A fighter I've come to respect more as I've reserached him and his body of work. Aside from the obvious (Unbelievable longetivity) what else did Mamby have going for him? He's maybe one of the most underrated defense oriented fighters ever. To box from 1969 to 2008 and to only be stopped on your feet once, in 34 losses... Pretty incredible stuff. In 1980 when he won the WBA Welterweight title he went on an absolute tear through the division as well. He seemingly gets little to no credit for his 14th round stoppage of Esteban De Jesus too. Thoughts?
I feel a bit embarrassed that this guy has sort of slipped under my radar, i know a bit but not too much. Boxed at 60? Unbelievable
Mamby came from the school of hard knocks, he was no privledged fighter...but he learned his craft and was in ripped condition, Mamby was a excellent defensive fighter and came out of his web to strike...I remember his classic against Esteban Dejesus....Mamby was a one of a kind type of fighter
Mamby doesn't get much credit for the Dejesus win because Esteban was shot. Saoul was a good fighter with a terrific chin.Just not to exciting for most.
In 1976 he fought non-title fights with Roberto Duran and Antonio Cervantes in a six month period. He lost, but he went the distance with both.
yes, one of the greatest fistic defenses in history. but very light puncher, he couldn't keep brawlers off of him
During that time Arguello said he wouldn't be able to regard himself as the "real" champ at 140 unless he beat Pryor.
I could see Saoul beating a Zab Judah, and giving someone like Pernell Whitaker, and Floyd Mayweather extreme fits.He was a real good fighter for a time.
I think Mamby's jab, defense, and chin and the fact that he was a sharp (though not really all that heavy) puncher would stand him in good stead in today's 140lb division. I could see him beating any of the major titleholders at the weight; and given his attributes, you know he'd be lasting the distance, at absolute worst.