@ Flyweight. How do you see this fight go? Could Canto have been able to outbox a guy like Chitalada who was a Thai version of Ali? Canto had the slick defense and boxing craft while Chitalada had the jab and power. Could very well be a highly competitive chess match, with Chitalada being the aggressor.
Canto. Just a few levels above Sot. Sot's raw talent wouldn't be enough to overcome the gap in skill/class.
I agree. Chitalada was also lackadaisical in fights, but I think it had more to do with having trouble with the weight. He became more flat footed and hittable later on. I think Canto's quicker feet would have befuddled Chitalada.
Chitalada at his best would be a tough night's work for Canto if he wasn't flat from cutting weight as was sometimes the case. He had excellent footwork and lateral movement aligned with that accurate battering ram of a jab and, perhaps crucially, big advantages in height and reach. He'd be physically huge next to El Maestro. Canto was both used to such disadvantages and a genius at turning them around or navigating them; he was a superior technician to Sot but an inferior athlete and undersized in comparison. His mobile slip and counter game, quick feet and slick left hooks at mid-range would probably be effective against an Ali type like Chitalada if he wasn't so small. I see him having success in that regard but it wouldn't be hard for Chitalada to use his own bouncy footwork to control the distance and either keep Canto in range for his fast, straight-punching arsenal ( a good way of taking on a defensive specialist) or moving out of Canto's zone and not allowing him to effectively get off with leads or counters. The fight being over 15 would definitely suit Canto more of the two; he was an old hand at it where Chitalada could be sluggish over 12 in comparison. Might be that Canto keeps things close or gets an edge purely on work-rate, especially if he could ditch Chitalada's jab and get off quickly with short punches before Sot can either disengage and take a half step to 're-establish the range or tie Canto up and wear him down with his superior strength and underrated body punching despite Canto being a technically better fighter. Great fight where I don't think the styles are kind to Canto despite him being the greater and more skilful man overall.
I'd pick Canto in an awesome technical bout. As tin ribs said, Canto has the skill to slip, slide and counter Sot, but Sot physicality (if not 'drained') would be a major problem. Its not like the Avelar bout; Sot was a tough SOB and extremely skilled to boot.
I like Chitalada here...but I am a little biased...haven’t watched much of either guy in the last year so this has sparked my curiosity. Think I will revisit a few of both guys and come back for a more in depth take in a week or 2....unless this falls to Page 57 in that time because of the valuable Carnera vs Fury/Bowe threads that need to be addressed
