Peaks & Troughs Of Great Fighters...

[Goodnight, Irene]

We name a fighter, & let the next answer with their own view as to what that fighters' career high & lowlight was. Example...

Marco Antonio Barrera:

Highlight was the first victory against Erik Morales. Lowlight was the second loss to Manny Pacquiao.

First cab off the rank is Puerto Rico's defensive masterclass, Wilfred Benitez...

[allworld80]

Peak, for me, was the laser guided bomb that finished Maurice Hope.

Trough was the loss to Hamsho, which was essentially the end of his prime.

Next up, Julio Cesar Chavez.

[Goodnight, Irene]

"Peak, for me, was the laser guided bomb that finished Maurice Hope.

Trough was the loss to Hamsho, which was essentially the end of his prime.

Next up, Julio Cesar Chavez." - Tzyu

Wow. Would've thought Benitez's chief claim to fame --- his age when he won the belt --- would've been a shoo-in for his highlight. Point well taken about the shot which sent Hope on his way, though. Brilliant punch.

Peak: His star never shone so bright as of 17-03-1990, when he bested Taylor. A career pinnacle, in spite of the controversy. It typified the never-say-die attitude so many boxers aspire to, but only the likes of Chavez could ever actually live upto.

Trough: The loss to Tszyu. As painful as Chavez's losses to De La Hoya were for him (he hated De La Hoya), this was kind of the last hurrah on the world-stage for him. It was the last truly great opponent he ever fought, & he was hopelessly outclassed. As much as he was already effectively out of the picture anyway, this defeat officially shut the door on Julio Cesar Chavez.

Joel Casamayor?

[allworld80]

Peak was the first Corrales fight where he literally punched a hold in Chico's mouth, with a little help from the mouthpiece.

Low point was the Santa Cruz fight, which was a terrible display by him, compounded by an even worse gift decision he received.

Next up, a former Casamayor opponent..

Jose Luis Castillo

[IKSRTFO]

Jose Luis Castillo:

Peak: Pretty much being the first one give Mayweather major trouble. Even though he lost, the outcome is debatable and very few if any has come as close as him. I can't count his Corrales victory because he didn't make weight.

Trough: Being stopped by Hatton in the 4th round, which never wouldve happened in Castillo's prime.


Next: Thomas Hearns.

[dr_devious]

Tommy Hearns peak - his chilling KO of Roberto Duran
Tommy Hearns trough - getting KO'd by Iran Barkley

Next: Bernard Hopkins

[Goodnight, Irene]

Tommy Hearns peak - his chilling KO of Roberto Duran
Tommy Hearns trough - getting KO'd by Iran Barkley

Next: Bernard Hopkins

Peak: Absolutely, unquestionably, the TKO of Trinidad. What an event to look back on. I still remember that fight's build-up as though it were yesterday. It really stands out in my mind as the clearest big-event fight I've watched come together, rightly or wrongly. Hopkins' star never shone so bright, as he silenced a fanatical nation.

Trough: The second loss to Taylor. The first was tough, but there was kind of a hope, given how close it was, he could come back. You knew it wasn't happening when he lost the rematch. Kind of mirrors the Holmes-Spinks situation, almost to a tee, come to think of it.

Julio Cesar Vasquez?