Mike McCallum V Rodrigo Valdaz?

Valdez !

 

Valdez all the way

 

Rodrigo Valdes, he was the naturally heavier fighter, he was a counterpuncher, good defense, and a hellacious right hand. He sent Bad Bennie Briscoe to the canvas for the full count on May 25 1974 to win the WBC Middleweight Title. Carlos Monzon tasted that right hand in round 2 of their July 30 1977 rematch in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Monzon got up to win on points, then retired. Mike McCallum was a damaging body puncher, The Body Snatcher as he was known, abused Donald Curry in their 1987 title bout, before knocking him cold. Mike would attempt to attack the body early to set up his right hand. Valdes would be patient, looking to land his right hand in order to call it a night. After several several very close rounds, Rodrigo connects with a hard right hand in round 10 that sends McCallum to the canvas for the full count, this after Valdes in desperation due to a severe cut over his right eye, as Valdes had a history of eye lacerations.

 

Valdez KO 12. Crushing hitter. McCallum overrated overall but esp over 154.

 

Excellent

 

Valdez beats McCallum up

 

Valdez is still one of the most underrated Middleweights

 

Too bad that Rodrigo Valdes was in the era of Carlos Monzon, he would have had a longer career.

 

I agree with you 9 times out of 10 Richard but No one ever slept McCallum and as great as Valdez was, I don't see him knocking McCallum out. He was just to defensively sound and tough as nails. I have McCallum by ud in this one.

I disagree that Valdez was the stronger and bigger man. McCallum beat a very strong Steve Collins at Super middle and Jeff Harding at 175. Valdez's strength is not going to do him in. Movement is what troubled McCallum not strength.

 

Your opinion is respected, good post.

 

You too Richard! I always respect your opinion when in comes to this sport. You know the game!

 

We both and several other posters too.

 

I think McCallum could outmaneuver and outbox him. Valdez has the power to sit him on his khyber so it wouldn't be smooth sailing.

 

If we'd never seen Valdez kayo Briscoe, no-one would predict that outcome in a hypothetical matchup between the two. But, even so, I don't think Mike McCallum is getting stopped here. Until the last couple of posts from @AwardedSteak863 and @JohnThomas1, I thought McCallum was being sold a little short in ths thread. I think this is a close and competitive fight that could go either way.

McCallum is slick enough to cause Valdez problems imo. The only question for me is whether he has enough pop at this weight to find a way to discourage Valdez.

I really like this matchup and think it could have been a classic, somewhat in the style of Toney-McCallum 1. I give Valdez a slight edge as the natural middleweight and carrying the greater power to take a close decision but it would be nip and tuck all the way.