The puncher from Dominican Republic who has fought fighters such as Roy Jones Jr, James Toney, Michael Nunn, Glen Johnson, etc. What’s the Classic Forums thoughts on El Corombo? Just how hard of a puncher was he and what were some of his best fights that he’s been involved in besides his epic slugfest with Prince Charles Williams? Do you think the stoppage to RJJ was as premature as Sosa claims? This content is protected This content is protected
His power to me never really looked amazing regarding eye test but everyone who's fought him comments about his power so they know more than me. RJJ stoppage was fine Sosa wasn't throwing back after a barrage of punches and he'd been floored just prior to that aswell. Everyone mentions the 1st Williams fight but the 2nd one had a brutal stoppage with Williams basically knocked out on his feet like Izon vs Tua.
I absolutely do not remember a Merqui Sosa-Glen Johnson fight. Had to look that one up, and was surprised to see that Sosa took that one by UD over a 32-1 Johnson. Not the result I would have expected between those two. He usually made for good fights, but one of the better ones of Sosa's IMO was against Kenny Bowman on USA Tuesday Night Fights. Good back and forth action. Sosa was behind going into the 12th, and had Bowman in some trouble in the final round, but couldn't finish and dropped a UD. Jones said that he expected Sosa to be the toughest test of his career going into that fight. I also thought it was a dangerous fight RJ, but the difference in speed was just too much. I still thought the stoppage was a bit premature, but I wouldn't argue it too much for the reasons @Dynamicpuncher pointed out. Always thought Tommy Gallagher's profanity laced tirade, which could be heard clearly just after the stoppage, was pretty amusing. Here it is (time stamped) This content is protected
When you look at Glen Johnsons record his SOS jumped dramatically after he was undefeated and it took him awhile to adjust. No one stopped Johnson but Hopkins and he was competitive, but after Sosa Johnson only won one of his next 8 decisions. The one he won was over a guy just a few wins over .500. Johnsons SOS when he was undefeated was truly awful and might be the worst 30+ fight win streak any HOF caliber fighter has ever had. Makes Wilders undefeated run look like the Mona Lisa by comparison. And after that he was fighting Hopkins and Sosa. Sosa had much more experience and was 3 inches taller but Johnson still won 3-4 rounds out of 10.
Sosa's fight with James Toney is a pretty good one. Limited as he was he made the most of what he had to give a lot of fighters hell. This content is protected
Multiple fighters called him the hardest puncher they ever faced. Toney said he was a close second to Sam Peter if that gives you any idea of how hard he could punch. Best puncher: Merqui Sosa — Sam Peter is the hardest puncher I’ve fought, but pound-for-pound it’s Sosa because he hurt me the most. I’ll never forget that fight, we fought on an ESPN show in Atlantic City on a Sunday. I went at him like I did everyone back then and that mother f_____ hit me so hard in the third round I was seeing triple for the next three rounds. He knew how to hit and he was so awkward that I couldn’t time him and he caught me high on the head.
Getting hit on the top of your head will do things to you. The main distinguisher between "good" punchers and "great" punchers is where they aim them, on top of whatever godly power they're given in their arms.
Came across some fights of his that are nothing short of entertainment. Sosa never makes a boring fight. This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected
Merqui Sosa's brutal knockout of Jose Quinones. Very heavy handed puncher. Sosa would have matched up nicely against Julian Jackson or Nigel Benn and made it a fun brawl for however long it lasted. This content is protected
He would have got taken out very quickly by both Benn and Jackson. He was one of the most hyped up overrated boxers I have seen.
He would have lost to both of them within 5 rounds no doubt but it would have still been a fun punch out.
I remember watching him early in his career and thinking that he would develop into something pretty good to go along with his power but he plateaued pretty quickly and didn't get to where I thought he would. Maybe I was too easily impressed early in his career.