Rodrigo Valdez vs. Dick Tiger

Valdez too clever, would decision Tiger. If anyone was capable of decking Tiger, besides Griffith of course, it would be Valdez.

 

Valdez was made for Tiger IMO. Tiger was stronger, had better defense, and had more all-around skill. Valdez was tough and could punch, but his defense wasn't so great, and that would be a fatal flaw for anyone against Tiger. On top of which, Valdez has never shown he can beat someone of Tiger's class.

 

Joeey G was even more clever than Valdez and split a series with Tiger, so if you're banking a win for Rodrigo on cleverness don't hold your breath. And are we really bringing up the Griffith fight as a testament to Tiger's chin?

 

Although Valdez had some ability to box, I never saw him as being particularly "clever" at all. In fact, I felt he relied a lot on his toughness and determination to compensate for shortcomings in cleverness.

 

Agreed. Tiger has handled cagier guys than Valdez.

 

I think with Valdez his boxing brain wasnt his best quality..I saw him as a naturally talented fighter who gave the air of fighting smart when it was more just him using his gifts.

He honestly looked puzzled at times when Monzon was simply picking him off with 1-2's.

 

Yeah i'll take Tiger as well. I do like Valdez as a smart boxer though, how he was able to duck a load of Monzon jabs in range impresses me, but Tiger nevertheless, he would just be pounding out his decision and he can counter well in his own right.

 

Valdez takes time off. Tiger would be willing to engage Valdez when the harder puncher wanted too.....however, Dick Tigers ATG chin and toughness enable him to win a wide decision. Valdez coasts for periods and this is when Tiger wins the rounds.

 

Good matchup.

I will pick Dick Tiger in this one.

 

I go for Valdez.

If you look for it, there was a thread a while back on this very subject with some good debate behind it.

 

Valdez was not, as many here are saying, merely a guy who traded on his power. He was catlike clever in the way he fought until he scored his knockouts. He didn't defeat Briscoe 3 times by skugging with him...watch the tapes..especially the second fight when he ko'ed Bennie. He was a clever guy who could finesse an opponent if he had to. I fell taht, with a guy like Gil Clancy in his corner, he would have fought a smart fight against Tiger, much like Emile Griffith did, and would have racked up the points enough to win a decision.

 

Briscoe was a bad dude at 160 but beating him isn't really an indication of cleverness at all; Briscoe was a rather predictable fighter with a big right hand who liked taking the front and going to the body. I own quite a few Briscoe fights and I never once saw him switch tactics or try and box out of that one dimension he was so comfortable with. Guys like Giardello and Mims on the other hand (among others) were definitely cagier, more well seasoned pros than Valdez and Tiger beat both of them. In addition to those ring savvy, finesse type fighters Tiger has handled so many dangerous, rugged guys in the mold of Valdez I have a hard time seeing how anyone can pick Rodrigo. I don't think alot of people realize how deep the middleweight era Tiger fought in was; Henry Hank, Floro Fernandez, Gene Fullmer, Rubin Carter, and Rocky Rivero were all tough and powerful 160 lbers who weren't accustomed to being outmuscled and outgunned until they fought Tiger; he handled all of 'em at their own game.

I'd say Valdez was a more well rounded fighter with slightly faster hands and greater agility but not as strong, hard hitting (yep), or simply dominant in his strong suit as Tiger was in his own (his inside game). Valdez would give a good account of himself, outworking and even winning some exchanges with Tiger on occasion, but I doubt he or anyone else at 160 outfights Tiger when so many others have failed before.

 

Although he showed some boxing ability against Briscoe, he didn't exactly shut him down or control him either. In fact, Briscoe was able to get in on him fairly consistently and hit him with a lot of shots to the body. In the round that the second fight ended, Briscoe actually had him looking a bit tired and ragged before he unleashed that semi-desperation flurry that KO'd Briscoe.

Exactly. A number of fighters were able to outbox Briscoe throughout his career, including ex-welters like Luis Rodriguez and an absolutely ancient Emile Griffith, and probably with even more ease than Valdez did.

 

Valdez was very good, but I find him just a TAD overrated. Tiger was miles better than Briscoe... I'd take him by UD over Valdez.