Freddie Steele vs Carlos Monzon 160 lbs, Who U got ?

burt, I respect and am somewhat awed by Steele and his impressive ko reign at middleweight, but there's no way he beats any version of Monzon.
1970-72 Monzon would have ko'ed (or tko'ed)Steele in 9 or 10,...the post-shooting, arthritic version, when he changed his style appreciably to an even more methodical, attrition based sort of style would have waited out Steele and either ground him down for a late round tko, or more likely, would have made it a tedious chess match and settled for a decision.
I have always been convinced that the Argentinian was the best middleweight champion ever. He was ideally suited to the middleweight division, and was unnaturally cool and detached, especially for a Latin fighter. Monzon wasn't spectacular or flashy in any way, but he possesed a first class ring IQ and was clever as hell, aside from having a first class chin...and all tis was proven in him retiring as champion virtually unmarked. Steele was an exciting power puncher who showcased greater power than Monzon, but that wouldn't have been enough.

 

I might add that Monzon had no clearly defined "prime"...he was able to punch better prior to 1973, but at the same time, you might say that his '77 rematch with Valdez was his best outing, coming from that kd in the 2nd and rallying so well in defeating the Colombian the rest of the way. He proved his greatness essentially in that fight and in the 1972 decision over a prime "I'm as ready as I'll ever be" Bennie Briscoe, when after surviving round 10, he could have held, ran and clinched his way to victory, but instead elected to stand and trade with Bad Bennie for the rest of the fight, hurting him badly in the 14th.

 

Monzon never beat a legitimate prime middleweight anywhere near the level of Steele.

 

And Steele never beat one like Monzon, so where does that leave us?

 

I have to admit I didn't know too much about Steele other than the fact he was a champion and highly regarded so I did my homework and watched him in action. After seeing him on video I'm not so sure I would pick Monzon decisively in this one. Favor him yes...bet on the outcome....nope. Steele was active, could bang with both hands and had great footwork. Plus he was only about 2" shorter than Monzon and wouldn't have such a hard time reaching him as some of Carlos' other opponents did. Monzon I feel wouldn't be able to sit back and jab and throw his right behind his usually significant height advantage he enjoyed. He's gonna have to get busy with Steele who'll be in his face all night. I defer to some others like Burt who have much more experience but I can't say for certain that Monzon is a sure winner here...not after doing my homework on Steele.

 

I dont think Monzon would hold any surprises for a guy who fought and beat Dundee, Jones., Stuhley, Matthews, Risko, Lesnevich, Overlin, or Krieger.

I think those guys would win far more than they lost against ancient guys fighting above their best weight like Griffith, Moyer, and Benvenuti, injured faded guys like Valdez, or puffed up nobodies like Bouttier, Tonna, Bogs, and Licata.

 

That's right, downgrade the fighters of Monzon's era....you left Briscoe out.....he was a bum too huh?

 

:smokeI promise I won't mention Monzon-Greb burt!

 

Great match-up. Steele is underrated in this day and age.

I will take Monzon simply because he never met the style that couldn't figure out. Simplistic, I know. But adaptability is an enormous part of championship level accomplishment.

 

Awww:|

 

I left him out for a reason. When Briscoe, a guy who lost 30 percent of his bouts, sometimes against journeymen even at his best, is one of your biggest tests then it says a lot about how limited your competition really was head to head.

Who did Briscoe beat that proved he was so much better than anyone Steele beat much less Steele? Vinales, who he lost to also just two fights before challenging for Monzon's title?

 

I'd like to hear your thoughts on Marciano.