This content is protected MICHAEL CARBAJAL VS HUMBERTO GONZALEZ I - '93 Has there been a better fight fought on the inside than this ever? I just re-watched it for the second time today, and the fight is almost exclusively fought on the inside. The sharp quick hooks of Carbajal, against the relentless body punching on the part of Humberto Gonzalez. It won fight of the year in '93, no surprise there, and Carbajal had to overcome two heavy knockdowns to score a knockdown of his own, which resulted in a knockout. Many people probably expected that Humberto would dominate the exchanges in close, conventional wisdom saying Carbajal would need room to get leverage on his punches. I was surprised at how well Carbajal fought on the inside, his short hooks were devastating, and Gonzalez did well to see the 7th round, I feel. For all of his shortcomings, Carbajal certainly threw with great technique, and got just about as much snap in his punches than anyone I've ever seen. Laying in on the inside, throwing shots Gonzalez didn't see paid off for him. Gonzalez, as he would later show in the rematches, was a more dynamic fighter than many people gave him credit for. Not only could he walk down his opponent, throwing clusters of shots to body and ahead, but the dude could box on the outside well for a man his size. He was at least 4-5 inches shorter than Carbajal, and what really ruined him in this fight was his willingness to trade with Carbajal. Michael had the quicker hands, in addition to more power. Where does this fight rank in your all time lists? What are your general thoughts on the fight itself, and how both combatants performed?
one of my all time favrouites I got it in a trade and didnt have a clue what it was. Putted it in and was amazed. great fight. Havent seen it in while but if i remember the KO was very unexpectant as Gonzalez had been winning with his faster hands and body shots and the 2 KD'S
Carbajal was beating Humberto up in the 7th, but you're right, before then it didn't look like Michael was going to win the fight at all. Gonazalez wasn't even moving an inch on the end of Michael's punches, whereas in contrast, Humberto's punches appeared to be much more effective. There should have really been a knockdown before the knockout came, with Michael utilizing that awesome left hook of his to drive Chiquita into the ropes, the only thing keeping him up. Great performances by both guys, the rematches didn't quite live up to this, but I'm not convinced anyone expected them too. It was great seeing both Jimmy Lennon Jr and Michael Buffer announcing the two fighters. I think both guys became the first Light Flyweights in history to earn a million U.S dollars. Extraordinary, this fights just shows that the little guys are every bit as exciting as the Heavyweights, and for my money, have proved to be MORE exciting throughout history. Great fight.
yeh the light gus are the best if you ever have the chance to see it watch Chang vs Ohashi 2 now tahts amazing anyway Chiquita looked so focussed in that fight the way he came out and didnt let up and didnt seeem to be buzzed at all, looked like a man possesed then Carbajal lands that punch that knocks him into the ropes the KOs him. I couldnt beliebve it
Absolutely. He'd already ate every right hook and left hook that came his way then all of sudden he gets hit by one and he's flat out done. To be honest, the replay shows the impact. It was a sickening shot, worthy to end any fight. You seen the rematch? I watched the today and although it's not a great action fight, it was really good to watch. Gonzalez suffered a cut early on which would no doubt be stopped by todays standards, but he still managed to outbox Michael, who looked dreadful, and seemed surprisingly content about losing.
yeh i was shocked, he just ha dtaht look and aura like Frazier did when he fought Ali the first time. You know that ill walk through everything to rip your arse out and KO you. Brillaint shot though. No i havent seen the rematch but i have the rubber match on DVD
Fun fight, has to be near the top 10 fights of the decade. A friend of mine seriously got into the sport off the back of that fight. He always figured fighters weighing 112 or less sucked; but the first two fights he saw in them divisions were this, and the perhaps he more insane Bassa/McAuleyI