I watched some Monzon fights recently. Not very fast hands.....same repetitive left jab, right hand, followed by a strange hook from the side. Defense just so-so, he gets hit a lot. Looks great against the plodders that come straight at him so Monzon can step back, then unload on them. But against Leonard he would be facing a different breed of cat. Leonard is much bigger and faster than Napoles who Monzon beat. Leonard could throw fast, accurate, powerful combinations between Monzon's slower stuff, and neutralize Monzon's jab with his own jab. Plus Leonard would dance, come in at different angles, and not just follow Monzon around. If Valdez and Briscoe could seriously hurt Monzon, then Leonard could too.....except he would continue to throw and finish the job. Angelo Dundee had the right blueprint with Napoles against Monzon, but this time he would also have the right fighter in Leonard. Leonard by TKO in 12.
Coming to the conclusion that Leonard would beat an accomplished middleweight great such as Monzon is a brave call indeed, but predicting a Leonard win via TKO is even braver. I assume we are talking about Leonard at his best at middleweight, obviously the Hagler fight, against Monzon in his prime? The best i could give Leonard is lasting the distance and losing on points.
I wish Rooster would say that one day. One day he probably will. Thats how far away his biased and ridiculous opinions are to everyone.
My avatar suggests I'd pick Leonard in this fight, but I just can't see it. I somehow think Monzon isn't as slow as some people think he is. I didn't see too many people making him miss much. I see this similar to Leonard - Hearns with Ray having trouble with the long jab. The difference being that he wouldn't be able to overwhelm Monzon on the inside. Monzon was really strong and rugged. I think he's just too big and strong for Ray. Monzon by decision.
Valdez and Briscoe were both legitimate MW power punchers, among the best ever. Briscoe especially was underrated. Comparing a blown up welter to either is... strange. Trying to rile people up or not.
Look it would be the toughest fight Monzon ever had from the standpoint of speed and angles ...however, don't judge this by Leonard outpointing an old, overtrained Hagler ... I see Monzon as ultimately too strong and rallying in the second half of the fight to win a decision. I do not see Leonard ever hurting him. If Ray got too proud and tried to slug it out he could be stopped ... it would be a tough fight either way ...
Clear points win for carlos. I wouldnt pick any of the fab four to beat carlos at 160. The only one with an outside chance would be hearns IF he landed clean with the kind of right hand bomb that decimated duran and cuevas,otherwise tommy may get mangled by the tremendously strong and relentless monzon. Over 15 rounds unbeatable at 160...
