Antonio Cervantes - Underrated to this day?

If he was the pre-Howard Bobby Joe Young, Aaron would be singing his praises. Curry, McCrory, and Starling knew what the deal was.

 

It's true lol.

 

Looking at some more things came across Carlos Palomino the best I faced:
Hardest puncher: I fought this guy in the amateurs, Norman Goins from Minnesota. He did pretty well as a pro. He was a tremendous puncher. I fought him the finals of the Pan American (Games) trials and was knocked down three times, once in each round. I still won the fight — it was the amateurs — but I got dropped three times. I’ll never forget that.”

 

Very fair breakdown. What about Cotto?

I'm probably on my own on this one but I think that Cervantes v. Luis Collazo also might have been a very interesting fight.

 

Hatton vs Cotto or
Cervantes vs Cotto

 

Hatton v. either, I guess.

 

Sorry i meant to get back on this days ago mate. I knew there was someone else but couldn't for the life of me remember who. Goins obviously could really bang but with limited skill. One of those sleepers when talking punchers.

 

If you asked me to pick a guy to beat Floyd Mayweather, he would be my 2nd choice (behind Hearns)

 

Bobby Joe Young was a good fighter, but nobody ducked him. He just wasn't as good as Curry, McCrory and Starling.

His defense was inadequate.

He couldn't get by Howard.

If he was the real deal he would have gotten by Howard.

 

I think a lot of South American fighters tend to get underrated. Cervantes included. I think people are so used to the best Latino boxers being Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban that the countries with less “boxing heritage” can get overlooked.

 

I bet you if Donald was offered a fight with Young, he would decline. Same with McCrory. Emanuel Stewart knows what the deal was. This was 1982, of course. IIRC, I think Howard thumbed him early, and it still was an MD. And Starling was probably weary as well.

 

I like Hatton over Cotto at 140, at 147 I lean towards Cotto!

Pains me to say it as Hatton is one of my favorites, but I think Cervantes takes a decision in 12 and stops Hatton in 13 if we use a 15 rd limit. I like both of them, would be cheering for Hatton but expecting the worst.

 

This deserves a bump. It’s always great to see people giving respect to other highly underrated fighters that are mostly overshadowed by the more prestigious fighters. I’m ashamed to admit that the only fights of Cervantes that I’m familiar with is his fights with Locche, Pryor, and Benitez. I plan on watching his other fights to get a much better appreciation for Kid Pambele.