Thirty-eight wins, four losses, looking at boxec the records of his opponents seem to be unimpressive overall. I am obviously missing something here. Why is he so highly regarded? Also: Which matches should I watch?
Shake,,,,,, Looks like you're a hard man to please.... Record of 38-4-0 (17 KO's) Thru December 1989, he was 37-1-0 (16 KO's) And a Champion for 6+ years, and stayed at 108 lbs., until he was age 26 1/2, a feat in itself. He only lost '3' of his last '4-bouts' to the, A) 'The Great' Humberto Gonzalez B) Sot Chitalada 'a non-stop buzzsaw' C) Muangchai Kittikasem 'a vicious punching machine'
I don't know that he is "so highly regarded" even though he was a recent IBHOF inductee he's still mostly a relatively obscure fighter and lacks the widespread accolades\balanced respect across the whole boxing spectrum that a significant number fighters enjoy There are positives and negatives like any other fighter, and the bottom line is the same as with any other...he's got his supporters because people watched him fight and thought him an excellent talent. Watch his fights in the correct order and make your own mind up i always say.Though there is outside ring stories and factors that knowing beforehand might make for more understanding, it could also bias you for\against him and isn't necessary if you know nothing about him.I expect most fight followers watching his fights should be able to pick out their own opinion of a pre-prime\prime\decline arc for themselves anyway. I'll tell you this though. he's no Ayub Kalule.
LUCKILY I HAVE PREPARED FOR SUCH A SITUATION http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9004441&postcount=46 that is an okay summary but it will still seem like a bunch of average no-namers if you're not familiar with his era and opponents, also, the footage is a bit ropey and there are better versions of fights now on youtube. As per his four losses; I'd say the first (against Zapata, avenged) and the penultimate (against Chitilada, previously beaten) were both unfair and that the Korean had put in performances that could be deemed as worthy of a 'W'. Chiquita beat him fair and square, as did Kittikasem, but even then Chang was on his last legs and beating up the bigger, stronger and harder hitter right up until the final round. As for ability, Chang was ridiculous.
Yeah, he was. World champ' at what, 19? Could do everything. More than serviceable chin even past his best. Being a party animal he has some horrific showings though, particularly the second Torres fight (made up for it in the 3rd)
Y'know, in every era there's some boxers with an athletic advantage over the field. But there's just something about a fighter who does not have that, but sports an innate "fighting sense". Like early Roberto Duran and even moreso Chang. Seems like he's always had it.
Actually, Chang never looked more impressive to me than in his first fight against Zapata. So quick on his feet.
Thanks :thumbsup That thread had some good ones actually, only brief encyclopaedia type entries but as always, if it spurs on debate/provokes questions it's all good with me :good It's the basics though