Sugar Ray Robinson vs King Carlos Monzon (160lbs 15 rounds)

Like Ray in this. He is just a wee bit too slick.

 

Even chances for me

 

Monzon IMO

 

Possibly the only welterweight Monzon wouldn't eventually impose himself on. I think Ray pre first retirement at his absolute middleweight best could get home in a close one hard fought battle. Robinson still had gunpowder in his fists against Middleweights and this allied to his speed, slashing combination punching and skill would keep Monzon in check enough to get him home IMO.

 

Robinson for me. Too quick plus very durable and smart. Just overall a much better fighter than Monzon.

 

I guess too many of Monzon's fights are in color for this to be a competitive match up.

 

Wow,,,it's so hard to pick against Sugar Ray Robinson under 160 pounds against anyone. Safe bet is they'd split a couple of fights but I'd hate to bet on who gets the first win.

 

Lean towards Monzon. I think he keeps him outside enough and Robinson doesn't do enough damage at mid-range partly because of Monzon's height. Robinson doesn't get to punch down on the shorter guy.

 

That's a good one.
Monzon fought a much weaker crop of Middleweights. His two notable wins (outside of Benvenuti) are against old washed-up welterweights.
He's not as fast, not as powerful, nowhere near as skilled etc. I have a very hard time seeing where exactly the competition is.

 

& so it is - 16-16-2.

 

Carlos was a rough boy. I think
rougher than Ralph "Tiger" Jones who thoroughly beat up the Sugar man in 1955. More than a few guys who defeated Robinson were rough, aggressive types (LaMotta, Turpin, Jones, Basilio, Fullmer). That's why I favor Monzon.

 

Ray fought the majority of those guys when he was past his prime.

 

Monson by close decision. He would make it uncomfortable for Robinson, enough to win the fight.

 

Griffith was the number 1 contender when he fought Monzon

Griffith was the number 1 contender.
Tonna
Bogs
Mundine
Licata
Bouttier
Were all big middleweights.
Briscoe and Valdez were quality opponents.
Monzon wasn't as powerful as Robinson? That is very debateable imo.