Carlos Monzon v Marvin Hagler 15 Rds In Early 1978

[Seamus]

Carlos Monzon makes one more title defense after his 15 rd decision over Rodrigo Valdes in Monte Carlo. As always, my favorite mythical fights are the ones that could really have happened. I'm gonna say Hagler by about 145-140.

[Joson]

This a good question.

Let me start by saying I'd favor the 1976-77 Monzon against the 1978 Hagler. That's because of Carlos's extraordinary flexibility and mastery of open-ring fighting.

But had Monzon continued fighting into 1978, and faced Hagler, he would have lost. I'll explain.

In the 1976-77 Valdez bouts, If you look closely, you can evidence of Carlos's subtle decline. The first bout was uncomfortably close on the cards. The rematch saw him pummeled and floored before storming back to pound the hell out of Valdez. Carlos was starting to look beatable.

The 1971 Carlos, I think, would have KO'd Valdez. But Monzon went into decline after the 1974 Napoles fight, possibly because of inactivity. Age was working against him. By the Valdez bouts, he was already in his mid-30s and had fought nearly a hundred times.

How much would Monzon have left for Marvin in 1978? Not enough, IMO. By then Monzon's faded enough that Hagler wins. That's my guess because the 1978 Hagler, in the beginning of his prime, was that much better than the 1976-78 Valdez, whose ring skills were in decline. If Valdez made it tough for the aging Monzon, Hagler would have made it far tougher. Too tough. At least in the very late 1970s.

[elmersalsa]

This a good question.

Let me start by saying I'd favor the 1976-77 Monzon against the 1978 Hagler. That's because of Carlos's extraordinary physical flexibility and mastery of open-ring fighting.

But had Monzon continued fighting into 1978, and faced Hagler, he would have lost. I'll explain.

In the 1976-77 Valdez bouts, If you look closely, you can evidence of Carlos's decline. The first bout was uncomfortably close on the cards. The rematch saw Monzon pummeled and floored before storming back to pound the hell out of Valdez. He was starting to look beatable.

The 1971 Carlos, I think, would have KO'd Valdez. But Monzon went into decline after the 1974 Napoles fight, possibly because of inactivity. Age was working against him. By the Valdez bouts, he was already in his mid-30s and had fought nearly a hundred times.

How much would Monzon have left for Marvin in 1978? Not enough, IMO. By then Monzon's faded badly enough that Hagler wins. That's my guess because the 1978 Hagler, in the beginning of his prime, was that much better than the 1976-78 Valdez, whose ring skills were in decline. If Valdez made it tough for the aging Monzon, Hagler would have made it far tougher. Too tough. At least in the very late 1970s.

I agree. It was the right time to beat the great Carlos Monzon. And Marvelous would be the right and best choice of all the middleweight contenders of the late 70s.

[The Docker]

Hagler, convincingly too.

[Ezzard]

Not so sure. Hagler hated counter punchers. Monzon had an accurate right hand and he would employ it like Duran did. Only Carlos has more beef on it.

I see it as a more 50-50 affair.

[Ambling Alp II]

See it as 50-50 as well. Monzon was slightly past his best, and Hagler had not quite reached his.

[elmersalsa]

See it as 50-50 as well. Monzon was slightly past his best, and Hagler had not quite reached his.

That's a good point. I could see that.

[dmckenzie]

I've firmly settled on Monzon over Hagler prime for prime over the years.

I get what folk are saying about Monzon being in decline and agree a prime Hagler probably beats a 78 Monzon.
But I don't think a pre-Antuofermo Hagler is prime, I don't even think Hagler was at his best when he won the title, I think we saw the best of him mid way through his reign where the mix of peak physicality blended with championship experience.

Just as a comparitor, In 1978 a 35 year old shop worn bennie Briscoe took rounds off Hagler, Monzon did better against a younger better Bennie (albeit a younger Monzon).

But I don't think that was the best version of Hagler and I reckon Monzon at that stage can old-man that version to a 15 round UD.

[giacomino]

I am a huge fan of both but I tend to agree it's closer to a 50-50 fight, with maybe a slight edge to Monzon. For many the same reasons people have mentioned. Hagler won but still dropped rounds to Vito the Mosquito in late 1979 and was a better fighter after he won the belt. Monzon was well past his best by 1977 but would have been less than a year removed from beating a Valdez who Ko'd Briscoe before fighting Monzon and outpointed him after for middleweight belts. If it was late 1979 or maybe 1980, I might go with Hagler, but by then Monzon would be 37 or 38.

[goose 5]

Monzon by decision . Hagler shows Carlos too much respect like he would later due with Roberto Duran.