Fighting Harada vs. Jeff Fenech

The fireworks are gonna start early in this one thats for sure, and what a fight its gonna be! The fight being held at 122 would favour both men here as they had a hard time getting down to the bantam limit during the time they spent at the weight.

We all know Fenech is gonna come out looking to make a fight of it immediately, but Harada was more versatile a fighter than the rugged Fenech and could actually box very well when he wanted to, and this is why I think he would have a slight edge over Jeff as he could swith gears and alternate being coming forward in a swarming attack or rather come in or step back behind his jab which he often threw 3,4 even 5 in a row.

His footwork was also better than Jeff`s and he could move out of harms way more quickly as a result if necessary. Both men had excellent chins, but they weren`t impregnable though and I cannot overrule the possibility of a KO/TKO in this bout although I do think it is unlikely as both men had such excellent recuperative powers. This would probably have gone the full fifteen, with both men battered and bruised at the final bell, and with Harada walking away a winner in an epic fight.

 

It would be one of the best action fights, but on rounds i think Harada takes a pretty one-sided win. Every round is competitive, but I think the vast majority are clearly for Harada. As said in the post above, Harada was more versatile, more skilled, better footwork, etc. But I say he did pretty much everything better than Jeff (except power). In 15 rounds, It is possible Harada stops Fenech, but he wasn't really a puncher, so I'll say Fenech stays in. Harada comes away with a few bruises and maybe a small cut, but he definitely looks the better of the two after this action-packed fight.

 

May well have resulted in a Hitman Hearns vs Hagler type contest.

Harada was great champ. Defended 5 times I think, til Rose took his title.

Fenech definately hit harder than Rose - but they were vastly different fighters.

Gut feeling, and that's all it is, is Fenech in about 9. Wouldn't think there'd be much between them, and if it went the distance, perhaps Harada?

 

Fenech held a pretty clear size and strength advantage. I'd say Harada would've had to have boxed to have much chance honestly. He was an overall more skilled boxer and better P4P, but he's not beating Fenech at his own game, not with the size disadvantage he'd have.

 

The buzzsaw Harada would trounce Fenech over 15. I've said it before, that the two victories over the great Eder Jofre were SIGNIFICANT in that Harada dominated and imposed his will over a super-great fighter who would go on to win another title and retire at the top with only those losses to the Japanese legend. Fighting Harada would outclass Jeff Fenech for a clear 15 round decision.

 

RED COBRA - How would you see ROSE vs FENECH then??

 

Just how much bigger if Fenech than Harada?

 

A pretty fair amount, clearly has the strength advantage as well. No way Harada would beat a guy like Nelson at 126 or 130.

 

Well, how many pounds more do you think Fenech would weigh the night of the fight against Harada?

Is Fenech a true 15 round fighter?

 

Well, at his best he seemed a stamina and durability beast.

 

Except for his hands, which were unbelievably fragile.

Might make the difference in a fight where so many punches are going to be thrown...

 

Was just thinking about this fight, and how it would probably set a compubox record for most punches thrown/landed in a fight, so I searched it on the site and now I'm giving it a bump.

When I think of potential elite level wars I think of fights like Arguello-Chavez, Duran-Armstrong, Marciano-Holyfield, Saddler-Saldivar, and Walker-Basilio.

This is another one that sits in that bundle.

As to the winner: I say it ends a draw, more or less.

 

Harada was a perfect boxing match up for Fenechs style. The bout must be a very hard fought bout. Harada's skull would be battered by Fenech, from a distance... whilst that distance was available. After the 8th round, Fenech would have to rely on dirty fighting, which he loved, due to his hands being busted in several places. Regardless, Harada would still battle through this, and take a decision.. Harada would be the toughest cookie for Fenech to fight... and equal in determination.

Rose had the better of Harada for several reasons... mobility, constant balance and range. A fantastic array of combinations and the patience to keep his cool, allowing his brilliant boxing ability to hold him in good stead.

Fenech looked very unschooled in many of these factors..... especially patience. His jab fantastic, as was his ability to keep a good distance...

 

Not only that, but he was the cleaner, harder puncher at this weight. And Lionel Rose showed what a fighter could do with Harada if he stood his ground against his flurries and was willing to go under and bang him in the body - and Jeff did that as well as anyone.

I think Fenech would decisively bully and overpower him to a late-round stoppage here.