.............I like Mancini by late stoppage here. He could fathomably score an early stoppage though; not because Arroyo was a bad fighter, but he was a notoriously slow-starter, whereas Mancini started fast and landed big punches early. Remember the right hand the relatively pillow-fisted Terrence Alli landed on Arroyo in round two? Sent him down. Jimmy Paul sent him down three times too. Also, while Arroyo wasn't a bad body puncher, he wasn't really an infighter; he was better at longer ranges than Mancini would afford him.
Mancini at his best, I'm thinking vs Arguello and his domination of Ramirez,was just a notch above Arroyo. I think he'd just be too strong for Arroyo and get to him and stop him late.
I think you could make a case that Arroyo at his peak was an excellent fighter who could have given Mancini real problems. The issue with that case is that Arroyo's peak was so short it would be hard to find that exact time.
I wanted to see this fight when it was discussed. Then again, lots of guys wanted a Mancini fight. He was a guy that was never ever going to defend that title a bunch of times but was going to hang tough==a promoters dream. I like Arroyo in the upset in this. Nice footwork and kept those hands up and fights smart w/ no exchanges. Nice straight untelegraphed punches bust up Ray for the late tko. I think this was a bout Arroyo wanted real bad and would have put in a career best performance for a matchup like this. Then he goes on to lose within 2 fights, but he'd rise to the occasion and fight a smart fight and not give Mancini the openings he needs.
