Monzon UD, McCallum had some great body punches but that would open himself up to Monzons cross, I think he'd hurt Mike consistently enough to put him on the back foot and eventually send him into survival mode in the last few rounds
Mike would get in there and take his chances in the pocket. He was so good at slipping and rolling with punches while staying on balance and in position while countering. He didn't leave himself open often, This is a good fight … I do see the same outcome as you guys with Monzon wearing him down over 15. Both were never stopped, it would be a war
Ya I'm not so sure this really is relevant … Mike just outclassed JJ. Monzon and McCallum probably goes the distance as I don't see Mike stopping Carlos either. I like Monzon on points
Monzon on points but McCallum would give a decent account of himself. He'd be awkward stylistically for Monzon imo.
McCallum was a great MW but Monzon was probably one of the best MW H2H. Would be a highly tactical fight but I see Monzon out working and out thinking McCallum in a clear decision win.
McCallum is a very good fighter, but Monzon is an all time great at 160. Only question is does the bodysnatcher hear the final bell. I'd say so losing a clear cut UD.
I'm saying MM could give Monzz one of his truly hardest fight s in there . Mike's style would give him more problem s than the other way around . Carlos would find a way to win ,he s an ATG but McCallum s an hard guy at his best to beat .
Monzon by decision in a competitive, relatively close fight. McCallum was outstanding at 154. But at 160? Not quite as good. His only really dominant title fight win and top class performance as a Middleweight was against Watson. He was pretty fortunate getting a draw against Toney in their first fight, was outclassed by Kalambay and only just squeezed past him in the rematch which could easily have gone against him with another set of judges, too. He beat Collins handily enough, but it wasn't a particularly high-quality fight and Collins was a notch below the Toneys and Kalambays of this world. Both tended to find their range and momentum in the second half of fights, but McCallum liked to do a lot of his best work in close, and I think Monzon's natural size and strength in close will help him negate that - it was damn hard to outmuscle or hurt Monzon at close quarters. I don't completely rule out the thought of Monzon stopping McCallum late on, particularly if it's a fifteen-rounder (Toney had him out on his feet after twelve, for example, and arguably saved by the bell). But more often than not I think he wins the decision without too much controversy.
Another point here is that Mike always had the luxury of having the reach advantage, except for Graham I think.. He would be giving that up against Monzon who had that ATG jab and was a master of measuring the distance using his length .. It's going to be a hell of a lot trickier for Mike to get in close where he really excelled. He would also have to deal with Monzon's uppercut counter to the body as he closed the distance. It was wicked …. I think overall, Mike has a bigger mountain to climb than Monzon … still a great fight