Watched this fight live on Channel 7 ABC in NJ as a kid and was very impressed by Hope's performance. Mattioli was also an excellent fighter too, but his right hand must have been hurt because he didn't use it at all. But Rocky still made it a great fight with just one hand. Look at how small the ring is, the smallest ring I ever saw. Hope was a quality champion until he ran into Wilfred Benitez. Forgotten classic with the added pleasure of an excited inspired Howard Cosell commentating.
Re: Maurice Hope vs Rocky Mattioli
Posted: 02 Mar 2022, 02:04
by bennie
bjornborgbook wrote: ↑27 Feb 2022, 21:49
Watched this fight live on Channel 7 ABC in NJ as a kid and was very impressed by Hope's performance. Mattioli was also an excellent fighter too, but his right hand must have been hurt because he didn't use it at all. But Rocky still made it a great fight with just one hand. Look at how small the ring is, the smallest ring I ever saw. Hope was a quality champion until he ran into Wilfred Benitez. Forgotten classic with the added pleasure of an excited inspired Howard Cosell commentating.
Mattioli broke his wrist when Hope dropped him in the opening seconds of the fight.
Re: Maurice Hope vs Rocky Mattioli
Posted: 02 Mar 2022, 08:55
by bjornborgbook
incredible that Mattioli did not throw another right hand the rest of the fight and was competitive too. Mattioli looks like Beterbiev beast style but with more animated enthusiastic fans.