The second quarter final tosses up a second head scratcher. Jimmy Wilde - what's to say? I will point out that it's what he did at bantamweight that makes him truly extraordinary; that his flyweight title claim was only semi-recognised although it was he himself, arguably, that brought the division some needed heft; that he struggled with Tancy Lee - and that the division was nothing like as strong as the one Gonzalez inhabited. All of that said, the astonishing things Wilde did bantamweight and featherweight, he tended to weigh in as a flyweight (or smaller) anyway. Form is form and the astonishing punching power of Wilde (seeded 2) barracked his. How to pick against him? This content is protected Masoa Oba (seeded ten), held a strap but never held the legitimate flyweight championship of the world; this did not stop him going on one of the most incredible tears in the history of 112lbs. It would have been something special to have been ringside on the second of September 1968 when Oba clashed with Susumu Hanagata over ten rounds in what would be his last ever loss in what sounds a wonderful fight. These two would meet again further down the line but first for Oba came a chance to gain valuable experience as a stay-busy opponent for beltholder Bernabe Villacampo. Whoever selected Oba presumably did not keep his job as the Japanese out-worked and out-fought his more illustrious opponent over ten rounds in a non-title fight. The shockwaves resounded throughout the division. Shockwaves deepened to seismic alarm when Oba was rewarded with a shot at a strap of his own against Berkrerk Chartvanchai. He dominated that fight from the first bell, working with fast pressure and fast hands, showing a narrow leading frame to his opponent, keeping his guard low but mobile. Such was his speed of thought and movement that a jab could be supplanted by an uppercut to the gut or a straight right hand from a suddenly square stance; there were chinks in his armour but taking advantage of them supposed that his thrilling offense could not close that gap. This was not the case against Chartvanchai, nor ever again in Oba’s career. After two pinpoint lead right-hands broke Cahrvanchai’s resistance in the thirteenth, Oba took on the monstrous Betulio Gonzalez. Their fight was an extraordinary one, exquisitely narrow rounds early being decided by single right hands bought by an active left jab – but the late rounds were war. Oba emerged with a slender decision, contrary to my card of 8-7 for Gonzalez, but contrary, too, to rumors of a robbery. Oba continued to tear up the division, winning another excellent fight with contender Fernando Cabanela in 1971, avenging himself upon the wild Susumu Hanagata the following year, then stopping Orlando Amores with precision punching before surviving a disastrous first round to stop the great Charchai Chionoi in the twelfth in 1973. It was a divisional massacre. This content is protected Who will win under the following rules? 15 round fight. 1950s referee. 8oz boxing gloves. Cast your vote and explain yourself in a post below! You have 3 days.
On the same basis I picked Oba over Villa, I pick him over Wilde. I like him to avoid the power and jab Wilde, nicking a decently clear decision.
I think the other way around. You have to see Wilde on film to appreciate him. He's comes in bobbing and weaving, like Frazier, except he was harder to time and mixed in feints. Once in range, Wilde would let his hands go to the head or the body. Wilde had a real feel for the distance he needed to score and make the other guy miss, which was complemented by quick feet. Jimmy's power for his weight was unreal. A true pound for pound puncher. Most flyweight hit like girls, well you get my point. They don't hit hard, which is a reason you get a lot of action fights. Wilde Ko'd guys at the 170 pound mark.
Similar to a Betulio González? Nah, he's more raw, with a weird way of throwing his punches. He also doesn't throw as much. His biggest strength, power aside, are his ability to judge distance. He had excellent parries and counters, but Oba wasn't gonna rush at him full speed, he was gonna measure him out and tactfully approach him. Well, what'd you know. Top 5/6 puncher ever imo. When?
Wilde would fight miner guys, much bigger men and KO them. It is estimated that Wilde had over 400 fights. I don't think Oba was that great. His competition to me doesn't stick out, and he died so young his career is incomplete. Oba fought in Japan in all but one of his matches...I think. How many ring magazine ranked fly's did Oba defeat when they were ranked? I'm far from a flyweight expert, but my guess is not many.
Berkrerk Chartvanchai, Betulio Gonzalez, Fernando Cabanela, Susumu Hanagata, Orlando Amores. So a fair old number. Chionoi too of course.
I think Oba would cause Wilde problems but I think that Wilde would solve him. I see him banging Oba pretty consistently late on, maybe on the top of the head above the gloves as Oba tries to snipe. I think he'd hurt him serious enough often enough late on to take a close decision. A home straight decision.
Even though I tend not to like judging mythical from so far apart on time, I think Wilde is one that is hard to go against. He was so intelligent, controlled the distance and timing in addition to his opponent and on top of that hit like hell. He’d slow Oba’s work rate down and land the cleaner, better shots en route to a deceisive decision victory.
A fascinating, fascinating contest. Isn't it funny that all the guys who are most obsessed with head to head, with who would beat who, with analysing fantasy matches just have nothing to say about something like this? What a crazy, deep contest, as Chris says, so far apart temporarily and stylistically. Wilde sneaks into the lead with a day left.
I see it something like this but not decisive. Ohba would be one tough one to crack. I see it towards Wilde but in a very close decision.
I think this one has 'Chess Match' written all over it. Both men will struggle to dominate in the early going, as they present each other with opportunities to strike; only to each be frustrated by the others gifted, defensive maneuvering. But it is Wilde, who wins the battle of economy and accuracy, during the first half of the bout, which will stand him in good stead. Wilde's insistence on sitting in the pocket and tempting his opponent to fire at air begins to drain Oba, who expends more energy in attempting to put clean shots together. At the same time,Oba is taking well-timed stingers from Wilde, whose pressure begins to tell from round-8 onwards; his hard and fast attacks being more successful than they had been earlier. A game Oba launches a counter-offensive with an array of short-range punches to Wilde's head an body, trying to keep the smaller man in close. With it being even, going into the Championship rounds, Wilde then steps it up another gear and begins to outmaneuver and outwork Oba; edging closely contested rounds to decide the bout, by taking four out of the last five. UD 15 victory for Wilde.
Oooo, poll is wide enough that we can see the referee step in to rescue Oba, shipping bombs and out on his feet late in the 12th.
Dammit, I missed this one. Side note, are there any good biographies on Wilde? You guys usually have the best recommendations for that.
