I'm going for Locche just because i think at his best he can overcome stylistic adversities in the ring. But i do think Buchanan can beat him and i'm not totally sure on my pick. Buchanan can mix it up with flurries made up of short punches to both body and head, whilst moving about the centre of the ring all the while. Would be a tremendous fight, shame we never got to see it.
If Buchanan emulated the style of Alfonso Peppermint Fraser and forsook going for Locche's head and concentrated on points scoring to the body and utilized his footwork like Alfonso did, I give him a chance for a points win. It was useless trying to go for the head against Locche, even a sharpshooter like Buchanan would be troubled.
Though i agree, i just want to point out that i always thought Locche's defense against bodyshots was virtually superb.
Probably true, seen as many contemporary reports had Ortiz and Laguna as close victors in those bouts. Nevertheless, Locche was a miracle to watch in the pocket - one of my favourites - and a bout with Ken would have been very close IMO. Both were rhythm fighters, so Buchanan would probably need to disrupt Locche as much as possible by varying his approach, which I think he could have done successfully. Once Locche had a man even slightly sussed out, no amount of punches on earth were going to hit him, head OR body; he seemed to have a forcefield around the latter that was aided by his build. Ah bollocks to it, Buchanan by close UD
Yes, you're right..what distinguished Alfonso Fraser's body work against Locche was that it was part of a clever battle plan devised for the purpose of just scoring points..as he put it in an interview...to go in, pepper the body, which was a more stationary target than Locche's head, and then just as quicly, get out of range.."in and out"..and I guess the tactic was helpful in that it just may have been Locche's night to be taken, but it worked, whatever the case. Sometimes, fights won when a fighter adopts a clever strategy or game plan fascinate me more than the big knockouts and fireworks. I think that Buchanan was certainly capable of pulling off that trick with Locche..remember Ken's nontitle win over Donato Paduano...on the night of Ali-Bonavena at MSG. Ken was always more graceful and fleet a boxer against guys that weren't long-limbed fleet footed movers like Laguna. Locche was brilliant, but he wasn't exactly a dancer or a runner or a mover. His brilliance was of the upper body, and any body who committed themselves too much on their power, trying to nail Locche to the head or body that way was usually foiled.
Yes, I've always been a fan of Buchanan's. I think that his title winning effort against Laguna was won thru sheer will to win and grittiness, but that nontitle fight with Paduano in '70 was what really impressed even the oldtimers and brought comparisons with past boxing masters. I also think he deserved a rematch with Duran, and provided the Pride of Panama with his toughest test. Ken actually seemed to be on a surge of sorts in the fateful 13th round just prior to the outrageous ending and was screwed over by the ref, who could have allowed Buchanan a bit more time to recover, IMO.
one of my fav fighters is ian napa a very similar fighter to locche. now he doesnt have the talent of locche but he has the style, the powerless punches and the unaggressive/ passive behaviour. napa got outpointed alot of the times becuase if the guy is on the backfoot he has to chase which means he has lost the arguement. a outboxer always beats a trapper i feel. give them something to bite on then get out and counter the counterpuncher, a reaosn why i felt that calzaghe outpointed hopkins was on this aspect. moore,toney,napa,locche,eubank had problems when the guy didnt come to him, we all know that. so logically kenny would outpoint him with that left cross while locche waits for the right cross.