Wilfred Benitez vs Terrance Crawford

[robbydecker]

I'd like to go with, @154 with this hypothetical, since I believe that was Wilfred's best version of himself.
Yes, he was very good at 140 and 147 but I think that when he campaigned at 154 that's where he seemed to reach his ultimate peak form overall. Yes, it was quite brief obviously, but when I view his Really Big Wins at 154(Versus Maurice Hope in 1981 and Roberto Duran in 1982), I can't help but feel that That Was Wilfred Benitez at his absolute Full On Full Fledged Peak.
I think that at 147 this would've been a very 50-50 type of bout, but at 154 I'd give that specific 1981-1982 version of Benitez the edge. I think he'd out slick and out land Crawford in a 12 round bout, by a margin of 6-4-2, and if they fought a 15 rounder then I'd speculate Benitez to be out pointing Crawford, something like 8-5-2 in rounds.
I also think that Benitez would've beaten Madrimov more easily than Crawford did.

I mean, Crawford won what looked like a very narrow decision versus Madrimov but I'm quite certain that Wilfred Benitez would've decisioned Madrimov by a considerably wider margin. Something like 8-3-1 in rounds for a 12 rounder.
Is it actually possible that Benitez could've Tko'd or even Ko'd Madrimov..?
Absolutely definitely very possible, especially when you watch the way he flattened Maurice Hope with one punch.
Crawford, quite good at knocking guys out, but he didn't have that True One Punch Ko Power.
Yes, it was an impressive late rounds Ko that he got versus Benevidez, and the Ko versus Kell Brook even though Kell was well past it by then. Those Ko's were just simply not the same type of Ko that Benitez got versus Hope.

His counter punching and elusiveness looked Very Epically Impressive in his rather wide decision win over Duran as well.
Also, Wilfred Benitez going the 15 round distance versus Hearns, after taking nearly a full year off was also quite noteworthy. He decked Hearns in the late rounds as well, and was extremely resilient of Hearn's offensive onslaughts. And very savvy and slick to avoid getting punched hard, beyond maybe getting clipped here and there throughout that 15 rounder that they had at the end of 1982. Wilfred's previous bout to that was that very early 1982 Amazing performance versus Duran so there really was the big factor of inactivity involved, otherwise maybe Wilfred would've been even more competitive versus Hearns.
I've always felt that Wilfred Benitez would've had a very good chance to decision Marvin Hagler, had they fought during one of the middle months of 1982.

[goose 5]

Benitez on points at 140, 47 or 54.

[elmersalsa]

I don't think that Terence "Bud" Crawford has ever fought someone of Wilfred Benitez class or league.

I would favor Benitez over Crawford by decision at any weight class. Crawford has a better chance at 140lbs.

[gilgamesh]

Benitez makes Crawford look back for about 3 or 4 rounds. Doing his thing, making him miss by an inch or 2, and countering effectively, but the trouble with Benitez's style and part of what made it so fun to watch. He BARELY makes you miss. Which means he was always only an inch or 2 away from disaster, and usually when he did get caught with one, it was right on the point of the chin.

Benitez would be ahead in the fight when he got knocked out in the 7th or 8th round.

[tiny_acres]

Benitez makes Crawford look back for about 3 or 4 rounds. Doing his thing, making him miss by an inch or 2, and countering effectively, but the trouble with Benitez's style and part of what made it so fun to watch. He BARELY makes you miss. Which means he was always only an inch or 2 away from disaster, and usually when he did get caught with one, it was right on the point of the chin.

Benitez would be ahead in the fight when he got knocked out in the 7th or 8th round.

I have to agree though it might take until the 10th

[gilgamesh]

Benitez makes Crawford look back for about 3 or 4 rounds. Doing his thing, making him miss by an inch or 2, and countering effectively, but the trouble with Benitez's style and part of what made it so fun to watch. He BARELY makes you miss. Which means he was always only an inch or 2 away from disaster, and usually when he did get caught with one, it was right on the point of the chin.

Benitez would be ahead in the fight when he got knocked out in the 7th or 8th round.

I have to agree though it might take until the 10th

It might indeed. Maybe even the 11th