Post 60's Flyweight(112lbs only) top 10 - first draft.

Manny Pacman does not recieve enough credit for this come from behind knockout victory. A big Upset and very noteworthy victory.

 

Good argumentation boys.

G, for my part, I think Canto would be up against it trying to beat Harada for the reasons that Sweet Pea has mentioned. Rose did manage to totally outclass a Harada not at his best, but Rose was a different fighter than Canto. Rose was much more lithe, speedier and a better combination puncher. He made Harada somewhat wary more with his speed than with movement imo.

Harada I think is quite good against defensive cuties. For evidence of that, see his first fight with the defensive cutie Johnny Famechon - a fight that Harada was robbed in and should have won by a good 4-5 points.

That said, I would disagree with Pea as to how a Canto - Zapata fight would go. Zapata certainly has his advantages, but the gulf in mental strength between the two still to me tips such a battle in Canto's favour.

Canto, as his record suggests, was a fighter that always managed to find a way to win, despite disadvantages. Zapata on the other hand, is a fighter that often in key fights found a way to lose, despite physical advantages.

I think Canto, much like the 5'1" Santos Laciar will come in with a tight guard and find a spot on the inside, trying to counter off Zapata's punches, applying pressure in patches where he can. Laciar is better in an aggressive posture than Canto, but I still think Canto will find his spots to attack aggressively and nip the fight. Zapata will be in a position to win most rounds and will probably fail to find the activity needed to pull it out.

I see Zapata scratching his head and wondering how he lost after it.....

Now perhaps, on his best day, Zapata would take it, but more often than not, Canto will find a way...

 

Fantastic result for him. I won't say it was a fluke, but I think he would find it hard to replicate more often than not, and would find himself being outclassed by the top echelon flyweights.

 

I'd say the ways you drew up for Canto to win would likely only work on the version of Zapata that didn't come in at his best. So I agree it's possible that Canto could beat an off his game Zapata, but even then it's hard toi see given the styles matchup, unless we're talking the Zapata of the second Chang fight or something like that. I think the Zapata that out-boxed Dodie Boy Penalosa and Fidel Bassa in the rematch would overwhelm the smaller Canto with his physical tools complementing his technical skills and brilliant defensive radar. Not overwhelm as in stop, but I just don't see how Canto is able to deal with that kind of height and reach against such a wily, elusive, clever boxer in his own right. And a quicker one at that.