling the list of fighters that turned down HBO. Perhaps the lists are the same. We will never know.Either way would've loved to see that one, I can't see collins beating Jones at that time but surely would have been fun to watch, Jones probably wins by UD. Just strange because Collins isn't the ducking type and always openly stated how he wanted to fight RJJ. It had to be a case of a unfair split of the purse or some bullshit, a common reason for a fight to be 'turned down' as lampley puts it.

[kg0208]

Either way would've loved to see that one, I can't see collins beating Jones at that time but surely would have been fun to watch, Jones probably wins by UD. Just strange because Collins isn't the ducking type and always openly stated how he wanted to fight RJJ. It had to be a case of a unfair split of the purse or some bullshit, a common reason for a fight to be 'turned down' as lampley puts it.
I only saw Collins fight 2 times. He seemed very tough, while a little less skilled than some. I think Jones would have had his way with him. Benn on the other hand could KO anyone and would have been tougher for Jones IMO.

BTW.....Myers rules!!

[Irländsk]

I only saw Collins fight 2 times. He seemed very tough, while a little less skilled than some. I think Jones would have had his way with him. Benn on the other hand could KO anyone and would have been tougher for Jones IMO.

BTW.....Myers rules!!Benn was a fucking beast, but
MYERS KTFO1 Benn/Jones/Collins

[kg0208]

I give him credit for being hard and tough, though. Nigel Benn got all his leverage into his best left hook, caught Steve as flush as you get on the chin and Collins didn't even blink an eye lid!! It shifted him back, but on the replay his eye lid didn't fucking blink!

Are their links to that? That would be pretty amazing to see considering Benn's power.

[semichin]

Collins was the right man in the right place at the right time regarding Eubank and Benn....prime V prime he'd have lost badly to both those guys, end of discussion.

I can't stand Calzaghe but he beats any version of Collins. Collins was the same age as Benn...no excuses...and Eubank was about late 20s'...Collins beat them in their best day...But Joe beats All of em

[Artani]

Whats your opinion of this four English super middle weight . Who is best ?

This is mine :

1. Calzaghe
2. Collins
3. Eubank
4. Benn

[Amsterdam]

Whats your opinion of this four English super middle weight . Who is best ?

This is mine :

1. Calzaghe
2. Collins
3. Eubank
4. Benn

British*

But -

1. Calzaghe
2. Eubank
3. Benn
4. Collins

[T.C.W]

RRJ destroys Collins like a Woods type of fight. Joe also beats him.

[ApatheticLeader]

I think that Collins would have beaten a prime Benn (quite easily too) and lost handily to a prime Eubank.

I still can't help but think that Herol Graham and Watson are better than all those other Brits though...

[achillesthegreat]

Collins would never beat Calzaghe. He'd lose at least 9 rounds.

[Artani]

British*

But -

1. Calzaghe
2. Eubank
3. Benn
4. Collins

I like to much Amsterdame Eubank and he is one of the best of mine but he lost two time from Collins.

[Artani]

Calzaghe is the best of this four .

[Amsterdam]

Calzaghe is the best of this four .

Agreed, this is not even disputable. Only RJJ is the better H2H in terms of universal consideration.

[DanePugilist]

Agreed, this is not even disputable. Only RJJ is the better H2H in terms of universal consideration.What is Head to head? I only know Head to "Head".

[Amsterdam]

What is Head to head? I only know Head to "Head".

H2H P4P force is something that circle jerkin' fools are not.:lol:

[DanePugilist]

H2H P4P force is something that circle jerkin' fools are not.:lol::lol: :lol: :lol: - Thank you for drawing the picture, mate:D

[Fighting Weight]

Collins was the same age as Benn...no excuses...and Eubank was about late 20s'...Collins beat them in their best day...But Joe beats All of em

Collins had been through nowhere near the same amount of wars that Benn had, Collins beat Benn with hunger and nothing else. Eubank was a disinterested fighter from the Watson fight onwards. Age has nothing to do with prime. As I said before Collins was in the right place at the right time with both Benn and Eubank.

His true colours were shown when he retired as soon as a Calzaghe fight appeared...and who had the balls to take his place? Chris Eubank. Says it all.

Having said that Jones owns the lot of them, I doubt Jones would even lose a round to Eubank, Benn or Collins, although Watson might sneak 2 or 3 because he was a better boxer than all of the above.