Gavilan ranks higher, but Griffith really has the more impressive record, as well as two reigns at MW. A fast-paced draw wouldn't be outrageous.
Two of the best chins in WW history, so defo going the distance, can make case for either its that close, gun to head Gavilan takes a very tight SD, going with his faster hands, and cluster punching to edge it, maybe !!!
Gavilan might outwork Griffith but he had problems with stronger fighters sometimes and Griffith was strong for a WW so its a tossup to me.
This is one of the hardest match ups at the weight IMO, both are really underrated. Gavilan tended to have trouble with movers IMO. He didn't like it when Graham moved off and boxed, same with Robinson and Saxton (who basically did his best Griffith impression that night) and he lost to all of them. However, Gavilan had a higher workrate than Griffith, and could apply enough pressure to win a close decision but getting up close means being in range to be manhandled, and Griffith is probably the strongest welterweight ever. He'd have his way with Gavilan in the clinches, and he wouldn't shy away from holding if it was needed. I think he'd win this one via controversial/close split decision. As that was what he tended to do with elite fighters. But like McVey said, this one's getting split in a series.
Gavilan was an exceptional front foot counter puncher and as others have said, his workrate might be enough here. But, I actually think Griffith has a lot more dimensions to his game. I think Griffith is one of the most versatile WW fighters out there. Ultimately there's only one correct answer here. A close SD fight which gets debated through the ages.
I imagine a very close, difficult to score fight between two fighters who made pretty much every fight they were in close and difficult to score.
Great fight to watch but I only see one winner here. The Kid will move around and throw fabulous combinations from unbelievable angles but he's not going to put a dent in the Welterweight version of Griffith. Once he comes down off his toes, Gavillan is in big trouble. Emile is going to push him into the corners and on to the ropes and unload those hooks to head and body. Griffith was a monster at Welterweight and could go all night. Griffith by stoppage around the twelfth I reckon.
