Valdez was 4 years younger than Monzon and started his career below 147 , it took time 4 him 2 grow , improve and 2 prove himself as a worthy contender . I guess Monzon's injury had less effect on his performance since it was in d part (of body) and type of injury that heals better and/or at least has less effect . D effect of n arm injury is quite direct and obvious , don't u think ?
Conclusion, Carlos Monzon vs. Rodrigo Valdez in late-1974, would have been the best time for these two exceptional Middleweights to fight each other. It could have ended up a 'trilogy'.
it probably had a big impact on Valdez although he would go on to hold the title and beat Briscoe again. But he was a rated contender all the way back in 1972.
Well unless someone finds a direct quote saying, I and Valdez didn't fight because blank, all we can do is theorize.
Little Red, February 9, 1974 Following Carlos Monzon's (World Middleweight Championship Title Defense) over Jose Napoles, Monzon was immeditaley stripped by the WBC, for failure to provide a urine sample immediately after the bout. February 10, 1974 - a) The WBC stripped Monzon, and announced that their version was now vacant b) The French Boxing Federation, immediately suspended Carlos Monzon from fighting in France or French Territory for 18-months. c) Many of the European Boxing Federations followed in suit, and recognized the French Boxing Federation's suspension. This left Carlos, without his favorite fighting venue - Paris, France or the French Riviera. With only Argentina left, as a primary venue, Carlos went on a bit of a hiatus. Which included, trying to correct problems in his marriage with Ana Marie de Monzon. But, Carlos got into the Argentina Movie Scene, and got a part in the movie 'La Mary', which co-starred 'starlet' Susana Giminez. So with all those issues, a bout with Rodrigo Valdez could have only taken place in Argentina, a location where Rodrigo Valdez would absolutely have 'no chance' of winning. And, New York, was completely out of the question, as that area was Rodrigo's American base. What would you rather do, fight Rodrigo Valdez, or pound Susana Giminez ? Susana Giminez This content is protected
Great as always, SP:good Post more info! Fight Valdez - that's the Way of the Ultimate Warriaaah!:bbb
October 5, 1974 If anyone doubted whether Carlos Monzon would have 'major trouble' with Rodrigo Valdez in late-1974, just check Monzon's systematic destruction of the 'dangerous' Tony Mundine. The bout held at Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires. Some questioned Carlos Monzon desire to keep defending his Middleweight Championship. 'El Grafic' The 30 year-old, with a 82-3-9 record, is no longer the WBC Middleweight Champion. He is now the WBA Champion only. In his 'first' WBA only defense, Monzon will be facing Australian power-puncher, the 6' 0" Tony Mundine 47-3-1 (41 KO's). Mundine is the British-Commonwealth Middleweight Champion, and #1 WBA Challenger. Mundine, who was 'World Recognized' as the #1 Middleweight in 1973, was 'upset' by 'Bad Bennie' Briscoe (L KO 5) in February 1974. Tony Mundine has come back with '3' straight 'Knockout' victories in mid-1974. The 23 year-old Australian, has explosive power, and comes at you with both hands, using sharp left leads, left hooks and lead rights. Tony likes to be the aggressor, and will most likely press the fight early, in an attempt to build up a points lead, and hold off Monzon's typical late fight charge. If any Middleweight has the 'talent' to defeat Carlos Monzon, it is the slashing and punching style of Australian 'power-puncher' Tony Mundine. But in Estadio Luna Park, this will be an enormous challenge for Mundine. Betting-Odds; 5-2 for Carlos Monzon This content is protected
Champion Carlos Monzon landing on Tony Mundine. The Australian and #1 WBA Middleweight Challenger fought well through 6 rounds, and even landed some hard punches on the 'hard as rock' Champion. B But, Monzon started to put heavy pressure on Mundine in Rounds 5 and 6, and started to back up the Australian who was the effective aggressor in the first 4 rounds. In Round 7, the Champion unloaded with a viscous two-fisted assault that stunned the Challenger, who was then floored for the 'full-count'. This content is protected
By the end of 1974, It was a 'foregone conclusion' that Rodrigo Valdez was the best middleweight out there, to challenge Carlos Monzon. But it was Carlos who held the keys to the, 'where, when and how much.' Unfortunately, the only place where the 'two' could make BIG $$$, was Monte Carlo, and Carlos was still under suspension from the French Boxing Federation.
So we now move from 1974 to 1975. I assume Monzon's suspension ended somewhere in the middle of 1975. Found this article: http://news.google.com/newspapers?n..._1dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NV8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2892,5362193 It says Monzon signed to fight Valdez in October 1975, after he beats Licata. At that time Valdez just defeated Raul Mendez a month earlier. Instead Monzon fought Tonna in december. And Valdez fought Robles in august and then got injured. Why the proposed fight fell through? Do you know anything about it, SP?
Lester1583, I'm pretty sure Carlos Monzon's suspension by the French Boxing Federation did not end until Septermber 1, 1975 (18-months after the Jose Napoles bout). And Rodrigo Valdez, after winning the WBC Middleweight version in May 1974 over Bennie Briscoe, still owed Madison Square Garden a 1974 fight, which was the 'non-title' bout with 'undefeated but unranked' Vinnie Curto in October 1974. First, Rodrigo went back to Columbia, for an easy fight with Detroit club-fighter Cubby 'Top Cat' Jackson in September 1974. As for money, Rodrigo got alot to go to France, to take on Gratien Tonna in November 1974, which was in the neighborhood of $175,000. Which was just as much as he would have gotten to fight Carlos Monzon on a 'neutral site'. Rodrigo's Manager, Chino Govin said he wanted to fight Carlos Monzon on a 'neutral site' and Buenos Aires was out of the question, even for $400,000.