Cheers Zad for taking the post in the right vain and answering honestly. I thought someone had hijacked your account as for years i have nodded my head or publically appreciated your posts hahaha. I genuinely cannot think of the last time i thought you weren't bang on, let alone loose. The Benitez stoppage was a disgrace. I feel your pain.
That Benetiz stoppage was a turning point for me. Prior to that, I acknowledged the promoter as an influence. his ref and his judges. If they do not do things to his liking...get another guy in there. But I thought of it as a small or almost tiny influence. But not after that outcome. Actually it's big. And all boils down to follow the money. And just when does the big money get the short end of the stick anyway? Kind of coincides with losing that part of our education when you once thought everything is fair. But then you get termed cynical. And I am definately cynical when it comes to the sport of boxing. A real shame when you think of it-- as just 2 guys in the ring. In theory, no outside influences. So my Ray Leonard bias is just mostly due to him having a well groomed path; not unlike say DLH. But not his boxing abilites. And Ray was one of the rare few guys that would improve after getting knocked down in a bout. Sure aren't many of those guys.
A win over that young gun is all that seperates Leonard from greatness. If you want greatness certified, you MUST be able to handle all up and comers. leonard couldnt and so we are left with LENGTHY EXCUSES Like yours
Monzon was overrated in my opinion. Never beat an elite level fighter at their best. Leonard scalped a prime Hearns and Benitez, won titles in five weight classes.
I don't rate him as a true 5 division champion. A win over a drained Lalonde wasn't all that, but getting the 175 title at the same time felt like scummy contractual f***ery to the highest degree.
I don’t disagree with you. I never cared for the catchweight and I think his 175 title win has an asterisk as far as I’m concerned. He also got a gift in the Hearns rematch.
Hi Buddy. You can see it, I can see it, strange that other celebrated posters cannot . stay safe BG, chat soon. Mike.
Thats the problem with the General Forum guys who shouldnt be posting in Classic, and didnt follow Monzons career. So they have no idea how stupid of a statement like this is. Monzon was 3 and a half ,almost 4 years older than Valdez and beat him twice even though Carlos was 25 more fights more shopworn than Rodrigo. And Valdez went on to beat Briscoe after the loss. So how overrated is Monzon now , you stupid **** ?
Dont know why you included Hagler when the thread is SRL at 147. And Leonard lost to Duran who moved up. Lets not pretend SRL was built for 100 fights like Monzon was. Carlos didnt go in and out of retirement to cherry pick fights. He had 100 fights, fought everybody. Your boy Leonard couldnt keep up with the activity of Hagler, Duran , or Hearns, . If Leonard had 100 fights like Monzon . he would have at least 20 losses. Hell Leonard got his clocked cleaned in his 39th fight, a fight he cherry picked.. so how does he do in fight number 75 ? LOL SRL wasnt built for longevity , as he career dictated. Monzon was fighting a 4 year younger Valdez 100 fights into it. So pump the brakes dude. SRL wasnt built for 100 fights, hell not even 50, Monzon all the way. In fact, the p4p brings ray obviously closer to Monzon.. and thats a better/closer discussion. But Monzon all the way
Depends on your criteria for greatness. You seem fixated on 100 fights as a requisite for greatness. You’re kind of missing the point. Leonard had better scalps and more gears than Monzon did. He did more in a condensed period. If you disagree you disagree, whatever. I stick by my choice.
All good, Just pointing out what the SRL fan always do. Count the wins, but not the losses. And when you are cherry picking fights, you cant have your cake and eat it too. Its what Monzon did in those 100 fights, because he isnt losing to Norris or Hearns (robbed in the rematch), or Duran who moved up and beat him. And yes So actually its you thats missing the point. More gears. you think that somehow detracts how Monzon fought. I saw the Hagler is way better than Monzon agenda a mile away.. All good . I'll stck to my choice as well
Actually, if you read my posts about Hagler vs. Monzon I always pick Monzon, and also constantly pick him above Hagler in terms of greatness. Every time it comes up. I think you’re sensing an agenda from me that doesn’t exist. But again; to each their own.