Over 15 rounds, @147lbs, who wins? Was this ever on the cards? Amy insight on why didn't they fight or was the timing just not right?
I think Palomino gets past Cuevas, although that's tough to admit since Cuevas is one of my favorite from that era. Palomino was clever enough to avoid most of Pipino's big bombs, and although his chin wasn't quite on the level of Oliver McCall or Gerry Penalosa, it was only one rung below that; basically I think he was tough enough to weather Cuevas' worst. You have to give Palomino credit for his willingness to travel outside of his comfort zone, including when he met the challenge of Davey Boy Green in London. He iced poor Davey Green almost as badly as Leonard later did.
Cuevas crushes Palomino in 2 like anyone else that wasn't 7 ft tall with a howitzer for a rt hand and named Tommy Hearns
Carlos struggled with the low ranked guys and tended to go a lot of rounds. Pipino nearly killed everyone he faced and you definitely didn't want to try and Outlast him in his prime. I think Carlos outslicks him for a few rounds and then ends up staring at the lights trying to remember who he just fought.
This fight was talked about during 1977, as a title unification bout. Both were very good fighters, Carlos had a good defense , could take a good punch as we saw against Green and Muniz. His competition was tough during his title reign until he ran into Benitez. A smart durable champion. Pipino was a very solid hard puncher who could fracture orbitals as with Billy Backus in 1978. A very competitive fight, Palomino hits the canvas early on, but as he exhibited in the Armando Muniz fight, he weathers the storm to claim a unanimous decision. Cuevas was not made to go 15 rounds and win.
Any specific reason it didn't happen? Or was it basically just Palomino lost vs Benitez and then Duran so it no longer made sense?
The fight did not happen in 1977, this was due to the respective governing bodies, WBA and WBC. There also was talk of Duran moving up from lightweight to welterweight to fight Palomino for the WBC welterweight title. We know what eventually happened when Carlos met Duran, no title on the line after Palomino lost to Benitez.
Another one of those ones where strong arguments can be made either way imo. Palomino could indeed outbox him to a decision win but he might also get into serious trouble from Cuevas' crushing power.
"Cuevas sure does come out fast and he does seem to tire as the fight goes on. The problem is, he's liable to kill 2 or 3 guys before he tires." JACKIE MCCOY
