Mancini is coming off his loss to Arguello, and coming up to super lightweight to fight " Irish" Mickey Ward for the WBU strap right after Ward defeats Neary. Who would win this and why?
Good fight and a fan's fight for sure. Ward. I just am of the opinion that Mancini was the type to be real good in 1 division only. Him moving up subtracts a lot of his advantages. Ray will hang tough of course but it isn't as if mickey can't and won't do the same thing. I just see Mancini wilting late, not Ward. Tko 9 or 11, with ref stepping in. many guys are not a good match for Ray. Guys like Vince Phillips are wrong and lots of others as well. It's hard enough in the lightweight division for him.
Mancini would overwhelm Ward with volume punching. He can take Ward's best weapon, the left hook to the liver. Mancini by decision. Ward's status elevated by the wars with Gatti. Ward was never a legitimate World Champion level fighter.
It's absolutely comical to pick Ward. Mancini was SEVERAL levels better than Ward. Ray beats the **** outta Ward all fight long, and wins a lopsided decision.
Good post and interesting points. Hard to imagine a career journeyman - fringe type like Ward beating a world class fighter like Mancini, but your points about Ray jumping weight could certainly pose problems.
When it comes to overall quality you're right. Mancini WAS several levels above Ward. But Zadrak made some good points about Mancini potentially having difficulty moving up in weight and being successful. He was a career lightweight and didn't always fair well in that division either. That and Ward was tough as nails to try and put away. Ray could certainly win but I see the other side to that argument as well.
Ward would always be competitive and dangerous to the body but I think Boom Boom outworks him for the nod
Ward's size edge isn't enough to make up for the HUGE gap in class. Perhaps if Ward was a huge junior welter who had success at 147 you might have a point. But Ward was a career junior welter. He wasn't THAT much bigger than Mancini, and I actually think Ray was the physically stronger of the two. Add that to the fact that Mancini had MUCH quicker hands, and better skills, and you have a pretty one sided fight. Ward would get beat to the punch all night long.
Mancini by clear decision for me...but it would be a good fight. I don't think Mancini would stay toe to toe with him...he would box Ward.
This is a barn burner and a fight I would pay top dollar to see. That said Ill give my take on it. For me Mancini is coming up in weight, and he was a small fighter to began with. Ward has about the same build as a Arguello / Bramble. Both defeated Mancini. Mickey could really hurt you with his money punch ( left hook to the body) and was relentless and did not tire, and seems to get stronger as the fight goes on. Manicini just has heart that wont stop, and never stops giving it all he has. Ray would have to box his way to a victory in this, if he elects to stand toe to toe with Micky, Ward will pull off the upset win. Ray does not have the power to stop the bigger, stronger man. I see Manicini wilting in the later rounds, and not being strong enough to keep Ward from finally getting the range, and landing some devastating shots. Ray may even go down in the last rounds, but he will get up even if it has to be a super human effort. Ray makes the bell and wins a decision. Ward is a favorite fighter of mine, but he just under the level, or even with Bramble, and a step below Arguello. They got to Ray Manicini in the later rounds, and pulled it off. Mickey just cant quite do it... if the fight goes 15 rounds.... Maybe. Ray Mancini Dec. - Fight of the year.
