Wilfred Benitez vs Julio Cesar Chavez

[Halfamill]

Who would of won the ultimate Puerto Rican/Mexican war between these two at 140lbs?

[zuru]

Who would of won the ultimate Puerto Rican/Mexican war between these two at 140lbs?

I love Benitez,and he was as slick as they come,but facing Chavez,he wouldn't be fighting a guy that is head-hunting,getting frustrated from missing,and picked apart by his counterpunches.Chavez would have been against his chest,pounding the body,arms, shoulders, head,and going back down to the body,starting all over.Benitez may have been quick,but Chavez faced and beat quick as,or quicker fighters than Benitez.And Benitez may have had a decent punch,and dismantled Mo Hope,but he wouldn't faze Chavez.Benitez best feat against Chavez,would be remaining until the end of the fight,not getting k.o.ed or stopped cuts,etc.I think that his style while being an excellent one against many making them miss in ring center,boxing,counterpunching ,then retreating to the ropes for opponents to flail away,while Benitez picked them apart,just wouldn't help him against the kind of phonebooth warfare that Chavez would bring.Benitez probably would have fared best in ring center,and should stay off the ropes,but it would not work against Chavez.Chavez by a unanimous decision.

[Borinken25]

To defeat Benitez you need speed and Chavez didn't have that. I picture Benitez vs. Duran and even if Duran wasn’t at his very best, but it was close enough. I just don't see Chavez winning this fight. Also Whitaker that was a defensive wizard like Benitez completely dominated Chavez and Chavez just got a gift decision draw. And even thought I rank Whitaker ahead of Benitez in the defense department, Benitez is not too far behind. Benitez by a clear UD.

[zuru]

To defeat Benitez you need speed and Chavez didn't have that. I picture Benitez vs. Duran and even if Duran wasn’t at his very best, but it was close enough. I just don't see Chavez winning this fight. Also Whitaker that was a defensive wizard like Benitez completely dominated Chavez and Chavez just got a gift decision draw. And even thought I rank Whitaker ahead of Benitez in the defense department, Benitez is not too far behind. Benitez by a clear UD.

you have to keep in mind,Duran was a slowpoke at 154,Chavez while not considered a speedster is far from slow at htis weight.Chavez catches him often,
zuru

[Borinken25]

To defeat Benitez you need speed and Chavez didn't have that. I picture Benitez vs. Duran and even if Duran wasn’t at his very best, but it was close enough. I just don't see Chavez winning this fight. Also Whitaker that was a defensive wizard like Benitez completely dominated Chavez and Chavez just got a gift decision draw. And even thought I rank Whitaker ahead of Benitez in the defense department, Benitez is not too far behind. Benitez by a clear UD.

you have to keep in mind,Duran was a slowpoke at 154,Chavez while not considered a speedster is far from slow at htis weight.Chavez catches him often,
zuru

Are you sure you have seen Benitez fight? Please explain your reasoning of how Chavez is going catch Benitez often. Benitez best weapon was his defense and Chavez would not be able to catch up to him. Benitez wins this one clearly.

[zuru]

To defeat Benitez you need speed and Chavez didn't have that. I picture Benitez vs. Duran and even if Duran wasn’t at his very best, but it was close enough. I just don't see Chavez winning this fight. Also Whitaker that was a defensive wizard like Benitez completely dominated Chavez and Chavez just got a gift decision draw. And even thought I rank Whitaker ahead of Benitez in the defense department, Benitez is not too far behind. Benitez by a clear UD.

you have to keep in mind,Duran was a slowpoke at 154,Chavez while not considered a speedster is far from slow at htis weight.Chavez catches him often,
zuru

Are you sure you have seen Benitez fight? Please explain your reasoning of how Chavez is going catch Benitez often. Benitez best weapon was his defense and Chavez would not be able to catch up to him. Benitez wins this one clearly.

I sure have seen him,like I said,he was one of my favorites,and I actually saw his fights,not merely read about them,and I agree his defense was his speciality,but what you're missing,is Benitez can hide his head all day long,but Chavez punched the body more often than the head,and anyone knows,you can move your head,but your body stays there,and a steady draining body attack by one of the best body punchers of all time,will most certainly have an effect,
zuru

[zuru]

Are you sure that you're not thinking of Chavez at 130 or 135?

yes,it is my opinion that the pre-Frankie Randall Chavez was among the elite of all time greats,and as much as I admired Benitez and his finesse,I just don't think he cold beat Chavez,although I think Benitez would beat MOST at 140,Chavez is not one of them.This is only my opinion,and once in the ring,only GOD knows what would happen,I could be made to look like a clown,as Benitez,deked,and dodged and made Chavez look like a clumsy,2 left footed bum,(but I don't think so),
zuru

[elmersalsa]

If the fight is in Puerto Rico, THERE IS NO WAY, that Chavez would come out of there victorious. If the fight is in Mexico, Chavez wins. In a neutral turf??? I pick Benitez. Why??? Chavez somehow gets frustrated when things were not going his way. Benitez, a master technician and underrated body puncher will give Chavez fits. Plus, at 140, I do not think that Chavez had the power that he had at 130 or 135. Heck, he never had that great power, his KOs were done from accumulations of punches to the body. I have seen Chavez fight with Taylor, Mayweather II, and Randall at 140, and he somehow seeemed very frustrated in those fights, Benitez is the quicker man, and will make a slow starter like Chavez miss even in close encounters. Chavez is one of my favorite fighters, but I think he was kind of overrated in a sense. When he fights someone his equal, like Taylor, Whitaker or Randall, he looks ORDINARY.

Benitez on points.

[zuru]

If the fight is in Puerto Rico, THERE IS NO WAY, that Chavez would come out of there victorious. If the fight is in Mexico, Chavez wins. In a neutral turf??? I pick Benitez. Why??? Chavez somehow gets frustrated when things were not going his way. Benitez, a master technician and underrated body puncher will give Chavez fits. Plus, at 140, I do not think that Chavez had the power that he had at 130 or 135. Heck, he never had that great power, his KOs were done from accumulations of punches to the body. I have seen Chavez fight with Taylor, Mayweather II, and Randall at 140, and he somehow seeemed very frustrated in those fights, Benitez is the quicker man, and will make a slow starter like Chavez miss even in close encounters. Chavez is one of my favorite fighters, but I think he was kind of overrated in a sense. When he fights someone his equal, like Taylor, Whitaker or Randall, he looks ORDINARY.

Benitez on points.

I have to disagree with the frustration part,I have rarely seen Chavez appear Frustrated even when his fight with Dela Hoya was virtually over about a minute into it,from that horrible gash(1st fight),or when he was trailing on points against Taylor(1st fight),he has always been cool & poised.The slower Benitez starts,the bigger the advantage leans towards Chavez,and I am a very big Benitez fan,
Chavez.

[Ambling Alp]

I lean toward Benitez. Chavez often did struggle with slick boxers. Benitez certainly was that. It's easy to see Benitez winning a decison.

Benitez wasn't consistent, and if he had a off performance Chavez would destroy him. However, usually when Benitez was fighting a top fighter he performed well. 140 wasn't Chavez's best weight. Benitez seemed equally good at 140,147,and 154.

Interesting matchup.

[TigerMoth]

While I dislike SRR, he was a great fighter and very fast. Considering that he had a very difficult time finding/hitting Benitez, I can't imagine Chavez would have been more successful.

Benitez!

[Ezzard]

Slick defensive masters rarely get beaten by aggressive fighters naturally smaller than themselves.

[AndreWardFan2006]

Oh benitez would win this by a wide decision, he would be tagging JCC all night and his defense would cause just enough trouble for Chavez to throw him off.