BoxRec

There are probably at least a dozen middleweights who were considered to be greater fighters than Rodrigo Valdez. Let me see. There was Robinson, Monzon, Hagler, Cerdan, Burley, Zale, Graziano, Fullmer, Giardello, Tiger, and from the old days Greb, McCoy, Ketchel, etc. There are probably others after Hagler, and others that I can't think of right now.

Not that all of the fighters mentioned were greater than Valdez, but I think that most of them would be considered better, and there are more. However, just looking at Rodrigo Valdez's record, I think that he should be there. For one thing, I believe that there are fighters in the HOF that are not as deserving as Valdez to be there.

One thing that impresses me about Valdez's record is the fact that he was only knocked out once during his career, and it was long before he was a contender. Valdez went 15 rounds with Carlos Monzon twice, which is also impressive. It is true that Monzon was at the end of his career when he fought Valdez, and was just a few days short of his 35th birthday the last time that they fought, but still, Monzon was Monzon.

Valdez also had 41 knockouts in 73 fights, which indicates a dangerous puncher. 41 out of 73 is nearly a 60 percent knockout rate. This is also impressive. So when you add it all up, Rodrigo Valdez was a fighter who could punch and take a punch, and could stay 15 rounds with a great fighter.

Another thing, if Monzon was not around during the 1970's, then Valdez may well have been the Middleweight Champion through a good part of that decade. As it was, Valdez had a piece of the title (WBC I think) for a few years, and did get to be the World Champion for a time after Monzon retired.

I am not a fan of Rodrigo Valdez. I just think what's fair is fair. I do hope to see Rodrigo Valdez inducted to the HOF sometime in the next few years.

From the response I am getting here, I don't think that there are many Rodrigo Valdez fans on this forum. I have a feeling that most people don't give a rat's behind whether Valdez ever makes it to the HOF or not.

Part of the reason Valdez is not in the HOF yet may be because he is from Columbia, and does not show up for the various boxing dinners and HOF functions. Rodrigo is probably living a quiet life down in Columbia now. It is the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF), so that should not be held against him.

Maybe the HOF people feel that Valdez did not face as good competition as many other HOF inductees did. Other than Monzon, maybe there is some truth to that. Benny Briscoe and Gratian Tonna were about the 2 best opponents that Valdez faced, other than Monzon, I think. Maybe there are some other very tough opponents that I can't think of right now.

Maybe the HOF simply has forgotten Valdez. Anyway, when facing opponents like Monzon, Tonna, and Briscoe, Valdez always made a tough fight, even though he lost both of his fights to Monzon by decisions.

Anyway, I think that Rodrigo Valdez was tough. Valdez was evidently a dangerous puncher and had a good chin. He could also stay 15 rounds, so he must have kept in good shape.

When thinking of Valdez I will always remember him stopping the iron jawed, super tough 'Bad' Bennie Briscoe. NOBODY else ever did that to the armour plated Philly warrior and Bennie fought them all.

Yes, Rodrigo could hit. He could also take a punch as his record shows. What do you think about him going into the HOF? Do you think that he has a good shot?