McCallum probably goes down as better, maybe even P4P, but Benitez poses issues stylistically. Who wins this matchup?
So little of Benitez at 154. Against Hearns he did a good job to survive, but that was pretty much it. The Duran win was great, but Duran was a natural LW. McCallum was a big LMW, with much longer reach. Big ask for El Radar this.
I think it's a winnable fight for Benitez a tricky defensive fighter may be able to befuddle McCallum and get a decision 154 was a good weight for Benitez. Slicksters gave McCallum issues aka Graham, Kalambay, and whilst McCallum is a good all rounder he's not the fastest fighter and he may be a tad too slow to catch up to Benitez. I'm going with Benitez by decision.
I don't think it's a big ask honestly I see it as a very winnable fight for Benitez style wise and he was very good at 154 also.
Just shows how difficult this is when two very Knowledgeable posters like @Greg Price99 and @Dynamicpuncher disagree.Going with no confidence whatsoever for Benitez on points
Graham and Kalambay were movers, though. Benitez was more akin to Toney style wise, but so much smaller.
I'd take the aggressive pro-active Benitez of the Duran schooling by decision. It was his finest night for mine.
Mike too big. This fight is right in McCallum's wheelhouse. He's going to be right where he needs to be, inside rollin with Benetiz. Mike too strong and will outpoint or stop him. Mike much better than Hearns was mid range or inside with better D too.
I agree DP. McCallum was a technical marvel. But his athleticism was average, he didn't possess the hand or foot speed to beat Benitez at his best. Benitez by close but unanimous dec.
154 Benitez is very hard to beat,I pick a close decision for him as it requires a Detroit superhuman to catch him.
@Flash24 summed it up well McCallum is a very good all rounder but he doesn't excell in the power, speed, or athleticism department. I think McCallum would be a bit befuddled by Benitez's style and would have a hard time pinning him down. Whilst you say McCallum was bigger but I honestly think 154 was arguably one of the best weights for Benitez he didn't spend a whole lot of time there but his short peak form there was brilliant. Hearns was the only one who dealt with him who is probably the best H2H fighter of all time at 154 and Benitez still went 15 rounds and won some rounds without ever getting dominated.