Calderon fans, have a look at a real Flyweight slickster

Here's a nice little highlight of Hilario Zapata, a tall, lanky Flyweight super-slickster from the 80's. In the clips you'll see him up against top notch Flyweights like Jung-Koo Chang and Fidel Bassa, as well as German Torres. Let me know what you think.

Thanks to sweet_scientist for uploading the vid.:good

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Why can't you see it?

Zapata is comparable to Calderon in that both are regarded to be among the best defensive fighters below Flyweight. The difference in styles between the two is vast however, with Calderon being a midget even by Straw-weight standards and Zapata being among the tallest, lankiest fighters you're likely to see at that low a weight.

Zapata was a much more versatile slickster than Calderon, not only skilled on the move, but also extremely well versed at fighting on close and off the ropes, avoiding punches just as easily within range as Calderon does at a distance. Also, the fighters he faced throughout his career were of a much higher quality than the ones Calderon has faced.

I think Calderon is a solid defensive technician, but one who's made his mark fighting vastly inferior opposition, guys any elite would've beaten with ease. I give him credit due to his small stature, but IMO he'd had been overwhelmed vs the true elites that have graced the Flyweight division and under. Just too lacking offensively.

 

What must be said about Zapata, as he'll undoubtedly have his record examined by those gracing this thread, is that he was a headcase, and his inconsistency largely reflects that. At his best he could've beaten just about any of them, at his worst he'd coast, clown, and get dropped by the most mediocre of them. When his head was on right though, what a fighter.

 

How about his reaction?

 

When I say elite, I am referring primarily to fighters of the past, as the talent pool nowadays is very limited. I don't see anyone around today under 108 pounds outside of maybe Solis that I'd favor over Calderon.

In the Dieppa fight he was mostly keeping his distance and playing matador, slipping under Dieppa's lunges when he tried to close the distance. He's rarely if ever shown the ability to slip punches in the pocket as Zapata was so adept at.

 

I agree with Mantequilla on that one, style-wise it doesn't get much worse for Canto, even if he was the much more consistent fighter, who deserves to be rated much higher because of it. I wish there was sufficient footage of Canto to post, as they didn't come much better in terms of pure boxing technicianship.