Hearns vs Benitez: 25 years ago today on Dec 3, 1982

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 04 Dec 2007, 00:40

What a night of boxing we had on this date in the New Orleans, LA Super Dome on this night 25 years ago.

Wilfredo Gomez had a classic war on his final defense of his WBC Super Bantamweight title against formidable Mexican champion of the WBC Bantamweight class Lupe Pintor. From start to finish it was a war for 14 rounds.

Then, Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns outboxes the defensive master and champion of the WBC Super Welterweight class Wilfred Benitez in 15 rounds. I do not see fights like these anymore. Hearns won his second world title redeeming himself from his only loss to that date to Sugar Ray Leonard.

Oh what a night.

Goodnight, Irene · Post by **Goodnight, Irene** » 04 Dec 2007, 06:54

Something about Benitez evokes a cheer from me, I'm not sure what it is. I couldn't in all honesty call myself a fan, but I like him. Maybe it's the pity I felt for him when I saw the unfortunate matter in which he lost to Leonard, it really was quite unlucky. He was a wonderful fighter --- a genuine defensive wizard, but went downhill quickly. I hate seeing him lose. He is underrated IMO, too.

I don't know what it is about the guy, but I like him without really caring at the same time.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 04 Dec 2007, 07:31

Goodnight, Irene wrote:Something about Benitez evokes a cheer from me, I'm not sure what it is. I couldn't in all honesty call myself a fan, but I like him. Maybe it's the pity I felt for him when I saw the unfortunate matter in which he lost to Leonard, it really was quite unlucky. He was a wonderful fighter --- a genuine defensive wizard, but went downhill quickly. I hate seeing him lose. He is underrated IMO, too.

I don't know what it is about the guy, but I like him without really caring at the same time.

Irene, in which way do you mean unfortunate?

I know he rarely trained too hard.

Goodnight, Irene · Post by **Goodnight, Irene** » 04 Dec 2007, 07:39

I'm referring to the butt, early in the fight. Leonard emerged unscathed, but it produced a nasty cut in Benitez that lasted the remainder of the fight. I thought it genuinely impeded him, & that a rematch would've been worthwhile.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » 04 Dec 2007, 07:53

Goodnight, Irene wrote:I'm referring to the butt, early in the fight. Leonard emerged unscathed, but it produced a nasty cut in Benitez that lasted the remainder of the fight. I thought it genuinely impeded him, & that a rematch would've been worthwhile.

I think he is underrated. He burnt out quite early but did enough early on in his career to be rated right up there.

granberry · Post by **granberry** » 15 Dec 2007, 01:35

Goodnight, Irene wrote:I'm referring to the butt, early in the fight. Leonard emerged unscathed, but it produced a nasty cut in Benitez that lasted the remainder of the fight. I thought it genuinely impeded him, & that a rematch would've been worthwhile.

You got that right.

If Leonard had been the one butted, you would never hear the end of the wailing from Angelo Dundee and the "news" media.

But if the designated loser is butted, "Who cares?"

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 16 Dec 2007, 20:09

granberry wrote:
Goodnight, Irene wrote:I'm referring to the butt, early in the fight. Leonard emerged unscathed, but it produced a nasty cut in Benitez that lasted the remainder of the fight. I thought it genuinely impeded him, & that a rematch would've been worthwhile.
You got that right.

If Leonard had been the one butted, you would never hear the end of the wailing from Angelo Dundee and the "news" media.

But if the designated loser is butted, "Who cares?"

Welcome back, granberry!!!