Suppose Zarate had gotten the decision over Lupe Pintor, as most people feel he should have. He certainly wouldn't have retired at that point and if not, where would his career have gone? At that point, Carlos would have had only 1 loss in his career to Wilfredo Gomez. Instead, he quit in frustration and was retired for many years before attempting a comeback. He obviously lost many great boxing years. So turn back the clock to 1979 when he fought Pintor. He has just won the decision and is looking ahead. How would he have done in a rematch with Gomez? How about bouts with Sanchez or Pedroza? Was he already past his prime in 1979?
I have great respect for Zarate, but I honestly think he loses all three of those fights (Gomez, Sanchez, Pedroza). I think he was probably at the tail end of his prime in '79. I think he'd have beaten Solis, Lujan and I'd make him about even money in a rematch against Pintor or a fight with Chandler.
I don't think a rematch with Gomez would have been in the offering to be honest. Sanchez would have been tested by Zarate's left hook to the liver but also likely would have kept him at the end of his punches and perhaps stopped Carlos late. I think Pedroza may have been open to Carlos straight right so I would give Zarate a shot at this one, but also think Pedroza may have been a little two strong for Zarate over the long haul. Lupe was so tough but also not very imaginative in what he did in the ring. In a rematch I can only see Zarate landing more sharp punches on him. As for Jolting Jeff I never thought he was technique wise as good as the scribes of his day made him out to be, Zarate was a little faster I thought and inside would have taken away Jeff's legs with those liver hooks. Zarate by stoppage late.
If Zarate moves up to 126, he loses to either Sanchez or Pedroza.And Joltin Jeff Chandler may have beaten him as well, as maybe a young Jamie Garza may have.
