Had Deuk Koo Kim not died?. Mancini was a different fighter after that fight. Knowing his style I'm sure he was not destined for a long career but I feel it may have turned out differently. Any thought?
I think Mancini's career would've been different if he worked on developing the underrated boxing skills he showed early in his career (which he later re-summoned for the Bramble rematch) rather than content himself to fight crowd-pleasing face-first brawls with unknown mandatories.
I definately agree with that. He definately had better boxing skills then given credit for. And would have definately benefited by using them then the brawling style
Perhaps, but if he held onto the title for a few more years eventually Chavez would have came around and battered Ray brutally.
Thanks for brinnging up Bramble. I've always felt that Bramble would lose everytime against the version of Ray that fought Arguello.
Nah, I think he would have derailed versus Bramble just as he ended up doing. The only real "what if" concerning Mancini would have been if he had fought Rosario. I don't think Ray would have made it past the 6th round against Chapo, like wise in a rematch with Ramirez, who would have avenged the first fight, probably by a decision, or a late stoppage.
The Rosario fight would have been interesting because he didn't have the greatest chin in the world and could be hit, but he did have one hell of a punch. I don't see Ramirez beating Ray. Mind you this is all pre Kim. After the Kim tragedy may have been a different story.
Hell he was winning the first fight after 12 and I really felt he won the second even though I assure you I was biased.
No, at some point, Ray would've ran into a Rosario, Camacho, or even a Davis Jr, who could have exploited his weaknesses.
