Considering that he won the title against an atg in Cervantes and at just 17 years old, i rate him pretty high. He was a great boxer, all the technique, all the skills, but he was lazy and probably with some mental issues. But he was a great fighter, imo he peaked at 154 so at 140 i don't pick him over the elite, but i pick him over the more average guys, even at 17.
Wilfred really didn't stay around at 140 lbs, as champ, to get a real "read" on him. Bruce Curry, from Fort Worth gave him a couple of hard fights, but there were rumors that the Duran management didn't want Duran (when Duran was "based in New York"), to be involved in a 140 lb fight with Wilfred. Plus, supposedly Benitez did not really train super hard for the SRL fight, being Wilfred was dating Ray's sister. Benitez would probably beat some of the top Jr. WW fighters, but get himself upset too.
I think you're right - would have won some and lost some. A bit fragile at that weight and age i think comparative to later.
I agree somewhat with the consensus...but I think Benitez was talented enough to upset a Carlos Ortiz, or a Julio Cesar Chavez on a given night...and that's about as good as it can get at the weight. I think he is a very live dog to say the very least.
Like many child prodigies they never matured mentally. Benitez like Tyson was a mental pygmy and WB was like a 70/80 version of Bowe in regard to training and wasted talent.
Benitez found success at a young age, which I've read went to his head a bit. He turned into a bit of a party animal and wore himself down outside of the ring, whilst taking training a bit lightly, at times. How much of this is true/exaggerated, I don't know. Failing to give Cervantes a rematch counts against him, in my book. But such was his talent, he was able to compete at the highest level in the 140, 147 and 154 divisions - albeit in a seemingly shortened, meaningful career. At 140, Benitez probably just about squeaks into the top-10 - but, that could be debated.
This is true...but with that said it would be hard to say no when temptation is served up every single hour of every single day...It's something that everyone would have trouble with...not just mental pygmies...it's shoes most of us, if not all of us, probably won't ever walk in...Just sayin'.
Amen to that. I get severely tempted not to go out for a run if Coronation Street's on TV. If I had the option, at age 17 or 47 (it makes no odds) of either having a party with a bevy of beauties or two hours in a gym getting the s*** kicked out of me, I know what I'd go for. And I'm not a mental pygmy. And if you don't believe me, ask my mummy. She'll tell you.
Beating a still prime Cervantes was a huge win. I think Whitaker and possibley Chavez could beat Wilfred at 140 lbs. Somebody pointed out the Bruce Curry fights. Those occurred after Benitez abdicated his 140 lb title. Those were actually Welterweight fights. Curry moved down to 140 lbs. later in his career.
