Nigel Benn is one of the best super-middleweights of his era.
The British legend fought the likes of Michael Watson, Chris Eubank and Steve Collins, twice, and also claimed an infamous win over Gerald McClellan. Benn won the WBC super-middleweight belt in 1992 and retained it until 1996 when he was beaten by Thulani Malinga on points.
He also won the WBO title at middleweight, but it is his reign at 168lbs that was more prominent. Despite that success, Benn feels there is another man who competed at super-middleweight that was better than the rest.
Speaking to The Sun Sport, ‘The Dark Destroyer’ admitted that he thinks of all the boxers of recent times, only Joe Calzaghe would have been able to beat anyone from any era.
“Old timers will tell you [Calzaghe] would never have lived with Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler or Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hearns. I disagree – Joe would have beaten them all.
“How many fighters would love to finish with a record like Joe’s? Outside of Wales, I don’t think he got the recognition he deserved. Forty-six fights unbeaten is a heck of an achievement. I don’t think we will ever see his like again.”
Calzaghe, who was known for his fast hand speed and high work rate, famously retired unbeaten after 46 fights.
That run saw him hold the super middleweight championship for a record 10 years and make more than 20 defences before moving up to light heavyweight for his last two fights. They were against Roy Jones Jr and Bernard Hopkins and he won both.
One man who always talks up his chances against Calzaghe had they fought is fellow British super middleweight great Carl Froch, who also questions the Welshman’s points win over Robin Reid.
