techs, Not 100% sure on what round in the 2nd fight El Radar got caught, but it was before the mid-way point. Would have been interesting to see a Benetiz-Saensak Muangsurin (WBC Champ) fight at the Garden.
I don't know much of Muangsurin but I just found out he set a record by becoming a world champ in only just his 3rd fight as a pro. He may have gotten a gift over Saoul Mamby and he fought Hearns in '79 losing by ko.
And What about Esteban De Jesus?? Fought Duran 3 times and won the first one. He actually knock Duran down in the first round of their first two fights. I will always remember Duran went to Puerto Rico to see him on his death bed. RIP Vita.
Just re-watched the Benitez-Hearns fight...that second round was a thing of beauty. His defensive skills are always a pleasure to watch. He made Tommy missed a 15 punch combination. Too bad he didnt take care of himself the way a fighter should.
Madison Square Garden would have went crazy if Benetiz fought Muangsurin there. Puerto Rican fans vs. Asian fans. Saensak one tough cookie!
techks, On that Benetiz-Curry II match in Madison Square Garden. The fight was supposed to be at 144 lbs. But, Benetiz came in over the contract weight. Benetiz was still the Jr. Welterweight Champion, but was moving up to Welterweight. Bruce Curry was the #6 rated Junior Welterweight at the time. I think Curry came in at the weight, as was given extra money (Benetiz was penalized a portion of his purse). Wilfred boxed real good early, until getting caught by one of Curry's right hand bombs in either the 3rd or 4th round. He wobbled a bit. Benetiz never hurt Bruce, but he was a little more dominant, and clearly busier. Bruce Curry was the heavier puncher. I remember referee Tony Perez was a little over-protective of Benetiz in the ring, and favored him, any time he was on the short-end of the in-fighting/clinches. That was obvious!
Muangsurin was tough. Very tough. Hearns dropped him twice with two beauty of punches and he still got up. Lol, thanks for the information about the fight.
techks, Your welcome. I found my old Daily News article on the Benetiz-Curry II Benetiz 145 1/2,, Curry 143 1/2. The newspaper writer Dick Young had it 4-4-2 (A Draw) Referee Tony Perez had it 9-1-0 Benetiz. Dick Young called Tony Perez a hometown referee for Benetiz, and should never be allowed to referee and score a fight again, when one fighter is from Puerto Rico, and the other is not. He called Perez' scoring, the worst judegement in boxing, and he should be switched to calling fixed wrestling matches instead. OUCH!
He didn't train. Against Leonard, he doubled his training to three weeks I think I read. What ever it was it was, way too little, which is why he ran out of gas, and got caught. At the time I had him up over Leonard. I don't know the score cards.
In Round 15, Wilfred was instructed by his father and cornerman to go out and try for a knock-out because they told him he was behind in the scorecards. Wilfred wasn't out of gas, he just left himself open while going all-out. He did show the heart-of-a-lion in trying for the KO, to save the title.