If wilfred would not have that cut on the forehead due to a headbutt,would the outcome would've have been different?...............during the fight the blood was bothering his visions.
No, I just don't think Benitez was properly motivated to win, especially with his $1,400,000 guaranteed payoff. It took a slap in the face from his father between rounds to remind him of his responsibility in the Weston, Jr. defense, and Harold was an opponent he had previously drawn with. A rematch might have been interesting, but I think it's crucial to make the most of an initial match up, as one never knows if a second opportunity will present itself.
No, Leonard was a class above in pretty much all departments, and could have quite happily jabbed Benitez to death if he saw fit.
Pretty much agree, Benitez was better at some things, trickier, better defense. But Leonard was always in control, with his speed and movement. I never thought this was as close as some had it
I just thought he was outclassed by a boxer flat out better than him. Leonard wins in pretty much every single category except defensive skills. I think size was also a big factor in this fight, wasn't leonard taller with longer arms?
Didn't that incident happen in the fight against Bruce Curry? Wilfed's Dad slapped & pulled his hair I believe. Did Benitez suffer from a concussion after the fight? Not sure. He wasn't the same after that headbutt...
Honestly, Benitez's defense didn't look any better, or even as good, as Leonard's in this fight. Leonard was just supremely versatile.
Always recall what Doc Kearns said to Jack Dempsey upon first sight in the ring. MOVE AROUND!!!!! Always applied it to Benitez too.
It wasn't all that close after 10 rds, but despite being in favor of Leonard during the fight, I thought the last second TKO was kinda' bull****....... That should've prolly gone to the cards..... MR.BILL
Well, it wouldn't surprise me if it also happened when he squared off with Bruce, but I was viewing Benitez-Weston, Jr. II when it aired live, and that slap got a good deal of post fight press. This episode was cited by many pundits beforehand who predicted that Ray would take his WW title. I recall nothing of the sort, but of course that doesn't mean it didn't happen.
Ive been chastised in the past for saying I thought Benitez defense was far better in this bout to the point I had it very close at the time of the stoppage....so I just have to find a copy of this and view it again, haven't seen it since watching it live. At the time I disagreed with many who say Ray dominated the bout because of how few of his punches were actually touching anything, I gave points in some cases to Benitez because nothing was landing and the greatest skills shown were his defense. And again,,,I know this view is considered loopy,,,so have to view it again.