BoxRec

Matthew Hilton became champ at 21 years of age. He was undefeated going in against Buster Drayton on June 87 and won a 15-rd decision after dropping Drayton in the first round.

Fernando Vargas also became champ at 21. He also was undefeated going in against Campas in December 98. Campas doesn't answer the bell for the 8th rnd.

Who wins between the 21 year old Hilton of June 87 vs the 21 year old Vargas of December 98?
Does it make a difference if it's over 12 or 15 rounds?

Bump after 6 months. Never got any opinions on this. I think it's a good matchup and I think Hilton has a better chance the longer the bout lasts.

Hilton may have a stamina advantage that could make the difference. I guess I would lean toward Vargas anyway, but it certainly could go either way. Both of these guys did have in some ways careers that were sinilar. Both seemed to be on the verge of superstardom and then regressed.

Man,I remember that fight when Hilton beat drayton. He went to the body like a monster.
I thought he was here to stay.I was really impressed. I'd take him over Vargas in that one.

The thing is though,Hilton never seemed to come close to duplicating that performance again.
Maybe drayton was tailor made for his style. As match ups go, this is an interesting one from that one fight perspective.

This kind of thread is typical. Without a thought, heavyweights are rountinely dismissed in pound for pound threads. Yet when someone starts an interesting non-heavyweight thread like this one, there is very little response. Bring up Tony Galento and there are a lot of responses.

Ambling Alp wrote:This kind of thread is typical. Without a thought, heavyweights are rountinely dismissed in pound for pound threads. Yet when someone starts an interesting non-heavyweight thread like this one, there is very little response. Bring up Tony Galento and there are a lot of responses.

I like this one because it brings up the question of a fighters best night.
Sometimes a guy catches "lightning in a bottle" and puts on an unbelievable performance that leaves fans thinking he's gonna be a great one.
Later, he just can't duplicate it.

I reckon Hilton wins on those respective nights although on any other day past Hilton's title winning day, Vargas beats him. As already said Hilton never reproduced that form and his pissing it up and lack of dedication to training would be big factors. Plus he was struggling to make 154 from well beforehand

Ambling Alp wrote:This kind of thread is typical. Without a thought, heavyweights are rountinely dismissed in pound for pound threads. Yet when someone starts an interesting non-heavyweight thread like this one, there is very little response. Bring up Tony Galento and there are a lot of responses.

I happen to prefer Heavyweights, is that a crime?

Hilton on points BTW.