Monzon's Stamina

He did cut down to 10 cigarettes a day before important bouts.

 

Some people/fighters simply have innate qualities that can't be taught or understood fully; Monzon was one of them. His indomitable will and unflinching mentality more than held up over any training deficiencies.

 

He didn't expend any unnecessary energy either. Monzon, for the most part, was in total control of his fights. He may have given up some rounds but never lost control of the fight. Only Valdez and Briscoe were truly able to press him.

 

Perhaps the couple of hours a day dedicated to low impact bedroom aerobics made the difference, wind wise.

 

Having a detached, psychotic cool in the ring helped tremendously with Monzon. He was as calm as a fighter can be.

Look at Foreman, a few dozen pounds overweight going 12 rounds with the likes of a prime Evander Holyfield. He was another of the very few truly relaxed come fight time.

Nerves play a massive part in making or breaking a fighters stamina.

Look at Mosley in the Mayweather fight. Couldn't of been more ****ing jittery or nervous if he tried. It was an absolute diaster.

 

Harry Greb was another who's lack of training and breaking the rules (especially with the ladies close to fight time) never affected his stamina. Because of his style his endurance may be even more remarkable.

 

Monzon was incredible and even more amazing if he smoked and frolicked. He showed late power in all of his 15 rounders and controlled the pace of the fights but I never seen the man look tired could be those Argentinian Indian genes

 

Harry Greb actually trained like a mother ****er and was capable of running 10 miles straight. He himself spread the rumors that he messed around to get title fights. Most of the things on the internet is based on myth, he was truly a hard worker.

I mean, hell, anyone who had 54 fights in a year is going to be in excellent shape regardless.

 

And there we have it. Some people are simply blessed. There is a local guy here that competes in top level triathlons. He does 1/4 of the training other people do yet invariably finishes near the front while beating numerous harder training athletes. He'd probably be even better if he 100% dedicated.

In Monzon's two horse races stamina never let him down (training harder would not have made a difference in results) as he just didn't lose in his pomp. We'd have to pitch him into battle with the likes of Hagler, LaMotta and Greb to extend him stamina wise. That would be the acid test. Nobody ever really mounted sustained pressure on him as he was just too good for the people he fought. It would be fascinating seeing other ATG's such as those above trying to get him outside his comfort zone.

 

True, I thought Valdes was going to do it at the time but was not in the Carlos monzon level, a fight vs Hagler would be interesting and both men would be tested beyond what we have seen of them.....SSR and Greb passed all the acid tests of there day and more.

 

Monzon, for all his smoking, drinking and partying, didn't really need stamina. He was sturdy and mobile, and even more, had range on his opponents. He either kept them at bay with his long jab or tied them up with his long arms. Monzon was a human praying mantis.

Valdez and Briscoe could press him, but couldn't hurt him. I can't see LaMotta faring any better either. It would take a well rounded man with technique, power and especially speed, namely Hagler or SRR or RJJ. If Monzon did have a weakness, it was speed, or lack thereof.

 

Monzon was just a basic bad-ass.