Well a new year is quickly coming and from time to time there have been fighters mentioned that I must confess that after 35+ years as a boxing fan I still don't know much about... Who are some great/borderline greats that you don't know much about??? This year I need to learn a little bit more about: 1. Duilio Loi (almost total ignorance) 2. Luis Manuel Rodriguez (not much outside of the Griffith fights) 3. Gaspar Ortega 4. Florintino Fernandez (little outside of their fights) 5. Rubin Carter 6. Nino Benvenuti (I don't think I have watched anything outside of Monzon?) 7. Jose Torres 8. Sumbu kalambay (Nothing but the Mccallum fights) 9. Dave Sands 10. Rafael Herrera these are 10 guys I hope to learn some more (or something) about during this year...How about you, who are the guys you have missed or overlooked???
Where do I begin? The few I plan to get into a bit more for education's sake in the near future....... Vicente Saldivar - (I've seen a bit of him over the past few months, and not terribly enamored of him just yet. Need to do more study to see what the big hubbub is about). Miguel Canto - I have a short attention span, and 15-rounders are hard. Harold Johnson - Never seen him fight. John Conteh - Only seen the Saad fights. Need more. Joey Giardello - I like what I've seen in the few fights I've watched, and want to get to the Carter fight very soon.
Wilfred Benitez - Currently on the case though. Harold Johnson Hilario Zapata Jeff Chandler Joe Louis - Haven't watched nearly enough Marvin Hagler
Al - I'd have a look at the Johnny Carter fight, which shows his whole offensive arsenal, and also the Canizales and Solis bouts.
One of my favorites and severly underrated IMHO! Gabby Canizales to me is the fight you must watch... I personally loved his fight w/ baby kid Chocolate but I am not aware of video...but if you find it watch it. Johnny Dancin Machine Carter is also a good fight The 2 fight w/ Muniz are good for comparrison...Chandler lost a close decision in a fight he took on a few days notice, but the more prepared and better trained Chandler answers any questions in the rematch. I would follow that w/ Murata/Solis/Lujan if you are still interested in seeing more of him. Sandavol is almost useless...although it is what Chandler detractors point towards when trying to underscore how good he was. He had developed cataracts and was warned by doctors not to fight anymore...like many other fighters, fighting is what Chandler knew and he did not heed thier advice. To me his peak years were from 80 (Solis) through 83 (Canizales) anything in that frame is worth veiwing. If you have trouble finding some of his fights PM and I will see if I can burn some dvd's...It has been a year or two since I tried, but I might still be able to do it!
