If Monzon Had Actually Faced Hagler, In 1978?

And Hagler in retirement made spaghetti westerns in Italy.

Who wins in a gunfight between Marvin and Carlos? Let’s move it to neutral territory and have it happen in a Spanish-made western.

 

Myself included, I remember that bout on Feb 9 1974, it had been a dream fight for quite a while when it happened, it was shown on Closed Circuit Television from Paris, France.

 

I believe though, Carlos Monzon was making westerns during his last few years as champion, he was already established in his native Argentina. I saw some of his movies on You Tube, pretty good. Carlos was a guy who partied during training and smoked a pack of cigarettes a day during training yet was always prepared by fight time.

 

Yes, unlike Griffiths, who was a big WW, more like a natural LMW during his prime, Napoles was somewhat small even at WW.

Napoles was 137lbs just before his 28th birthday and 139lbs in a fight just after it. He probably could have made LWW throughout most of his prime if he had to. Which makes his fantastic WW record all the more remarkable.

Monzon vs Napoles is considered a MW vs WW, but in a more recent era, could have easily been a natural/career SMW vs LWW.

 

But a fantastic win for King Carlos Monzon on Feb 9 1974, it sadly spelled the end for Jose Mantequilla Napoles, he then struggled in his next few title defenses until his demise at 147 lbs, he would then lose his WBC title to John H. Stracey on Dec 6 1975 in Mexico City by a TKO 6.

 

Monzon-Napoles looks a mismatch now but at the time it many thought Jose had a chance just because he was so highly rated- and generally regarded as the best pfp in boxing. It was only after this that Carlos was regarded as (arguably) the best p4p fighter in boxing. Two undisputed champions fighting each other too. A novelty.

 

Hi Buddy.
How right you are, Napoles was indeed given a healthy chance of detronething Monzon at that time, looking back I can't see why,but hindsight and all that, well remember BN profiling the fight in the week before, with pictures of both combatants, I was mesmerised, Napoles had long been my fav fighter of the 70s, with Olivares a close 2nd, the M and N on the shorts, each on different legs, the squat before every round, the rather cool mexican moustache, which was very vogue at the time, his languid style, the smooth clusters, never hurried, always in position to place or avoid punches, the epitome of class and style, up against the rather brutish cold Monzon, a somewhat caveman approach to his trade, he looked intimidating in the extreme, the dark eyes ( shark like ) the main of solid black hair which was getting longer by now, unlike the rather boyish cut of the Benvenuti fights, his high cheekbones hinting at his Aztec ancestry, the long steel like cable arms, he employed with such destruction, he looked and seemed impervious to pain and punishment.
He strode the MW division like a colossus, sure some opponents run him close, but you knew, that's because he let them, truly great champs can, and do coast at times, safe in the knowledge that when the need to turn the burners up, it will be done, there was no blueprint to beat Carlos, the best trainers in the world, and Dundee was one of them , were left scratching their heads, as time and again Monzon repulsed his challengers, he may or may not be the ATG at his chosen weight, opinions vary, but, any of the former great champs would have to go in monk like training to best this titan of a fighter.
stay safe guys.

 

Great write up Mike. I have that issue of BN too "Battle of the Super Champs". A great mag back then, with an excellent amateur section too.

 

Thanks Buddy.

 

Mike Cannon, a very good and inciteful post, well done.

 

Prime vs prime. I'd lean to Hagler in a close
but unanimous dec.
Monzon in 78" against Hagler of the same
year?
I'd lean to Monzon.. Hagler skill wise
was capable, but he had a tendency
of not putting the exclamation point
on some of his fights.
As was seen against Watts ,Monroe
and Anterfermo. Some also believed
he coasted against Briscoe, the fight
was closer than expected.
Monzon would do just enough to
win a decision in 78. Hagler wasn't
in "
"Destruct and Destroy" mode until
after the 2nd Anterfermo fight, and
even then, fighters the level of Duran
and Leonard were able to take him
out of his game.

 

At that point Monzon wins a decision Hagler was a bit too inexperienced in big fights, and especially 15 round championship fights which showed vs Antuofermo. Where he didn't quite have the experience or savvy to stamp his authority at a vital moment in the fight like he did vs Duran which he learnt from Antuofermo fight.

Monzon was too good and experienced in 15 round fights at that time and knew what it took to get the job done.

Monzon by close decision.

 

Thanks Richard, much appreciated.
stay safe buddy.

 

Every time someone wanna make him fight with someone other all gets sad and dark. In fact I never reply.

 

You know in reality Carlos Monzon and Marvelous Marvin Hagler mirrored each other. Monzon began his pro career in 1963, Hagler in 1973. Monzon won his World Middleweight Title in Nov 1970 with a KO 12 over champion Nino Benvenuti in Rome, Italy, Hagler won his World Middleweight Title with a TKO 3 on Sept 27 1980. Monzon made 14 title defenses, then retired as champion on August 29 1977, Hagler made 13 title defenses, then retired after the loss of his title to Sugar Ray Leonard in April 1987. Monzon had a 82 bout winning streak dating back to Oct 9 1964, he defeated the 3 men who defeated him on points. Hagler had a 35 bout unbeaten streak all the way back to 1976, he also defeated the two that defeated him in the ring. Monzon retired with a record of 89-3-9, 61 KO's, Hagler retired with a record of 62-3-2, 52 KO's.