Fenech/Zarate - Does Fenech Deserve...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Feb 18, 2009.


  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Any credit, or was Zarate just a corpse at this point?

    Zarate was 66-2 at the time coming off a 12 fight winning streak after retiring due to the controversial Pintor loss. Zarate was in his mid 30's.

    Fenech was a 17 fight novice tearing through divisions.

    Not a fight you hear discussed very often around here, bit of a mixing of different generations really.
     
  2. rumour24tiger

    rumour24tiger Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It was a bad night for Fenech. As I recall, Zarate cut him badly with a punch but Fenech espaced with an injury win or a no contest. Apart from that, Fenech had an awesome career up to the Azumah Nelson rematch. Fenech-Zarate was a bad night, a controversy, a blip in a great careeer.
     
  3. MrMarvel

    MrMarvel Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He wasn't a corpse. But at the lighter weights, fighters have a much shorter prime. (And Zarate always looked older than his listed age.) Fenech was an aggressive fighter and had the early rounds in the bank before the unfortunate end.
     
  4. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Well, did it seem that Zarate would have had any chance if the fight had gone on?

    Would a win have been possible, or somewhat realistic?
     
  5. MrMarvel

    MrMarvel Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Are you talking about Zarate or Fenech?
     
  6. la-califa

    la-califa Boxing Addict Full Member

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    As much credit as Marciano did for disposing of Joe Louis. A match Prime for prime would have been something!
     
  7. MRBILL

    MRBILL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Russ,

    To this day I'm not sure WTF happened in that fight.. I have a Spanish version of the TV fight..... Fenech was younger and getting the better of Zarate, but Zarate was hanging in there.... Then, suddenly, the fight was stopped.... Did Zarate injury his arm or shoulder?? Who knows??? The stoppage looked bogus....

    MR.BILL:fire
     
  8. COULDHAVEBEEN

    COULDHAVEBEEN Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    IMO it was a case of an 'approaching-peak' Fenech versus a 'well-past-use-by-date' Zarate.

    The 7 year tempory retirement didn't improve Zarate, and the 12 fights he won prior to Fenech (in his second career) weren't notables.

    An 'at-peak' Fenech vs 'at-peak' Zarate fight would have been a blinder! For mine Zarate would have won it (and I'm an Aussie).
     
  9. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Fenech was beating the **** out of Zarate through 4 rounds, and then suffered a cut. Someone (either the doctor or the ref) chose to stop it on Fenech's cut. Zarate then celebrated thinking that he would be given a TKO victory, but the fight went to the scorecards instead, and Fenech being clearly ahead won a technical decision.

    What made the stoppage "bogus" looking is that the cut didn't look all that serious. Fenech himself was ready and willing to fight on, and even protested the stoppage (even though knowing full well that he was safely ahead on points). Frankly, I don't understand why they would look to stop the fight down there in Fenech's backyard on a simple cut like that.
     
  10. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Didn't seem like that. It actually looked like Fenech was on his way to a KO win (I can't remember for sure, but I think he'd already had Zarate down).
     
  11. MRBILL

    MRBILL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    YEAH! The stoppage on that cut was bogus..... I agree Fenech was ahead, but Zarate was still hangin' in there........ The fight was going pretty good, until that sudden ending..... Peace.....

    MR.BILL
     
  12. rusty nails

    rusty nails Tszyu for PM!! Full Member

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    zarate himself has said fenech would have been successful back when he was prime..
     
  13. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Fenech beat him even in his prime. I think Fenech is somewhat underrated at bantam because his fights weren't as high profile, but the guy was an absolute monster there (until the weight-making started to catch up with him just before he moved up). Strong as a bull, tough, relentless, and he could punch like a mutherf*cker with both hands.
     
  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Yes, Fenech at his shortish finest would cause havoc and beat plenty in matchs of ATG vs ATG. I could not agree more.
     
  15. COULDHAVEBEEN

    COULDHAVEBEEN Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Successful....But successful against him (Zarate) that's the big question?

    Not looking to put Fenech down here. He was a great champ in multiple divisions. Just think Zarate, who ruled the bantam division by a long string of decisive KO victories, might have shaded Fenech.

    Much would have depended on how Fenech's often fragile hands stood up.