Tag: nigel benn

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Ranking greatest 168-pounders ever

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Who are the greatest 168-pounders ever?

Canelo Alvarez might be in decline but no one has been able to beat at super middleweight.

The Mexican star has a record of 8-0 (4 KOs) and became the first undisputed champion at 168 pounds in the four-belt era, making him one of the most accomplished fighters the division has ever produced.

We’ll withhold judgment on where he stands compared to his greatest predecessors until after he defends his titles against 154-pound champ Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas and whatever might follow.

The list below provides you with an idea of the super middleweights against whom he’ll be judged when all is said and done.

Here are the five greatest 168-pounders of all time.

(Note: The division came into being when the IBF introduced the weight class in 1984. Also, weights above 160 pounds and no higher than 168 are designated as super middleweight here.)

NO. 5 CARL FROCH

Overall record: 33-2 (24 KOs)
168-pound record: 25-2 (KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC 2008-10; WBC 2010-11; IBF 2012-15; WBA 2013-15
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Froch was more than a tough, fan-friendly fighter who delivered one of the great walk-off moments in boxing history. The Englishman deserves to be on this list. He had three reigns as champion over a period of six-plus years, he beat everyone he faced except Hall of Famer Andre Ward (he avenged a loss to rival Mikkel Kessler), and his list of notable victims is long – Robin Reid, Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson, Lucian Bute, Yusaf Mack, George Groves (twice) and more. That’s an impressive run. On top of that, his exit from boxing was legendary: A one-punch knockout of Groves in front 80,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London. He was neither a boxing wizard nor typically a one-punch knockout artist. He was just a skillful, supremely confident bad-ass who knew how to win fights.

NO. 4 NIGEL BENN

Overall record: 42-5-1 (35 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-3-1 (27 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC (1992-96)
Hall of Fame: No
Background: Benn is on this list in part because of his 10th-round knockout of Gerald McClellan in 1995. I hate to praise Benn too much because the brave McClellan suffered brain damage in that fight and never fought again. However, you have to understand how good McClellan was at the time. He was destroying everything in his path going into the fight, which made Benn’s ability to beat him a career-defining accomplishment. The well-schooled power puncher from London had a reign of about 3½ years and made nine successful defenses, including a draw with rival Chris Eubank in their rematch that most people thought should’ve gone Benn’s way. That would’ve been a huge win for him. And, finally, Benn was one of the most entertaining fighters of all time. That’s never lost on me.

NO. 3 JOE CALZAGHE

Overall record: 46-0 (32 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-0 (22 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBO (1997-2008), IBF (2006), WBA (2007-08), WBC (2007-08)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Calzaghe was a special fighter. The Welshman reigned as champion for more than a decade and was 21-0 in 168-pound title fights. Those are crazy numbers. I don’t think anyone accomplished more at the weight. In terms of his skills, he was a southpaw who had it all. He was quick, athletic, could move well and had power, although he recorded fewer knockouts as his opposition got better. He also has a long list of notable victims – Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Rickie Woodhall, Charles Brewer, Mikkel Kessler and more. He never ducked anyone. I wish he would’ve taken part in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he might’ve faced Andre Ward. All in all, though, he was great.

NO. 2 ANDRE WARD

Overall record: 32-0 (16 KOs)
168-pound record: 19-0 (8 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBA (2009-15), WBC (2011-12)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: The product of Oakland, California, was an all-time great. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2004 but really burst onto the scene when he won the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he beat Mikkel Kessler, Allan Green, Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch in succession to win the championship even though he was unproven at the time. He became a star instantaneously. He had a six-year reign at 168, although that was interrupted by a contract dispute. He also beat Edison Miranda and Chad Dawson, among others. And he went on to have success at 175 pounds. I compared him to an anaconda. He would wrap himself around you in a way that diffused anything you tried to do. He was a brilliant boxer.

NO. 1 ROY JONES JR.

Overall record: 66-10 (47 KOs)
168-pound record: 13-0 (11 KOs)
168-pound titles: IBF (1994-96)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Jones didn’t campaign in the division as long as the others here but he was dazzling at the weight. The physical freak from Florida boxed circles around everyone he faced, was difficult to hit cleanly and had devastating one-punch knockout power. Thus, no one could compete with him when he was at his best. His greatest victories at 168 came against then-unbeaten pound-for-pounder James Toney, Thulani Malinga, Thomas Tate, Antoine Byrd, Vinny Pazienza and Eric Lucas. I like a quote from boxing historian Cliff Rold. He wrote: “It’s not a stretch to say he may never have lost a single round contested in the class.” I don’t believe anyone before or since could’ve touched Jones at super middleweight. And he was just getting started. He was at his best at 175.

[lawrence-related id=39015,39012,38983,38970,38956,38861,38853,38761,38624,38588]

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Ranking greatest 168-pounders ever

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Who are the greatest 168-pounders ever?

Canelo Alvarez might be in decline but no one has been able to beat at super middleweight.

The Mexican star has a record of 8-0 (4 KOs) and became the first undisputed champion at 168 pounds in the four-belt era, making him one of the most accomplished fighters the division has ever produced.

We’ll withhold judgment on where he stands compared to his greatest predecessors until after he defends his titles against 154-pound champ Jermell Charlo on Sept. 30 in Las Vegas and whatever might follow.

The list below provides you with an idea of the super middleweights against whom he’ll be judged when all is said and done.

Here are the five greatest 168-pounders of all time.

(Note: The division came into being when the IBF introduced the weight class in 1984. Also, weights above 160 pounds and no higher than 168 are designated as super middleweight here.)

NO. 5 CARL FROCH

Overall record: 33-2 (24 KOs)
168-pound record: 25-2 (KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC 2008-10; WBC 2010-11; IBF 2012-15; WBA 2013-15
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Froch was more than a tough, fan-friendly fighter who delivered one of the great walk-off moments in boxing history. The Englishman deserves to be on this list. He had three reigns as champion over a period of six-plus years, he beat everyone he faced except Hall of Famer Andre Ward (he avenged a loss to rival Mikkel Kessler), and his list of notable victims is long – Robin Reid, Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson, Lucian Bute, Yusaf Mack, George Groves (twice) and more. That’s an impressive run. On top of that, his exit from boxing was legendary: A one-punch knockout of Groves in front 80,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London. He was neither a boxing wizard nor typically a one-punch knockout artist. He was just a skillful, supremely confident bad-ass who knew how to win fights.

NO. 4 NIGEL BENN

Overall record: 42-5-1 (35 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-3-1 (27 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBC (1992-96)
Hall of Fame: No
Background: Benn is on this list in part because of his 10th-round knockout of Gerald McClellan in 1995. I hate to praise Benn too much because the brave McClellan suffered brain damage in that fight and never fought again. However, you have to understand how good McClellan was at the time. He was destroying everything in his path going into the fight, which made Benn’s ability to beat him a career-defining accomplishment. The well-schooled power puncher from London had a reign of about 3½ years and made nine successful defenses, including a draw with rival Chris Eubank in their rematch that most people thought should’ve gone Benn’s way. That would’ve been a huge win for him. And, finally, Benn was one of the most entertaining fighters of all time. That’s never lost on me.

NO. 3 JOE CALZAGHE

Overall record: 46-0 (32 KOs)
168-pound record: 33-0 (22 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBO (1997-2008), IBF (2006), WBA (2007-08), WBC (2007-08)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Calzaghe was a special fighter. The Welshman reigned as champion for more than a decade and was 21-0 in 168-pound title fights. Those are crazy numbers. I don’t think anyone accomplished more at the weight. In terms of his skills, he was a southpaw who had it all. He was quick, athletic, could move well and had power, although he recorded fewer knockouts as his opposition got better. He also has a long list of notable victims – Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Rickie Woodhall, Charles Brewer, Mikkel Kessler and more. He never ducked anyone. I wish he would’ve taken part in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he might’ve faced Andre Ward. All in all, though, he was great.

NO. 2 ANDRE WARD

Overall record: 32-0 (16 KOs)
168-pound record: 19-0 (8 KOs)
168-pound titles: WBA (2009-15), WBC (2011-12)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: The product of Oakland, California, was an all-time great. He won an Olympic gold medal in 2004 but really burst onto the scene when he won the Super Six World Boxing Classic, in which he beat Mikkel Kessler, Allan Green, Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch in succession to win the championship even though he was unproven at the time. He became a star instantaneously. He had a six-year reign at 168, although that was interrupted by a contract dispute. He also beat Edison Miranda and Chad Dawson, among others. And he went on to have success at 175 pounds. I compared him to an anaconda. He would wrap himself around you in a way that diffused anything you tried to do. He was a brilliant boxer.

NO. 1 ROY JONES JR.

Overall record: 66-10 (47 KOs)
168-pound record: 13-0 (11 KOs)
168-pound titles: IBF (1994-96)
Hall of Fame: Yes
Background: Jones didn’t campaign in the division as long as the others here but he was dazzling at the weight. The physical freak from Florida boxed circles around everyone he faced, was difficult to hit cleanly and had devastating one-punch knockout power. Thus, no one could compete with him when he was at his best. His greatest victories at 168 came against then-unbeaten pound-for-pounder James Toney, Thulani Malinga, Thomas Tate, Antoine Byrd, Vinny Pazienza and Eric Lucas. I like a quote from boxing historian Cliff Rold. He wrote: “It’s not a stretch to say he may never have lost a single round contested in the class.” I don’t believe anyone before or since could’ve touched Jones at super middleweight. And he was just getting started. He was at his best at 175.

[lawrence-related id=39015,39012,38983,38970,38956,38861,38853,38761,38624,38588]

Conor Benn needs only 80 seconds to put Samuel Vargas away

Conor Benn needed only 80 seconds to knock out Samuel Vargas on Saturday in London.

Eighty seconds? That was the kind of statement Conor Benn hoped to make.

The welterweight contender began landing bombs on the face of Samuel Vargas moments after the opening bell and didn’t stop until the referee ended the fight 1 minute, 20 seconds into the first round Saturday in London.

Vargas, a solid veteran from Mexico, has lost his biggest fights but he was supposed to be a test. Instead, he was overwhelmed.

If comparisons mean anything, Errol Spence Jr. stopped Vargas in four rounds while Danny Garcia and Vergil Ortiz both did it in seven. Benn needed less than half a round, which obviously pleased him.

“All them names you mentioned,” he said to an interviewer after the fight, “no one banged him out in one round. Easy, easy. … Give me a proper test. Give me Amir Khan. … I’m ready for the top dogs, Shawn Porter, Adrian Broner if he’s campaigning at 147. I want them.

“I want to test myself at 147.”

Conor Benn was fired up after his quick knock out. Dave Thompson / Matchroom Boxing

Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) wasn’t reckless but he certainly didn’t ease into the fight. The 24-year-old son of Nigel Benn fired straight, hard shots from the outset. And most of them found the target.

Vargas (31-7-2, 14 KOs) took the first few without much problem but seemed more and more helpless as the short fight progressed. He was taking shot after shot with his back against the ropes – responding with few if any of his own punches — when referee Michael Alexander stepped in.

For Benn, it was simply a matter of seizing opportunities.

“He was there to be hit so I hit him,” he said. “I ain’t gonna be shy, I ain’t gonna hold back. If I see an opening, I’m going to take. And I damn well took it.”

Benn didn’t get a chance to display much of what he had worked on in the gym beyond punch accuracy and what he believes is developing power. And he didn’t gain much in-the-ring experience in only 80 seconds of work at Copper Box Arena.

But, as he pointed out, he did prove one thing: He could handle the pressure of headlining a big card. Not all sons of successful fighters can say that.

“I can cope with it because I’m built for it,” he said. “All this hype, I can live with it. It’s not a problem.

Benn is on a similar path in terms of age to his father, who won his first title at 26 years old when he stopped Doug DeWitt in eight rounds in 1990. The younger Benn, who turns 25 in September, should be around that age when he gets his first crack at a champion if he continues to win.

And he plans to live up to his name.

“I’m putting the Benn name back where it belongs and that’s on top,” he said. “I proved that [on Saturday] and I’ll continue to prove that.”

In preliminary fights, Savannah Marshall (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped late replacement Maria Lindberg (19-7-2, 10 KOs) in three rounds to retain her middleweight title; Shannon Courtenay (7-1, 3 KOs) defeated Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) by a unanimous decision to win a vacant bantamweight title; and bantamweight prospect Ukashir Farooq (15-1, 6 KOs) defeated Alexander Espinoza (20-3-2, 8 KOs) by a unanimous decision in a 10-round bout.

Conor Benn needs only 80 seconds to put Samuel Vargas away

Conor Benn needed only 80 seconds to knock out Samuel Vargas on Saturday in London.

Eighty seconds? That was the kind of statement Conor Benn hoped to make.

The welterweight contender began landing bombs on the face of Samuel Vargas moments after the opening bell and didn’t stop until the referee ended the fight 1 minute, 20 seconds into the first round Saturday in London.

Vargas, a solid veteran from Mexico, has lost his biggest fights but he was supposed to be a test. Instead, he was overwhelmed.

If comparisons mean anything, Errol Spence Jr. stopped Vargas in four rounds while Danny Garcia and Vergil Ortiz both did it in seven. Benn needed less than half a round, which obviously pleased him.

“All them names you mentioned,” he said to an interviewer after the fight, “no one banged him out in one round. Easy, easy. … Give me a proper test. Give me Amir Khan. … I’m ready for the top dogs, Shawn Porter, Adrian Broner if he’s campaigning at 147. I want them.

“I want to test myself at 147.”

Conor Benn was fired up after his quick knock out. Dave Thompson / Matchroom Boxing

Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) wasn’t reckless but he certainly didn’t ease into the fight. The 24-year-old son of Nigel Benn fired straight, hard shots from the outset. And most of them found the target.

Vargas (31-7-2, 14 KOs) took the first few without much problem but seemed more and more helpless as the short fight progressed. He was taking shot after shot with his back against the ropes – responding with few if any of his own punches — when referee Michael Alexander stepped in.

For Benn, it was simply a matter of seizing opportunities.

“He was there to be hit so I hit him,” he said. “I ain’t gonna be shy, I ain’t gonna hold back. If I see an opening, I’m going to take. And I damn well took it.”

Benn didn’t get a chance to display much of what he had worked on in the gym beyond punch accuracy and what he believes is developing power. And he didn’t gain much in-the-ring experience in only 80 seconds of work at Copper Box Arena.

But, as he pointed out, he did prove one thing: He could handle the pressure of headlining a big card. Not all sons of successful fighters can say that.

“I can cope with it because I’m built for it,” he said. “All this hype, I can live with it. It’s not a problem.

Benn is on a similar path in terms of age to his father, who won his first title at 26 years old when he stopped Doug DeWitt in eight rounds in 1990. The younger Benn, who turns 25 in September, should be around that age when he gets his first crack at a champion if he continues to win.

And he plans to live up to his name.

“I’m putting the Benn name back where it belongs and that’s on top,” he said. “I proved that [on Saturday] and I’ll continue to prove that.”

In preliminary fights, Savannah Marshall (10-0, 8 KOs) stopped late replacement Maria Lindberg (19-7-2, 10 KOs) in three rounds to retain her middleweight title; Shannon Courtenay (7-1, 3 KOs) defeated Ebanie Bridges (5-1, 2 KOs) by a unanimous decision to win a vacant bantamweight title; and bantamweight prospect Ukashir Farooq (15-1, 6 KOs) defeated Alexander Espinoza (20-3-2, 8 KOs) by a unanimous decision in a 10-round bout.

Video: Mannix, Mora: Is Conor Benn contender or pretender?

Video: Mannix, Mora: Is Conor Benn a contender or a pretender?

Welterweight contender Conor Benn has the name. He’s the son of retired British great Nigel Benn.

But does the younger Benn (17-0, 11 KOs) — who faces veteran Samuel Vargas on Saturday in London (DAZN) — have the ability to reach the highest level of the sport, as his father did in the late 1980s and ’90s.

In this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora, DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora assess Benn’s potential and more.

Here’s what they had to say.

[jwplayer Aj9jfhq6]

Video: Mannix, Mora: Is Conor Benn contender or pretender?

Video: Mannix, Mora: Is Conor Benn a contender or a pretender?

Welterweight contender Conor Benn has the name. He’s the son of retired British great Nigel Benn.

But does the younger Benn (17-0, 11 KOs) — who faces veteran Samuel Vargas on Saturday in London (DAZN) — have the ability to reach the highest level of the sport, as his father did in the late 1980s and ’90s.

In this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora, DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora assess Benn’s potential and more.

Here’s what they had to say.

[jwplayer Aj9jfhq6]

Nigel Benn loses brother Mark to coronavirus

Nigel Benn announced on his Instagram account that his brother Mark has died from the virus.

Another boxer has lost a family member to coronavirus.

Nigel Benn announced on his Instagram account that his brother Mark has died from the virus. That comes on the heels of Anthony Yarde losing both his father and grandmother to the disease.

Wrote Benn: “My brother Mark passed Away 2day (Covid 19), as we all were growing up Mark was the Joker of the Benn house hold, May he Rest In Peace love u Mark.”

Benn, 56 and retired for more than two decades, was back in the news last year. He was set to face Sakio Bika in a comeback fight but called it off after he was injured.

The Londoner was a two-division titlerholder in the 1990s.