If 14 year old Tony Ayala had sparred with Duran instead of Cuevas....

Yeah, he might have even become good enough to have won a title sometime in the era of Santos, Drayton, Hilton, Hines .... maybe.

I think you're right on both counts.

 

I actually prefer Hilton over him, for a fighter in the same mold.When he was in shape he had a much higher workrate, was tougher and was a brutal body puncher.

That Benitez KO was brutal

 

****in' 'ell :rofl Brutal by my standards :yikes

The bold bit is my major gripe. He's such a letdown, and as a boxing fan I wish he was what's advertised. Peeps make him sound like an 11 stone Avelar, he's more like a less proven Maidana.

 

Also, amazing to think not long after a puncher who actually does live up to the lofty reputation certain nonces give to Ayala, and had some skills to compliment the power, did turn up at junior middle.

So, how many seconds would Ayala last with Julian Jackson?

 

Senor?

 

Whether or not that Roberto Duran beat up or knocked-out a teenager in sparring or in a sanctioned bout,,,,,,,,

What does that mean???

No one can put Pipino Cuevas in the ring with Tony Ayala Jr. in the
Summer of 1977 (July or August).

What the hell, nobody had a Kodak Insta-Matic Camera in San Antonio.

 

Ok, so you've googled and now realise Duran did indeed cold c0ck a teenage amateur. We are one step closer.

 

Does anybody have any information on who Tony Ayala Jr. really fought in the
Summber of 1977,,,,,,,,,at the 'Amateur level'

I believe he was competing at (-67 kg) 147 lbs. @ Welterweight

Other than other 14, 15 and 16 year old teenagers from the Southwest.

 

Ayala might have stopped Davey Moore late, but that was more-less a pick em.

Duran would have raped Ayala, no pun intended.

 

3 rounds tops.

NO junior middleweight thats ever lived, thats as hittable as Ayala is beating Jackson.

Having said that...... young Ayala would fare well in the current 154 division. I have little doubt that he would have KO'd Alvarez and Kirkland.

 

Jeff Passero,,,,,,,,,,

November 1982 interview, The Star-Ledger

'A one-time Welterweight prospect in 1979/1980, turned sparring partner and opponent.'

Fought Davey Moore in 1981 and sparred with Tony Ayala Jr. in New Jersey
in 1982.

"I know people don't want to here this, but Davey Moore hit me harder. He hit me, and my eyes spun around in their sockets.'

'Tony is good, and he may be the better overall fighter, but he never hurt me in
the sparring sessions. If you can take his best punch, he gets frustrated and tries
to bull you around the ring.'

'I wouldn't bet any money on their fight, because Davey is too dangerous early.
If it goes past 5-Rounds, its anybody's fight.'

 

11 pages, damn

 

I've always said Moore would have beaten Ayala. Great heart and good speed and power. The big thing is he could come back from being hurt and starch his opponent, and he did it numerous times. The man had the fortitude. He also would have been the more proven fighter at the time of meeting. The worst thing that ever happened to him was winning the title so soon, and running into Duran. His entire development as a professional fighter ended up stunted.

 

now he might fare well. The divisions now are not great. In the 1980s even guys like Buster Drayton who were just top 10 were good hard punchers who could fight.

 

I think Ayala vs Vargas would have been an awesome fight.