Top 100 Lists - Your 90-100

:? Zarate is clearly a better fighter than Arguello. That one shouldn't even be controversial...

 

In fact, a good way of describing Zarate to a newbie would be: A more skilled version of Arguello in all departments.

 

I would'nt say that categorically.

I'm no newbie

Mantequilla/Lora summed up Arguello/Zarate perfectly in that Zarate is a more fluid but less smooth Arguello.

In what areas do you think Zarate is definitively better than Arguello?

I think Zarate is definitely more fluid and mobile. However, Arguello IMO is a better counter-puncher and slightly better at all-ranges. Apart from these things they are pretty much equals.

 

I should invest some time in watching more of Zarate. He seems to be highly touted here. He's a wonderful text-book boxer, puncher with wonderful technique and with his punches delivered with power and precision. He reminds me of an Alexis Arguello. He just comes across more one paced, and perhaps even a little bit slower than Alexis. Neither of them were grease-lightning, admittedly.

 

Zarate might have a slightly better turn of pace.

Is that you Addie?

 

I wasn't referring to you.

Zarate has much better defence, picks off shots better and can actually move his head. Zarate is DEFINITELY a better counter-puncher than Arguello (it's one of the clearest areas in which he edges him IMO). Zarate bent his knees and was brilliant at slipping shots in the exchange (often combinations at considerable speed) and finding the mark with just the right counter. Arguello could trade with a static opponent but not really counter in the classical sense. As a side note Round 8 (IIRC) of Zarate/Martinez is about as good a display of defence for a stand-up fighter with a high guard as I've ever seen.

Zarate had a much better offence, didn't telegraph his shots or swing wildly but disguised punches with leg and shouder movement or hand and body feints. Unlike Arguello he could jab, lead with the right, step in with uppercuts or hooks rather than just constantly looking to set up the left hook in every single ****ing exchange. Zarate was also more active and had comparable accuracy, as well as being able to cut off the ring better and get off against slick or fast moving targets by punching from angles or generally just using timing (something Arguello consistently failed to do across his career which led to such embarassments as losing to the likes of Fernandez.)

I could go on but I want to go to bed in a minute.

Is that Flea Man by the way?

 

Its late also. I'll try to continue this when I can.

It's not Flea Man, its close though. Think Alexis Arguello avatars then tahts me.

 

Gp?

 

Don't tell me you got banned

 

Who's this GP?

I beleive he should be back in the Middle of september.

 

Who is this Addie? More importantly, who is the Korean Hawk, or better yet, who was he? :think

 

he's highly touted but he lacks speed and if you ask me, he's no Arguello

To answer the original question, Wilfred Benitez would make a nice fit into the 90-100 category

 

Zarate was an all time great no doubt, but i wouldnt put him near as high as Arguello. And PFP i dont think he wasnt necesarilly more fluid, maybe on his feet but Arguello gets underrated for his hand speed and fluid combos. Zarate top 70 ATg Arguello top 30 to 35 Atg.



There and all you guys think im biased towards Mexican fighters.

 

Agreed. People seem to be quick to note how slow his hands were but I don't see that at all. He threw some blurs against Aaron Pryor, the way he would explode with those right hands was amazing to watch. Casually throws out a left and then he explodes. Great turn of pace, and many of them Pryor really felt down to his boots.

 

Zarate was faster than Arguello