How do you this match up going? Benton beat Giardello, who would end up upsetting Robinson. Would Robinson have been able to handle a crafty boxer like Benton? Would have been a fascinating fight between 2 skilled boxers, the fancy offensive fighter against cagey defensive fighter.
I think this Robinson would not have an easy time and would probably lose as you imply, Flo. Benton was a solid ring operator and a 'peak' 160 Robinson definitely beats him IMO, but Robinson had really quite lost a step by this time and Benton is good enough to take advantage. Benton decision. Robinson, as always, would do better in a rematch.
BENTON BY A RATHER BRUTAL KNOCKOUT. GUYS BEFORE JANUARY 29, 1963 HAD NO SKILLS. NO SPEED. NO BIG MUSCLES. LOSERS ALL. BIGGER IS BETTER. MUSCLEBOUND IS EVERYTHING. EVERYBODY KNOWS BODY BUILDERS ARE THE TOUGHEST FELLOWS IN HISTORY.
You don't really specify a time frame here. The Robinson who won the middleweight title from Jake LaMotta in 1951 would have been too much for the George Benton of any era. The Robinson who came back from retirement (1955-61) would have had an increasingly tough time. Not sure when to draw the line. After 1961, I definitely choose Benton.
The Robinson-Giardello outcome wasn't an upset. Ray was 42 years old. People were already urging him to retire.
Early 50s middle weight Robinson could take it the 1st time around. But Benton would be a solid challenger.
I really liked Benton the trainer, and as a fighter he is often not given the thought he should have, but... He did tend to find a way to lose the big match ups. Sure SRR of 62/63 was not the same beast he once was, but maybe he still has enough bluff and cunning to pull this one off.