We saw Ray Leonard lose to a lightweight like duran. Is there a featherweight that can beat whitaker at 135? Personally, i think sweet pea would have given arguello and sanchez boxing lessons. Do you guys think there is a featherweight that can beat him?
Armstrong would have the best chance. Saldivar would have a shot too, but is a little too small. Tony Canzoneri, Ismael Laguna and Willie Pep could get it done perhaps.
Willie Pep might have been able to outbox him, in fact these 2 might very well be the top 2 best pure boxers ever caught on film & with Whitaker not being a massive puncher, his size difference might not play as big of a part as say a LW Duran`s would. Pep might be the one boxer that can outbox Whitaker, he`d have the speed & movement advantage vs Pea & Pea would make it his point to beat Pep skill for skill rather than force his size on him. I`m not saying I think Pep would win but I think he has the best shot of any FW due to skill & style.
Angott was no pure boxer. Willie Joyce was, and Pep beat him. So long as height/reach aren't factors, natural weight difference in pure boxer match ups don't matter that much. That said, I can actually see Whitaker walking down Pep and trying to take him out, like he did Hurtdao if he finds himself losing. Don't think he would though...
Yeah I'd agree with you. I reckon that Elorde fully motivated and at his best would have given Pea a cracking fight if he was able to knock off the cigs and booze for a bit, especially if the fight was in the Phillipines. Fast, very complete southpaw and an excellent ring general who wouldn't be too small, though he didn't have the biggest punch on him. Lockridge has a good style too but wasn't really proven at lightweight, plus Pea would probably be able to more than hold his own up close. I was thinking that Driscoll might have had the tools to do well even if he didn't win, although Whitaker would perhaps just decide to walk him down behind the jab instead and work him at close range rather than trying to box him.