Eubank: How I would've beaten a peak RJJ!

[robertzimmerman]

Eubank struggled with weight and stamina more than punches. His ring generalship was impeccable though to go unbeaten in 43 fights with a such a low punch output.

I agree to a certain extent, and I was a fan of Eubank's, but he was very lucky to get to the Collins fight unbeaten. I think he was a very good/great fighter and he would have caused Roy a few problems.

Eubank was never the same after the Watson tragedy, and he was content to just sit on his Sky/ITV contracts defending the WBO belt. The Watson fight definitely affected him mentally. He no longer went after guys to knock them out, and Barry Hearn believes that it took something out of him.

He fought on a regular basis, and I personally think that he fought too often. Because he wasn't motivated for some fights, and in turn put in poor performances. He should have lost the Schommer, Close and the rematch with Benn, and he looked poor against the likes of Amaral. He admits in his autobiography that he lost the Schommer fight at the weigh in. Dan Schommer didn't look like a fighter, and Eubank underestimated him, and believes that he should have lost. He also believes that Benn did enough to win the rematch.

If you're doing a fantasy fight vs Roy, it has to be an extremely motivated Eubank, fighting to his full capabilities. Either from the first Benn fight, or from the Watson rematch.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Eubank struggled againts so many average fringe contenders while Jones was fighting the best. We know how this would have gone.

[IMDAZED]

Eubank struggled with weight and stamina more than punches. His ring generalship was impeccable though to go unbeaten in 43 fights with a such a low punch output.

He would not have been able to do that against Jones. I do think his chin and power (plus good hand speed) made him very dangerous for Roy. But Jones at 168 had impeccable footwork. And dynamite fisted with other-worldly speed. Can't pick against him. I can say it would've been a tough fight but I laugh at people trying to pretend that the two are on the same level or something. Jones is an ATG. Eubank is barely HOF. Doesn't mean it wouldn't have been a great matchup (the best matchup at 168 IMO).

[Tom Cruise]

A lot of people talking about the thread title rather than what Eubank says.

Eubank was saying how he would have approached the fight stylistically (ie. trying to time Jones' footwork, trying to punch with Roy), rather than outright saying he would win. Actually he squashes that notion in the first sentence of his answer...

[coghaugen]

Eubank also hints that Jones was better than Robinson and Leonard.

[coghaugen]

I don't really know what the definition of 'ATG' is. But Eubank was unarguably the greatest fighter I've seen in my lifetime. Nobody matches what he did. It's kind of like a cross between Joe Louis (frequency/longevity of defenses), Rocky Marciano (come-from-behind one-punch win) and Billy Conn (giving away 30lbs/giving away victory) but a middleweight/super-middleweight/cruiserweight version. And nobody was more composed in the ring, often a serenely relaxed statue! Then would avoid a sharp jab by moving his head just a fraction of an inch with a blinkless blank expression! He was like nothing we ever saw, and his chin and heart when infrequently tested were the best I've ever seen.

[IMDAZED]

I don't really know what the definition of 'ATG' is. But Eubank was unarguably the greatest fighter I've seen in my lifetime. Nobody matches what he did. It's kind of like a cross between Joe Louis (frequency/longevity of defenses), Rocky Marciano (come-from-behind one-punch win) and Billy Conn (giving away 30lbs/giving away victory) but a middleweight/super-middleweight/cruiserweight version. And nobody was more composed in the ring, often a serenely relaxed statue! Then would avoid a sharp jab by moving his head just a fraction of an inch with a blinkless blank expression! He was like nothing we ever saw, and his chin and heart when infrequently tested were the best I've ever seen.

No one matches what Naseem did but I wouldn't consider him an ATG either. If you're referring to his style and talent then sure he was great. But ultimately your resume is your barometer.

[KiloTeague]

Eubank also hints that Jones was better than Robinson and Leonard.

This is all you need to know.

[KiloTeague]

Hopkins and Toney were nowhere their best when Jones fought them (neither were McCallum, Hill and Reggie Johnson); Watson and Benn in their second fights with Eubank were better; Watson throwing 60-80 power punches per round from every angle to head and body and Benn ducking, slipping, bobbing and weaving in every second of every round - incredible, and they still couldn't beat him!

Niether was Roy.

[coghaugen]

Niether was Roy.

He claims he had a bad hand..