Take Armstrong anytime in '38 or '39 when he was still weighing at 135 (even when fighting guys like Garcia) v Chavez of the Rosario fight. How do you see this playing out?
Seriously. There's endless moronic opinions about "the hardest hitting heavyweight", a thread idea repeated about every 3 days on this forum, but no one has anything to say about two of the greatest fighters meeting at what was a transition weight for both? "George Foreman hit hard, harder than Rocky. I am a genius...." **** it.
I would say Henry was the best offensive figther of all time. And if Chavez tried to box with him I can´t see Julio doing nothing remarkable in the long range to control Henry.... Armstrong was faster also, with the higher workrate...... Anything JCC choose to do Armstrong´s agression would be too much IMO.....
Ok, fine jeez... Let me get the obvious out of the way- this will be a war. Both guys were masterful infighters. Armstrong would bob and weave into place like a minute Joe Frazier, firing hooks and uppercuts to the head and body. Chavez liked to bully guys, and fire crisp accurate short punches. When I started writing I was sure I was going to pick Armstrong. Even though he is the smaller man he is stronger and the harder puncher. His right uppercut will be a great weapon as would his habit of bobbing away and launching a looping overhand right. Chavez will find himself unable to bully Armstrong and unable to really hurt him, his body punching negated, ironically because of his height advantage. That being said, I'm going with Chavez, probably stupidly. Armstrong had a good but not great defense and Chavez had a laser guided right hand. Chavez does not hit hard enough to hurt Henry but he can bust him up. Even at this.stage Armstrong had terrible skin. Chavez on the other hand was made of leather and steel. He's not getting cut up, and his chin may have been even the best in light history which is saying something. Each round is going to be the same- Armstrong bashing Chavez to the ropes and outworking him but eating tons of leather coming in. Somewhere between the 12th and 14th, the referee stops the fight with Armstrong way ahead.
Quite possible LittleRed. I think it's a given that Armstrong will outwork and outpoint Chavez, but he will pay a toll for doing so and Chavez will definitely bust him up. I don't think Chavez breaks his will like he (arguably) did Taylor's, but he will severely bruise and swell Armstrong, and a ref might decide to call it off with Armstrong ahead.... Gun to my head I think Armstrong gets the decision with both eyes swollen near shut and a mouth full of blood, but Chavez is a live chance for a late stoppage....
Chavez was pretty tough and relentless against Rosie in 1987 at 135 pounds....... Chavez administered a serious beatdown...... I cannot say Chavez would beat Armstrong at 135 in a time machine, but it would be a good fight for the ages.... MR.BILL
Yes, people need to think more of Chavez of the Rosario fight than 3 years later against Taylor. 1987 Chavez was a beast.
I honestly think Armstrong wins, but wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Chavez busted hiim up enough to score a TKO late in a fight he was losing. Style for Style.. I think Armstrong is all wrong for Chavez... That said though, when I'm thinking of only peaks of each fighter... That same style's gap no longer exists and it becomes a battle of wills...
This match up boils down to who the better skills of the 2 and who'd be the stronger man. I'm not completely sure on the answer to those questions Interesting stylistic considerations: 1. Both would look to pressure each other so would be an inside master class of a battle 2. Chavez is actually taller/rangier so may become outboxer here and may get off first 3. Armstrong would try to actually fight inside and take away Chavez's leverage 4. Chavez uppercut would damage Armstrong on the inside 5. Chavez doesn't quite have the workrate of Armstrong but does have a greater workrate than nearly any Armstrong opponent, so Armstrong's workrate isn't quite the advantage it often is
It's about as worn out as the "greatest fighter p4p" list..or "the greatest heavyweight of all" list. Lists of all kind suck for that matter.
