Thanks rc, great vid. That's the old boy in my avatar. Ain't no lightweight in history who I'd give more than a 60% chance of beating him at his best - the book on how to beat him was never written, such was the absolute completeness of his game. You just had to be better, which was enormously difficult. He beat counter/boxer-punchers (Brown, Elorde, Ramos, Lane, Matthews, Vaillant),mobile speedsters/slicksters (also Elorde, Laguna, Bizzarro), pressure fighters/maulers (Charnley, Rosi, Loi, Torres), defensive savants (Locche), big punchers (Torres, Ramos, Brown), southpaws (Lane, Kosaka, Elorde). The lot. He could fence at distance/outjab, fight on the inside, stalk /pressure, counter at any range with either hand, brawl or slug. Fight using any style and subsequently shut any stylistic trait down in almost any opponent. Superb technique and natural fighting instinct without being excessive or flashy. His CV is frightening and I don't think there's been a better one since in 50 years at the weight. There are hardly since at ANY weight to be honest. Laguna, Loi, Locche, Elorde, Ramos, Brown, Lane, Rosi, Charnley, Vaillant, Kosaka, Torres, Bizzarro, Busso, Matthews and a stack of other contenders. It's incredible that he was so iron-fisted over such a strong field when he wasn't even all that dedicated, spending half of his training time drinking, gambling and shagging. His shape was incredible all considered, how muscle-bound and trim he managed to remain and how he kept making the weight for years without ill effects when he was effectively a welter/ massive light-welter. Amazing fighter, one of my all time favourites.
