Tough call. I think they're clearly going different directions at this point, obviously, and the question is whether Hagler had enough altitude to clear the runway. I think he roughs up Monzon late and edges him, but anyone disagreeing with me is just as likely to be right. Regardless, the worst case scenario would have been Hugo Corro edging Monzon in a sleep inducing track meet to take his title if they had met around this time.
Leonard was faster and more skilled than Monzon though. Monzon would not beat Hagler they way Leonard did, and if it was 15 rounds or a smaller ring, I think Hagler take it. But they fought 12 rounds in a larger ring. Advantage Sugar Ray. Monzon does have top end speed or power, so his usual grinding style vs. a stronger natural middleweight who can hit and has skills is a big time question mark. Intriguing fight. I'm not saying Monzon can't win, I just don't see his clear path to a victory based on how he fought, unless of course you think Monzon could spook him. At this stage of the game, Hagler was hungry like a wolf, and Monzon past it a bit. I still favor Hagler. Had this fight taken place in 1977 or 1978, the winner gets a huge legacy boost. Monzon slightly past it has his best win OR Hagler wins the title vs a legend.
Go ahead and believe what you want to believe...you're so wrong/mistaken/uninformed that you can't be reached.
Lmao,hagler Of COURSE WAS A ****ING SMALL MW , stylistically Carlos would control the fight with a basic but effective style, 1-1-2 clinch
Hagler in 77-78 was not at the top of his game. Monzon certainly was slipping but still good enough to overwhelm Valdez twice and over 15 round each time. Monzon takes it at this stage of their respective careers. The last five rounds decisively for Carlos in a fight he was behind after ten rounds.
The first Valdez fight, Valdez was coming off the death of family member just shortly before. So Monzon fought him a second time shortly thereafter and won again.
Those were the days when the sound might become crackly for a little while....and the picture might even go black for a minute or so.