Benitez vs Mc Callum at 154 pounds

McCallum is a bit overrated on this forum, in all honesty.

If we're talking about the Benitez that beat Duran, then I pick Will. He had the style and talent to duplicate what Kalamay was able to do to McCallum. McCallum's weakness was the slick boxer types, even Herol Graham ran him EXTREMELY close.

Benitez by decision.

 

Did you score it close as well, or are you going by the judges' cards (on Graham's turf)?

McCallum has wins against Curry, Graham, Kalamaby and (imo) Toney. All at the very least very good boxers and all when Mike was in his 30's. He also put up a good effort against Jones as a fat and shot LHW, better than prime Toney did at SMW. If that is sign of a weakness, I'd love to have it.

For my money, McCallum's longer reach will let him disrupt Benitez rhythm with his jab and pick enough points behind that to win comfortably.

 

I like Benitez by decision. He grew into 154 surprisingly well and had plenty of assets there. At one point he was considered a very dangerous opponent for Hagler.

 

Benitez had the ability to outbox McCallum but I see the Bodysnatcher catching up with him and loading up those bodyshots.


McCallum by tko.

 

McCallum is the goat at 154 IMO

 

Truly a tossup, but Benitez might edge him by a point. He has more than enough skillset to hang with McCallum, and possibly frustrated him enough off his game to pull it.

 

1982 Benetiz peaked at Superwelter, beating Duran and losing by MD to a much larger and more powerful Hearns.

Benetiz by split decision, suffering a flash knockdown late.

 

I really like McCallum here.

I think Benetiz backs himself to the ropes or the corner and fights about 80% of the round there. Not in ring center or using movement with his legs.

McCallum was no headhunter and will land hard to the body. Wilfred slips the head shots but not that bodywork. i think a lopsided decision type thing with Benetiz fighting the wrong fight against this guy and cooperating way too much. A wrong strategy type fight followed to the end.

 

Benitez' problem against Leonard and Hearns was he made them miss a lot, but didn't make them pay enough. I see the same happening here. Benitez will make Mike look bad, but McCallum will force the action, attack the body, land the more hurtful shots and his more credible offense will win the decision for him.

 

This. I can't put faith in Benitez here.

 

What if Benetiz "one punches" McCallum out ....like he did Maurice Hope?

 

I like McCallum as well based on his body attack and his own boxing ability. Probably by decision.