People always say Eubank was coming to the end against Steve, but I was just re-watching the fight and it seems to me that Eubank actually looked sharper in this fight than in previous fights, and Calzaghe said Eubank gave him the hardest fight of his career! I feel this version of Eubank Sr would have beat Eubank Jr in their respective eras. Was Eubank truly finished or was Collins just the best opponent Eubank ever faced?
He wasn't finished, but he was simply never the same after the tragedy with Watson. By the time he'd gotten to fight Collins, he'd got a lot of miles on the clock. He'd been burnt out by his contract with Sky/ITV. Collins was very tough, and I'd have liked to have seen them fight each other at their absolute peaks. Joe Calzaghe was the best opponent that Eubank faced.
after watson he stopped trying to look for the KO, which was a serious loss in his armoury. You can actually see this, exception of one fight, in his entire post watson career. Guy was odd but he was human. If the mind isnt on the job, it doesnt really matter how physically able you are. Also his style of soaking it up to return one had taken its toll, and he'd set a record for the wbo so there was little challenge left for him, he was just picking up paychecks after that. But arguably too Collins was his best opponent, he has a good case for being better than Watson, Benn etc, - its close between the WBO Brit triumvirate. Joe Cal was still a bit green back then, didnt peak until his early 30s when he rose to genuine world level.
I am continually blown away by how little Mark Ant seems to know about boxing. It might help if he spent more time watching fights, and less time creating a seemingly un-ending stream of inane topics.
Well I think everyone knows by now I am a Eubank guy (Sr. Anyway)....but yes I think he was clearly past his prime. Both in terms of a physical, mental and emotional as has already been hit upon. I am not sure that he would definitely beat Collins even if that were not the case. I do think he (meaning Collins) was better than Benn, not sure if I agree he was better than Watson. But his size and style would have been tough and effective even for Eubank earlier in his career. But I would pick Eubank in his prime. But yes, Eubank was clearly past his best and that is not meant to take away from or denigrate a solid win for Collins.
Yes. Steve Collins fought Benn and Eubank when they were past it which I am thankful of in a way, so glad that that arrogant twat Collins didn't beat either of them (or Watson) when they were in their prime. Steve Collins will forever be known as the guy who got beat by McCallum, Johnson and Kalambay and got lucky that he caught Nigel and Chris when they were on the slide.
A little bit, but he was far from finished, in his last fight he had one of the best performances of his career against Wharton.
I disagree with the assessment but do agree that he looked good against Wharton! It was clear even observing his fights with Close, Amarillo and Schommer that he was not what he once was. I am not sure that a solid performance against Wharton shows that he had turned back the clock.
I altered my post a little because he probably was a bit past it but he was far from shot and it's not out of the question that Collins beats a prime Eubank (and Benn) IMO.
Collins stops Benn, tight UD win with Eubank, bit wider against Watson and Calzaghe outpoints him..I was a Eubank man, but Collins I think intimidated Snr a bit, got in to his head, and Joe Calzaghe stands them all on their heads..Just my opinion...I actually don't think Collins intimidating Eubank is an opinion, I think it was blatant, and I heard Collins used to give Eubank grief on the after dinner circuit or boxing get togethers to the point Eubank walked out of a couple. I have it on good authority that Collins took the **** with him tbf and showed a bully side instead of staying away from someone he didn't like
Eubank didn't decline dramatically towards the end of his career, and even at his final fights at cruiser was still a class operator with an exceptional chin. Echo the general sentiment that he lost his edge post-Watson II. Physically he didn't seem to lose that much, and he was inconsistent throughout his career even, including his prime. I think a big part of it was that Collins just had his number. He got into his head both inside and outside the ring. In theory the flat-footed come-forward style Collins employed in those fights should have been meat and drink for a steel-chinned counterpuncher like Eubank. However, Collins was so strong and relentless that Eubank really struggled to get going in both fights.
