Monzon, Ortiz & Zarate what order do you rate these guys in an why? Is it close or a wide separation?
I think Ortiz and Monzon are really close together, although I think Ortiz has a case to being higher than Monzon. Zarate is a clear third for me. All great fighters.
Monzon Ortiz Zarate All bona-fide great fighters. The gulf between 2 - 3 is greater than 1- 2 IMO. I mean, its Monzon and Carlos Ortiz. Arguable top 3's in maybe Boxing's deepest weight classes, especially Monzon. Both have depth, and Ortiz has a second weight belt, whilst Monzon had the greatest consistency. I wouldn't argue anyone putting Ortiz first. Zarate, whilst also a great champion, had a weaker reign than either IMO, and unfortunately lost to the best opponents he faced (including controversially). However, he also dominated a deep, original weight class. All 3 are great H2H, though I think Ortiz is the best.
I got Zarate a distant 3rd as well and just threw him in for the name contrast. I don’t see a lot of separation between Monzon and Ortiz. But Monzon probably edges it for me.
Carlos Monzon, like him or hate him, he was World Middleweight Champion for 7 years, 14 title defenses, and retired as champion. Was not foolish enough to fight past his reign and lose his belt which can tarnish a legacy. All business in the ring and did not put on clown shows like today. Fought the fighters in his era. Was not greedy enough to be tempted to move up in weight, knew his limitations. Carlos Ortiz, second, and lastly third place, Carlos Zarate, all great choices.
Looking at this a slightly different way, it is not out of the question that Carlos Takem knocks them out. In fact, i think he would start favourite against all, even if my money would be on Carlos Monzon to beat him.
Monzon, closely followed by Ortiz, with Zarate a distance 3rd. Zarate was more exciting with his power and his style of racking up the ko's,...but he was nowhere as good as the first two, not even remotely. @Richard M Murrieta sums it up very nicely why Monzon is number 1.
Great stuff, Robert. Even though I don't believe Palomino is an atg, I thought he was simply terrific and it's nice to see your giving him recognition. Cheers