By Graeme Spindel: In it’s short, 27-year history, the 168 lb. weight class that sits between the more historical divisions of middleweight and light-heavyweight, lays boast to some of the most scintillation fights, performances and fighters of any weight anywhere in the world. It has seen the most iconic Brits, the best pound-for-pound Americans, and the most effective Europeans. Here we look at my chosen top half-dozen list since the SMW creation based on quality of fighter, competition and performance, as well as longevity and intangiables combined.
#1 Joe Calzaghe
Britain’s Calzaghe lays boast to many impressive scalps at the weight that include former champions Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Richie Woodhall, Charles Brewer and Byron Mitchell and reigning champions Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler. A sharp-handed southpaw who landed tight left uppercuts behind spearing right jabs and frequently unleashed multi-punch combinations. Calzaghe was unblemished in his 43 fights at the weight, making 21 world title defenses and unifying all four major world titles. He proved his completeness in ability and versatility in knocking down legend Eubank, outbrawling Brewer, stopping Mitchell, outboxing Lacy and changing tactics mid-fight against two-title king Kessler. He landed more than 1,000 punches as underdog against fellow world champion Lacy, which is unheard of. There can be little doubt that Joe Calzaghe is the greatest super middleweight of all-time.
#2 Nigel Benn
Another Briton, the once-wild Benn calmed down his game after moving from middleweight to super-middleweight. He travelled to Rome, Italy for his world title chance at the weight and battered local hero Mauro Galvano to lift the crown with right hands and body shots from a bob and weave crouch, rather than the hooks and overhand swings from a standing position as was his previous trademark. The new, effective style saw Benn through nine successful title defenses that included a return 12-round victory over former champion Galvano, vicious stoppages of fellow Britons Nicky Piper and Lou Gent, a draw with masterful fellow Brit Chris Eubank, a masterclass over another fellow Brit Henry Wharton, easy victories over future world champion Vincenzo Nardiello and late replacements Giminez & Perez, and his career-defining tragic fight with America’s superpuncher Gerald McClellan, that finished him as a fighter despite victory and is rightly regarded as one of the greatest slugfests in history.
#3 Chris Eubank
Yet another Briton, Eubank, like Benn, was a former middleweight champion turned super-middleweight champion. Eubank kicked off his super-middleweight career with a stunning, come-from-behind stoppage victory over yet another world class Briton at the weight in the shape of Michael Watson, in a true yet tragic classic. In a few short years, Eubank had the scalps of the likes of Sugar Boy Malinga, Tony Thornton, Graciano Rocchigiani (in hostile Berlin) and Henry Wharton at their best, as well a unification draw with reigning champion Benn and victory over former champion Lindell Holmes. Eubank looked to have beaten Steve Collins in the Irishman’s homeland but suffered his first career defeat on the scorecards, after 15 straight world super-middleweight title successes. Eubank was an awesome showman with a difficult stance, impressive stiff jab and slick, crafty style of counter-boxing.
#4 Roy Jones Jnr
Florida’s sensation Roy Jones sent a message to the super-middleweight world following his sixth-round one-shot KO victory over Sugar Boy Malinga, who had gone the 12-round distance against Eubank and Benn. The following year, he completely befuddled pound-for-pound king James Toney with speed punching, surreal reflexes and a leaping style to gain victory and world championship status at the weight. Antoine Byrd, Vinny Pazienza, Tony Thornton and Eric Lucas barely laid a glove on Jones and were hit at will with leading power shots and lightning flurries in easy stoppage victory title defenses. However, the aforementioned names were either past their best, or not one of the best to begin with. What lets Jones down is the lack of quality competition he took on.
#5 Andre Ward
LA’s Ward, recent winner of the Super 6 tourney, is an undefeated career super-middleweight and reigning two-title champion of the weight, with scalps that include world champions Kessler and Carl Froch, in comfortable victories, and former middleweight champion Arthur Abraham. Ward can move around the ring and brawl up-close equally well, throw a long lead right hand or short counter left hook with equal measure, and is evasive and efficient — we may yet to have seen the best of this young man, but what a mighty fine impact he has already made on the division.
#6 Sven Ottke
Germany’s Ottke was a skilful and very crafty operator with a spotless, undefeated record. A career super-middleweight and two-title champion, Ottke boasts the names Charles Brewer, Glen Johnson, Anthony Mundine, Byron Mitchell and Robin Reid on his ledger. An excellent ring general, difficult to nail and adept at clinching, twisting and turning. All that goes against Sven is his unwillingness to travel beyond his home country and lack of impressive stoppage victories. One of the most successful super middleweights of all-time.