At 122. Was Canizales still effective at this weight, and could he have been able to deal with a guy like Bazooka?
Yes, Canizales was still quite effective, if not at the level he used to be. No, he would absolutely not be able to deal with Bazooka, who was everything Canizales was (and more) in a larger body.
Gomez breaks Canizales down in the championship rounds of 13 through 14 and the fight is stopped between rounds after Bazooka has him down twice. Nobody beats Gomez at 122.
Canizales probably has the chin to see it out but I wouldn't be so sure. Gomez is better at everything. Would be BEAUTIFULLY violent to watch from both parties.
I don't think Gomez was better at putting his punches together Flea Man, and I also think Orlando had better footwork. Show me some footage to prove otherwise or at least direct me to certain fights which best demonstrate Gomez's abilities as a composite puncher. Orlando doesn't win, he doesn't come close to winning, but I think he sees it out. Tough *******.
Ill agree that they were equal as combination punchers (although Gomez hit harder both with one shot and accumulation) but Gomez had some of the best footwork and mobility of a guy his size. Watch a young Gomez- Davila, Cruz, Yum. Perfect control of distance based on footwork.
Just as good then. You're not seriously doubting Gomez's composite punching skills are ya' pal? Even past his best when he was sporadically putting it together (Pintor) he was sublime in that respect. And yes LittleRed as I've been saying for years; Davila fight was a punch perfect performance. Gomez was as complete a fighter as I've ever seen pre-Sanchez. Orlando loses out for his woeful opposition anyway. I can never rank guys too highly for skill when the best guy they fought was Ray Minus.
It's true, Orlando really didn't have much of a division to work with, but I think he was phenomenal when it came to dishing out combinations, and I also think his footwork was of the highest calibre also. Some of the combinations unloaded on Kelvin Seabrooks over the course of two fights were incredible. I suppose the major issue here is how little of Gomez I have seen. The Pintor fight didn't wow me. I mean, the action did, but Gomez's abilities didn't astound me. Not that I can remember anyhow. I'll watch Gomez-Davila after SRL-Benitez.
Well, by the Pintor fight his legs weren't really there. The hallmarks of that bout were his combinations and heart. Before then, he moved amazingly well. He made others look like they were standing still. How are you liking Benitez so far?
:good Loving him, Sal. I always knew he had a very accomplished defense, but he had a lot in terms of offense too. The way he just lay on the ropes against Tony Chiaverini, countering, whilst taking virtually nothing in return was masterful. Chiaverini took two brutal beatings at the hands of Benitez and Leonard. Way out of his depth in those fights. I have to say though, it was probably the Duran fight that impressed me the most. I thought Duran looked in good physical shape and he had every incentive to want to win the fight. Didn't matter. Benitez dominated from start to finish with his jab, quick hands, and a beautiful right hand that seemed to buzz Duran on a few occasions. Masterful performance, and maybe a win that's not given the credit it deserves. I want more footage!
That was a great job by him, yeah. Duran was in shape, too. He had no problem making weight for a change, and as you said, didn't matter.