1951 Ray Robinson challenger v. 1971 Monzon

Monzon was one of those kind of fighters, at first glance, you might not think he is anything special. He's not particularly fast or especially great in any one area, but it's how he put everything together that made him special. It may appear that Robinson has a lot in his favor, but I always thought this would have been a frustrating fight for him. Monzon adapted well and always did what he needed to get the job done. If you were operating at an 8, he makes sure that he is at least a 9. Robinson at middle lost a slight step. He could still be great, but that's when he started losing to guys. I see Monzon winning a close decision.

 

I dunno if RJJ did enough at 160 to merit inclusion.
Also he only made that weight with day before weigh ins.
So he could not effectively compete at the same weight.

But if everybody got to do day before weigh ins, he might have an advantage over everyone else.

 

I agree with you, thats why i said eye test , leaving resume out of it for him .. fair enough tho 168 was his best

 

It's an intriguing matchup. Monzon was a King at 160. He had his style and his formula and nobody ever really solved it. Trying to picture how this one would look. What kind of fight plays out?
I did mention Robinson's speed maybe being a factor because their both stand up boxers. Ray had quickness, agility and range. Carlos may have some answers for that. He didn't win all those fights because he couldn't adjust and think on the fly.

 

Yes preached it many times in here. He had 2 1/2 years off after Maxim at the age of 31 with 136 fights behind him. It's actually amazing that he did as well as he did when he came back from his break.

 

I have 51' Ray beating Monzon in a very competitive fight. I'd say Monzon was the greater MW champion by virtue of never losing his belt but their middleweight scalps in general aren't far off i.e La Motta, Basilio, Olson, Turpin, Fullmer, Graziano vs Benvenuti, Valdes, Briscoe, Griffith, Napoles.
Pre-retirement Ray is the best H2H middleweight for me.

 

Agree its a tough one
I would give the adv to SRR in hand speed, quickness and power ..
I would give the adv to Monzon in uses of the jab, rt cross and controlling the distance

It is hard to figure out how this would play out ?,, I think Monzon would control the distance with his jab ,, and SRR with his superior lateral movement would go in and out with combinations .. If SRR gets in and often , he wins , If Monzon is successful in controlling the distance , he wins ...

 

Robinson's footwork is all wrong for Monzon. I respect Monzon a lot. But I cannot see him holding up well to the guy who was pelting Maxim.

 

interesting. I suppose that's possible. But do you really see him planting himself to get hit? Monzon could really sting an opponent, but usually it was shorter fighters lured into his cross. It was deadly, but it had a specific application. Ray was more susceptible to guys who swarmed him.

I think he's constantly circiling Carlos, pelting him too much for Carlos to reset to reposition.

Maybe if Monzon tried to go on the OFFENSIVE? I dunno who fight we have to base that idea on, so it's just wild conjecture. But if he could use that wonderful jab offensively, he might completely unravel Robinson, leaving Ray to suffer the pasting. Again, not aware of any example of Monzon doing that.