Valdez might be a bit physically bigger but the difference is probably only slight. He was strong though, even if he wasnt a particularly big middleweight. I think Luis is just a cut above in the skills department and would be two fleet footed for Valdez to chop away at him consistently with his vicious and tight hooks. I think LMR's great jab and straight punching is going to see Rodrigo get tattooed all night with a variety of shots to his face. I reckon Valdez wears Rodriguez down somewhat and has some good rounds late...but he would be walking through some serious punishment himself and wont exactly be fresh himself with all the body punching that Luis will be doing. Just wont have enough left in the tank to do anything but edge some rounds in the end. LMR pretty comfortable decision in the end...comfortable on the cards, not so comfortable in the ring but he wont be in any serious trouble I feel.
I agree with that, also LMR's movement can really take advantage of Valdez's slow feet and need to sset himself up.
Rodriguez craftiness and guile takes him 15 rounds, barring the possibility that Valdez could land a bomb similar to the one Nino Benvenuti hit Luis with in '69...Valdez was surely explosive and powerful enough to do that, but he would most likely have settled for a 15 round decision based on his superiority in power and his patient stalking style and cunning. This guy Valdez gave Monzon hell twice..I think in his prime he was capable doing the same to whomever he fought, and in this case, he may not have looked as good against the clever Luis Rodriguez, who was also capable of giving anyone hell, but he would have pulled this one out over 15 rounds...no knockdowns.
