Yeah it was strange. In a way the bout had that kind of feel where both fighters knew each other too well to try any of their tricks on the other and seeing the futility in the attempt, they just stood their continuing to try and discern a way to fool the other. By which time, rounds were flying by without a lot of action. Definitely showed his diversity as a fighter. Great fighters are often multi layered, revealing abilities that have always been there, but have layed dormant because the shinier layers have camouflaged them. This was the case for Zarate. He could always box great, but with his power, he was thought of as nothing but an assasin for a long time.
Pintor and Zarate were stablemates, both fighting for Cuyo Hernandez. & as far as I remember they were friends also.
Although Pintor was actually picked to win this fantasy fight by close decision when Ring wrote up the match-up in the 90's. I still think Chandler just ekes out a close, and probably controversial decision in a fabulous fight.
Still feel Jeff woul win, albeit a 9-6, 10-5 affair. Shame, since he probably could have moved up, and won the 122 pound belt. May could have beaten Leo Randolph too.
Whitewash by Chandler according to the posters. The issue with Pintor demanding options on Chandler to make the fight is ridiculous. Chandler was the number 1 in the division so no one should have been demanding anything from him to make the fight happen.
Was Pintor making demands and/or options? My understanding was that it was traditional Don King negotiation practices coming into play. The only answer I hear (from Chandler's camp) is that Don King wanted options on chandler should he win the fight, and to Chandler and his people it was non negotiable.
Maybe not Pintor personally, but the team representing him where. No one should ever make demands to fight a higher ranked fighter imo.
I kind of agree, but were there other demands that were made? I kind of understand from interviews with Chandler that this was the reason for the fight never happening. Is there more to the story? Or just another case of Don King making sure he still has control of the belt(s)?
I think that's the demand, the options of future fights. I mean, for me, Chandler was the clear number 1 in the division, if Pintor wants to fight him he has to agree to whatever Chandler asks, which apparently was no options. But in a world of split belts its all too easy to walk away and have a title defence against someone else.
I have no doubt Pintor would have wanted the fight. It would have been politics that stood in the way. For example if Chandler wanted no options Pintor would not have had a say - it would have boiled down to others. Pintor stepped up sometime later and took on Gomez who was a more fearsome propostion.