The beast by ko, Tony never came into his prime and while the fighter we saw was explosive there's no reason to take him over a proven 154 pound great.
Who would be the proven all time great at 154? Ayala isn't that far from being as proven as Mugabi despite his career being cut short. John only ever beat a fringe contender or two. The only title he won was when Jacquot actually injured his ankle. John lost it in his first defense being ko'd by norris in one round. It's a mouth watering match tho. Two big aggressive punchers who you'd never put your life on. I'd pay to see this one and i don't think it would last long either way.
sure do not like ayala and his hand placement against the punches this guy throws. big speed advantage for Mugabi and Ayala cradling his left hand at his waist and standing in front of him is a disaster. Brutal ko early and the type that ruins fighters.
Mugabi obliterated Parker and greatly tested Hagler at 160 lbs. And he was arguably better at 154 lbs. I agree Mugabi was by no means an all time great at 154 lbs. However, he was certainly tested by much better overall competition than Ayala. Would Ayala have improved if he didnt get locked up ? We don't know. Its pretty clear that Mugabi was essentially ruinied by the Hagler War. Ayala looked great but his best opponents were Robbie Epps and an overated (by the WBA) Carlos Herrera. Mugabi beat proven tough guys James "Hardrock" Green and Parker. And of course the war with Hagler was very impressive, despite revisionist history claiming that Hagler was badly faded. I think it would be a war but I just don't see prime Mugabi being intimidated by Ayala's antics at all. Both would be there to be hit but Mugabi is faster and hits harder. Both can be hurt. I see a short war with Mugabi coming out on top.
Sorry meant to get back to this ages back. We were due for our annual Mugabi go round The Parker KO comes with an asterix for me because Parker was contracted to come in under 156. Mugabi however happily came in over 156. The lowest Parker fought as a pro was 158 1/2. Parkers own words - " This content is protected " Regarding Hagler yes Mugabi put in a fine fine performance. The best of his career by far. I am always leery of ratings fighters on the strength of a loss however when they have very very little of note in the win column. Mugabi certainly has very little in the W column particularly given his reputation with many. Very likely tho in actuality he seldom ever made the weight. Heavens no. Of course nor was Ayala but he has the advantage/disadvantage of depriving himself of a proper career summation. In the win column he has a little bit more than Ayala who as you say had bugger all despite looking excellent against what he did fight. Mugabi also has plenty of losses including prime and all by stoppage (mostly early) prior to being 33 odd. Very true. He could well have been exposed. Maybe he would have done ok. With Mugabi we know, or should know what he brings to the table. I'm not convinced even if it is a very common narrative. The oft beaten 5'4 James Green all but stopped him prior to Hagler. Green was anything but a puncher. Mugabi said - " He literally knocked me out in one of the early rounds of our fight but I was saved by the bell, then rallied to beat Green in the 10th." https://ytcropper.com/cropped/LX5e59d15b70f80 Yes agreed. Mugabi looked fantastic against a few around this level and maybe slightly above. Ayala was yet to face a decent test at all. I wouldn't hold his win over Green as a big positive. You know my thoughts on Parker. On the win front John is very unproven but would shade Ayala i reckon. I don't think it was revisionist history. Hagler's own thoughts and struggles are well documented by himself and we can listen to the commentary noting Hagler looked old and slow and the rest of it and having to play into Mugabi's style. In my honest opinion Hagler from a couple of years earleir would have beaten him with a lot less fuss. Credit to Mugabi tho he came to fight and put forward a performance much better than anything else in his career. At the end of the day however he still lost even if it is a fantastic fight to watch. Neither would be intimidated imo. Ayala's power wouldn't be much different i think. Mugabi's is better balanced between both hands. Ayala hit immensely harder than Green. Toss a coin for me. Either could fold. Ayala may have proven the real deal. I wouldn't argue overly hard either way and picking either is fine imo. I would sure hate to be gambling with my life on this one. So many questions, more questions than answers really.
