Why is Bennie Briscoe rated so highly? I saw a poll on a rival site that rated the middleweights and Bennie came in #19. I have nothing against Briscoe but considering the number of losses in his prime and that he lost all three championship fights, why is he so highly esteemed.
He fought a draw with Monzon in 1967. He had longevity and fought guys like Monzon, Rodrigo Valdez and even a young Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Plus, he beat some tough as nails Philly fighters like Bobby 'Boggallo' Watts, Eugene 'Cyclone' Hart and another fighter from Phildelphia whose name escapes me now. Briscoe was durable, tough, very feared and with good reason. Monzon said he was the toughest guy he ever faced. Hagler intelligently elected to fight a tactical battle against the aging briscoe.
Prior to the end of his career, he avenged literally 99% of his losses, usually brutally. For example, Hart fought him to a draw... Then Briscoe came back and nearly killed him in one. First round KO. Had an ATG chin. Very, very high knockout percentage against very tough opposition. Never ducked a soul. Hagler also said he was the hardest fighter he ever fought, went to war with, so on.
