Eusebio Pedroza - Amazing Reflexes

How did age effect Pedroza v McGuigan? I heard Eusebio also had weight problems in training for this fight.

 

He was a great fighter with high accomplishments, so respect in that department. However he was one of the dirtiest fighters I've ever seen, so that is the reason I wouldn't be a fan. However I would have paid a lot of money to see him against another dirty great that I'm not a fan of in Wilfredo Gomez. Just imagine the fireworks and how the ref would respond.

 

Dunno about the weight problems, but Pedroza was definitely past his best against McGuigan.

 

That's the fight game of my youth! When the artistry of boxing meant something. How many fighters in today's game have that ability? Outside of Lamencheko no one. But during that era from heavy to fly, that was seen routinely from upper echelon fighters. Prime Holmes and Tyson at heavy. Qawi,Spinks, Holyfield at Lt.Heavy. Prime Hagler, Brisco, Nunn, at middle. Leonard,Benitez, Duran Mccalum , at welter/jr.middle Antonio Cervantes ,Saul Mamby , Aaron Pryor at jr welter. Alexis Arguello, Howard Davis Jr. Hector Comacho Julio Chavez,Pernell Whitaker at light weight, Pedroza, Sal Sanchez,R.Lockridge, Azumah Nelson at feather, fighters like Gomez,Pintor,Chandler at lighter weights. Some were great tacticians, some were great boxer punchers, some were defensive wizards,some great pressure fighters. All had the ability to slip and counter, deflect and counter (opposed to just blocking ) use proper distance, and be in position to instantly counter, (opposed to jumping in and out of range telegraphing with your foot movement) And not just the upper echelon fighters, but most of your top ten fighters in each division were schooled well enough to use the same skills, but not on the level as some of the greats above. Since 1999-2000 boxing has been on a study decline. The overall skill level of the fighters have eroded significantly. Their have been been some great fighters but how great are they when the competition is so weak? Would Lomencheko be able to get away with or confuse a Pederoza or Sanchez as he was able to confuse and out maneuver "The Champ" Gary Russell? What would he do if some of that was coming back at him? The artistry of boxing is only a shadow of what it used to be.

 

Pedroza fought some of the dirtiest nationally televised fights ever aired in the US . His fights w Lockridge and LaPorte were legendary for his blatant fouling. That is the reason he did nit get the recognition he otherwise would have merited in the US . Along with Antonio Cervantes he is a greatly overlooked terrific former champ.

 

He sure was but I watched every time he was on. About being dirty, after a particularly brutal an dirty fight where he won a title Fritzie Zivic was asked about his tactics, his answer was gold,," I wasn't in there to win no lollipops"

 

I get that but that was thirty years earlier and tongue in cheek .. I vividly remember those fights being highlighted as despicable and he himself was fine with it .. I also think it was so obviously covered up by the Alphabet body at the time it turned so many people off ..

 

I read British fight critic Colin Hart mentioning in the paper that to get weight off Eusebio had to jog on the spot in a steam room with a pebble in his mouth, the pebble made him develop saliva so he could help his thirst and prevent dehydration without drinking water which would of made him put on weight the day before the weigh in.

 

I always watched as well. That Zivic quote is classic.

 

Good video.

I don' t know as much about Pedroza as I would like to. I'm gonna check out some of his fights.

 

He was terrific.

 

He was considered the dirtiest fighter in boxing at that time. Pretty impressive given Gomez was also around. I reckon you are right that this cost him some recognition and respect ability wise.

 

Great fighter, but Taylor beat him.

 

Really?.

I thought Pedroza was actually a little unlucky to only get a draw.