Moving Up Against Carlos Monzon...

I certainly wouldn't favor anyone, Robinson included. Hearns might come closest.

 

Monzon, like Foster at LHW, was the type of fighter that wouldn't have too much success against bigger men, but was damn near impossible to beat for someone his own size. Against a smaller man, it of course becomes even more difficult.

Hearns, with his reach advantage and speed could really offset Monzon's game, but I can't see him lasting 15 rounds against someone as accurate as Monzon.

Robinson IMO has the best shot, His speed, power, punch variety, footwork, and his own jab would give Monzon a lot of difficulty, he was too explosive offensively to be totally controlled by Monzon like so many others. However, Ray struggled at times with jabs, and Monzon's was about as good as it gets. I see Monzon edging out the decision there.

Leonard at his best himself had problems with a great jab (granted it was a faster one), but I think Leonard would have problems getting inside and doing a lot of damage, while Monzon would be able to land from his distance with much greater regularity. Monzon beats Leonard as well.

I think Burley is an interesting case, but there is not enough footage to make any real prediction as to how the fight would go down.

 

..............If Hearns was to fight Monzon, he should come in as light as he can, like 155 or 156. His biggest failing was his legs at the higher weights. They never seemed to get the message that didn't weigh 147 pounds anymore. Give them a little break and come in light, and use your feet. Stick the jab in his face as often as you can, and move.

I still think Hearns loses this one, but it's his best chance.

 

I'd have to say Hearns or Robinson, agree with Cobra. I don't think Leonard has a shot, I honestly know nothing of Burly (need to study) other than what I've read here.

 

Mickey Walker on his best night might have a shot.

He fought a lot of people from 147 - 200 lbs and beat heavyweights.

 

Greb was good at beating bigger men, so he might have a chance but Monzon at 160 was very tough so I'd still be picking Carlos.

 

Greb was no smaller than Monzon so he doesn't qualify for the topic.

There is no way to predict how the fight would go though.

 

Robinson's the only one I would give a serious chance to, off the top of my head.

Of course, that's assuming Monzon is at his own best, which he sometimes wasn't (such as in the Griffith rematch, coming off bullet wound surgery and extra troubles to make weight).

 

Ray Robinson, Mickey Walker, Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns (in that order) would have the best chances.

I think Robinson would have edged Monzon.

Mickey always gave a good account of himself against much bigger man and Leonard could be brilliant. Both Mickey and SRL would have fair chances but would be up against it. Hearns, IMO, has an outside chance. Carlos' octupus style and being the naturally bigger man would prevent Hearns' power boxing from being fully effective.

 

I agree...but 'slender' favorite is the right term. Robinson can get off quicker at mid range and Monzon is hittable...BUT getting to midrange is the tough part against Carlos.

Longhorn said Mickey Walker would give Monzon some trouble, and I agree. The best Walker would come at him all night, and I don't think Monzon's power would impact him...But stylistically, you have to favor Monzon to outpoint him.

Ray Leonard could give Monzon a difficult fight if he fought in his track meet mode...in and out...round and round. But that would be so hard to pull off with Monzon's size over a full 15 rounds.

Another upset possibility would be Burley...it could be very close.

Cerdan came up from welterweight, he might give Carlos a good fight...key word is 'might'.

I guess in summary...'slim to none'.

 

No one. Keep in mind that in that when Griffith fought Monzon in that rematch, Carlos had just months before had two bullets put in his left arm and shoulder by his wife, during one of Monzon's celebrated domestic upheavals, (and the poor woman was just trying to defend herself, I'm sure). One bullet was surgically removed, and the other one stayed in, and I'm not sure if that was the arm or shoulder, either/or. An "un-shot" Monzon would have beaten Griffith convincingly again, as he did in the first fight. Monzon was also somewhat sub-par in his next defense, against Bouttier, who also went 15, whereas he was stopped in their first fight. Monzon would have stopped him again, ala the 1st fight if he wasn't shot. A bullet lodged in your arm or shoulder must certainly affect adversely your fighting style I'd say. No smaller fighter then or at any time could have or would have been able to deal with the greatest middleweight champion of all time.