Monzon wide decision or late KO for me. His fundamentals are going to outdo Fitz here. He has more skill than Corbett and won't get caught.
Fitzsimmons has an advantage. In a time machine bout, Fitzsimmons could get modern sparring partners who fought a little like Monzon. Sparring partners do not exist who fought like Fitzsimmons. Ever. Monzon isn't particularly speedy, he doesn't have a size advantage, and he doesn't hit harder than Sharkey or James J. Jeffries. Assuming that Fitz's era actually had world-class competition by later periods' standards, Fitz could win this one despite the time gap. How large are the gloves?
Cross Trainer brings up a good point regarding glove size. "Form follows function" as the saying goes and I think that would apply here. Although I'm admittedly no expert on the subject, I think Boxing had certainly changed/evolved somewhat in the period between Fitz' era and Monzons and I think that is in part due to the change in equipment. Factory made larger gloves as well as better hand wraps and mouthpieces would lead to a change in the way a fighter chooses to fight. Give Monzon Fitz era gloves and mouthpiece and he may fight differently and vice versa. If they're both wearing gloves/mouthpieces from the 60's and 70's I'll say Monzon....From the late 1800's/early 1900's I'll pick Fitz.
Some fighters have such talent that the transcend the style of their era, which might or might not be the best style. There was a bit of transcendence going on with Fitz. Or, are we actualy going to see something similar again?
Great thread! I also believe these would more than hold their own in any era. These guys accomplished greatness, and then some. Ruby Red had the plexus punch and power that matched a lhw easily. Monzon set the bar for modern mw's and dominated a division known to be the toughest in boxing for many years. Whoever won, it'd most likely be by a hair and a rematch in order.
tough one, different era both men about the same size both men had power, Fitz has the edge in power, Monzon more durable?
