Middleweights: Carlos Monzon vs Sugar Ray Robinson

[elmersalsa]

Another DREAM MATCH BETWEEN TWO GREATS.

I cannot recall Robinson fighting someone as talented, tall and strong like Monzon. Neither I cannot recall Monzon fighting someone as fast and strong and skillful like Sugar Ray.

Could Robinson absorb Monzon's best shots?

Could Monzon's reach and height, plus his jab be a problem to Robinson?

Can Monzon neutralize Robinson's speed?

Robinson would have had a lot of problems to someone like Monzon and maybe too strong for a NATURAL WELTERWEIGHT. Robinson at middleweight, was not as dominant as welterweight.

I think That Monzon would have won this fight by late KO or UD.

[BoxBuzz]

At Middleweight Monzon would win this. But all things even Monzon would beat any other MW in my opinion. Ray was at his best at WW.

[vagabundo55]

At Middleweight Monzon would win this. But all things even Monzon would beat any other MW in my opinion. Ray was at his best at WW.

I completely agree with this post. Monzon is often underrated and Robinson isn't really overrated, but he was definetely at his best in welterweight not middleweight. At middleweight I think he'd lose to a couple other fighters... but at welterweight, i'd make him the favorite against any fighter.

[Les Darcy]

Neither I cannot recall Monzon fighting someone as fast and strong and skillful like Sugar Ray.

Not even Emile Griffith? When he was on, he was nearly as good as Sugar Ray. He didn't hit quite as hard, and he didn't take a punch quite as well, but his punching precision was almost unmatched in the history of boxing. Robinson was the better fighter, because he was always at his best, and only age took that away from him.

I actually thought the same thing, Napoles as well was a great boxer with tremendous skills although he didnt have the size to trouble Monzon as he was a natural lightweight. Griffith though did cause Monzon problems in their second fight, so I think Ray has a real shot in this fight. But I pick Monzon in a close fight over 15 rounds, the natural size advantage and Monzon's amazing stamina would give him the edge IMO, but you'd me mad to think it was a definate.

[barry]

Close fight...but at 160 I would favor Monzon on points...possibly split decision...147 no one beats Robinson!

[Aldo Pravisani]

Close fight...but at 160 I would favor Monzon on points...possibly split decision...147 no one beats Robinson!

I don't know; Even allowing that Robinson's best years were spent as a welterwight, I still fancy the Sugarman over anyone. Even against Carlos Monzon I believe he would have found that something special. Robinson by UD in a close fight.

[Dentsun4228]

Close fight...but at 160 I would favor Monzon on points...possibly split decision...147 no one beats Robinson!

I don't know; Even allowing that Robinson's best years were spent as a welterwight, I still fancy the Sugarman over anyone. Even against Carlos Monzon I believe he would have found that something special. Robinson by UD in a close fight.

Robinson by easy decision or KO in the middle rounds... I don't consider Monzon a great middleweight. His competition was not that great. He beat an over-the-hill griffith (really at his best at Welter) and Benvenuti who was known to lack discipline and dedication. He beat welterweight Napoles who was also on the downslide and Rodrigo Valdez who was overrated. The other guys on his record, the Bouttiers, Bogs etc were garbage. On the other hand, Robinson was in his 30's fighting young, hungry stars and Knocking them out in brutally dramatic fashion. Robinson would outbox Monzon easily...a turtle and hare scenario with the hare racing to the finish line in a pretty wide margin of victory...If Monzon could last the distance.

[BoxBuzz]

Add to that that Monzon was a bit edgy about fighting Griffith....apparently he had great respect for the guy....

[Les Darcy]

Maybe he would of had great respect about fighting Robinson also?

[BoxBuzz]

Maybe he would of had great respect about fighting Robinson also?

Undoubtedly

[Ambling Alp]

Close fight...but at 160 I would favor Monzon on points...possibly split decision...147 no one beats Robinson!

I don't know; Even allowing that Robinson's best years were spent as a welterwight, I still fancy the Sugarman over anyone. Even against Carlos Monzon I believe he would have found that something special. Robinson by UD in a close fight.

Robinson by easy decision or KO in the middle rounds... I don't consider Monzon a great middleweight. His competition was not that great. He beat an over-the-hill griffith (really at his best at Welter) and Benvenuti who was known to lack discipline and dedication. He beat welterweight Napoles who was also on the downslide and Rodrigo Valdez who was overrated. The other guys on his record, the Bouttiers, Bogs etc were garbage. On the other hand, Robinson was in his 30's fighting young, hungry stars and Knocking them out in brutally dramatic fashion. Robinson would outbox Monzon easily...a turtle and hare scenario with the hare racing to the finish line in a pretty wide margin of victory...If Monzon could last the distance.

I don't go along with the turtle and hare scenario. (boxbuzz may tell you it's tortiose not turtle :)

Monzon wasn't slow at all. He was able to get to both Benevenuti and Griffith who were both very fast. Turpin, Basilio and Fullmer were able to get Robinson consistently. I go with Monzon in a very close decision.