Flukes ...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by he grant, Nov 3, 2017.


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  1. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He still was dropped by Bruce Curry three times in the first fight. Also allowed Weston to work his way back into the first fight. Brilliant fighter, but one who occasionally he lost focus and paid a price for it.
     
    Drew101, Nov 11, 2017
    Drew101, Nov 11, 2017
    #31
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  2. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

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    Is it really a fluke when the same right hand one-shots the a fighter twice?

    By their nature, there's not much you should be able to take away from a fluke win that should be able to help in the future. I don't think that was the case here.
     
    Rock0052, Nov 11, 2017
    Rock0052, Nov 11, 2017
    #32
  3. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Right, one fight other than the loss to Leonard, an all time great superstar in his first forty fights where along the way he defeated Antonio Cervantes, Bruce Curry easily in a rematch, Carlos Palomino, Maurice Hope and Roberto Duran and went a close 15 with Thomas Hearns ... not one of these fighters, including Weston who he also cleanly defeated, hit him often or dropped him so your point about Benitez being hit often and dropped is simply revisionism. Ray Leonard said flat out he was almost impossible to hit. I would go as far as to say in the past fifty years the hardest fighters to hit in their prime were Benitez, Whitaker and Mayweather.
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2017
    he grant, Nov 11, 2017
    he grant, Nov 11, 2017
    #33
  4. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I am well aware of who he beat and how brilliant he could be, though the fights with Leonard (who dropped him twice and was a clear winner on my cards even if the fight hadn't been stopped) and Hearns (who also dropped Benitez , took 10 rounds easy and forced Benitez into survival mode early) weren't particularly close. The fact remains, Benitez could still suffer lapses in concentration from time to time against less talented foes and could be put on the canvas by guys who had good power and speed.

    Going back to my original point-a good like Moore (who was fast and who could hit) would have been a dangerous guy for any iteration of Benitez to defeat and Wilfred would have be completely on point to emerge from a fight with Bronx Davey unscathed.
     
    Drew101, Nov 11, 2017
    Drew101, Nov 11, 2017
    #34
  5. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    You're backtracking from Benitez being hit hard and dropped often to lapses in concentration and getting hit .. perhaps you can tell us how many fighters never got hit ? Also aside from a past his prime Benitez, who exactly did Davey Moore ever defeat ?

    I'm for the record not saying his defeat of Benitez was a fluke but I will say Benitez was past his best, out of his best weight and that he was no where near the man who ruled at 140, 147 and 154 ..
     
    he grant, Nov 11, 2017
    he grant, Nov 11, 2017
    #35
  6. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Moore beat a once beaten and very solid Ayub Kalule. He also defeated a hard hitting contender in Charlie Weir in the latter's back yard and an undefeated, if limited titleholder in his backyeard. At his best, he was a very good fighter with could hit hard and fast. Not an easy out even for the version of Radar who had defeated the likes of Hope, Duran and Santos. I'd favor better versions of Benitez, of course, but Moore would be a live dog.

    Anyway, my initial assertion was that Benitez, as defensively sound as he was, could be dropped. Given the fact that he was dropped six times in his career prior to meeting Moore, I feel safe in standing by that. Terrific boxer, but one who did hit the mat on more than one occasion.
     
    Drew101, Nov 11, 2017
    Drew101, Nov 11, 2017
    #36
  7. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Benitez was a bit chinny, mostly so at 140 imo. As he rose he took a reasonable shot i think. He was incredibly hard to hit and very elusive when hurt too.
     
    JohnThomas1, Nov 11, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Nov 11, 2017
    #37
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