Let's say Ricardo Lopez moves up to flyweight and faces Mark Johnson. At their peak who would win this match up? Lopez has the advantage of his technical skills while Johnson has his greater speed, slickness, and athleticism although they both probably have equal power. This fight would have been very interesting.
i thought johnson...it feels weird if you don't say 2 sharp. i thought 2 sharp Johnson won the first marquez match, and was ahead before he just fell apart. using marquez as the closest thing we have in terms of height and skills. 2 sharp johnson was a real pro, seasoned and had all you want. his draw back was probably long term stamina and his height (i doubt it's 5'3 as boxrec says but 5'4/5'5 looked about it.) i think he is someone that lopez would have problems with i.e. wouldn't come to him in a obvious fashion and had great lateral movement, while also being offensive on the bike, had a great defence, and always had a counter for everything. plus a weight division above for a guy who is used to begin the bigger man. i think johnsons got this. lopez-carbajal is a good match up though
The more I watch Too Sharp the more I see it as a 50/50 fight. Johnson has the tools to give Lopez a hard fight and was just as skilled an operator. I always wondered if Lopez really did avoid Johnson, much like how Tapia, Gonzalez, and Carbajal didn't want any part with him. Would have made Johnson's career more complete had he fought any of those guys.
Lopez was overpowered when he fought the raw Alvarez. Johnson was a very talented fighter. He would have beaten Lopez.
Bump Mark Johnson has become more overlooked these days, much more than Finito Lopez. I have to admit the more I rewatch Johnson in his prime the more I have to favor him over Lopez. Johnson just has more tools in his arsenal and had better speed that would have troubled the technically superb but basic boxer puncher like Lopez.
Watched them both during their times. I will pick Finito. He was hardly basic. He had a superb arsenal and great ring IQ. He was a complete fighter. Johnson had pretty tight skills and a tricky profile but I don't think he had that extra dimension.
Johnson would have beaten Lopez. Bigger man, and with FARRRR more talent and power than anyone Lopez faced, that includes Alvarez. Given Too Sharp's physical gifts and speed, I dont think Finito could have outboxes him, and Lopez would have to remain cautious of Mark's power.