Both underrated HOF fighters from Mexico although always overshadowed by other ATGs from that country. Not the fastest or powerful but still very solid and technically sound and also hard as nails. They were also involved in some great action fights as well. In terms of resume and achievements who would you say is the greater fighter overall?
I am a very big Carlos Palomino fan and I love his win over Tony Banta. That being said, I believe Zaragoza is greater from an ATG point of view. He fought and won at the championship level of his weight class for far longer than Palomino. From a skill level I do believe Palomino has the slight edge. Carlos was a very solid fighter who did very little wrong in the ring.
Zaragoza. Palomino might have looked slick and polished in his beer commercials but Zaragoza was a better fighter.
I’d lean towards Palomino. He made a lot of defenses of the lineal title and once in his championship stride, only lost to legends. I think he was the better actual fighter of the two but Zaragoza overachieved and had incredible longevity which makes this a viable question. He had a fantastic career.
Carlos Palomino fought out of Los Angeles, California. He travelled to London, England on June 22 1976, stopped WBC Welterweight Champion John H. Stracey in round 12 to win the title, had title defenses against Armando Muniz, undefeated Davey Boy Green, Everaldo Costa Azevado, Ryu Sorimachi, Jose Palacios, Mimoun Mohatar. He then lost his WBC Title to Wilfred Benitez on Jan 14 1979 in San Juan, Puerto Rico by a 15 round split decision.
I go with Palomino. I'm a bit biased though as he was a favorite of mine when I first fell for this sport
It’s hard choosing: Zaragoza had a couple of peaks but also some valleys. Palomino had a comet-like rise to the championship and burned brightly until back-to-back losses to Duran and Benitez. Both wisely got out while the getting was good: Carlos after those two losses, Zaragoza after losing to Erik Morales. Of the two, I think Palomino had more still to give … although it probably only leads to getting a big payday in a losing effort against Leonard or Hearns (although had he played his cards right until those guys vacated the division, he might have had another run in him — if he doesn’t drop off far in form he probably handles Milton McCrory IMO but not Donald Curry, unless he manages to hold off until it’s the Curry of Honeyghan). Also, Carlos did have a bizarre comeback 18 years after he retired where he won a few fights in a row, including over Rene Arendondo via KO 1 but lost soon after to Wilfredo Rivera and retired again. But in choosing between them, I like Carlos’ peak better but I give the nod to DZ for his longevity as a top-tier guy and stepping back up to championship form after it appeared he was going to fall into ‘great win on some up-and-comer’s resume’ territory.
Carlos Palomino for me too. He boxed and became world welterweight in the late 70's just as the division was taking off Benitez, Leonard and Hearns highlighted the golden era with Pepino Cuevas and Carlos playing a bit. A brutal display of body punching vs John H Stracey and one of the shortest, cutest left hooks vs Dave boy Green started his short reign with perennial tough guy Armundo Muniz also getting a shot. A win over Duran and a loss to Benitez are also on a stellar record. Plus of course he beat Tony Banta
Zaragoza and in all honesty its really simple. He boxed at a top level for much longer and was also a champion for a longer period of time not to mention he fought the better competition. People say well Palomino lost to a prime Duran. Well Zaragoza fought a prime Fenech. For seventeen years Zaragoza was trading punches with the best fighters in his weight class. As a matter of fact Zaragoza closed out his career swapping shots with Erik Morales in a last ditch effort to retain his title. Zaragoza also went overseas and beat a couple of top boxers.
