How would Pernell Whitaker`s career have turned out if he had been born the same year as Benitez?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mark ant, Sep 17, 2020.


  1. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Even though Pernell started his career at 135 I feel he would have struggled to win the titles he won at the weights he did if born the same time as Wilfredo due to that era being tougher than Whitaker`s era, would he have won a title in Benitez`s era at any weight from 135-154 bearing in mind he may have met Benitez for a title at 140-154?
     
    mark ant, Sep 17, 2020
    mark ant, Sep 17, 2020
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  2. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Wilfred Benitez was born on Sept 12 1958, so if they were born in the same year a really good fight would have ensued at 154 lbs. Both were counter punchers, both had the knack of making their adversaries miss. Benitez liked to fight off the ropes as he did against Carlos Palomino on Jan 14 1979. and could fight at ring center as he did against Roberto Duran on Jan 30 1982. Pernell troubled many with that pesky right jab, and his unorthodox angles, not giving an opponent much to throw at. Definitely a chess match at best, but Wilfred would have to play the role of an aggressor to score a razor thin decision, what Benitez does have is the threat of a right hand that put Maurice Hope down in 1981.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2020
    Richard M Murrieta, Sep 17, 2020
    Richard M Murrieta, Sep 17, 2020
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  3. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    HE WOULD HAVE BEEN PRTO RICAN FOUGHT AT FEATHERWEIGHT.
     
    The Morlocks, Sep 17, 2020
    The Morlocks, Sep 17, 2020
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  4. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    okay.
     
    mark ant, Sep 17, 2020
    mark ant, Sep 17, 2020
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  5. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Also factor that Wilfred turned pro at 17. If Pernell went the Olympic route, he would probably have competed in 1976 ... if he could have made the team at 18 years old and beaten out Howard Davis (not to mention Aaron Pryor) ... or hung around until 1980 at 22 and not had the chance due to the U.S. boycott.

    So by the time Sweet Pea turned pro at lightweight, Wilfred would have been a world champ at 140; and by the time Whitaker was challenging for a world title at 135, Benitez would have been a world champ at welter.

    And if Pea did hang around until 1980, well, those ships would have definitely passed in the night.
     
    Saintpat, Sep 17, 2020
    Saintpat, Sep 17, 2020
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