In 77, Alan Minter lost a fight to Ronnie Harris on cuts. That loss messed up a world title eliminator.That fight would have been against The legendary Bennie Briscoe. So if that fight had actually happened..?
Tough call Bennie by 77 was running on fumes IMO. If Minter boxed he gets a UD. If not I lean towards Bennie
That title eliminator was for Carlos Monzon's vacant title due to his retirement on August 29 1977, as he retired as champion. Rodrigo Valdes, Ronnie Harris , Bennie Briscoe, Gratien Tonna and Alan Minter. Bennie Briscoe even though aging might have come out on top against Alan Minter. Alan with his right jab would have proven to be quite a challenge early in the fight but Briscoe's right hand would have begun to connect with fierce regularity, a weapon to use against a southpaw. Bennie has a habit of ruining a rising contender, he stopped highly rated Tony Mundine on Feb 25 1974 in Paris, France, KO 5. Bad Bennie after cutting off the ring on Minter stops him on a severely lacerated right eye in round 6, thus ending his quest for a shot at the vacant WBA, WBC Title History restored, Briscoe drops a close 15 round decision to Rodrigo Valdes in Campeone D Italia, on Nov 5 1977. Valdes is the new champion as Monzon climbs into the ring to present Valdes the championship belt.
Bennie Briscoe was creaking a bit by this time at 34 while Minter was very hot at 26. Youth and speed was on Minter's side and he had speed. His fight with Ronnie Harris was a sizzler of speed. If everything held up, I would say Minter on a decision. He had the jaw to stay with Briscoe but not the skin. Briscoe was creaking but he still had a bit in the tank. Enough to take out hot prospect Tony Chiaverini the following year when it was thought that he was ready to be taken. I see Minter doing well early, but slowly that Briscoe jab starting to rip up Minter. Bennie never had a speed jab, it was delivered in 'ones', but it was hard. And once Minter was cut Bennie would be all over him until the referee or Doctor intervened.
Another rising middleweight contender Ronnie Harris received a title shot against World Middleweight Champion Hugo Corro on Aug 5 1978, in Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Corro retained on a unanimous 15 round decision, it was televised live on The CBS Sports Spectacular.
Bennie was kinda iffy at that point in his career. If he shows flashes of the past, Bennie wins on a cuts stoppage. Aging Bennie loses by UD.
