What if Monzon moved up to Lightheavyweight & tried to take on countryman Galindez for the championship?
Good question. Monzon I don't think ever fought many (if any) over the MW limit fights. It is always a shock in any sport when your greatest asset..in this case size against other MW's.....is now neutralized. Monzon had the chance to compete against fighters of the Golden Age of Lightheavyweights and didn't. So I think this inaction tells you something. I see the very good version of Galindez....the one that both boxed and slugged......winning a decision or getting a late TKO against Monzon once Monzon realized he had met someone stronger than he was.
I fabor Galindez to beat his countryman Monzon by decision. Monzon is the greater fighter overall but Galindez did not get the nickname "the animal" for nothing. At lightheavyweight VG was one of the best operators of the decade (1970's). Galindez UD 15 Monzon
Galindez wins a decision, too strong for monzon who had never fought at that weight. Nothing that monzon landed would hurt galindez and his slow feet would cause him to be manhandled.
Galindez was stronger but Monzon would still have his usual height and reach advantages here so I wouldn't count him out.
Monzon was not anything but a middleweight..it was his ideal weight for his frame and he never veered from it, much like Marvin Hagler. There's much wisdom in doing that...and in both cases they were very successful in ruling the roost in their chosen division. many times, the jumping from one division to another is like Icarus with his wax wings flying to close to the sun.
Like Marvin Hagler,who followed him,Monzon was perfectly built for a middleweight. He'd give Galindez a good go,but ultimately fall short on the cards.
I wouldn't call the mid 70s a golden era and he had no reason to move up since his countryman Galindez held the title. He did seemingly call out Conteh though: http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...pg=1722,1189762&dq=carlos+monzon+conteh&hl=en http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...pg=2476,4062871&dq=carlos+monzon+conteh&hl=en