School me on 3 Carloz Monson fights

Some of his most notable fights that demonstrates his greatness.

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Monzons fight against Napoles is considered a signature win and a brutal beat down of a great fighter, although truth be told this was more of a case of a great big fighter beating up a great small fighter. Still, the skills he shows in that fight where he almost doesn’t miss a punch on poor Napoles is impressive to watch.

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If I knew nothing about Monzon, and took a look at these videos, I would have thought he was good, but never would have thought I was looking at an ATG. He looks quite hittable, and has nowhere near the hand speed that I've often read that he has. Not doubting his accomplishments, but, am I the only one who's not in awe of what's on display in the above videos?

 

There are good shouts here certainly, but my personal favourite would be his return fight with Rodrigo Valdez. That was guts, patience, & proficiency blended magnificently.

 

He's one of these guys who does not look pretty on film. He's awkward, no mobility and possesses a standard jab, jab, straight right combo. But he's an incredible ring general with that combo. He keeps you where he wants you to be and when you're on the end of that straight right it has devastating results. And he could keep it up for 15 as well as handle everything in return. He just doesn't have that appreciable style. For example, when he fought in the US for that one and only time in MSG against Tony Licata, some of the older generation were heard to be saying, "I can't believe this is the guy they said would beat Robinson."

 

A lot of people feel the same about him. Monzon is the kind of fighter that isn't gonna be for everyone and may look unimpressive on first viewing. He didn't have the prettiest style, wasn't very exciting to watch, can look very basic and awkward at times, wasn't a slick defensive fighter with fancy head movement or footwork, and didn't possess one punch KO power. Saying all that though he wasn't a negative fighter or devoid of any aggression by means. What he did have was a calm, focused mentality, measured attack, very intelligent ring IQ and was almost always in control of fights, and he always found a way to win. He could also be a savage fighter when he did decide to unleash his offense, it just took some time for him to slowly break down his opponents and go after them. Smart and subtle is the best way to describe Monzon.

 

Hi Buddy.
Excellent, a tour de force breakdown of this most intangible of fighters, anyone who is not familiar with Monzons fighting style would do well to ingest your painstaking post, one of the best of its genre, Monzon has always been a hard sell to the younger boxing fan, brought up on flashy boxers with little substance, time and again I would rush to get my Boxing News to read that the great man had turned back another challenge, punchers, boxers, movers, were all grist to his mill, he exudes this profound belief that he couldn't be beaten, he knew he was the better fighter, no matter if the other fighter was in the lead, later rather than sooner, such was his style, he would render them beaten, whether by points or stoppage it would come, arms like steel cables, he would bludgeon his way to victory, it wasn't pretty or flash, but then neither is a steam roller, would he have the better off : SRR, Greb, Hagler, who knows, but during his reign he was truly formidable, and a great fighter, we will not see his like again.
stay safe FR, chat soon amigo.

 

Appreciate it. Monzon was indeed a great champion who was so good at doing what he did and was dominant in his era. He would have been a hard fighter to face for any MW in any given time period.
Hope all is well with you.

 

Even back then when Monzon fought he wasn't that well appreciated. Sports Illustrated did not seem to care too much about him at the time.

 

Very nice and accurate description of Monzon

 

I felt the same way about Hagler for some time when I was exposed to him at a young age. In time, with enough fights, my opinion changed - even though I occasionally still feel he gets too much cred. Monzon is a similar type that can fail to inspire initially (though I did not experience that, personally). But I rate him higher than Hagler these days. Others have done a good job explaining why already.

Have you seen his return fight with Valdez? Great example of the best of Monzon.

 

I know what you mean here. I felt the same about Julio Cesar Chavez. Unspectacular was my first impression...not lightning fast, and didn't have one punch power. It took several fights before I could really appreciate how good he was.

That's probably why I'm not seeing Monzon the same as others here. I haven't watched too many of his fights, and haven't seen the Valdez return fight that you mentioned, in full anyway. Thanks for the recommendation on that. I'll take a look.

 

I think his signature win was Nino 1 .. he was an absolute beast in that fight, so strong, tireless , mentally hungry and focused ... Valdez 2 was impressive as he beat a very good younger fighter in his swan song ..

 

Yes I've often said the samething he doesn't look spectacular like his record and accomplishments suggests.