vito antuofermo vs

Mr. Butt.......I think that if Barkley fought Vito like he did Duran..by boxing more and not taking it into the gutter, he would have won a decision.

 

Vito. Vito gave a prime Hagler hell he would tear apart Barkley

 

The height disparity would reduce the potential for butting which was so costly to Vito through much of his career. He could take a tremendous shot, was a vastly underrated defensive fighter, and the best conditioned middleweight in boxing, even causing Hagler to gas a bit in their draw. He had enormous physical strength, and wouldn't give Iran a moment of rest.

Of course Barkley was a better puncher, most everyone was. But this would go into the trenches where Vito lived. So much hustle, so much pressure, so much stamina. At his 1977 to 1979 peak, Vito was a most formidable adversary.

 

vito antuofermo pulls barkley into a close quater brawl and comes out on top .

VITO BY DECISION IN A WILD ONE

 

Antuofermo would outpoint Barkley in a rough fight. Vito's workrate and infighting make the difference here. Close call, but I'd pick Vito.

 

I like Vito in this one. He had that Gene Fullmer "ugly but effective" thing going on. I don't think it's a great matchup for Barkley. I think Vito was more skilled and quicker. I think he would get things inside and nullify Barkley's length. Barkley's power would not be enough to get Vito out of there.

 

This is a BIG "if" I'm referring to...of course the more likelyresult would be Vito winning a sloppy, ugly decision.

 

but you raised a good point, the barkley of that fight fought much more disciplined against duran, using his size and strength advantages intelligently and not just bulldozing in

 

Like Duo said, around '77-79 Antuofermo was a definite handful. I think he had the chin and the ability to get inside on Barkley, and remember he had a wise, old head in Freddie Brown working with him. I'll take Antuofermo by decision in a wild one.

 

Maurice Hope deserves more credit than he gets for stopping Vito, even if Antuofermo was tight at the weight.

 

Vito was a "Pain in the Ass" to everyone he fought.

He looked beatable, until you got in the ring with him.

Though I still think he lost to Hugo Corro, Vito was one tough dude.
His bout in NYC versus Willie Classen was an all-out war.

 

Vito and Iran sat next to each other at the Ring 8 Christmas Party in December. They were the last 2 boxers that I introduced that sat on the head table.

 

I don't have a prediction. I just want a ticket.