Classic fights I've watched recently

[elmersalsa]

I've been binge watching this week. I watched Vicente Saldivar vs. Johnny Famechon which was an excellent and very close featherweight championship fight. As is usually the case with Aussie commentators their guy always will get the benefit of the doubt and win but I feel the decision is just. Famechon did start the faster with his excellent skills but Saldivar began to overpower him as was often the case and he eeked out a close one.

Also watched Saldivar's title losing fight with Kuniaki Shibata which was a very good fight. Saldivar in a role reversal of starting the faster but then succumbing to Shibata late. Shibata busted him up pretty good from the 10th onwards but Saldivar wouldn't go away easily. What's pretty cool here is that Nacho Beristain was in Saldivar's corner and aged about 30 but he still looked the same as when he was 60.

Also watched Frankie Crawford-Mando Ramos I which was an excellent, high paced encounter between two young prospects of the time. I watched the Fighting Harada-Pone Kingpetch fights too. Excellent action with Harada fighting at a furious pace. An incredible performance to KO Kingpetch in fight I and the second fight IMO was a robbery but the Thai got the hometown decision. I highly recommend this pair of fights to anyone who's not seen them,

they sound like they're all worth a watch, cheers

Last weeks binge included the Vicente Saldivar-Howard Winstone trilogy, Saldivar-Ismael Laguna (now that one I felt Laguna edged him) and up next are Sugar Ramos-Mando Ramos, Ramos-Floyd Robertson and Shozo Saijo-Frankie Crawford II. All highly recommended too.

The great Vicente Saldivar! What a fighter! El Zurdo de Oro is one of my favorite fighters from Mexico. A top 100 pound per pound ATG in my view.

Did you get my PM? I sent Buchanan-Laguna I to you.

Thanks, man. I am going to see my message

[oogiebe]

Wladimir Klitchko vs Corrie Sanders.

Right before the opening bell, Larry Merchant says, "Wladimir Klitchko is so perfect, you wonder what's wrong with him."

HBO boxing was awesome.

[elmersalsa]

Thanks to you, chrisjs1985 for the upload of the first Ismael Laguna vs Ken Buchanan fight. It was a terrific fast paced fight between two great quality boxing technicians. Both stylists gave the world a great exhibition of pure slick boxing skills. Fighters like those we are not going to see anytime soon. Two lightweight greats. I saw the fight and I think that Laguna won the fight. I scored it 145-142 for Laguna. He at least should have retained his lightweight crown. Buchanan won by split decision. The referee, Waldemar Schmidt of Puerto Rico, gave the score 145-143 for Laguna. The other two Puerto Rican judges gave the fight to Buchanan. It was a close fight that could have gone either way. Laguna dominated the early and middle rounds, but Buchanan clearly won the championship rounds from the 12th round to the 15th.

Even though the contestants were fighting in extreme heating conditions, they didn't lack the fast pace. Both were in great shape for the fight. Both had extremely fast jabs. A classic Lightweight Championship fight that is not talked about much. Both guys could fell short in my view in the ATG pound per pound 100 greatest boxers, but, what a pair of boxers! You gotta be 100% ready to even think about beating either one of these guys in their prime. Great fight.

Thanks chrisjs1985! May JAH bless you!

[chrisjs1985]

Thanks to you, chrisjs1985 for the upload of the first Ismael Laguna vs Ken Buchanan fight. It was a terrific fast paced fight between two great quality boxing technicians. Both stylists gave the world a great exhibition of pure slick boxing skills. Fighters like those we are not going to see anytime soon. Two lightweight greats. I saw the fight and I think that Laguna won the fight. I scored it 145-142 for Laguna. He at least should have retained his lightweight crown. Buchanan won by split decision. The referee, Waldemar Schmidt of Puerto Rico, gave the score 145-143 for Laguna. The other two Puerto Rican judges gave the fight to Buchanan. It was a close fight that could have gone either way. Laguna dominated the early and middle rounds, but Buchanan clearly won the championship rounds from the 12th round to the 15th.

Even though the contestants were fighting in extreme heating conditions, they didn't lack the fast pace. Both were in great shape for the fight. Both had extremely fast jabs. A classic Lightweight Championship fight that is not talked about much. Both guys could fell short in my view in the ATG pound per pound 100 greatest boxers, but, what a pair of boxers! You gotta be 100% ready to even think about beating either one of these guys in their prime. Great fight.

Thanks chrisjs1985! May JAH bless you!

I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's an excellent fight fought at a furious pace and a razor thin fight. Very hard to separate them after 15 rounds.

[handsofstone]

Jose Torres vs Willie Pastrano


Torres stops Pastrano after 9 rounds to become World Light Heavyweight champion, tough night for Pastrano he was never in the fight despite trying to make things happen, trying to pump out the jab but Torres was too fresh and too strong, his peek a boo guard proving tough to get through and Torres had success early with wide shots, big left hooks and overhand rights clipped Pastrano flush and made him backpedal

In the 6th Pastrano was down for the first time in his career when Torres dug in a beautiful left hook to the solar plexus, Pastrano done very well to get up and survive the round, Torres continued to target the body and back Pastrano up


Pastrano was pulled out on his stool by the ref after the 9th round, he was way behind in the fight but I wouldn't say he was taking a bad beating especially for the 60s, I thought he should've been allowed to carry on personally but the ref thought otherwise and Pastrano never fought again, Torres was excellent though, right in the mood

[handsofstone]

Tony Canzoneri vs Jack "Kid" Berg 2+3



Canzoneri KOs Berg in the 3rd to retain his World Lightweight title and win the World Super Lightweight title, Berg had beaten Canzoneri over 10 rounds in an non title fight previously, gave him a beating by all accounts but its not available on youtube, no such trouble here for Canzoneri who fought a smart fight, Berg came out swarming with both hands trying to unsettle Canzoneri but Canzoneri jabbed and countered beautifully with both hands, sometimes with single shots or sometimes with flurries but he was always accurate and he made Berg look crude, in the 3rd Canzoneri caught Berg rushing in with a cracking left hook/right hand which left Berg out face first on the canvas


Canzoneri wins the rubber match by decision to retain his titles, only highlights available but it looked another classy performance from Canzoneri, he played the matador as Berg rushed his work and was countered with ease, Canzoneri scored a knockdown in the 8th but it looked as if a left uppercut caught Berg low but the ref counted, some of Canzoneri's counter punching was quality, sticking out the jab or coming over with a right hand or combo, Berg done better in the closing rounds as Canzoneri held his feet more and it became a slugfest which suited Berg but it was Canzoneri who's classy boxing earned him the win

[elmersalsa]

Carlos Ortiz vs Ismael Laguna I and III

I saw the two fights yesterday. In the first time around, the fight was at Juan Demostenes Arosemena Stadium in Panama City, Panama. American great former heavyweight champion, Jersey Joe Walcott, was the referee. I saw Laguna moving like a hare from side to side and not giving Ortiz an easy target to hit. Laguna was sharp with his combinations. Ortiz was better in the first 5 rounds. But after round 5, it was mostly all Laguna's. Especially, in round 10, which was the best round of the fight. Both men came firing and the local crowd loved it when Laguna had the better of it. He was moving his head and had that spring on his legs. He was in great shape. Both were. It was a fight of two great complete boxers in my view. Ortiz could not figure Laguna out. Laguna was a fighter that he never seen before.

I scored it 147-141 for Laguna. Walcott scored it 144-143, Laguna. American referee, Been Green, had it 145-145. I really don't know what fight he was watching. And judge Ramon Moynes scored it 147-139, Laguna.

The rubber match in the now defunct Shea Stadium in New York City, was a different fight. Laguna was slow and the spring on his legs were not as sharp. Even his punches lacked steam. His head movement like in the first fight disappeared. Ortiz used his upper body strength beautifully and rocked Laguna with some wicked right leads. In round 14, Laguna was hurt, probably ready to go. But, he was game. After the 9th round, the fight was all Carlos Ortiz! He deservedly got the verdict of the judges as the winner. I scored it 8-4-3 in rounds and 146-142 in the 10-point most scoring system. Rounds 3, 4 and 10 were not shown on YouTube through ESPNClassic, so I called them even rounds. But, I guess Ortiz won those rounds, too. I won't be surprised.
American referee, the great Arthur Mercante, had it scored 10-4-1, Ortiz. American judge, Al Berl, also scored it 10-4. And the other American judge, Jack Gordon, had it 11-3, Ortiz.

Carlos Ortiz, the great champion from Puerto Rico was the better man, clearly. He seems that he adjust for the next two fights and deservedly won the rubber match without a shadow of a doubt. He won fair and square. I have not seen fight #2. Whoever has that fight on film, please give me an inbox. Those are rare gems of film that got to be around somewhere. The second fight was in Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico on a Saturday night of November 13, 1965. Ortiz recaptured his lightweight crown.

[Bodyshot3]

Wladimir Klitchko vs Corrie Sanders.

Right before the opening bell, Larry Merchant says, "Wladimir Klitchko is so perfect, you wonder what's wrong with him."

HBO boxing was awesome.

A shade sarcastic....but still funny

Sanders has always intrigued me however....

…..less messing about with his golf, less gimme fights and easy pay cheques at home and more dedication to the sport like training and fighting in London full-time and he might have been more than an interloper, interesting sidebar.

[Onetimeonly]

The most interesting things about Sanders is why he's so incredibly overrated in forums like this.

[oogiebe]

The most interesting things about Sanders is why he's so incredibly overrated in forums like this.

Where do you see anyone rating Sanders? You bring him up every time there's one of those crazy Vitali debates as Vit's best name on his resume, which I agree with. But I don't see him brought up much.

[Onetimeonly]

Where do you see anyone rating Sanders? You bring him up every time there's one of those crazy Vitali debates as Vit's best name on his resume, which I agree with. But I don't see him brought up much.

Search him, there are dedicated threads.

[oogiebe]

Search him, there are dedicated threads.

Ugh! I'm not bothering, I'll take your word for it. I've honestly not noticed.

[Ambling Alp II]

Have heard heard several times on threads that he had incredible hand speed. Never understood where that came from.

[oogiebe]

Have heard heard several times on threads that he had incredible hand speed. Never understood where that came from.

From nowhere.

[chrisjs1985]

Carlos Ortiz vs Ismael Laguna I and III

I saw the two fights yesterday. In the first time around, the fight was at Juan Demostenes Arosemena Stadium in Panama City, Panama. American great former heavyweight champion, Jersey Joe Walcott, was the referee. I saw Laguna moving like a hare from side to side and not giving Ortiz an easy target to hit. Laguna was sharp with his combinations. Ortiz was better in the first 5 rounds. But after round 5, it was mostly all Laguna's. Especially, in round 10, which was the best round of the fight. Both men came firing and the local crowd loved it when Laguna had the better of it. He was moving his head and had that spring on his legs. He was in great shape. Both were. It was a fight of two great complete boxers in my view. Ortiz could not figure Laguna out. Laguna was a fighter that he never seen before.

I scored it 147-141 for Laguna. Walcott scored it 144-143, Laguna. American referee, Been Green, had it 145-145. I really don't know what fight he was watching. And judge Ramon Moynes scored it 147-139, Laguna.

The rubber match in the now defunct Shea Stadium in New York City, was a different fight. Laguna was slow and the spring on his legs were not as sharp. Even his punches lacked steam. His head movement like in the first fight disappeared. Ortiz used his upper body strength beautifully and rocked Laguna with some wicked right leads. In round 14, Laguna was hurt, probably ready to go. But, he was game. After the 9th round, the fight was all Carlos Ortiz! He deservedly got the verdict of the judges as the winner. I scored it 8-4-3 in rounds and 146-142 in the 10-point most scoring system. Rounds 3, 4 and 10 were not shown on YouTube through ESPNClassic, so I called them even rounds. But, I guess Ortiz won those rounds, too. I won't be surprised.
American referee, the great Arthur Mercante, had it scored 10-4-1, Ortiz. American judge, Al Berl, also scored it 10-4. And the other American judge, Jack Gordon, had it 11-3, Ortiz.

Carlos Ortiz, the great champion from Puerto Rico was the better man, clearly. He seems that he adjust for the next two fights and deservedly won the rubber match without a shadow of a doubt. He won fair and square. I have not seen fight #2. Whoever has that fight on film, please give me an inbox. Those are rare gems of film that got to be around somewhere. The second fight was in Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico on a Saturday night of November 13, 1965. Ortiz recaptured his lightweight crown.

I've had my eyes on trying to get that re-match for years and years. I saw a clip once but nothing more. Something about some of those 60's and early 70's fights in Puerto Rico like Ortiz-Ramos II, Ortiz-Vailant II, Ortiz-Laguna II etc; they just don't seem easy to find. I heard that Ortiz dominated the re-match, was able to impose his physical advantage on Laguna far more than fight I.

The third fight was a masterpiece and the last great performance of Ortiz' career. He was the underdog and many thought he was ripe for the picking that night but he had arguably never looked better IMO.

[oogiebe]

Edwin Valero vs Vicente Mosquera

Valero such a tragic figure. 27-0 (27KOS). Ah what might have been.

The first three four rounds were a slugfest, with Valero taking control and going on for the 10th round Kayo. First and only time Valero was knocked down in his career. Not a classic fight, but a real enjoyable one.

[handsofstone]

Tony Canzoneri vs Lou Ambers 1


Canzoneri outpoints Ambers over 15 to win the vacant World Lightweight title putting him down 3 times in the process, another fight not available in full but Canzoneri looked the boss from whats shown, he had Ambers down with a big right hand in the 3rd then again straight away with another cuffing right, it was a technical fight fought mostly on the outside, both men with low hands shooting out the jab, both men had success but Canzoneri was winning more rounds with his activity, he had Ambers down in the 15th from another right, Ambers got right up and was firing back until the end but Canzoneri regained his old title


Ambers would outpoint Canzoneri in a rematch to win the title and retained it in a rubber match again via decision but neither avaialble

[Onetimeonly]

Canzo was a great fighter. Maybe top 10 ever, he mcclarnin and Ross all tend to get underrated. Tony is a perfect example why ko% is such a silly stat. Dude could bang.

[handsofstone]

Tony Canzoneri vs Jimmy McClarnin 1


Canzoneri outpoints McClarnin comfortably over 10 in a non title fight, he was hurt a couple of times in the 1st round though, rocked from a right hand, McClarnin tore in about him and the bell couldn't come quick enough for Canzoneri, after that Canzoneri put on a bit of a clinic, outboxing McClarnin, jabbing him, countering him, he had his best success with the left hook/right hand combination, even if the left would miss the right would always land he couldn't miss McClarnin with it, Canzoneri hurt McClarnin bad in the 9th and it was a rout for Canzoneri who again kept nailing him with the right hand over the top, McClarnin took his licks bravely but by the end there was no doubt Canzoneri was the clear winner


McClarnin won a rematch on points over 10 but its not available

[PredatorHayds]

Lueshing-Saunders 2

Absolute War.
Seems to of become a forgotten gem.
Basically a British Hagler-Hearns.

[handsofstone]

Joey Giardello vs Rubin Carter



Giardello wins a 15 round UD over Carter to retain his World Middleweight title, close fight and although I agree Giardello deserved it I wouldn't have been surprised if Carter got it, he was the more dangerous, the harder hitter and hurt Giardello several times, especially in the 4th where he gave Giardello a bit of a pounding, he stunned him a few times late as well, Carter was dangerous up close to the body where he'd fire in hard attacks from both hands

All in all though it was the slicker boxing skills and more steadier workrate of Giardello which won him the fight, his jab was excellent, he was able to fight the whole fight on the backfoot and for the most part outbox Carter, counter him the left hook or come over with a right then move out of danger and he picked up a handy lead, Carter did finish strong trying to get the KO but Giardello's ring craft made sure he made it to the end fairly comfortably

[handsofstone]

Gene Fullmer vs Benny Paret


Fullmer KOs reigning Welterweight champ Paret in the 10th to retain his World Middleweight title, easy to see why a lot of people thought this fight contributed to Paret's death in his next fight against Griffith, it was brutal from start to finish, both guys in the pocket, no holding just slugging away at each other, excellent fight and underrated compared to some of the other so called great fights

Both men were throwing and landing bombs from the 1st bell, Paret landed some big shots but they bounced off Fullmer who was landing everything he threw, rights and lefts to head and body but it was the uppercuts he drove up through the middle on the inside which were the shots that were really damaging Paret, as I said Fullmer couldn't miss, Paret bravely gave as good as he got but Fullmer was just too strong and durable to break down and he got on top of Paret finally in the 10th, a barrage of punches rained down on Paret who went down eventually to a clubbing left hook, another bombardment had him down again, he somehow managed to get up but a left hook/right hand had him down for the count

Savage fight and highly recommended

[handsofstone]

Paul Pender vs Terry Downes 1+3



Pender stops Downes in the 7th to retain his World Middleweight title, the ref waved it off due to severe bleeding of Downes nose, shame as Downes was just warming into the fight after a fast start from Pender who had Downes down heavily in the 1st after crashing a right hand straight into his jaw, after that Pender used his height and reach to jab Downes and counter him with those long leavers, Downes the smaller man was able to get in close and make inroads in the 5th and was battering Pender up close, by then the nose of Downes was bleeding heavily and about a minute into the 7th with the fight evenly balnced the ref stepped in to wave it off

Downes stops Pender after 9 rounds of the rematch to win the Middleweight crown, again it was stopped on a cut but this time it was Pender's eye which caused the stoppage, apart from about a minute of action including the stoppage the fights not available

Pender outpoints Downes over 15 in the rubber match to regain the Middleweight title, footage only available from the 8th round onwards which is sh1t but it looked another close one with Pender preferring to try keep thing at long range, keeping Downes at the end of the long jab and coming over with counter hooks and combinations, Downes as ever was better up close working away to the body roughing Pender up, Pender seemed to stun Downes momenterely in the 15th when he walked him onto a right hand but Downes recovered well and was right back in Pender's face until the bell, still it was Pender who got the decision, close looking fight pity its not online in full

[elmersalsa]

Gene Fullmer vs Benny Paret


Fullmer KOs reigning Welterweight champ Paret in the 10th to retain his World Middleweight title, easy to see why a lot of people thought this fight contributed to Paret's death in his next fight against Griffith, it was brutal from start to finish, both guys in the pocket, no holding just slugging away at each other, excellent fight and underrated compared to some of the other so called great fights

Both men were throwing and landing bombs from the 1st bell, Paret landed some big shots but they bounced off Fullmer who was landing everything he threw, rights and lefts to head and body but it was the uppercuts he drove up through the middle on the inside which were the shots that were really damaging Paret, as I said Fullmer couldn't miss, Paret bravely gave as good as he got but Fullmer was just too strong and durable to break down and he got on top of Paret finally in the 10th, a barrage of punches rained down on Paret who went down eventually to a clubbing left hook, another bombardment had him down again, he somehow managed to get up but a left hook/right hand had him down for the count

Savage fight and highly recommended

Benny Parent after beating and recovering his Welterweight world championship from the great Emile Griffith, he tried to avoid Griffith for a third fight. That's why he challenged World middleweight champ Gene Fullmer.

[Onetimeonly]

Lol, that's like people that say Duran and hearns avoided McCallum by fighting hagler and each other.