Nicolino Locche vs. Pernell Whitaker at 140

Whitaker was too good offensively to lose the decision. He's not getting beaten by any pure boxer at those weights.

 

It comes down to the better firepower by Pernell. While, I still think Locche is probably the best pure defensive fighter of all time. And that's included Whitaker. Whitaker has more offense, which is why he would win a decision. In a very intriguing fight, though.

 

This. People too often overlook Pea's offensive capabilities and merely think about him just being hard to tag. The Harold Brazier fight is one of my favourite Pea performances for that reason, he showcased everything he had in his offensive arsenal. The body-punching in particular was exceptional.

 

Whitaker would give him a pasting as long as he doesn't try and get too offensive or cocky with the combos.

Locche's jab was like an old man reaching up for something from a shelf in comparison and his offense is generally far too reliant on countering frustrated opponent's mistakes, or working off a consistent aggressor who is trying to get powershots going.

 

I'm not going to take the consensus opinion here, not exactly. I think it's true, Whitaker's far more potent and diverse offensive skill and willingness to let his hands go won't see anything less than a win by decision but I honestly believe he has exactly what it takes to scuff Locche up enough to stop him. I know that sounds crazy, two extremely durable guys who are also defensive experts but I think Whitaker stops him.

 

Anybody think Jim watt would beat Locche?.Or have i lost my mind.

Tedious, constant minimalist southpaw jabbing, body angled well away from the opponent to maximise the jab, no risks, no variety, hardly any mistakes, never getting frustrated...just steadily pecking away with the long accurate jab every time NIco tries to draw him into the ropes or throws the lead hook and his own far shorter jab.


It would be awesome.

 

Two defensive masters, one with better offensive capabilities. Whitaker by a decision.

 

If Locche adjusted and walked him down he'd win handily, i just wonder if he would though.He didn't against Peppermint Frazier who used a strict minimalist gameplan to beat him by the accounts i've read.

 

Good fighter.

 

How do people see a younger Locche? Or is there simply too little footage to decide whether he was truly more agile/faster in his younger days than he was later?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP5w-d8U73s[/ame]


33 years and Locche's notoriously bad training habits may have played a part in the Alfonso Frazer loss. Let's not forget that Whitaker had some struggles of his own at that age.

 

Very true, and he does look more mobile and no-nonsense in style in that clip.

I tend to think pretty much everything but that, we have on him is a slightly past it Locche.