Two very tough lightweights who liked to brawl and could both punch. Both could be stopped however. We could make this for 15 rounds but I doubt it goes the distance. This would have been a war for however long it lasted. what do you think ?
I want to say Rosario would stop Ray as he had power and could hit, but there's this nagging feeling that if Ray survives early and it gets to the second half Mancini could wear him down and win. I'd favor Edwin , but wouldn't seriously bet on it.
What a great matchup. Could've rivaled Vazquez-Marquez in terms of drama. If they fought four times, I'd take Mancini to win by stoppage twice and Rosario to win by stoppage twice. It would've just depended on who was feeling it more that given day.
True Magoo. I know Edwin's chin wasn't granite, but he did take a sustained beating against close to prime Julio Cesar Chavez for something like 10 or 11 rounds. Ray was known for being a good puncher but I have yet so meet anyone that claims his power was on the same level as Edwin's. And prime Edwin was known for being a damn good boxer as well.
good matchup- could get either way but could be a battle of attrition but would probably be decided on power and pace and attrition and who would be stronger later which is the way I can see it going both could be hit but both took it well.
My feelings also. Mancini went 14rds with Arguello. If Rasario hit harder than Arguello, it wouldn't be by much, and he definitely didn't have his precision, timing,, toughness and technique. This fight is a lot closer than some may think. Mancini wasn't a slub. Rasario should be favored , but I wouldn’t bet any money on it. Especially if the fight is prior to the Kim tragedy. Mancini seemed to lose some motivation and intensity after it.
Back in 1983, this fight was being talked about, Ray Boom Boom Mancini had gone 14 rounds with the great Alexis Arguello in Oct 1981 in a losing gallant effort. On May 1 1983, Edwin El Chapo Rosario stopped Jose Luis Ramirez to win the WBC Lightweight title. On May 8 1982, Mancini won the WBA Lightweight Title with a thrilling knockout of champion Art Frias. So basically the two champions were on a collision course, but it never happened. Mancini had both punching power and heart but Rosario could box and hit, their pro career's masked each others. Rosario after a shaky start stops Ray late, round 10. In Sept 1986, Rosario went on to conquer Mancini victor WBA Lightweight Champion Livingston Bramble on the undercard of Hector Macho Camacho's WBC Lightweight Title bout against challenger Cornelius Boza Edwards Rosario stopped Bramble by KO 2.
