I thought he was fighting cautiously because he respected Duran as a dangerous opponent but you are probably right Durans size would be a huge factor against a taller boxer like monzon. What monzon fights should I watch to get a sense of who he was at his best? I've already watched Valdez 1 and 2 and napoles
actually, any one of them and nowadays, it's free unlimited access on youtube You might actually become a fan of his. I'm not, but he's okay His style not real exciting (he was a technician all the way) but apparently had a style no one could figure out and the physical prowess to deal with any opponent Whether he could handle a peak Hagler is not so obvious to me because both were elite fighters (Hopkins was not) and Hagler was more multi dimensional than previous Monzon opponents What I wonder about is how Monzon would handle a lefty like Marvin. Monzon's left jab vs hagler's pile driving right jab, which would be more effective? I believe Marvin's would probably get thru more effectively and combined with Marv's excellent mobility,right to left, left to right, score with quick one twos, enable him to score more than previous Monzon opponents. Also, what if marvin hits him in just the right spot with his lethal right hook? It would be a dangerous fight for sure But,, his record is awesome - unbeaten between 1964 and 1977, and never stopped It's interesting that both Hagler and Monzon were in the ratings at the same time by mid 1977 Monzon was about to have his last fight whereas Marvin was about to finish his nemesis Monroe the same month and by the end of that year, move up high in the ratings, by taking down one of the top ranked contenders, unbeaten Mike Colbert (Hagler had already outpointed unbeaten olympic gold medalist Ray Seales) among his opponents (Monzon's) Benventi, Tony Licata, Briscoe, Mundine, Boutier, Denny Moyer, Emile Griffith to name a few
speaking of youtube, I found this and though this gentleman did a good job side by side comparisons between the two https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yogvgSptMAo It's rare but to be honest, I did see it happen, Monzon on qweer street 2:45 I think Hagler could have possibly done the job with his right hook and Tommy with his hellish offense and blazing handspeed, would get the better of it in a shootout
Hearns wasn't rugged enough to beat Monzon, ...and Benitez goes 15 with him, but Tommy ko's Monzon?...How many guys have either decked or ko'ed Tommy?...and I'm sure that he would have ridden out anything that Hagler would have done. So Ali gets decked by Cooper, therefore Liston should have stopped him...or he gets decked by Frazier, so the even harder punching Foreman should have been able to ko Ali?
I meant IF they got into a shootout No one can really say what would have happened in Hagler vs Monzon. Neither side can be proven wrong so IMO, either can be right and no one can prove otherwise I think Leonard had more ability than Monzon but somehow I don't see him winning and I don't think he can match his strength monzon's has too many accomplishments at that weight A pity Leonard made no defenses of his title
Going against the grain and picking leonard. I think he outboxes Monzon due to speed and better movement honestly.
A tough fight, but I think Leonard edges out a decision against Monzon. Leonard’s speed, skill, and durability make Sugar Ray the victor after a terrific fight.