What would have happened if Monzon hadn`t retired in 1977?

I've always...and that goes back a ways..believed that, in their primes, Monzon would have beaten Hagler...by decision over 15 rounds. Besides the obvious height and reach advantages, he had the coolness, and as good a ring IQ as any fighter in history....Monzon was always in control in his bouts. No confusion or wrong battle plans like Hagler...not dithering about and being too respectful and deferring to a Roberto Duran and Ray Leonard (why did Marvin blow those early rounds vs Leonard by not fighting in his natural element of southpaw?,,,that's what I mean by "ring IQ btw)...Hagler lacked that cold blooded evenhandedness with his opponent's that Monzon had. Carlos fought "taller" as well as, or better than any fighter ever, especially Hearns who sacrificed his reach and height advantages by fighting so emotionally vs Hagler by striving so hard to ko the Hag, and Monzon was innately more clever than Marvin was. Monzon wouldn't have tried to go toe to toe with Hagler, trying to ko his man, instead he would have used his great sense of distance, timing and punch selection, and would have won a 15 round decision...and picking up the tempo in the last 3 rounds 13, 14, and 15, that he was so adept at.. Anoher thing is, despite not getting any credit for it by clueless millennial fans, Monzon also had a world class iron chin. Well sir, these reasons, in a nutshell, are why I believe that Carlos would have beaten Marvin Hagler, and if I can think of some more I'll surely let you know of them.

 

Monzon also has a decisive 15 round decision victory over Briscoe, a younger Briscoe, and was not kept on the back foot as the younger Hagler was. a few years later by an older Briscoe.

 

Very intellectual post, your analysis is spot on, Hagler was very talented, could fight on the inside but Carlos would have not allowed that to happen. The only thing Monzon would have had to adjust to was the ability Hagler had in switching up stances, conventional to southpaw. The fight does go the distance, both have iron chins, both are very confident and prideful champions, but Monzon wins on points.

 

Many speak of the draw that Carlos Monzon had with Bennie Briscoe in May 1967, like many fighter coming up, it was a learning experience. Monzon however defeated Briscoe by unanimous 15 round decision on Nov 11 1972 in a title defense.

 

Thank you my good friend!!

 

Anytime, I posted my opinion.

 

Every man loses to Father Time, who is always undefeated through time. Carlos Monzon as great as he was would have lost by 1980, but he was not an ignorant fighter listening to bloodthirsty fans who never laced a pair of gloves in the first place. The great Monzon knew his limitations, and was financially set, unlike these fighters that have to come back, also he was a movie actor in his country of Argentina.

 

If he cut out the ciggies and broads, and had a love of disciplined training like later middleweight greats like Hagler and Hopkins..Who knows how long he could have been tops?