The MW division was pretty stacked with talented fighters during the late 80s/early 90s even after Hagler retired. Out of these talented MWs who do you think was the most technically skilled in your opinion? Who would have given Hagler the most trouble had he not left?
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I can see all four of these guys possibly beating hagler, but to me the best all around of the 4 was MccallumComment
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James toney by far is the most skilled... None of those guys would be able to balloon up and still be effective like toney was.. Toney is one of the most gifted fighters to ever lace them up, but he didn't have the work ethic to match his incredible talent..
Ranking by skill
1 toney
2 mccallum
3 nunn
4 kalambay
Nunn and kalambay are very close.. Mccallum is a clear number 2Comment
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If hagler had stuck around he would have lost to all 4. Hagler was pretty much done after he hearns war.. He looked aged in the Mugabi and Leonard fight.. Had he fought these youngsters from 88-92 I really don't like his chances, I think he gets outpointed by all 4.
Prime vs prime I think mccallum matches up best vs hagler, even though I think hagler beats all of these guys in his primeComment
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I will comment on Toney and Nunn because I know these guys the best of the lot. Toney has always had impeccible skills. I don't know how to measure how he would do against Hagler because its hard to imagine someone blowing Toney out, which is how Hagler did his thing. This fight would be head to head though...two guys with hella whiskers. It would be relatively difficult for Hagler to beat on Toney inside because Toney counters ya first, and it would be relatively hard for Toney to get Hagler caught outside because Hagler comes in on you! if you catch my drift...one of these guys would be succesful imo and its a toss up which guy.
Nunn is a more interesting scenerio. Its easy to say Nunn was a bit weaker than Hagler and look at how Toney wore him down for the KO. Fair enough but of all the guys mentioned and you can throw Jones in there as well... Nunn was the most complete package. Truly he was his own worse enemy. Hagler wins because of mental strength but Nunn was an incredible natural talent and with a few right turns the guy could have been something to behold. He reminds me of michael moore in his command of the ring, his natural punching ability and how he could put it together so easily.
One thing i have noticed is that there are punchers, there are guys who have a real talent that makes them one dimensional punchers....guys like Mayorga who was reallllly explosive. Then there were a lot of guys who could punch. Then there are swarmers with punching power.
Yet, there is a class of fighter who are natural punchers...Joe Louis, Big George foreman, etc. I think Nunn was a natural puncher.Last edited by billeau2; 09-03-2014, 12:29 PM.Comment
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All these guys are highly skilled I really cannot separate one from the pack.Comment
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The more skilled would have to be Toney, I just do not see how the other great fighters could successfully fight at Heavyweight on skill aloneComment
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McCallum started at 154, lower than Toney, and won titles in as many divisions as Toney from 154 to 175. McCallum was fine much higher and never had any trouble with the size, he just got old.Originally posted by Sugar Adam Ali View Post
Also, they fought when Toney was in his prime and McCallum was just out of his and it was an incredibly close, very, very equal fight in terms of everything. They are very close in skill. In fact, I think you could argue that in their primes, McCallum was the better. I wouldn't say it, but you could.
Skill isn't just defensive prowess and I think McCallum is arguably a little more diverse offensively at his best. They both had their little flaws though.
Anyway, I think I'd have it the same too. Very close.
Toney
McCallum
Nunn
KalambayComment
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Do people choose to forget the manner of Kalambay's performance in the first McCallum fight? It always seems like it.Comment
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