Tony Sibson v. Mustafa Hamsho

[Beau Geste]

At their respective peaks in 1980 to 1982, who wins and why?

I remember this fight of top middles being discussed at the time, but unfortunately it did not happen.

[laxpdx]

Tough MW bout I would've loved to see, but I like Sibbo late, due to Hamsho's cuts.

[Beau Geste]

Tough MW bout I would've loved to see, but I like Sibbo late, due to Hamsho's cuts.

I lean toward Sibbo as well, but by decision. Hamsho was very hard to stop during this time. I think their styles would have made it an absolutely terrific action fight.

[Duodenum]

I think Hamsho brawls his way to the decision here. Sibson outhustled Davison (who behaved as though he had shackles on), but he certainly did not outmuscle Dwight. Nobody outmuscled or outhustled Mustafa when he was at his best, even the physically powerful Minter. Hamsho would walk through Tony's hooks and force him on the back foot. His chin and physical strength would prevail over Sibson's firepower.

[Mantequilla]

Minter was done when he fought Hamsho, he just stayed on the move throughout, even when it was obvious he could Hurt Hamsho.Sibson just walked right through that Minter.

Sibson was a smooth mover, and good punchpicker with a very good jab, even if hamsho did absorb everything well-which is certainly a possibility, i can't see him getting the cleaner work done.Sibson was strong as hell, with that low centre of gravity, i couldn't see many middles since Tiger walking straight into his punching zone and outmuscling him.

bad matchup for Hamsho imo.It was the long-range sharpshooters with lots of firepower that were bad for Sibbo, not face first mauling fighters.

Sibson by about 4 or 5 points for me in an entertaining competitive fight, or perhaps a brutal sudden knockout at some point.Sibson is the kidn of fighter, like a lausse that can pose a serious threat to any middle that doesn't treat them with respect, and Hamsho's whole style was about having disdain for opponents and walking through everything.

[Beau Geste]

Minter was done when he fought Hamsho, he just stayed on the move throughout, even when it was obvious he could Hurt Hamsho.Sibson just walked right through that Minter.

Sibson was a smooth mover, and good punchpicker with a very good jab, even if hamsho did absorb everything well-which is certainly a possibility, i can't see him getting the cleaner work done.Sibson was strong as hell, with that low centre of gravity, i couldn't see many middles since Tiger walking straight into his punching zone and outmuscling him.

bad matchup for Hamsho imo.It was the long-range sharpshooters with lots of firepower that were bad for Sibbo, not face first mauling fighters.

Sibson by about 4 or 5 points for me in an entertaining competitive fight, or perhaps a brutal sudden knockout at some point.Sibson is the kidn of fighter, like a lausse that can pose a serious threat to any middle that doesn't treat them with respect, and Hamsho's whole style was about having disdain for opponents and walking through everything.

Great analysis. I agree with all of it, except the possibility of a sudden KO since although Sibson was a good hitter, he wasn't a tremendous puncher. In 1980 to 1982, Hamsho's chin and conditioning made him very hard to stop or floor.

[AlFrancis]

Minter was done when he fought Hamsho, he just stayed on the move throughout, even when it was obvious he could Hurt Hamsho.Sibson just walked right through that Minter.

Sibson was a smooth mover, and good punchpicker with a very good jab, even if hamsho did absorb everything well-which is certainly a possibility, i can't see him getting the cleaner work done.Sibson was strong as hell, with that low centre of gravity, i couldn't see many middles since Tiger walking straight into his punching zone and outmuscling him.

bad matchup for Hamsho imo.It was the long-range sharpshooters with lots of firepower that were bad for Sibbo, not face first mauling fighters.

Sibson by about 4 or 5 points for me in an entertaining competitive fight, or perhaps a brutal sudden knockout at some point.Sibson is the kidn of fighter, like a lausse that can pose a serious threat to any middle that doesn't treat them with respect, and Hamsho's whole style was about having disdain for opponents and walking through everything.

Couldn't agree more, I was just about to write something to that effect. I see Hamsho as the sort of fighter that Sibson could land those big left hooks and he either boxes or there could be a sudden knockout. Probably a bit of both.

[Russell]

I'd favor Hamsho as well. Sibson might of had a ATG or thereabouts punch but I just don't think he takes Hamsho at his best.

[Mr Butt]

Minter was done when he fought Hamsho, he just stayed on the move throughout, even when it was obvious he could Hurt Hamsho.Sibson just walked right through that Minter.

Sibson was a smooth mover, and good punchpicker with a very good jab, even if hamsho did absorb everything well-which is certainly a possibility, i can't see him getting the cleaner work done.Sibson was strong as hell, with that low centre of gravity, i couldn't see many middles since Tiger walking straight into his punching zone and outmuscling him.

bad matchup for Hamsho imo.It was the long-range sharpshooters with lots of firepower that were bad for Sibbo, not face first mauling fighters.

Sibson by about 4 or 5 points for me in an entertaining competitive fight, or perhaps a brutal sudden knockout at some point.Sibson is the kidn of fighter, like a lausse that can pose a serious threat to any middle that doesn't treat them with respect, and Hamsho's whole style was about having disdain for opponents and walking through everything.


as said already :good:good

[MAG1965]

At their respective peaks in 1980 to 1982, who wins and why?

I remember this fight of top middles being discussed at the time, but unfortunately it did not happen.Great fight. Hagler was so much better than these guys, but had Hagler not been fighting in the early 1980s, these guys would have been the title fights and they would have been exciting. I pick Sibson to stop Hamsho by TKO.

[Titan1]

I think Mustafa takes a very tight decision, so close a rematch would be fought.Can't see Tony having enough to win.

[he grant]

I think Sibson takes his head off .. stronger, faster, much harder hitting ..

[Il Duce]

For 12 rounds, a 3-part fight.
Rounds 1 thru 4,,,,,Sibbo
Rounds 5 thru 8,,,,,Hamsho
Rounds 9 thru 12,,,,Hamsho's elbows, forearms, and head

[FastHands(beeb)]

Minter was done when he fought Hamsho, he just stayed on the move throughout, even when it was obvious he could Hurt Hamsho.Sibson just walked right through that Minter.

Sibson was a smooth mover, and good punchpicker with a very good jab, even if hamsho did absorb everything well-which is certainly a possibility, i can't see him getting the cleaner work done.Sibson was strong as hell, with that low centre of gravity, i couldn't see many middles since Tiger walking straight into his punching zone and outmuscling him.

bad matchup for Hamsho imo.It was the long-range sharpshooters with lots of firepower that were bad for Sibbo, not face first mauling fighters.

Sibson by about 4 or 5 points for me in an entertaining competitive fight, or perhaps a brutal sudden knockout at some point.Sibson is the kidn of fighter, like a lausse that can pose a serious threat to any middle that doesn't treat them with respect, and Hamsho's whole style was about having disdain for opponents and walking through everything.

What a class post - this is the sort of analytical stuff I come on here to read.

I also think there is a possibility that Sibson could unhinge Hamsho with the sort of shot he unhinged Frankie Lucas with.

[Il Duce]

Sibbo was very good, but,,,,,,,,,,

Mustafa Hamsho was an animal,
Remember,, everyone regarded him as the best middleweight of the time,
outside of Marvin Hagler.

This would be a 12-round war, but Hamsho has the much better reputation as
a late round brute. And don't forget, a much dirtier fighter.
No knock-outs, but 2 busted up fighters.
Can't see Sibbo out-gutting Hamsho in rounds 8 thru 12.

[lora]

Hamsho's rep was a bit overblown when he was in his prime, not that he wasn't oen of the better contenders for a time, but he was also one of the most hyped.It was an east coast American thing.Similar to the Milt McCrory reputation at the time which was even more overblown than Miguel Cotto in recent years.

One other thing to consider though is that Sibson was a bit of a less than the sum of the parts fighter, who could blow hot and cold.Where Hamsho was the opposite.

[mister]

this fight would not garner any attention because they are basically borderline tomato cans:think

[Il Duce]

this fight would not garner any attention because they are basically borderline tomato cans:think

Would that be 'Progresso' or 'Classico' or 'Bertolinni' or 'Contandida':lol:

[AREA 53]

This for me is like a Very Strong Current, Hamsho Vs a Vicious Flash Flood, Sibson, Whilst Hamhso brings a constant wearing, tiring, gradually drag you under, type of Large Effort but slow acting overcoming of opponents, Sibson can Blow you away with extreme suddeness if he catches you right, he displayed this aptly as a youngster, when pitted against tough experienced wardog Wildman Frankie Lucas, for four rounds Lucas came at young Sibbo like a man against boy, Sibbo boxed off the back foot, gritted his teeth through some rough patches when necessary, and just when it looked like sibson wa going to be overwhelmed by the physical maturity of the aggressive Wildman Lucas,...."BAM..." Sibbo catches Lucas coming in with one Left Hook, after that it was simply a quick mopping up exercise for Sibson, Undefeated Irish John collins, and Alan Minter himself also fell Victim to Sibbon's sudden "Rolling Thunder".

With Hamsho what you see is what you get, With Sibson however there was a few extra layers that could ambush the unwary, He was built like a Bulldog and you would think he would be more Hamsho'eque in style than Hamsho himself, and Yet Sibbo could fight off the Back foot, when he came forward his" Rolling Thunder" advance ment he could slip shots, and when he let his shots go his combinations could be very fast indeed, all topped off with a big Left hook any Philly Middle would of been proud to own, Sibbo could be frustrated by a slick tough operator like an on form Kevin Finnegan, But Hamsho does not possess that type of varied bag of Tricks, Plus as mentioned Hamsho's not a one shot hitter . Siibson i feel would Map Hamsho quite quickly, and use his verity to Matador Hamho's straight-Line Approach, and if Hamsho Does get too Frisky , Sibbo has those Fast Combinations to Dampen down his efforts to take over the driving seat, Minter Shook Hamsho to his Boots with a Left Hook in the 9th as i recall, seemingly by chance, Sibbo may acheive more - by Intent ?

It wouldnt surprise me at all to see Sibbo Floor Hamsho, with perhaps the "Accessible" Hamsho Following - being Led - by Sibbo Down a Cul-de -Sac - and There waiting for him i That Left Hook, and Follow-up if Necesary, - But would that Cul-de-Sac lead to the Coup-de-Grace ? Hamsho was very tough, And Sibbo might stick to the less troubleome winning formula, Sibson on points - But if he is in a John Collins type mood, looking to prove a point, the scorecards might not be needed.
Hamsho's Strong, for sure, but for me, too Hittable for an On-Form Sibson.

[Il Duce]

AREA 53,

Excellent analysis,,,,,,,,,
Still difficult to keep Hamsho off you, the man was tough and had an iron jaw.
And, he liked it dirty,,,,,,,hitting you low, below the belt, on the hips, neck,,,,etc.

If the fight was in the U.K., maybe Sibbo wins a close decision.
But he ain't hurting Hamsho.