Howard Davis was a great amateur. Not a great pro. His style transfered poorly to the professional ranks. Haugen at his best roughs Davis up, wears him out and stops him late. TKO 12.
Howard Davis was the LW version of Golota without the fouls. Golota had 4 attempts at the title and Davis 3 x . Davis came within 10 sec of beating Rosario when he was knocked down in final round and lost decision . Somehow he would find a reason to lose and Haugen would come from behind to rally and win a very close decision.
Haugen was clever enough, as he proved vs Jimmy Paul and Camacho, to outpoint Davis, much like James Watt did.
Think it would be a close one this. Davis was a talented guy and haugen was a rough tough kind of fighter. But I see Greg been in Davis s face through out, whilst Davis would be catching him coming in. Split Dec for haugen
I tend to favor Haugen, too. He would gain momentum as the fight wore on, while Davis would fade. Haugen would probably take a decision.
Davis should win a decision. He almost beat Rosario. Haughen had intangibles though. I'll go with Davis by decision
Paul was Haugen's best win. But, Rosario was better than Paul and Davis almost beat him. The Camacho that Haugen edged was not prime Camacho. Also, Davis got better after the Watt loss. Peak 135 Davis was around '84 when he fought Rosario. Haugen has a distinct speed disadvantage in this one. His style was not to crowd and pressure so Davis can fight at his preferred distance. Both guys would look to counter the other. Davis's advantages in hand and foot speed, as well as height and reach, should lead him to a rather dull, but clear decision.
I've got Rosario model Davis by a decision but don't count Haugen out. I think Davis was a very good pro around that time.
