John The Beast Mugabi 1986 vs Rodrigo Valdes 1974, 15 rounds at 160 lbs.

Valdes is one tough customer, he takes the beast deep and drowns him

 

This is a mismatch. Valdes was a completely different level of fighter. He would annihilate Mugabi.

 

As any fighter in history ever been given more credit for losing than Rodrigo Valdez ....I think he wins this one ....but it not a mismatch

 

Yeah, I can think of one fighter in history who's been given more credit for a loss than Valdes... John Mugabi.

Makes your post very ironic.

Valdes has wins over Bennie Briscoe, and held a portion of the middleweight title for nearly three years.

Who does Mugabi have wins over?

 

Agreed. Mugabi would always have a puncher's chance but he'd need more than that against Valdes.

 

Everybody has wins over Bennie Briscoe ....How many title defenses did Valdez have ? .....Marvin Hagler was ranked the # 1 contender in 1977 ...and Valdez wanted no part of him

 

And for the record...I like Valdez and I love Briscoe

 

Ah, but only one fighter has a KO win over Briscoe. It was the nature of that win in 74 (when Briscoe was still very much a live opponent) that is more impressive than just the W.

 

Rodrigo Valdez and Bennie Briscoe are two damn good fighters

 

That's how I see it, Valdez wins but he'll have some scary moments . I don't think Valdez has the stiff jab that Hagler used or as solid a defense to avoid the beast's bombs. I give Mugabi a 1in 3 chance to stop him.

 

Both had their game faces on for the respective bouts, in question. I think it's a great fight but I'd have to go with Valdes. He was really on fire that night and to take out the iron chin of Briscoe was a genuine shock.

I think that version of Valdes, who had good composure, was very durable and quite able to go the 15 round distance, stuns Mugabi too hard too often for Mugabi to get a grip on the bout. Mugabi, inevitably keeps coming, to try and make an impression and he has his moments.

But it's not enough to turn the tide of a fight he's playing catch-up in from very early on. As the rounds go by, Mugabi's valiant effort fades and he becomes ripe for the late stoppage.


Valdes W TKO 13.

 

Valdez is a legit great fighter IMO. I have him stopping the beast and for the record he gives Hagler everything he could possible handle. In a series Valdez takes one IMO. Extremely underrated fighter

 

Valdez was a different level of fighter. This is basically a durable puncher with a well rounded skill set against a puncher with a questionable chin who was entirely reliant on his power. And I like Mugabi, he was huge fun. But I don't think he does very well against any opponent he isn't able to bomb out in the early rounds.