What if Yuri moves up to super flyweight and didn't have hand Injury,then after racking up a few wins he challenged for the title,facing Carbajal,who wins?
Yuri on points but I think it would be closer then some might think. Arbachakov was a good boxer puncher but the very hittable (and dangerous) Kittikasem managed to land punches in 2 fights then Carbajal (who hammared the brave Kittikasem for his 1st title) would land too. Nonetheless, Yuri was never stopped (or dropped I think) so Carbajal wouldn´t score a come from behind ko like he did against Chiquita or Arce. Yuri would survive some hard hits to outbox and outpunch Carbajal over 12 exciting rounds.
Yuri would knick it in a very good fight. If he were flat like he sometimes was or if his hands gave him issues then Carbajal might've had a very solid chance at the upset.
I will say Yuri Arbachakov by decision he is more technical in the ring and more fast also. Both beat Muangchai Kittikasem it's a shame that the fight never happen.
Regarding both fighters bouts against Kittikasem... I'm not much of a fan of any version, but I do think he had clearly improved by the Arbachakov fights. He won a light fly title very early, but other than a lot of other Thai fighters (Muangsurin, Chitalada, Death Mask Sahaprom) that we can see in retrospect were actually close to the finished article already, he was a very raw fighter that had looked vulnerable and clumsy against Macalos twice. Knowing the Thai weight cutting practices of the time i wouldn't be surprised if he was cutting off an arm and a leg to make weight too. After getting smashed up by a more technically sound puncher and exploiting the faded nature of Chitalada and Chang, he had at least added more of a jab, better movement/distance control,combinations, and poise to his game by then, to go along with the awkward rhythm and natural power.
