I haven't posted here in 6 years and Elmersalsa and Ambling Alp are still at it when I get back
Love it
The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
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Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15097
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Good to have you back. I ignore most of his crap, but sometimes I can't help myself.
When Leonard said he wasn't fighting Hagler in 1982, it was because he was retiring. He had a detached retina. Maybe you didn't hear about that. He wasn't going to fight anyone. That is retiring, not ducking. Can you seriously not understand that? Do you have any comprehension skills at all?
Beat Marvin Hagler after 1 fight in 5 years is not overrated? Name some other fighters who beat a great fighter with that kind of ring rust? Can't be more a handful. If was easy, everyone would do it. What trainer would intentionally to keep their guy out of the ring for that length of time to get ready for a fight?
That would be like having a guy retire right, now, fight one fight in five years and then take on a great fighter. You are at huge disadvantage doing that. Which Leonard was.
Duran wasn't a legend before he beat Leonard. Take out Leonard, and what is Duran's best win? Palomino? Ken Buchanan? That is quite a drop.
Take out Leonard's win over Duran, and he beat Hagler, He beat Hearns. He beat Benitez of course.
Yes, I know Sanchez died young. However, you can't assume that he would have done anything more. If Benitez would have died at 24, would you rank him higher than #68? Of course not.
Gato Gonzalez had a more impressive career than Benítez? Really?
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Yeah! It is called retirement of who really wants to believe that. After seeing the skills of Marvelous, THAT'S WHEN THE CHALLENGE CAME ABOUT. Anybody that really knows about the times would agree with me.Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑22 Jul 2023, 18:23
I ignore most of his crap, but sometimes I can't help myself.
When Leonard said he wasn't fighting Hagler in 1982, it was because he was retiring. He had a detached retina. Maybe you didn't hear about that. He wasn't going to fight anyone. That is retiring, not ducking. Can you seriously not understand that? Do you have any comprehension skills at all?
Beat Marvin Hagler after 1 fight in 5 years is not overrated? Name some other fighters who beat a great fighter with that kind of ring rust? Can't be more a handful. If was easy, everyone would do it. What trainer would intentionally to keep their guy out of the ring for that length of time to get ready for a fight?
That would be like having a guy retire right, now, fight one fight in five years and then take on a great fighter. You are at huge disadvantage doing that. Which Leonard was.
Duran wasn't a legend before he beat Leonard. Take out Leonard, and what is Duran's best win? Palomino? Ken Buchanan? That is quite a drop.
Take out Leonard's win over Duran, and he beat Hagler, He beat Hearns. He beat Benitez of course.
Yes, I know Sanchez died young. However, you can't assume that he would have done anything more. If Benitez would have died at 24, would you rank him higher than #68? Of course not.
Gato Gonzalez had a more impressive career than Benítez? Really?
ANYBODY THAT DISAGREES RAISE YOUR HAND!
Everyone in here knows that Roberto Duran was already a hall of fame fighter and an all-time great pound per pound before meeting Sugar Ray Leonard. He was considered the fighter of the 70s decade and the greatest lightweight of all-time according to the boxing experts. This is a FACT! Shall he retired, he was automatically a first-ballot hall of famer.
His win over Sugar Ray puts him with the true all time pound per pound greats. It's not because he won the title from Leonard. It was how he did it! Jumping 12 pounds and beat a guy that was younger, faster, stronger, taller and bigger than he, who was already considered an all-time great pound per pound fighter in the making. That's why that win was so extraordinary.
And again, I asked you:
Did Leonard jumped 12 pounds and beat someone as great as he was in his prime? Nope. Everybody knows that Marvelous was fading. He was only fighting one fight per year since 1985.
Did Benitez did that? Nope
Marvelous did it? Nope
Hearns did it? Nope
ANYBODY THAT DISAGREES RAISE YOUR HAND!
Whatcha talkin' about, Alp? (In Arnold of Diff'rent Strokes tone)
One fight in 5 years? And then beat a fading Marvelous does not fool a real boxing fan that followed the times closely. That was OVERRATED! Even a blind man can see it. It was only impressive for guys like you who are Leonard's fans. I am a Leonard's fan and I have never fall for that overrated stuff....Please, pump the breaks, here!
Vicente Saldivar's come back was much more impressive. Even Eder Jofre's. You could also put George Foreman's comeback much more impressive than Sugar Ray's. Foreman was out for ten years!
What are you talking about?
Benitez career, even when finished, couldn't be much better than Salvador Sanchez's. Sanchez while only had one title, beat Wilfredo Gomez. A prime Wilfredo Gomez! What Benitez win was better than that? His win over a blown up lightweight that was in his No Mas spectrum at the time? A guy that was trying to show that he still had it to get at Leonard that soon? It backfired. He wasn't ready for the 154lbs class. And guess what? It was his worst weight class. It wasn't his range. But, you don't want to comprehend that because it's Duran, the man that you loooovvvee to hate!
After that massive win, Benitez dropped as fast as you can read this. He didn't do a godamned thing after Thomas Hearns. I don't think that that would have happened to Sanchez. He was still going strong at 23.
I mentioned Rodolfo "Gato" Gonzalez, because Gato started at young age of 14 just like Benitez. Not because he was better. Gato was not finished at 24. Benitez was.
Alexis Arguello, Roberto Duran, Salvador Sanchez, Ted "Kid" Lewis. They all were teenagers when they turned pro. Just like Benitez. But, they weren't finished at 24 like Benitez did. Of the guys mentioned above, I ranked Benitez over Lewis. But the rest? They were much more better than he.
ANYONE THAT DISAGREES, RAISE YOUR HAND!
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Alongside Dagosd and his Classic west coast thread, you and Elmer arguing was my favourite thing about this placeAmbling Alp II wrote: ↑22 Jul 2023, 18:23
I ignore most of his crap, but sometimes I can't help myself.
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Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15097
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
I have to be in the mood for it. I know that a lot elmo's silliness (which always favors the fighter that he likes better) will come into play. Never know how much of this is going straight over his head. I think my favorite one was a couple of years ago and he was figuring out KO% wrong. Since it's a math thing, it was easily provable that he was wrong. He answered that he has his own "criteria".
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Back talking about the great Wilfred Benitez, Benitez culminated his third and last fight of the year 1978.
All of the fights were fought at MSG in New York City, where he became a household name for Puerto Rican boxing fans. It will be also his last fight at the Garden in his prime.
His last victim was a guy from Guyana named Vernon Lewis. Lewis had a record of 25-5-1 with only 9 knockouts. He was a straight up boxer style.
Benitez was dominating the first 3 rounds when in round four, a right upper cut by Lewis almost put Benitez down. Benitez was on queer street by a fighter that could not hit a lick.
Round 5 and Benitez was still in trouble. He was clearing his head from that wicked shot in the fourth round.
When his head was all cleared up by round 6, Benitez resumed dominating the fight again with beautiful boxing prowess. It was all Benitez from round six on.
Benitez won clearly by unanimous decision. And his record improves to 36-0-1, with 24KOs.
Next for Benitez, was a shot for the WBC World Welterweight crown held by champion Carlos Palomino of California.
All of the fights were fought at MSG in New York City, where he became a household name for Puerto Rican boxing fans. It will be also his last fight at the Garden in his prime.
His last victim was a guy from Guyana named Vernon Lewis. Lewis had a record of 25-5-1 with only 9 knockouts. He was a straight up boxer style.
Benitez was dominating the first 3 rounds when in round four, a right upper cut by Lewis almost put Benitez down. Benitez was on queer street by a fighter that could not hit a lick.
Round 5 and Benitez was still in trouble. He was clearing his head from that wicked shot in the fourth round.
When his head was all cleared up by round 6, Benitez resumed dominating the fight again with beautiful boxing prowess. It was all Benitez from round six on.
Benitez won clearly by unanimous decision. And his record improves to 36-0-1, with 24KOs.
Next for Benitez, was a shot for the WBC World Welterweight crown held by champion Carlos Palomino of California.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
It was Sunday, January 14, 1979 at the Hiram Bithorn Baseball Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Wilfred "El Radar" Benitez is the #1 contender for Carlos Palomino's WBC World Welterweight crown.
It was Palomino's 7th title defense. Somehow, he wanted the title fight to be in Los Angeles, CA. But, the fight was scheduled to be in the middle of the San Juan hot sun at 1pm. Palomino, though, received $450,000 dollars for this title defense. The highest payday of his career.
Born in Sonora, Mexico, Palomino, 29, was not considered a Mexican boxer. He grew up in California. He came to the US soil at young age of ten with his family. He also served in the US Army, where he honed his boxing craft. He also went to serve the US Army in Vietnam War. He learnt English, went to high school and was a college student graduate. So boxing was not his only vocation. He had an education to fall back on. Plus, he was studying to be an actor and appeared in a Miller Lite Beer commercial. He befriended famous actor Ryan O'Neal, who himself was a boxing fan. And for most important of all, he became a US citizen.
There were talks about a title unification match against his WBA World Welterweight counterpart, the hard-hitting Pipino Cuevas of Mexico after this fight if he comes back to America victorious.
Palomino came to San Juan with a record of 27-1-3, with 15KOs. He, like many Mexican and Chicano fighters, was a student of how to throw a left hook to the liver. He was tall for a welterweight, 5'9", handsome with a thick mustache, and very intelligent with an engaging personality. He was primarily seen as a straight up slugger. But, he could also box by throwing the left jab.
For Benitez at 20, it was his second world title opportunity as a challenger. He was on his way for his second world title in his second weight class. He looked sharp and ready. He really trained hard for this fight. Something that he has been criticized in former bouts before this one. He took it seriously. He was determined to give a great show to his countrymen.
Hiram Bithorn Stadium was the first time that at age 17, he became the youngest world champion in history. Now, at 20, he is going to use all his boxing skills and experience to wit against an outstanding champion.
Benitez came to the ring with a new trainer. His name? The retired all-time great pound per pound fighter and former three-time World Welterweight and twice middleweight World Champion Emile Griffith of the US Virgin Islands. Benitez's father, Gregorio, was also in his corner.
Benitez record at the time was an unbeaten record of 36-0-1, with 24 wins before the distance.
It was a packed house at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Even though the sun was out there and the temperature was at 87 degrees, it didn't deprive the fans from the heat to see their young boxing hero.
The fight started by both fighters cautiously studying each other. Palomino is a slow starter. So Benitez started the action. Benitez somewhat dominated the first three rounds. By round four, Palomino started to pressure. Rounds 5 and 6 we're good rounds for Palomino that scored to the mainly to the body.
Then, rounds 7 to 10, Benitez entertained his hometown crowd with excellent boxing. He had that jab, a fast jab and countering hard with shots that stunned the champion. The 9th round was the best round of the fight in which the crowd was standing up for every blow thrown and chanting "Benitez!", "Benitez!", "Benitez!"
Palomino, known also for great stamina and strength, turned the tide in the 11th and 12th rounds. By the end of the twelfth round, the fight was kind of close. One of the two had to finish strong.
Pushed by the corner and exhorted by the crowd, Benitez absorbing some wicked shots to the liver by the champion Palomino, used all his ring generalship skills. His stamina was superb, throwing flashy combinations and exciting the crowd. He was really impressive. Palomino was impressive also. Somebody gotta win in this close fight.
Benitez closed the show of the last two rounds. Every punch he connected, the hometown crowd roared. And that, I believe that turned out to be the judges' decision to award him the fight.
When the final round was over, the crowd roared. They were now awaiting the results of the judges' decision.
When it was said and done, Benitez won the fight by a split decision.
American judge, Zach Clayton had the fight scored 145-142 for Palomino.
Judge Harry Gibbs of England had the fight scored 146-143 for Benitez.
And finally, American referee Jay Edison had the fight scored 148-143 for the winner by split decision and new WBC World Welterweight Champion: Wilfred Benitez!
After the announcement of the decision, a great roar came from the crowd and the full-packed jammed ring lifted Benitez on their shoulders as their new champion.
Palomino was graceful in the defeat. But, he believes that he won the fight. He didn't take nothing away from the new young champion. His friend, actor Ryan O'Neal, thought otherwise. Until this day O'Neal wholeheartedly believes that his pal won the fight.
I scored the fight 145-143 in favor of Benitez.
Benitez, the new champion, improves to 37-0-1, with 24KOs.
Palomino dropped to 27-2-3, with 15KOs and left his heart and crown in San Juan. He fought great.
It was Palomino's 7th title defense. Somehow, he wanted the title fight to be in Los Angeles, CA. But, the fight was scheduled to be in the middle of the San Juan hot sun at 1pm. Palomino, though, received $450,000 dollars for this title defense. The highest payday of his career.
Born in Sonora, Mexico, Palomino, 29, was not considered a Mexican boxer. He grew up in California. He came to the US soil at young age of ten with his family. He also served in the US Army, where he honed his boxing craft. He also went to serve the US Army in Vietnam War. He learnt English, went to high school and was a college student graduate. So boxing was not his only vocation. He had an education to fall back on. Plus, he was studying to be an actor and appeared in a Miller Lite Beer commercial. He befriended famous actor Ryan O'Neal, who himself was a boxing fan. And for most important of all, he became a US citizen.
There were talks about a title unification match against his WBA World Welterweight counterpart, the hard-hitting Pipino Cuevas of Mexico after this fight if he comes back to America victorious.
Palomino came to San Juan with a record of 27-1-3, with 15KOs. He, like many Mexican and Chicano fighters, was a student of how to throw a left hook to the liver. He was tall for a welterweight, 5'9", handsome with a thick mustache, and very intelligent with an engaging personality. He was primarily seen as a straight up slugger. But, he could also box by throwing the left jab.
For Benitez at 20, it was his second world title opportunity as a challenger. He was on his way for his second world title in his second weight class. He looked sharp and ready. He really trained hard for this fight. Something that he has been criticized in former bouts before this one. He took it seriously. He was determined to give a great show to his countrymen.
Hiram Bithorn Stadium was the first time that at age 17, he became the youngest world champion in history. Now, at 20, he is going to use all his boxing skills and experience to wit against an outstanding champion.
Benitez came to the ring with a new trainer. His name? The retired all-time great pound per pound fighter and former three-time World Welterweight and twice middleweight World Champion Emile Griffith of the US Virgin Islands. Benitez's father, Gregorio, was also in his corner.
Benitez record at the time was an unbeaten record of 36-0-1, with 24 wins before the distance.
It was a packed house at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Even though the sun was out there and the temperature was at 87 degrees, it didn't deprive the fans from the heat to see their young boxing hero.
The fight started by both fighters cautiously studying each other. Palomino is a slow starter. So Benitez started the action. Benitez somewhat dominated the first three rounds. By round four, Palomino started to pressure. Rounds 5 and 6 we're good rounds for Palomino that scored to the mainly to the body.
Then, rounds 7 to 10, Benitez entertained his hometown crowd with excellent boxing. He had that jab, a fast jab and countering hard with shots that stunned the champion. The 9th round was the best round of the fight in which the crowd was standing up for every blow thrown and chanting "Benitez!", "Benitez!", "Benitez!"
Palomino, known also for great stamina and strength, turned the tide in the 11th and 12th rounds. By the end of the twelfth round, the fight was kind of close. One of the two had to finish strong.
Pushed by the corner and exhorted by the crowd, Benitez absorbing some wicked shots to the liver by the champion Palomino, used all his ring generalship skills. His stamina was superb, throwing flashy combinations and exciting the crowd. He was really impressive. Palomino was impressive also. Somebody gotta win in this close fight.
Benitez closed the show of the last two rounds. Every punch he connected, the hometown crowd roared. And that, I believe that turned out to be the judges' decision to award him the fight.
When the final round was over, the crowd roared. They were now awaiting the results of the judges' decision.
When it was said and done, Benitez won the fight by a split decision.
American judge, Zach Clayton had the fight scored 145-142 for Palomino.
Judge Harry Gibbs of England had the fight scored 146-143 for Benitez.
And finally, American referee Jay Edison had the fight scored 148-143 for the winner by split decision and new WBC World Welterweight Champion: Wilfred Benitez!
After the announcement of the decision, a great roar came from the crowd and the full-packed jammed ring lifted Benitez on their shoulders as their new champion.
Palomino was graceful in the defeat. But, he believes that he won the fight. He didn't take nothing away from the new young champion. His friend, actor Ryan O'Neal, thought otherwise. Until this day O'Neal wholeheartedly believes that his pal won the fight.
I scored the fight 145-143 in favor of Benitez.
Benitez, the new champion, improves to 37-0-1, with 24KOs.
Palomino dropped to 27-2-3, with 15KOs and left his heart and crown in San Juan. He fought great.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
On March 25, 1979 was Harold Weston's turn to challenge the great WBC World Welterweight Champion, Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico at Benitez's home crowd in Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.
Weston, 26, since having the draw with Benitez two years earlier, fought 6 times, winning 5 fights. He beat top contenders Andy Price and Jimmy Heair and challenged WBA World Welterweight Champion Pipino Cuevas of Mexico losing to Cuevas by a 9th round stoppage.
Now he is trying his luck again against Benitez, this time for the title. It was Benitez's first title defense.
Weston started fast and probably win the first round. But, he lacked continuity. He never did pressure Benitez again like he did on the first round. After the first round, it was all Benitez and big.
Benitez, 20, dominated the fight with sublime boxing. He was the master out there in the counterpunching and made Weston missed too many shots. This time, there was no doubt of who was the winner.
In round 12, a straight Benitez's right hand wobble Weston and he was almost stopped. It was a master class and fine exhibition by the great young champ.
I don't know what was the fuss of his father Gregorio, who came late to Benitez's corner. He was not around in the beginning of the contest. He looked or seemed mad at his son of how he was boxing. He wanted more action. But, in reality, Benitez had this fight under control. He never really needed his father in there.
When the final bell came, everyone in the arena knew that their young Champion won. It was unanimous decision and still the WBC World Welterweight Champion, Wilfred Benitez.
Benitez improves to 38-0-1 with 24KOs. Now, there were talks about a title defense in Monte Carlo, Monaco against Dave "Boy" Green of England in May. A fight that didn't happen.
Meanwhile, Weston had his next fight and it was his last. On May 20, 1979, Weston was stopped by rising and unbeaten welterweight contender Thomas Hearns of Detroit, MI in 6 rounds. Weston suffered a detached retina in the fight with Hearns and retired with a record of 26-9-5 with 9KOs.
Weston, 26, since having the draw with Benitez two years earlier, fought 6 times, winning 5 fights. He beat top contenders Andy Price and Jimmy Heair and challenged WBA World Welterweight Champion Pipino Cuevas of Mexico losing to Cuevas by a 9th round stoppage.
Now he is trying his luck again against Benitez, this time for the title. It was Benitez's first title defense.
Weston started fast and probably win the first round. But, he lacked continuity. He never did pressure Benitez again like he did on the first round. After the first round, it was all Benitez and big.
Benitez, 20, dominated the fight with sublime boxing. He was the master out there in the counterpunching and made Weston missed too many shots. This time, there was no doubt of who was the winner.
In round 12, a straight Benitez's right hand wobble Weston and he was almost stopped. It was a master class and fine exhibition by the great young champ.
I don't know what was the fuss of his father Gregorio, who came late to Benitez's corner. He was not around in the beginning of the contest. He looked or seemed mad at his son of how he was boxing. He wanted more action. But, in reality, Benitez had this fight under control. He never really needed his father in there.
When the final bell came, everyone in the arena knew that their young Champion won. It was unanimous decision and still the WBC World Welterweight Champion, Wilfred Benitez.
Benitez improves to 38-0-1 with 24KOs. Now, there were talks about a title defense in Monte Carlo, Monaco against Dave "Boy" Green of England in May. A fight that didn't happen.
Meanwhile, Weston had his next fight and it was his last. On May 20, 1979, Weston was stopped by rising and unbeaten welterweight contender Thomas Hearns of Detroit, MI in 6 rounds. Weston suffered a detached retina in the fight with Hearns and retired with a record of 26-9-5 with 9KOs.
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Any chance of editing the OP to include a summary of the list so far?
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
I have been looking for an article in why Wilfred Benitez didn't fight Dave "Boy" Green of England who was the mandatory challenger for May 1979 in Monte Carlo.
Anybody would like to say something about why this mandatory didn't happen?
Benitez spent most of the year 1979 goofing and loafing around after the Harold Weston fight. He didn't had no negotiations for a possible rematch with Carlos Palomino.
Then Roberto Duran beats Palomino in the Madison Square Garden in June and talks about a rematch with Palomino went out of the window.
So, why he didn't arrange for a title unification match against the toughie WBA World Welterweight counterpart Pipino Cuevas of Mexico for the undisputed world championship?
Benitez had all kinds of options. And a dream match with Duran wasn't farfetched. They could have duke it out then.
But, maybe he was waiting for a lucrative match with a rising superstar and #1 contender for both organizations. There was a fast young kid that won the Olympic Gold medal in 1976 and was causing a sensation in boxing like never before. He was also undefeated. His name was Sugar Ray Leonard.
Anybody would like to say something about why this mandatory didn't happen?
Benitez spent most of the year 1979 goofing and loafing around after the Harold Weston fight. He didn't had no negotiations for a possible rematch with Carlos Palomino.
Then Roberto Duran beats Palomino in the Madison Square Garden in June and talks about a rematch with Palomino went out of the window.
So, why he didn't arrange for a title unification match against the toughie WBA World Welterweight counterpart Pipino Cuevas of Mexico for the undisputed world championship?
Benitez had all kinds of options. And a dream match with Duran wasn't farfetched. They could have duke it out then.
But, maybe he was waiting for a lucrative match with a rising superstar and #1 contender for both organizations. There was a fast young kid that won the Olympic Gold medal in 1976 and was causing a sensation in boxing like never before. He was also undefeated. His name was Sugar Ray Leonard.
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Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15097
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Not sure how one would come to the conclusion that Green was the mandatory contender for a title shot in May of 1979 when Benitez had just won the title in January. The champion gets a year to defend against the top challenger, who wasn't Green anyway.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
ABC Sports reported at the Benitez vs Weston II fight in San Juan, Puerto Rico that contender Dave "Boy" Green was the #1 contender and mandatory challenger for Benitez's WBC World Welterweight crown.Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑01 Aug 2023, 20:03 Not sure how one would come to the conclusion that Green was the mandatory contender for a title shot in May of 1979 when Benitez had just won the title in January. The champion gets a year to defend against the top challenger, who wasn't Green anyway.
Green even went to San Juan to see the fight at ringside and talked to the ABC Sports reporter of what he thought of the fight.
Benitez beat Weston, and Green was supposed to be the next challenger in Monte Carlo in May 1979. What happened? Does anyone know what happened?
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
elmersalsa wrote: ↑01 Aug 2023, 09:29 Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
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Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15097
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Yes. The champion gets to a year to defend the title against the #1 contender. That would mean that Benitez had until January of 1980, which was 10 months away. Green had a fight in June. He got knocked out.elmersalsa wrote: ↑02 Aug 2023, 00:47ABC Sports reported at the Benitez vs Weston II fight in San Juan, Puerto Rico that contender Dave "Boy" Green was the #1 contender and mandatory challenger for Benitez's WBC World Welterweight crown.Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑01 Aug 2023, 20:03 Not sure how one would come to the conclusion that Green was the mandatory contender for a title shot in May of 1979 when Benitez had just won the title in January. The champion gets a year to defend against the top challenger, who wasn't Green anyway.
Green even went to San Juan to see the fight at ringside and talked to the ABC Sports reporter of what he thought of the fight.
Benitez beat Weston, and Green was supposed to be the next challenger in Monte Carlo in May 1979. What happened? Does anyone know what happened?
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Out of action for 7 months, Wilfred "El Radar" Benitez of San Just, Puerto Rico was around the discotheques and clubs in San Juan chasing females and living the good life.
His focus and for other words, lack of training in the gym, was an afterthought in his mind. His father, Gregorio was very upset with his son. At one time the champ, according to his father, didn't want to listen to him.
Why he didn't fight the mandatory challenger Davey "Boy" Green of England in Monaco? I don't have no idea. Not even a clue. The point is that the fight didn't materialized.
Maybe, his new management team with American Jim Jacobs, now as his new manager, were trying to get to Wilfred to go to another direction.
How about an unification multi-million dollar payday against WBA World Welterweight counterpart Pipino Cuevas of Mexico? It would have bring a lot of people to see it. A dream matchup between a slugger knockout artist and a sublime and fast boxer. Mexico vs Puerto Rico rivalry all over again. Why it didn't happen? I don't know.
How about a rematch against Carlos Palomino? Well, the rematch was out of the window when the great and former World Lightweight Champion Roberto Duran of Panama, decisioned him in June at Madison Square Garden. Palomino retired after the fight.
Well, how about a title defense against top contender Duran, then? They were slated to fight in April of 1978 at Madison Square Garden. That's another fight that would bring butts to their seats. What happened? I don't know either.
Maybe a title defense against undefeated rising star and contender Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns of Detroit, MI could be in the works. Hearns anhiliated Benitez's victim, Harold Weston, Jr right after Weston fought in March with him in San Juan. Hearns retired Weston for good in May. Well, it might be a risky proposition and not enough money in a high risk fight and not much reward. The Benitez's management team figured that since Benitez was the champion, it was time for their pupil to get paid. And get paid well. That's the name of the boxing game. Especially, when you are the champion of the world. You called the shots!
Well, the shots were well made when Benitez agreed to a million dollar payday against a fast and slick rising unbeaten star that was causing a great buzz and stir in the welterweight class. Something not seen since the days of the great Sugar Ray Robinson. He was also a gold medalist and Olympic hero from Palmer Park, MD. His name? Sugar Ray Leonard.
Leonard got the #1 spot in 1979 when he defeated Pete Ranzany of California for the NABF Welterweight Championship. Leonard destroyed Ranzany so easily that it wasn't even a match. Then, Sugar Ray really solidified the top spot at age 23 when he stunningly dispatched top contender Andy Price of Los Angeles, CA on a four-fight boxing extravaganza night of September 1979. He raised a lot of eyebrows that night as the next welterweight champion of the world no matter who he fights and what champion was in front of him.
A black kid with a next door neighbor smile, Leonard was tall, handsome, well educated and well mannered. The shot of the arm that American boxing needed since the great Muhammad Ali doldrums and retirement. Plus, Leonard had something that many boxers didn't had: that is called class.
Lots of boxing fans didn't like Leonard's attitude in certain ways. Some fans were against him because according to them, he was an egomaniac too hard to root for. For the other contigent of fans, he was something special. A breath of fresh air, an Olympic hero, an All-American boy and, boy! could he throw those fast hands! Like Ali, he did the Ali shuffle and the bolo punch was one his arsenals. Even though the great Kid Gavilan perfected the bolo, Leonard took it to another level to embarrass the opponent. He made it cuter. For Gavilan, the bolo was a weapon. For Leonard, it was something to please and entertain the crowd.
And for all that, you could not dismiss his boxing skills. He had it all: fast hands and feet. Endurance. Could take a good punch. Strong and had what it takes to get the boxing fans to see him again and again: Charisma and wallop punch for a welterweight. Yes, he could punch. And that was testament of his 25 fights, in which 17 of them, were won by knockout.
Leonard was also a smart and complete boxer. For his first professional fight, he made $40,000 dollars! Something that was unheard of for a boxer that was not even a heavyweight. Not even heavyweights made that kind of money, let alone in a debut.
For all that was said and done, Leonard was the 3 to 1 favorite.
It was also the first time that 2 boxers received a record payday outside the heavyweight class. Benitez made $1.25 million. Leonard took $1 million.
His focus and for other words, lack of training in the gym, was an afterthought in his mind. His father, Gregorio was very upset with his son. At one time the champ, according to his father, didn't want to listen to him.
Why he didn't fight the mandatory challenger Davey "Boy" Green of England in Monaco? I don't have no idea. Not even a clue. The point is that the fight didn't materialized.
Maybe, his new management team with American Jim Jacobs, now as his new manager, were trying to get to Wilfred to go to another direction.
How about an unification multi-million dollar payday against WBA World Welterweight counterpart Pipino Cuevas of Mexico? It would have bring a lot of people to see it. A dream matchup between a slugger knockout artist and a sublime and fast boxer. Mexico vs Puerto Rico rivalry all over again. Why it didn't happen? I don't know.
How about a rematch against Carlos Palomino? Well, the rematch was out of the window when the great and former World Lightweight Champion Roberto Duran of Panama, decisioned him in June at Madison Square Garden. Palomino retired after the fight.
Well, how about a title defense against top contender Duran, then? They were slated to fight in April of 1978 at Madison Square Garden. That's another fight that would bring butts to their seats. What happened? I don't know either.
Maybe a title defense against undefeated rising star and contender Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns of Detroit, MI could be in the works. Hearns anhiliated Benitez's victim, Harold Weston, Jr right after Weston fought in March with him in San Juan. Hearns retired Weston for good in May. Well, it might be a risky proposition and not enough money in a high risk fight and not much reward. The Benitez's management team figured that since Benitez was the champion, it was time for their pupil to get paid. And get paid well. That's the name of the boxing game. Especially, when you are the champion of the world. You called the shots!
Well, the shots were well made when Benitez agreed to a million dollar payday against a fast and slick rising unbeaten star that was causing a great buzz and stir in the welterweight class. Something not seen since the days of the great Sugar Ray Robinson. He was also a gold medalist and Olympic hero from Palmer Park, MD. His name? Sugar Ray Leonard.
Leonard got the #1 spot in 1979 when he defeated Pete Ranzany of California for the NABF Welterweight Championship. Leonard destroyed Ranzany so easily that it wasn't even a match. Then, Sugar Ray really solidified the top spot at age 23 when he stunningly dispatched top contender Andy Price of Los Angeles, CA on a four-fight boxing extravaganza night of September 1979. He raised a lot of eyebrows that night as the next welterweight champion of the world no matter who he fights and what champion was in front of him.
A black kid with a next door neighbor smile, Leonard was tall, handsome, well educated and well mannered. The shot of the arm that American boxing needed since the great Muhammad Ali doldrums and retirement. Plus, Leonard had something that many boxers didn't had: that is called class.
Lots of boxing fans didn't like Leonard's attitude in certain ways. Some fans were against him because according to them, he was an egomaniac too hard to root for. For the other contigent of fans, he was something special. A breath of fresh air, an Olympic hero, an All-American boy and, boy! could he throw those fast hands! Like Ali, he did the Ali shuffle and the bolo punch was one his arsenals. Even though the great Kid Gavilan perfected the bolo, Leonard took it to another level to embarrass the opponent. He made it cuter. For Gavilan, the bolo was a weapon. For Leonard, it was something to please and entertain the crowd.
And for all that, you could not dismiss his boxing skills. He had it all: fast hands and feet. Endurance. Could take a good punch. Strong and had what it takes to get the boxing fans to see him again and again: Charisma and wallop punch for a welterweight. Yes, he could punch. And that was testament of his 25 fights, in which 17 of them, were won by knockout.
Leonard was also a smart and complete boxer. For his first professional fight, he made $40,000 dollars! Something that was unheard of for a boxer that was not even a heavyweight. Not even heavyweights made that kind of money, let alone in a debut.
For all that was said and done, Leonard was the 3 to 1 favorite.
It was also the first time that 2 boxers received a record payday outside the heavyweight class. Benitez made $1.25 million. Leonard took $1 million.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The fight was the main event of the evening at the famous Caesars Palace Pavilion for Friday, November 30, 1979.
Wilfred Benitez's daddy, Gregorio, wrote an article in Ring Magazine in why his son won't win this fight with the one Sugar Ray Leonard. He even bet $200,000 dollars against his own son.
It was kind odd to see a father bet against his own son. But, later father Gregorio confirmed that it was a way to "motivate" his son because of the lack of training he displayed or displaying lately since the Harold Weston rematch. He later said: "If I say that he will win, he would not train!"
In the first match of the evening, rising top #1 contender Marvin Hagler of Brockton, MA got robbed by a disputed draw in a fight that many saw clearly that he won for the Undisputed World Middleweight Championship. The champion was Vito Antuofermo of Brooklyn, NY via Italy. It was an exciting and great fight nonetheless. Hagler, that was finally got a shot at the middleweight crown, was screwed by the judges. Not taking nothing away from Antuofermo. I think he fought great with a lot of heart and courage, but his bloody face didn't convince nobody that he won that fight nor had a draw to keep his title.
In the second fight of the evening, ABC Sports switched to New Orleans, LA for the WBA World Light-Heavyweight match between former champion Marvin Johnson of Indianapolis, IN against champion Victor Galindez of Argentina. Johnson looked terrific and became champion for the second time by administering a brutal beating to Galindez in 11 rounds.
Let's not forget that unbeaten and rising welterweight contender, Thomas Hearns of Detroit, MI was on the New Orleans fight bill that night. He won by Unanimous decision to keep his unbeaten record of 24 fights, 22 by knockout against tough Mike Colbert.
Now, the broadcast turned back to Las Vegas for the fight of the evening. The Main Event. It was a bizarre beginning. Something never seen before a boxing match.
Benitez, 21, tried to psyched his opponent with a cold stare down. A stare down that was never seen before a world title match. The crowd was very surprised at that antic. Was it to intimidate Leonard of age 23? I don't know. But, it was a calculated stare down in Benitez's part. Leonard didn't backed off. He also had that stare down with the champion. They were just inches apart. Nose to nose. It was like a start of a back of the schoolyard fight. Benitez looked the taller of the two.
Benitez's face expression was something to see. Like thinking in his mind "This guy thinks that he's gonna take my title and blow me away like he did his first 25 opponents? He is definitely mistaken! I am the master! I am the champion! It won't be easy to beat me! I am gonna whup this guy's ass for real. This up and coming guy is challenging me? I am going to teach him a lesson!"
Sugar Ray's stare down didn't sent that type of message. Benitez's expression? It was very clear.
Round one started and to my surprise, Leonard didn't come to attack his opponent like he did the first 25 guys he faced. He came out boxing. It was surprising to me, the quantity of punches that he was throwing but most of them blows were a missing target. Maybe I understimated Benitez. How could I? He had the most experience between the two. He was champion of the world at 17 years old while Leonard was an amateur.
By the time Leonard challenged Benitez, Benitez already had 39 fights and unbeaten with two world crowns in 2 different weight classes to boot.
Even though Leonard was missing a lot, he was doing most of the fight in the first 3 rounds. Benitez was just defending himself. He never fought a fighter with that type of quick fast hands. Plus, Leonard's jab was getting to Benitez. Benitez could not decipher Leonard's jab. He had never been jabbed like that before.
In round three, with about 30 seconds left in that round, Leonard hit Benitez flush in the face with a fast jab and Benitez went down. He was more embarrassed from the jab than hurt. After the knockdown, Benitez knew that Leonard was for real and that he had to go to work quickly. He was behind big time after 3 rounds.
Benitez closed the gap in round 4. By round 5, he won his first round clearly. In round 6, everything was going as planned and Benitez used more his left jab. He found out that using his left jab confused Leonard or at least put off Leonard at bay on his tracks. But, by the end of round 6, both fighters clashed heads and Benitez got the worst of it.
The referee, Carlos Padilla of the Philippines stopped the action for the moment. Benitez was bleeding in the middle of his forehead. Sensing that he could lose the fight by technical decision, Benitez went to work in a hurry and won that round with flicking jabs and telling right hands.
A fight that probably looked easy for Sugar Ray now is a fight. Both started fighting like true all-time masters with each one connecting with jabs, feints and picking their shots. Both had moments back and forth.
By the eleventh round, the fight was kind of even. Maybe Leonard was winning by then because of the knockdown. Nothing else. Benitez was fighting his fight. Leonard cautiously was not into engaging in a fight on the ropes, were Benitez was a master against Carlos Palomino. Leonard knew that putting Benitez on the ropes would be a big mistake. So he moved side to side, giving Benitez angles. Something that Benitez never saw before. Benitez loved guys to come to him so that he could make them miss and counterpunch. Leonard didn't get fooled by that.
It was chess match between two fighters that understood defense and the whole art of boxing. It was a battle of true great masters.
I was very surprised at both fighters skills. First, with Leonard because although he never had Benitez's experience, he knew how to befuddle Benitez with that fast jab of his. Also, I was very surprised at Leonard that he didn't went all out for the knockout like I thought he would after the third round when he flattened Benitez on his pants with the jab. Leonard bid his time, and when he saw a target, he opened fire on it.
For Benitez, I appreciated his will to fight and determination and sensing radar like boxing skills. He made Leonard missed lots of shots. He proved, win, lose or draw, that he was a great champion.
In round eleventh, Leonard caught Benitez with a left hook. Benitez went to the ropes in bad shape. Leonard, a great finisher of all sorts, couldn't finish Benitez then. He was aware of the Palomino fight in not to engage with Benitez on the ropes where the champion was most dangerous. He cautiously tried to put his punches together, but he found empty targets. Benitez is a real master of making you miss and counterpunch. Leonard won the round anyway.
The crowd before that round was restless. How can their Olympic hero that they were rooting could not finish Benitez off like he did guys like Andy Price or Pete Ranzany? It is a different and difficult task to do than someone else thinks. Some were booing. But, if you don't know what is a real masterfully fought fight, then you should be watching a heavyweight slugfest. Or a Bantamweight title fight slugfest between Mexican boxers. Not here. In this fight, you will find the essence of boxing to hit and don't get hit. In here we are seeing two boxing masters that were trying to offset the other and outthink the other. This was boxing cleverness at the highest expression. This is the boxing side of mathematics algebra.
Benitez wins round 12. But, Leonard wins round 13th and 14th in my view. The 15th and final round, both guys went for the gusto. They were thinking that the fight was close and that they needed the last round to win the fight.
And rumble they went. Both fighters were showing the world what they were made of. Leonard, who never fought over 10 rounds, was showing the world that he was not a television creation. A flash in the pan. Yes, he could go 15 rounds! Yes, he got stamina! Yes, he could take a shot! Yes, he has the heart of a champion!
As for Benitez, who was dating Leonard's sister at the time, yes, he is a great champion. Yes, he got heart! Yes, he got the will and determination! And yes, he can fight when the going gets tough!
Both were fighting on the inside throwing some fast combinations. Benitez was doing better than Leonard fighting inside. Leonard didn't let him off the hook, nor let Benitez go to the ropes. They were at ring center mixing it up for the last seconds. Still anybody's fight. Leonard showed to Benitez, that like Benitez, he could also fight inside. The crowd was on their feet. A left hook to Benitez's head and down went Benitez! The pro-Leonard crowd went bezerk!
Missing eight seconds left to end the fight, Leonard rushed to a defenseless Benitez by throwing a left and a right, and right there, the referee Padilla intervened and Leonard full of joy went racing to his corner as the new WBC World Welterweight Champion. Leonard won by TKO in the final round of one of the greatest masterful matches in boxing history.
Leonard delirious and ecstatic about his new conquest, was mobbed by his corner handlers. A new era of boxing began.
As for Benitez? Even though he made $1.25 million dollars for the fight, it didn't matter. Gracious on defeat, he went and hugged the new champion like if Leonard was his blood brother.
It was the first time that El Radar ever lost a professional fight. He dropped to 38-1-1 with 24KOs.
Leonard improved to 26-0, 19KOs and is the new fresh face that boxing world at the time needed it.
The winner of this fight is fighting #1 contender and former World Lightweight Champion, the great Roberto Duran!
Wilfred Benitez's daddy, Gregorio, wrote an article in Ring Magazine in why his son won't win this fight with the one Sugar Ray Leonard. He even bet $200,000 dollars against his own son.
It was kind odd to see a father bet against his own son. But, later father Gregorio confirmed that it was a way to "motivate" his son because of the lack of training he displayed or displaying lately since the Harold Weston rematch. He later said: "If I say that he will win, he would not train!"
In the first match of the evening, rising top #1 contender Marvin Hagler of Brockton, MA got robbed by a disputed draw in a fight that many saw clearly that he won for the Undisputed World Middleweight Championship. The champion was Vito Antuofermo of Brooklyn, NY via Italy. It was an exciting and great fight nonetheless. Hagler, that was finally got a shot at the middleweight crown, was screwed by the judges. Not taking nothing away from Antuofermo. I think he fought great with a lot of heart and courage, but his bloody face didn't convince nobody that he won that fight nor had a draw to keep his title.
In the second fight of the evening, ABC Sports switched to New Orleans, LA for the WBA World Light-Heavyweight match between former champion Marvin Johnson of Indianapolis, IN against champion Victor Galindez of Argentina. Johnson looked terrific and became champion for the second time by administering a brutal beating to Galindez in 11 rounds.
Let's not forget that unbeaten and rising welterweight contender, Thomas Hearns of Detroit, MI was on the New Orleans fight bill that night. He won by Unanimous decision to keep his unbeaten record of 24 fights, 22 by knockout against tough Mike Colbert.
Now, the broadcast turned back to Las Vegas for the fight of the evening. The Main Event. It was a bizarre beginning. Something never seen before a boxing match.
Benitez, 21, tried to psyched his opponent with a cold stare down. A stare down that was never seen before a world title match. The crowd was very surprised at that antic. Was it to intimidate Leonard of age 23? I don't know. But, it was a calculated stare down in Benitez's part. Leonard didn't backed off. He also had that stare down with the champion. They were just inches apart. Nose to nose. It was like a start of a back of the schoolyard fight. Benitez looked the taller of the two.
Benitez's face expression was something to see. Like thinking in his mind "This guy thinks that he's gonna take my title and blow me away like he did his first 25 opponents? He is definitely mistaken! I am the master! I am the champion! It won't be easy to beat me! I am gonna whup this guy's ass for real. This up and coming guy is challenging me? I am going to teach him a lesson!"
Sugar Ray's stare down didn't sent that type of message. Benitez's expression? It was very clear.
Round one started and to my surprise, Leonard didn't come to attack his opponent like he did the first 25 guys he faced. He came out boxing. It was surprising to me, the quantity of punches that he was throwing but most of them blows were a missing target. Maybe I understimated Benitez. How could I? He had the most experience between the two. He was champion of the world at 17 years old while Leonard was an amateur.
By the time Leonard challenged Benitez, Benitez already had 39 fights and unbeaten with two world crowns in 2 different weight classes to boot.
Even though Leonard was missing a lot, he was doing most of the fight in the first 3 rounds. Benitez was just defending himself. He never fought a fighter with that type of quick fast hands. Plus, Leonard's jab was getting to Benitez. Benitez could not decipher Leonard's jab. He had never been jabbed like that before.
In round three, with about 30 seconds left in that round, Leonard hit Benitez flush in the face with a fast jab and Benitez went down. He was more embarrassed from the jab than hurt. After the knockdown, Benitez knew that Leonard was for real and that he had to go to work quickly. He was behind big time after 3 rounds.
Benitez closed the gap in round 4. By round 5, he won his first round clearly. In round 6, everything was going as planned and Benitez used more his left jab. He found out that using his left jab confused Leonard or at least put off Leonard at bay on his tracks. But, by the end of round 6, both fighters clashed heads and Benitez got the worst of it.
The referee, Carlos Padilla of the Philippines stopped the action for the moment. Benitez was bleeding in the middle of his forehead. Sensing that he could lose the fight by technical decision, Benitez went to work in a hurry and won that round with flicking jabs and telling right hands.
A fight that probably looked easy for Sugar Ray now is a fight. Both started fighting like true all-time masters with each one connecting with jabs, feints and picking their shots. Both had moments back and forth.
By the eleventh round, the fight was kind of even. Maybe Leonard was winning by then because of the knockdown. Nothing else. Benitez was fighting his fight. Leonard cautiously was not into engaging in a fight on the ropes, were Benitez was a master against Carlos Palomino. Leonard knew that putting Benitez on the ropes would be a big mistake. So he moved side to side, giving Benitez angles. Something that Benitez never saw before. Benitez loved guys to come to him so that he could make them miss and counterpunch. Leonard didn't get fooled by that.
It was chess match between two fighters that understood defense and the whole art of boxing. It was a battle of true great masters.
I was very surprised at both fighters skills. First, with Leonard because although he never had Benitez's experience, he knew how to befuddle Benitez with that fast jab of his. Also, I was very surprised at Leonard that he didn't went all out for the knockout like I thought he would after the third round when he flattened Benitez on his pants with the jab. Leonard bid his time, and when he saw a target, he opened fire on it.
For Benitez, I appreciated his will to fight and determination and sensing radar like boxing skills. He made Leonard missed lots of shots. He proved, win, lose or draw, that he was a great champion.
In round eleventh, Leonard caught Benitez with a left hook. Benitez went to the ropes in bad shape. Leonard, a great finisher of all sorts, couldn't finish Benitez then. He was aware of the Palomino fight in not to engage with Benitez on the ropes where the champion was most dangerous. He cautiously tried to put his punches together, but he found empty targets. Benitez is a real master of making you miss and counterpunch. Leonard won the round anyway.
The crowd before that round was restless. How can their Olympic hero that they were rooting could not finish Benitez off like he did guys like Andy Price or Pete Ranzany? It is a different and difficult task to do than someone else thinks. Some were booing. But, if you don't know what is a real masterfully fought fight, then you should be watching a heavyweight slugfest. Or a Bantamweight title fight slugfest between Mexican boxers. Not here. In this fight, you will find the essence of boxing to hit and don't get hit. In here we are seeing two boxing masters that were trying to offset the other and outthink the other. This was boxing cleverness at the highest expression. This is the boxing side of mathematics algebra.
Benitez wins round 12. But, Leonard wins round 13th and 14th in my view. The 15th and final round, both guys went for the gusto. They were thinking that the fight was close and that they needed the last round to win the fight.
And rumble they went. Both fighters were showing the world what they were made of. Leonard, who never fought over 10 rounds, was showing the world that he was not a television creation. A flash in the pan. Yes, he could go 15 rounds! Yes, he got stamina! Yes, he could take a shot! Yes, he has the heart of a champion!
As for Benitez, who was dating Leonard's sister at the time, yes, he is a great champion. Yes, he got heart! Yes, he got the will and determination! And yes, he can fight when the going gets tough!
Both were fighting on the inside throwing some fast combinations. Benitez was doing better than Leonard fighting inside. Leonard didn't let him off the hook, nor let Benitez go to the ropes. They were at ring center mixing it up for the last seconds. Still anybody's fight. Leonard showed to Benitez, that like Benitez, he could also fight inside. The crowd was on their feet. A left hook to Benitez's head and down went Benitez! The pro-Leonard crowd went bezerk!
Missing eight seconds left to end the fight, Leonard rushed to a defenseless Benitez by throwing a left and a right, and right there, the referee Padilla intervened and Leonard full of joy went racing to his corner as the new WBC World Welterweight Champion. Leonard won by TKO in the final round of one of the greatest masterful matches in boxing history.
Leonard delirious and ecstatic about his new conquest, was mobbed by his corner handlers. A new era of boxing began.
As for Benitez? Even though he made $1.25 million dollars for the fight, it didn't matter. Gracious on defeat, he went and hugged the new champion like if Leonard was his blood brother.
It was the first time that El Radar ever lost a professional fight. He dropped to 38-1-1 with 24KOs.
Leonard improved to 26-0, 19KOs and is the new fresh face that boxing world at the time needed it.
The winner of this fight is fighting #1 contender and former World Lightweight Champion, the great Roberto Duran!
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Redback Rasta
- Welterweight
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- Joined: 19 Jul 2015, 18:53
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Johnny Turner of Brooklyn, NY was the first fighter that El Radar, Wilfred Benitez fought beginning the decade of the 1980s.
Turner had a respectable record of 34-3-2 with 26KOs. His most notorious win was an eight-round TKO win against Benitez's older brother, Frankie in May 1978.
Is Benitez fighting Turner to avenge his brother? Perhaps. The fight was in Miami, FL.
It was March 1980. A new year. A new decade for the great young champion that is reinventing himself for another crack at another world title try and to have a rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, the only man to date that ever beat him.
The fight was not a contest for Benitez. He controlled the fight from the beginning backing up his opponent and scored well. He dropped Turner in the very first round. He knew that it was just a matter of time.
The fight was stopped in round 9 because of a vicious cut that Turner had from a variation of punches from the former champion.
It was a magnificent performance by Benitez since he has not been in action since November '79 against Leonard.
Benitez improves to 39-1-1, with 25KOs.
Turner had a respectable record of 34-3-2 with 26KOs. His most notorious win was an eight-round TKO win against Benitez's older brother, Frankie in May 1978.
Is Benitez fighting Turner to avenge his brother? Perhaps. The fight was in Miami, FL.
It was March 1980. A new year. A new decade for the great young champion that is reinventing himself for another crack at another world title try and to have a rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard, the only man to date that ever beat him.
The fight was not a contest for Benitez. He controlled the fight from the beginning backing up his opponent and scored well. He dropped Turner in the very first round. He knew that it was just a matter of time.
The fight was stopped in round 9 because of a vicious cut that Turner had from a variation of punches from the former champion.
It was a magnificent performance by Benitez since he has not been in action since November '79 against Leonard.
Benitez improves to 39-1-1, with 25KOs.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The year 1980 was a great year for the great Puerto Rican Radar. He won all of his 3 fights in convincing fashion.
It seems that after losing his welterweight crown to the great Sugar Ray Leonard motivated him to take the sport of boxing much more seriously.
This is a champion when while training with all his heart and soul, and with seriousness in training, could have done much more than what he achieved in boxing. It is a great shame that he didn't took the dedication needed for this sport. Maybe he knew it all.
But, in this year, 1980, Wilfred Benitez was back on track. Like if a new breath of fresh air came into him.
On Friday, August 1st, 1980 in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, at the same place that he lost his title and also suffered first defeat, Benitez dominated top contender Tony Chiaverini easily. It was Benitez's first fight at super welterweight (154lbs) and looked like he belonged with the Jr middleweights or 154-pounders.
For 8 rounds Benitez showed his master class in the ring. He looked sharp and to top it off, stronger. He didn't lose a god-damned round! The fight was stopped in the eight round. Chiaverini had enough.
Benitez improves to 40-1-1, with 26 knockouts.
At the post fight interview, Benitez gracious as always, could never been funnier. He was having the time of his life at the young age of 22 like any young man should.
Leonard, the one that took his crown was doing color commentary with Ferdie Pacheco on NBC. It looked like that defeat didn't deter or discouraged El Radar at all. Leonard was very impressed with Benitez because Benitez showed that he could hang at 154lbs and in Leonard's point of view, Benitez looked stronger there.
Benitez told Leonard: "Now you're scared, right?" Leonard broke off laughing. It was hilarious. Benitez challenged Leonard for a rematch right then. Leonard's answer: "Roberto Duran first!", "Duran, first!"
Benitez said that he wanted the great Roberto Duran. That Duran was afraid of him. That was maybe he said that because when they were scheduled to fight in 1977, Duran pulled out because of a flu. When they did another negotiations for a fight in April '78 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, father Gregorio Benitez said that there wasn't no fight because his son wasn't getting paid the same amount of money that Duran was offered: $100,000 dollars!
Duran at the time took Leonard's welterweight crown in June. Benitez was there in Montreal with a chic. That was Leonard's sister. So, they were brother in laws for a time.
The next day, Leonard, preparing for his rematch with Duran, went to Detroit, MI to check on rising superstar Thomas Hearns that was challenging for Pipino Cuevas' WBA World Welterweight crown.
It seems that after losing his welterweight crown to the great Sugar Ray Leonard motivated him to take the sport of boxing much more seriously.
This is a champion when while training with all his heart and soul, and with seriousness in training, could have done much more than what he achieved in boxing. It is a great shame that he didn't took the dedication needed for this sport. Maybe he knew it all.
But, in this year, 1980, Wilfred Benitez was back on track. Like if a new breath of fresh air came into him.
On Friday, August 1st, 1980 in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, at the same place that he lost his title and also suffered first defeat, Benitez dominated top contender Tony Chiaverini easily. It was Benitez's first fight at super welterweight (154lbs) and looked like he belonged with the Jr middleweights or 154-pounders.
For 8 rounds Benitez showed his master class in the ring. He looked sharp and to top it off, stronger. He didn't lose a god-damned round! The fight was stopped in the eight round. Chiaverini had enough.
Benitez improves to 40-1-1, with 26 knockouts.
At the post fight interview, Benitez gracious as always, could never been funnier. He was having the time of his life at the young age of 22 like any young man should.
Leonard, the one that took his crown was doing color commentary with Ferdie Pacheco on NBC. It looked like that defeat didn't deter or discouraged El Radar at all. Leonard was very impressed with Benitez because Benitez showed that he could hang at 154lbs and in Leonard's point of view, Benitez looked stronger there.
Benitez told Leonard: "Now you're scared, right?" Leonard broke off laughing. It was hilarious. Benitez challenged Leonard for a rematch right then. Leonard's answer: "Roberto Duran first!", "Duran, first!"
Benitez said that he wanted the great Roberto Duran. That Duran was afraid of him. That was maybe he said that because when they were scheduled to fight in 1977, Duran pulled out because of a flu. When they did another negotiations for a fight in April '78 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, father Gregorio Benitez said that there wasn't no fight because his son wasn't getting paid the same amount of money that Duran was offered: $100,000 dollars!
Duran at the time took Leonard's welterweight crown in June. Benitez was there in Montreal with a chic. That was Leonard's sister. So, they were brother in laws for a time.
The next day, Leonard, preparing for his rematch with Duran, went to Detroit, MI to check on rising superstar Thomas Hearns that was challenging for Pipino Cuevas' WBA World Welterweight crown.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico had his last fight of the year 1980 with top contender and former NABF Welterweight Champion Pete Ranzany of Sacramento, CA.
It was Friday, December 12, 1980. Almost Christmas time. The fight was at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Ranzany's Turf.
It was no problem for Benitez. He looked good and very impressive. The winner got a shot at Thomas Hearns' WBA World Welterweight crown in February, 1981.
Another odd thing happened that night. For the first time, I believe, or I could be wrong, a female was doing color commentary. It was the first time that I have ever heard a female doing commentary or broadcasting the fight or any sport of any kind. And she is a black woman. Her name? Former US Miss America Jayne Kennedy. But what a beautiful woman! And the great champion, from Cincinnati, OH, Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor was also doing color commentary for the first time!
To top it off, both of them did great in their commentary observations. The broadcast announcer was the legendary Don Dunphy.
Benitez looked impressive and great. He outboxed Ranzany and deserved the unanimous decision. He was way superior than Ranzany. Ranzany, though, even that he fought good, wasn't in Benitez's class. And that was the whole truth and nothing but the truth about this fight. Benitez was a master.
Benitez wins by unanimous decision and is on his way to attract the great Sugar Ray Leonard for a rematch when he was in line to challenge Hearns in February of 1981. What happened that the fight didn't materialized?
Remember Harold Smith? The promoter of that fight was found and charged guilty of bank emblezzement of $21.3 million dollars of a Wells Fargo account. The fight was called off.
Benitez improves to 41-1-1 with 26 knockouts.
It was Friday, December 12, 1980. Almost Christmas time. The fight was at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Ranzany's Turf.
It was no problem for Benitez. He looked good and very impressive. The winner got a shot at Thomas Hearns' WBA World Welterweight crown in February, 1981.
Another odd thing happened that night. For the first time, I believe, or I could be wrong, a female was doing color commentary. It was the first time that I have ever heard a female doing commentary or broadcasting the fight or any sport of any kind. And she is a black woman. Her name? Former US Miss America Jayne Kennedy. But what a beautiful woman! And the great champion, from Cincinnati, OH, Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor was also doing color commentary for the first time!
To top it off, both of them did great in their commentary observations. The broadcast announcer was the legendary Don Dunphy.
Benitez looked impressive and great. He outboxed Ranzany and deserved the unanimous decision. He was way superior than Ranzany. Ranzany, though, even that he fought good, wasn't in Benitez's class. And that was the whole truth and nothing but the truth about this fight. Benitez was a master.
Benitez wins by unanimous decision and is on his way to attract the great Sugar Ray Leonard for a rematch when he was in line to challenge Hearns in February of 1981. What happened that the fight didn't materialized?
Remember Harold Smith? The promoter of that fight was found and charged guilty of bank emblezzement of $21.3 million dollars of a Wells Fargo account. The fight was called off.
Benitez improves to 41-1-1 with 26 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Well, the fight with the great champion Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns of Detroit, MI, for Hearns' WBA World Welterweight crown was postponed and called off. It was supposed to be in February of 1981.
What was next for El Radar? Well, his new management team of Jim Jacobs and Bill Cayton had a different plan. To challenge WBC World Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope.
Born in Antigua, Hope made his residency in Hackney, England. He won the title in 1979 and have 3 successful title defenses. He won the title from magnificent Rocky Mattioli of Italy.
It was Saturday, May 23, 1981 at Caesars Palace Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV.
Benitez was in pursuit of being the 5th man to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes. To that date, only 4 men has done it: Bob Fitzsimmons, Tony Canzoneri, Henry Armstrong and Emile Griffith. But, to top it off, Benitez if he wins this fight, will become the youngest fighter at age 22 to win 3 world titles in 3 weight classes. An historical feat.
Hope, the champion, was very confident. He knew that what he had in front of him, a great young fighter that if he gets to beat him, his stock in the boxing world will rise. He had a professional record of 30-2-1 with 24KOs. He was a southpaw with a good decent right jab. He wasn't intimidated by Benitez's antics before the fight. Benitez tried his best to intimidate him by looking at him as his worst enemy. Benitez used it a lot for motivation. Ask Sugar Ray Leonard. And motivated he was.
Benitez started too wild in round one. It was very uncharacteristic of him. He usually starts by studying his opponents in the very first round. But, it seemed that he was a some kind of pissed at Hope. He didn't looked at him with good endearment. Maybe Hope told him something to pissed him off before the fight.
Hope won the first round in my view. And it would be the only round that he wins that afternoon. After round two, it was all Benitez!
Benitez started pounding Hope's body. He continued to pound the body for the next 11 rounds. Hope didn't like it. He was getting weaker and weaker by Benitez's underrated body attack.
In the inside fighting, Benitez proved superior. He is one the greatest masters fighting inside. It was no contest. Benitez was surely better.
In round 10 Benitez dropped Hope to extend the margin. Benitez was winning big each round passing by. He looked very strong at 154lbs. By round 11th, Hope's face was a total mess and was missing a tooth. The fight was over when Benitez, backing up his weakening opponent to the ropes, surprised the champion with a wicked overhand right. Down went Hope like a Christmas tree. American referee Richard Greene counted until ten and the super welterweight division has a new world champion,: Wilfred Benitez!
Benitez becomes the WBC World Super Welterweight Champion and the 5th man in boxing history to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes. All at age 22. He also becomes the first Puerto Rican and first Latin boxer to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes.
After the fight, now again champion, Benitez has his sights at Leonard for a rematch. But it got to be at 154lbs. Leonard agreed to a rematch when he challenged WBA World Super Welterweight Champion Ayub Kalule of Uganda the next month. Unfortunately, somehow, the rematch never happened.
Benitez improves to 42-1-1 with 27 knockouts. It was one of his most impressive wins of his young boxing career.
Hope retired after losing again in his next fight.
What was next for El Radar? Well, his new management team of Jim Jacobs and Bill Cayton had a different plan. To challenge WBC World Super Welterweight Champion Maurice Hope.
Born in Antigua, Hope made his residency in Hackney, England. He won the title in 1979 and have 3 successful title defenses. He won the title from magnificent Rocky Mattioli of Italy.
It was Saturday, May 23, 1981 at Caesars Palace Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV.
Benitez was in pursuit of being the 5th man to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes. To that date, only 4 men has done it: Bob Fitzsimmons, Tony Canzoneri, Henry Armstrong and Emile Griffith. But, to top it off, Benitez if he wins this fight, will become the youngest fighter at age 22 to win 3 world titles in 3 weight classes. An historical feat.
Hope, the champion, was very confident. He knew that what he had in front of him, a great young fighter that if he gets to beat him, his stock in the boxing world will rise. He had a professional record of 30-2-1 with 24KOs. He was a southpaw with a good decent right jab. He wasn't intimidated by Benitez's antics before the fight. Benitez tried his best to intimidate him by looking at him as his worst enemy. Benitez used it a lot for motivation. Ask Sugar Ray Leonard. And motivated he was.
Benitez started too wild in round one. It was very uncharacteristic of him. He usually starts by studying his opponents in the very first round. But, it seemed that he was a some kind of pissed at Hope. He didn't looked at him with good endearment. Maybe Hope told him something to pissed him off before the fight.
Hope won the first round in my view. And it would be the only round that he wins that afternoon. After round two, it was all Benitez!
Benitez started pounding Hope's body. He continued to pound the body for the next 11 rounds. Hope didn't like it. He was getting weaker and weaker by Benitez's underrated body attack.
In the inside fighting, Benitez proved superior. He is one the greatest masters fighting inside. It was no contest. Benitez was surely better.
In round 10 Benitez dropped Hope to extend the margin. Benitez was winning big each round passing by. He looked very strong at 154lbs. By round 11th, Hope's face was a total mess and was missing a tooth. The fight was over when Benitez, backing up his weakening opponent to the ropes, surprised the champion with a wicked overhand right. Down went Hope like a Christmas tree. American referee Richard Greene counted until ten and the super welterweight division has a new world champion,: Wilfred Benitez!
Benitez becomes the WBC World Super Welterweight Champion and the 5th man in boxing history to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes. All at age 22. He also becomes the first Puerto Rican and first Latin boxer to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes.
After the fight, now again champion, Benitez has his sights at Leonard for a rematch. But it got to be at 154lbs. Leonard agreed to a rematch when he challenged WBA World Super Welterweight Champion Ayub Kalule of Uganda the next month. Unfortunately, somehow, the rematch never happened.
Benitez improves to 42-1-1 with 27 knockouts. It was one of his most impressive wins of his young boxing career.
Hope retired after losing again in his next fight.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
El Radar makes his first title defense of his newly won WBC Super Welterweight crown.
Wilfred Benitez in interviews said that he feels stronger at this weight of 154lbs. That THIS WEIGHT, is HIS WEIGHT!
THE PROBLEM with Benitez is why he takes so long of a layoff between fights. He was fighting at the time where boxers were fighting at least 4 fights a year.
He won the title in May, 1981. And now he's defending his crown in November 14th? Maybe the big fights were hard to come by. Sugar Ray Leonard, the only man that has beaten him so far had a clash unification match with Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns for all the marbles in September. Roberto Duran just fought another tune up fight at 154lbs against Luigi Minchillo that same month.
So, Benitez has to settle with a title defense against mandatory challenger Carlos Santos. A fight that he could have done some time in July.
Santos, like Benitez, is Puerto Rican. Unbeaten with 22 fights. It was the first time in Puerto Rican boxing history that 2 Puerto Rican boxers fight for a world title at any weight class.
Why the fight wasn't done in Puerto Rico then? Don't ask me. I don't know.
Benitez was just 23. He came to the ring with different colored striped socks and two tone (red and yellow) boots at opposite of each other.
On the back of his robe said Triple Crown World Champion.
It was one of the most boring fights that I have ever seen. Santos fought like if he didn't want to engage although he was a southpaw with a great right jab and good movement.
That movement befuddled Benitez in the fight from time to time. Benitez love guys that come right at him and especially on the ropes so that he could counter punch and use his great skills.
Santos at times, did well. But Benitez was better.
Benitez fought at the level of the game. When his opponent was the most dangerous, he was top notch. When his opponent was not much of a threat, he took it easy.
In round six the champion decked Santos. The fight got a little interesting at the later rounds. But, overall, it was s boring fight. So boring that the 3,000 fans at the Showboat Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, NV were booing. They wanted much more action than that.
At the end, Benitez won by unanimous decision. It wasn't one of his best performances. And he admitted that he wasn't at his very best.
El Radar promised that in his next title defense, he would do better. First, he got to. Because if he wants to make and demand the high purses that Leonard is making, he gotta perform convincingly for the crowd's acceptance. And second, his next defense would be against the great Roberto Duran of Panama in January 1982.
Wilfred Benitez in interviews said that he feels stronger at this weight of 154lbs. That THIS WEIGHT, is HIS WEIGHT!
THE PROBLEM with Benitez is why he takes so long of a layoff between fights. He was fighting at the time where boxers were fighting at least 4 fights a year.
He won the title in May, 1981. And now he's defending his crown in November 14th? Maybe the big fights were hard to come by. Sugar Ray Leonard, the only man that has beaten him so far had a clash unification match with Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns for all the marbles in September. Roberto Duran just fought another tune up fight at 154lbs against Luigi Minchillo that same month.
So, Benitez has to settle with a title defense against mandatory challenger Carlos Santos. A fight that he could have done some time in July.
Santos, like Benitez, is Puerto Rican. Unbeaten with 22 fights. It was the first time in Puerto Rican boxing history that 2 Puerto Rican boxers fight for a world title at any weight class.
Why the fight wasn't done in Puerto Rico then? Don't ask me. I don't know.
Benitez was just 23. He came to the ring with different colored striped socks and two tone (red and yellow) boots at opposite of each other.
On the back of his robe said Triple Crown World Champion.
It was one of the most boring fights that I have ever seen. Santos fought like if he didn't want to engage although he was a southpaw with a great right jab and good movement.
That movement befuddled Benitez in the fight from time to time. Benitez love guys that come right at him and especially on the ropes so that he could counter punch and use his great skills.
Santos at times, did well. But Benitez was better.
Benitez fought at the level of the game. When his opponent was the most dangerous, he was top notch. When his opponent was not much of a threat, he took it easy.
In round six the champion decked Santos. The fight got a little interesting at the later rounds. But, overall, it was s boring fight. So boring that the 3,000 fans at the Showboat Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, NV were booing. They wanted much more action than that.
At the end, Benitez won by unanimous decision. It wasn't one of his best performances. And he admitted that he wasn't at his very best.
El Radar promised that in his next title defense, he would do better. First, he got to. Because if he wants to make and demand the high purses that Leonard is making, he gotta perform convincingly for the crowd's acceptance. And second, his next defense would be against the great Roberto Duran of Panama in January 1982.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
When talking about biggest boxing rivalries between countries, Mexico vs Puerto Rico is probably the greatest in boxing history.
There are other great boxing rivalries for example, Cuba vs USA when it comes to Amateur Boxing World Championships or Olympic boxing. The other big rivalry is between Mexican nationals vs Chicanos (Mexican Americans)
There are other boxing rivalries out there that I don't remember much. But, one of the best boxing rivalries between countries a long time ago was Puerto Rico vs Panama.
The rivalry started ever since Ismael Laguna of Panama outpointed the great Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico in April 1965 in Panama City. Ortiz won the next two fights between them for the laurels of the World Lightweight Crown.
Then, Esteban De Jesus of Puerto Rico, upsets the great Roberto Duran in a ten rounder in 1972 in New York City. Duran avenged the loss twice by knockout in title fights. It was then, that the rivalry reached at its peak. But it never topped or got equal the same as the Mexican vs Puerto Rican one.
Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico and Roberto Duran of Panama had this eager and anticipated bout ever since Benitez became world champion at age 17 in 1976. By 1977, Benitez was building a following in New York City and Puerto Rico.
They were slated to fight in December 1977, but the fight was called off because Duran, the fearsome lightweight champion at the time, pulled out because of a flu.
When Duran became Undisputed World Lightweight Champion by beating nemesis De Jesus in January 1978, there were talks about a fight again at Madison Square Garden of New York City in April for $100,000 dollars guaranteed for Duran to fight Benitez. The fight was called off because, Papa Gregorio, Benitez's father, trainer and manager, wanted the same amount of money for his son.
Duran and his Puerto Rican boxing foes were always a natural. Ortiz was supposed to fight Duran in November 1972, but Ortiz got sick and was substituted by DeJesus. Duran also fought other Puerto Ricans, like brothers Edwin and Adolfo Viruet. He beat Edwin in a non-title bout in 1975 and had also rematch against him, this time for Duran's title in 1977. Duran won by unanimous decision both times. But, many observers believed that Edwin won the first fight. Maybe, the crowd loved how he frustrated the raging and ferocious Panamanian by clowning and running around the ring without giving Duran an easy target. It was probably, THE BLUEPRINT, for years later in which the great Sugar Ray Leonard frustrated Duran doing the same in New Orleans in November 1980. A rematch were Duran plainly quit in 8 rounds in the middle of the ring. The fight was called "No Mas".
Having his reputation shattered, Duran became an embarrassment to the Latin and especially, his countrymen fans. Duran didn't fight for 7 months. He came back to fight looking fat and pudgy against contenders that in lightweight or welterweight wouldn't carry his spit bucket, let alone beat him. Duran, the former lightweight and welterweight champion was trying to campaign at Jr Middleweight or Super Welterweight division. He only made 2 fights in 1981, but didn't looked impressive by any means.
Thinking about how to get a shot at Leonard again, Duran needed a big win to get Leonard's attention. Leonard was his obsession. That was all in his mind.... Leonard.
Benitez obsession was also Leonard. Leonard was the only man to beat him to that point. He wanted a rematch with Leonard.....Bad!
Both of them had common opponents. And both of them lost to Leonard, boxing's main superstar.
But, first, El Radar and Manos de Piedra had to take care of THIS BUSINESS. THIS FIGHT! Both signed for the fight for Saturday night of January 30, 1982 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. A Don King Promotion.
The legend was told that Duran trained as hard as he never trained since the first fight with Leonard in Montreal. He trained in an isolated island in Panama named Coiba, a Panamanian style penitentiary answer to San Francisco's Alcatraz. He trained there in front of the penitentiary cell mates for three months.
In a press conference for the fight, Benitez and Duran came to blows. That's how bad the rivalry, and dislike for each other was. There was no love lost between them.
Benitez also trained his ass off. He remembers the time when Duran, at the end of his greatest win against Leonard in Montreal, grabbed his nuts with his gloves and went at Benitez who was in attendance with his girlfriend, who was Leonard's sister. To many who saw that act, was despicable. To others, it was well, Duran is Duran, the macho man. An act of machismo.
For a couple of years, Benitez had been saying that Manos de Piedra was afraid of him. Well, now Duran is the challenger for his WBC World Super Welterweight crown. It was Benitez's second title defense.
The fight was set and from the beginning it wasn't much of a fight. Duran never showed his known ferocity and aggressiveness. The fire was gone. Manos de Piedra fought in spurts. Did he overtrained? Was Benitez just simply better? Or both?
Even when Duran had El Radar on the ropes, he couldn't do much of anything. Benitez was on top of things. A master when he trains and be at his very best shape possible, is difficult to beat.
It was a fight that Benitez dominated from the start. It was a complete dominant performance. The jab was quick and Duran didn't had an answer for him, even in the inside fighting, which Duran loves, was nullified. He didn't had it. But, we cannot discount Benitez's brilliance in that ring. He was stronger than Duran at this weight. He was even pushing Duran like he wanted to. He was quicker, more agile and stronger than Duran that looked totally weak. Leonard, who was commentating the fight along HBO's Barry Tompkins, Larry Merchant and former World Welterweight Champion, Carlos Palomino, observed that Duran looked weak.
But, it was a masterpiece for El Radar. He outpointed the Panamanian boxing legend and it was surely his night in a fight that left too much to be desired. By the end of the fight, Benitez like he always does in almost all his fights, wanted to embrace El Cholo, but Duran didn't want no part of it. Duran was always a sour loser. Benitez mocked Duran at the end like if he was going to throw the bolo punch just like Leonard did in New Orleans in round 7 rematch.
Duran at 30, although in defeat, didn't disgrace himself in this fight. He tried the best he could. He didn't quit. He dropped his extraordinary record to 74-3, with 56 knockouts. Benitez became only the third man to ever beat him. He also had plans to retire if he loses this fight.
El Radar, 23, improves to 43-1-1, with 28KOs. And he said that he looked like 10 million dollars. Well, champ. You did looked like a ten million dollar fighter. Now, you can set your eyes on Leonard once more. It was the last great performance of his magnificent young career.
There are other great boxing rivalries for example, Cuba vs USA when it comes to Amateur Boxing World Championships or Olympic boxing. The other big rivalry is between Mexican nationals vs Chicanos (Mexican Americans)
There are other boxing rivalries out there that I don't remember much. But, one of the best boxing rivalries between countries a long time ago was Puerto Rico vs Panama.
The rivalry started ever since Ismael Laguna of Panama outpointed the great Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico in April 1965 in Panama City. Ortiz won the next two fights between them for the laurels of the World Lightweight Crown.
Then, Esteban De Jesus of Puerto Rico, upsets the great Roberto Duran in a ten rounder in 1972 in New York City. Duran avenged the loss twice by knockout in title fights. It was then, that the rivalry reached at its peak. But it never topped or got equal the same as the Mexican vs Puerto Rican one.
Wilfred Benitez of Puerto Rico and Roberto Duran of Panama had this eager and anticipated bout ever since Benitez became world champion at age 17 in 1976. By 1977, Benitez was building a following in New York City and Puerto Rico.
They were slated to fight in December 1977, but the fight was called off because Duran, the fearsome lightweight champion at the time, pulled out because of a flu.
When Duran became Undisputed World Lightweight Champion by beating nemesis De Jesus in January 1978, there were talks about a fight again at Madison Square Garden of New York City in April for $100,000 dollars guaranteed for Duran to fight Benitez. The fight was called off because, Papa Gregorio, Benitez's father, trainer and manager, wanted the same amount of money for his son.
Duran and his Puerto Rican boxing foes were always a natural. Ortiz was supposed to fight Duran in November 1972, but Ortiz got sick and was substituted by DeJesus. Duran also fought other Puerto Ricans, like brothers Edwin and Adolfo Viruet. He beat Edwin in a non-title bout in 1975 and had also rematch against him, this time for Duran's title in 1977. Duran won by unanimous decision both times. But, many observers believed that Edwin won the first fight. Maybe, the crowd loved how he frustrated the raging and ferocious Panamanian by clowning and running around the ring without giving Duran an easy target. It was probably, THE BLUEPRINT, for years later in which the great Sugar Ray Leonard frustrated Duran doing the same in New Orleans in November 1980. A rematch were Duran plainly quit in 8 rounds in the middle of the ring. The fight was called "No Mas".
Having his reputation shattered, Duran became an embarrassment to the Latin and especially, his countrymen fans. Duran didn't fight for 7 months. He came back to fight looking fat and pudgy against contenders that in lightweight or welterweight wouldn't carry his spit bucket, let alone beat him. Duran, the former lightweight and welterweight champion was trying to campaign at Jr Middleweight or Super Welterweight division. He only made 2 fights in 1981, but didn't looked impressive by any means.
Thinking about how to get a shot at Leonard again, Duran needed a big win to get Leonard's attention. Leonard was his obsession. That was all in his mind.... Leonard.
Benitez obsession was also Leonard. Leonard was the only man to beat him to that point. He wanted a rematch with Leonard.....Bad!
Both of them had common opponents. And both of them lost to Leonard, boxing's main superstar.
But, first, El Radar and Manos de Piedra had to take care of THIS BUSINESS. THIS FIGHT! Both signed for the fight for Saturday night of January 30, 1982 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. A Don King Promotion.
The legend was told that Duran trained as hard as he never trained since the first fight with Leonard in Montreal. He trained in an isolated island in Panama named Coiba, a Panamanian style penitentiary answer to San Francisco's Alcatraz. He trained there in front of the penitentiary cell mates for three months.
In a press conference for the fight, Benitez and Duran came to blows. That's how bad the rivalry, and dislike for each other was. There was no love lost between them.
Benitez also trained his ass off. He remembers the time when Duran, at the end of his greatest win against Leonard in Montreal, grabbed his nuts with his gloves and went at Benitez who was in attendance with his girlfriend, who was Leonard's sister. To many who saw that act, was despicable. To others, it was well, Duran is Duran, the macho man. An act of machismo.
For a couple of years, Benitez had been saying that Manos de Piedra was afraid of him. Well, now Duran is the challenger for his WBC World Super Welterweight crown. It was Benitez's second title defense.
The fight was set and from the beginning it wasn't much of a fight. Duran never showed his known ferocity and aggressiveness. The fire was gone. Manos de Piedra fought in spurts. Did he overtrained? Was Benitez just simply better? Or both?
Even when Duran had El Radar on the ropes, he couldn't do much of anything. Benitez was on top of things. A master when he trains and be at his very best shape possible, is difficult to beat.
It was a fight that Benitez dominated from the start. It was a complete dominant performance. The jab was quick and Duran didn't had an answer for him, even in the inside fighting, which Duran loves, was nullified. He didn't had it. But, we cannot discount Benitez's brilliance in that ring. He was stronger than Duran at this weight. He was even pushing Duran like he wanted to. He was quicker, more agile and stronger than Duran that looked totally weak. Leonard, who was commentating the fight along HBO's Barry Tompkins, Larry Merchant and former World Welterweight Champion, Carlos Palomino, observed that Duran looked weak.
But, it was a masterpiece for El Radar. He outpointed the Panamanian boxing legend and it was surely his night in a fight that left too much to be desired. By the end of the fight, Benitez like he always does in almost all his fights, wanted to embrace El Cholo, but Duran didn't want no part of it. Duran was always a sour loser. Benitez mocked Duran at the end like if he was going to throw the bolo punch just like Leonard did in New Orleans in round 7 rematch.
Duran at 30, although in defeat, didn't disgrace himself in this fight. He tried the best he could. He didn't quit. He dropped his extraordinary record to 74-3, with 56 knockouts. Benitez became only the third man to ever beat him. He also had plans to retire if he loses this fight.
El Radar, 23, improves to 43-1-1, with 28KOs. And he said that he looked like 10 million dollars. Well, champ. You did looked like a ten million dollar fighter. Now, you can set your eyes on Leonard once more. It was the last great performance of his magnificent young career.