Benitez vs. JC Chavez at 140

I'd take the Benitez that beat Cervantes over Julio by UD.

 

Chavez was a little past his best by the time he got to 140; so I take prime Benitez to hold on late, to gain the decision.

Wilfred WM15 (9-6)

 

Benitez's skill set is such that he would win a 10-5 decision over Chavez.

 

Chavez wins this for me. Even at 140 I think he was faster and more accurate than Kid Pambele and I think Cervantes won about 5 or 6 rounds from Benitez. A close decision for Chavez.

 

I think Benitez. Chavez fought great when he fought guys who fought with him and gave him openings, but a guy who could be defensive and counterpunch like Benitez did with Duran will beat Chavez.

 

Benitez thoroughly flummoxes and beats Chavez like he beat Duran.

 

I could see Benitez winning a decision by out-boxing him, but I wouldn't be surprised if a well-timed right hand Meldrick Taylor's him.

 

Can't see how people are favouring Benitez given his struggles with the way inferior Palomino. I think maybe too much emphasis is being put on his performance against a fat and out of sorts Duran.

Sure Benitez is as elusive a head target as they come, but that body is right there for a sharp, skilled body puncher like Chavez.

Chavez struggled with Whitaker and Meldrick Taylor, but they are different fighters to Benitez.

 

I don't really think Duran was really out of shape in that fight. Benitez was just too much of a puzzle for Duran at that stage and that weight. He couldn't do the things he used to be able to to nullify Benitez's strengths.

 

I don't think Duran was any more out of shape for Benitez than he was for Moore or Cuevas, but all the same (by a fit Roberto's standards) he was fat and out of shape.

Palomino giving Wilfred such a close fight where Duran couldn't also speaks to how far Duran had fallen by that stage. I think Duran being no where near his best is a better explanation than Wilfred say not being that good at welter but being good in the jr divisions above and below welter.

 

Benitez beats Chavez but loses the decision

 

That Bruce Curry fight sure makes me pretty much pick the other guy. Much much more formidable than Bruce. And another thing about Benitez is those defensive skills are from the waist up. I think he needs a lot more footwork against this guy and Chavez was a terrific inside fighter & I just don't see Benitez getting the guy off him or bothering him whatsoever with his punches. And it'd be a body attack from Julio, not a strictly headhunter type and that's the type guy Wilfredo slips punches from.