Carlos Palomino vs. Pipino Cuevas in 1978

This has been discussed here before but it's always an intriguing match-up.

Personally, these were my 2 favorite fighters back in the 70's. They never had a unification fight although uncertain why. Possibly because neither was a household name and nobody would pony up the money. Cuevas was almost unknown to the general public until about 1979. Carlos was better known because he was featured on many network bouts and was also acting on TV but was still not greatly embraced.

This is a real tough one to pick. I would give Carlos the edge because he was never stopped in his career or even seriously hurt. I think he would be his usual cautious self, survive the first few rounds then slowly pick Pipino apart with sharper boxing and body punches. I pick Carlos by late round stoppage or close decision. A Cuevas win wouldn't shock me though.

 

The Beer Salesman takes more often then not for me...the better technician and boxer with the durability to see him tough out the rough patches.

But he is hittable enough for Cueves to cause some serious damage and take him out of there...even if you have a good chin, the human body wasnt designed to take Pipino's bombs, something usually gave way.

 

Could have been like the Zarate vs Zamora fight.

I like Cuevas, but Carlos had a little more boxing skills.

 

Palomino's boxing skills will make the bout entertaining, but that's about it. Cuevas' punching power will rule the night in this one too. It's just a matter of how long Carlos can hold out before he is inevitably crushed.

 

Oh i totally disagree with you, i was a kid then and i can tell you these guys were very well known, i can remember my Dad,Grandpa and Uncles talking about them. THis would have been Huge, especially in Southern California they would have sold out whatever venue they decided to have it. A few old timers i know say Cuevas was more highly regarded though.

One thing i do agree with you on is the is a tough one to pick, threads been done several times here and i still look at this as a pick em fight,no matter how many times i have heard different points of views.

I heard that Palominos people wanted to steer him away from Cuevas(dont know how much truth there is too that).

Palomino and Cuevas were the 2 kings and names for awhile while Leonard and Hearns were still coming up and Duran and Benitez were still at LW and JW.

 

Neither one of them was a household name...wtf?

Maybe in your household.

If you had lived in that Era you would know how wrong you are...

Look at where he fought prior to 1979

Japan, Puerto Rico, and allover California.

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Palomino would outbox him to a UD, he has the superior skills, speed and defense. This would be a big step up in a class for Cuevas and I cant see his wild punches landing on the savy Palomino. Also if Duran cant stop Palomino, I dont think Cuevas will

 

Well Duran was alot faster than Cuevas,but Cuevas hit much harder, so the comparison doesnt hold much water IMO.

 

Pipino beat Espada, Bachus, Weston, Volbrecht, and Hansen...not exactly bums

Palomino was very good but this fight would have been close to even... I feel it could go either way which is a compliment to both fighters

 

You forgot about Ranzany,Shields and Gray all very good fighters that were better than many other guys who have won titles. They were much better than Hansen and Volbretch, even better than Backus who won a title.

 

Cuevas simply was not the same after Hearns... so its a common mistake for people to underestimate Cuevas

 

Agreed and so many also look into his early losses which is understandable considering he turned pro at 14!!! Won the title at 18, he also improved once he won the title defending it 10 times all by knockout.

 

Palomino... had less quality wins

funny story Arredondo showed up drunk for his fight with Palomino... I think that is why he lost his license
His trainer told me about a week after the fight...

 

THats funny ididnt know that and i was at that fight:yep They fought at the Hollywood Paladium and Barkley-Coetzee fought on the card, Also saw Gabriel Ruelas and Chicanito in the crowd when both were champs and in their prime.