Why is Carlos Monzon ranked higher than Marvin Hagler?

To be fair to Hagler, he waited some time for a Leonard rematch, but Leonard wouldn’t play and went back into retirement again, himself. So, not having the chance for redemption probably rankled Hagler, as much as the defeat.

 

I read his interview, he did say that Bennie Briscoe was the best that he ever fought, he had respect for Bennie.

 

I don’t doubt that’s a possibility. Hagler talked about little else other than beating Monzon’s only recently achieved record.

 

Carlos and Duran were friends, Monzon used to call Roberto after his bouts especially after the Hagler fight in 1983. Monzon was not fond of Hagler, according to the interview i saw with Monzon's trainer Amilcar Brusa in July 1992 on the Spanish channel.

 

Richard, I think he also said it was Emile Griffith, because "he made me do things I didn't want to do"...

 

You are right.

 

Monzon was an ugly person, who no doubt was jealous of Hagler's position in boxing.

 

What is to be jealous of, Carlos did not lose to Sugar Ray Leonard, And he retired with the title, who would be jealous of a sore loser like Hagler?

 

Smart post.

 

Monzon = 14 title defenses
Hagler = 12 title defenses

I saw both greats for their entire careers. If Monzon ranks higher than Hagler it is only by the very slightest margin possible. Hagler challenged Sugar Ray Leonard for a rematch after the latter's win but he declined as he did with Benitez. I am convinced that had Hagler beaten him he would have gotten the nod over Monzon.

 

Or if he would hsve rightfully been champion years prior to 1980. Hagler is arguably the greatest middleweight ever.
Just because Leonard being his usual snake self ruined the streak and then ran from the rematch doesnt change that imo.

 

Carlos Monzon went on a 82 bout unbeaten streak from Oct 9 1964 until he retired on August 29 1977, his record was 89-3-9, 61 KO's. He defeated the three fighters who defeated him on points early in his career, Carlos also defeated eight of the nine men he drew with, the ninth opponent refused to give him a rematch. Monzon was a great tactician, he was calm cool and collected in the ring, nothing fazed or flustered him, he did not need the media to intimidate his opponents, nor could anyone intimidate him, his skill and confidence said it all. He did not sit at ringside and give his future opponent's scary looks like a WWE wrestler, he allowed the promoters to promote, he was not a Muhammad Ali wanna be. His style may have been boring and mundane to some but he was effective in the ring, a consistent winner who never whined or sniveled even after an off night, which does happens to any fighter regardless of their greatness. After his title defenses he always praised his opponents.

 

No question whatsoever. He's all class. I have no problem with Hagler #3, Monzon, #2 to SRR's #1 all time ranking.

As I think about it, middleweight was probably my fave weight category. We had such greats back in the day. In fact I was lucky enough to remember SRR in his last few years. All three are what makes boxing the sweet science ~ greatest sport of all.

 

Agree with every word of this calm reasonble post. As another poster said (apologies: can't recall who said it - and I am too lazy to read every Monzon/Hagler thread to find poster's name) 'it is hard to overrate guys at this level'. Monzon is not my favourite fighter to watch. He is still, though, the steadiest and most formidable middleweight I've seen on tape. I can not imagine him being troubled by Vito A, Duran, or SRR had they fought him as middleweights. To be blunt, I think he would have battered them. The older I get, and the more I learn about boxing ( from the wise heads who post on this forum, largely) the more I admire Monzon as a fighter. There is no one quite like him. So wild outside the ring, yet so controlled inside it. One of the Kings of boxing.

Stupid mistake there: I meant to type SRL (not SRR).