On May 21 two British talents square off in the ring - James DeGale and George Groves - in what is being billed as a grudge match between two men who apparently hate each other.
Yet, for all the excitement and anticipation, one can't help feeling a little nostalgic in recalling a similarly heated and hyped contest when Chris Eubank jumped into the fire to challenge for the WBO Middleweight World Championship against the ferocious and frightening Nigel Benn in 1990.
With all due respect to DeGale and Groves, who both pack great potential and obvious talent, it's unlikely they will match the occasion of that hot, crackling night when Eubank heroically prised away the title from Benn after nine see-saw rounds.
Few fights, especially domestically in Britain, can match that fight. For me personally, the greatest fight I have ever seen.
The build-up featured a cracking TV interview with Eubank refusing to even look at Benn. The eccentric Eubank - brought up on the streets of Peckham - played the 'upper crust' character, asking for "some parliamentary procedure". Benn meanwhile got straight to the point: "I personally do hate him."
When the two men faced off at the opening bell, Benn looked seriously pissed off, glaring with disgust at the man in the other corner. Eubank - ever happy to milk the occasion - tapped his gloves slowly and surely and looked ahead as he stood in his peacock pose.
Then sparks flew as the fight took off. Eubank came running in with a crazy overhand right haymaker before backing off on tip-toes as he felt the full force of Benn's fury.
The rounds went back and forth, with Benn angrily marching forward, bobbing and weaving, and gradually realising Eubank's chin was made of granite. Eubank tried to pick his shots but was made to work at an unrelenting pace, defending and then coming back.
Eventually, as the smoke cleared, Eubank prevailed as he stopped Benn on his feet. Both warriors had held nothing back and chipped blocks of each other. What a wonderful, exciting - and bloody and even nasty - contest it was.
The pain and glory of boxing in a nutshell.
Some of the best highlights of the contest can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5PszSE-9s4
* He may have been booed throughout his career, and often played the 'bad guy' with relish, but it's clear that Chris Eubank is missed from boxing.
Eubank had character, he was a brilliant boxer when he chose to be and was as tough as nails.
For those wishing to marvel - and smile too - at his memorable moments, have a look at this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2l5zppPYpA
Yet, for all the excitement and anticipation, one can't help feeling a little nostalgic in recalling a similarly heated and hyped contest when Chris Eubank jumped into the fire to challenge for the WBO Middleweight World Championship against the ferocious and frightening Nigel Benn in 1990.
With all due respect to DeGale and Groves, who both pack great potential and obvious talent, it's unlikely they will match the occasion of that hot, crackling night when Eubank heroically prised away the title from Benn after nine see-saw rounds.
Few fights, especially domestically in Britain, can match that fight. For me personally, the greatest fight I have ever seen.
The build-up featured a cracking TV interview with Eubank refusing to even look at Benn. The eccentric Eubank - brought up on the streets of Peckham - played the 'upper crust' character, asking for "some parliamentary procedure". Benn meanwhile got straight to the point: "I personally do hate him."
When the two men faced off at the opening bell, Benn looked seriously pissed off, glaring with disgust at the man in the other corner. Eubank - ever happy to milk the occasion - tapped his gloves slowly and surely and looked ahead as he stood in his peacock pose.
Then sparks flew as the fight took off. Eubank came running in with a crazy overhand right haymaker before backing off on tip-toes as he felt the full force of Benn's fury.
The rounds went back and forth, with Benn angrily marching forward, bobbing and weaving, and gradually realising Eubank's chin was made of granite. Eubank tried to pick his shots but was made to work at an unrelenting pace, defending and then coming back.
Eventually, as the smoke cleared, Eubank prevailed as he stopped Benn on his feet. Both warriors had held nothing back and chipped blocks of each other. What a wonderful, exciting - and bloody and even nasty - contest it was.
The pain and glory of boxing in a nutshell.
Some of the best highlights of the contest can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5PszSE-9s4
* He may have been booed throughout his career, and often played the 'bad guy' with relish, but it's clear that Chris Eubank is missed from boxing.
Eubank had character, he was a brilliant boxer when he chose to be and was as tough as nails.
For those wishing to marvel - and smile too - at his memorable moments, have a look at this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2l5zppPYpA
Oh it is good It is breaking for me. I am fan of Nigel Benn.
ReplyDeleteNigel Benn