It almost happened, July 1979 'Two' 1976 Olympic participants. The 29 year-old European Light-Middleweight Champion at 17-1-0 (9 KO's) was scheduled to face Ray Leonard. World-ranked as the #6 Light-Middleweight, the word was, stay away from him if you liked your ribs. Marijan Benes (Yugoslavia), a powerful 5' 6 1/2" southpaw, built like a stone mason with jack-hammer forearms, and thick upper-body. Marijan had a build more of a Greco-Roman Wrestler, than a boxer. Marijan was physically strong, and when inside could match anyone punch-for-punch, and smash you with ripping rib-crushing body shots. This content is protected Ray Leonard had just defeated 'southpaw' Light-Middleweight - Tony Chiaverini on June 24, 1979 in Las Vegas. It was a 'prep fight' to get ready for Marijan Benes, who was supposed to come in for a July bout.
Benes was a monster. Managed about two effective assaults on Kalule in the wholefight but both had Kalule wondering what the **** was going on. Benes is one of the most awkward slighted I've ever seen But Ray would've beaten him with ease.
Marijan Benes, in 1979 Crushed 'Frenchman' Gilbert Cohen - Also 'stopped' undefeated 'Spain Sensation' - Andoni Amana - It was Ray Leonard who pulled out of the July 1979 bout. Ray Leonard wanted the bout at 150 lbs. (top weight), after first agreeing to fight at 154 lbs. Marijan came to Las Vegas for the bout, then Ray demanded 150 lbs. Marijan packed up and said 'Good-Bye', and returned to Eastern Europe.
EE, Not sure of the July 1979 date, but Marijan Benes was in Las Vegas ready to go versus Ray Leonard, but Mike Trainer wanted the bout at 150 lbs., after the Leonard camp saw Marijan in a sparring work-out. Then, they changed the weight contract to 150 lbs., and then just cancelled the bout claiming an injury.
benes was a better fighter than someone like Geraldo who gave a pre-peak Ray issues by being bigger and awkward around that time, so it could be an ugly fight but Leonard was already a great versatile fighter by then. I doubt he would have much issues matadoring Benes and scoring enough points to get a 7-3 or 8-2'ish decision.Might be a few early rounds where he looks a bit confused and gets tagged a bit more than more orthodox punching fighters were able to at the time, but once he gets into the groove Benes would get tattooed and be confined to the occasional mad charge and flush overhand right.
Marijan Benes At the 1976 Olympic, Marijan competed at 67 Kg (Welterweight). He lost a hard-fought Decision to eventual Silver Medal Winner, Pedro Gamarro of Venezuela. Marijan had a great right hook from the southpaw stance. In close, he'd rip you apart. You had to keep him at a distance, where he was most vulnerable with his short arm reach. This content is protected
benes is an orthodox fighter in all the footage i've seen pepe, either that or standing square on throwing enormous telegraphed clubbing looping punches with both hands. His overhand right and left-hook were his best shots, though he's one of those fighters like sung-kil Moon and Roldan where 90% of his offence consists of non-textbook clubbing powerpunches.
lora, Marijan would square up, and wing like a southpaw. He fought with both stances in many fights, orthodox and southpaw, like he did versus Gilbert Cohen. Saturday Night - March 17, 1979 For the European Light-Middleweight Championship at the Borik Sports Hall (Hala Borik) in Bosnia, in front of 7500 countrymen. The man was a 'beast' in flattening (KO 4) Frenchman - #7 World-rated, Gilbert Cohen 21-2-1, who was laid out for '5' minutes on the canvas. Against Ayub Kalule, he fought primarily from the orthodox stance, because it was too difficult to match Ayub up from the southpaw stance. Marijan also suffered an injury to his left eye versus Tiger Quaye in an earlier bout in {February 1978} his career, which affected his vision afterwards. After that, he virtually fought with vision in his right eye only. I'm sure, Ray Leonard would have never fought Marijan in Bosnia.
Mike Trainer on Marijan Benes, Too high a risk, for too little a reward. 'He worries me with his power. I don't want Ray to get his ribs banged in, as we have Ranzany scheduled for August.'
