These two ran almost parallel careers yet are rarely compared and never met. Two questions; first, who wins in a 15-round fight, and second, how do you compare the two careers? Whose was more impressive, and whom should rank higher?
I'll go with Saad on both counts. Galindez was, to me, a bore. He kept his title on a number of questionable decisions, against Yaqui Lopez, Richie Kates, Eddie Gregory, etc.. Saad's fights were always conclusive, win or lose. He either knock someone out or got stopped himself. There no doubts. I think Galindez' s****py, grabby style would have bothered Muhammad, but if Marvin Johnson could take Galindez out, then Saad Muhammad could too, probably around the tenth or eleventh round.
Saad for me he beat better fighters, and he was impossible to discourage, I think Saad wins a close but conclusive decision.
I watched ALL televised bouts of both fighters. They were both staples on TV back in the 70's. Saad was a tough, strong huge puncher but Victor was the more skilled fighter. Victor had a devastating punch, great jab as well as being a cagey boxer. Who would win? At their best I would go with Galendez by decision.
In his absolute prime Galindez may have been able to beat Saad, but if Saad had actually obtained a title shot against him anywhere from late 77 onward, Saad beats him. Career wise, I'd put Saad slightly ahead. He beat Johnson, Kates, Lopez and Parlov BEFORE he won a title. Then, he made eight successful defenses.
Prime vs prime I say Victor wins. I agree that an older Victor would be more apt to get caught by a Saad bomb.
Yes, but before Galindez won the title he had fought Jorge Ahumada (4 times), Avenamar Peralta (6 times), Juan Aguilar (9 times) as well as Jose Gonzalez, Bossman Jones, Red Top Owens and Ray Anderson. That is pretty deep. His championship reign saw wins over Hutchins, Fourie (twice), Ahumada again, Lopez (twice), Mustafa Muhammad, Kates (twice) as well as 9 non-titles including Dynamite Douglas and Jesse Burnett. There is no contest on whose resume is deeper IMO. BTW, I just assumed this thread meant respective primes. If so, I would go with the '74-'75 Galindez over the '78-'79 Saad. Just my opinion.
Yes, prime against prime, as it were...........thanks for the responses, all. The post above is why I'm kind of on the fence on this one. I MUCH prefer Saad, but have to admit Galindez has a really nice resume and was a proven 15-round fighter.