Ruben Olivares vs Jeff Fenech

As mentioned, Fenech is favourite at 126 and Olivares is favourite at 118. At 122, I tend to lean towards Fenech, but I'm unconvinced. His physicality and toughness on top of the ridiculous pace and aggression would probably spell trouble for Olivares whose durability and concentration is somewhat questionable once he got on the booze. Fenech has all of the physical tools and mentality to exploit this, somewhat similar to the first Hafey fight.

Rock-A-Bye Ruben had these absolute horrible, stabbing shovel hooks downstairs, a truly sophisticated lead hand and arguably the best singular punch below 126. He was also a tremendous counter-puncher with great movement, so he could likely walk Fenech onto some horrible shots and potentially stop him in his tracks but I do think it's less likely than Ruben wilting. Gun to my head, I'd say Fenech but I'd just hope they let me watch it before they shoot me.

 

OP says it’s at Bantam for my 0.2$ Fenech was green… but closer to his prime? I’m with you, cop out I can’t pick.

 

I’d pick Fenech pretty confidently but we aussies have a bad history with Ruben he really savaged our best Mr Rose… that fight hurt a lot LOL.

 

Day before weigh ins started in 1983. If Fenech had to weigh in at 118 and then fight 6 hours later, Olivares might kill him. If Fenech weighs 118 and then fights 36-40 hours later, Olivares will be fighting a lightweight. If they fought at 126 and Fenech had to make weight and fight 6-8 hours later, I expect that Olivares would win on points. If they fought 36-40 hours after weighing in, Olivares would be fighting at least a junior welter and maybe a welterweight.
When you see a guy move up through weight classes that quickly, that's kind of a hint and a half for you that weight manipulation is a big part of his game. And getting that size advantage has become almost, if not more so, as important as learning to hook off the jab. Olivares had almost 60 fights at 118 before he moved up to 126. Fenech had 33 total fights across at least 5 weight classes.

 

Hi Buddy.
You make an excellent point, as is your wont, I started my journey way back in 64 so a lifetime ago, as a old man, I dont get and have never got the fact a boxer can win say, the Welterweight title. but at fight time he could ( and do ) weigh 165 or thereabouts, that to my mind is making a mockery of having the weight divisions ! plus 1 of the 2 fighters might put on 10/15 lbs more than the other, so in effect a FW might be up against a WW, or a BW up against a LW, this is madness, if a boxer wins the LHW title he should weigh 175 or below, otherwise why bother with weights, what part I have got wrong, or not seeing ?
stay safe greynotsoold, chat soon buddy.
Mike.

 

I agree but also get what the other guy says. I think he meant as far as entertainment value. Arturo Gatti was not that great skilled, but he sure was so much fun to watch!

 

Olivares at 118 will 99 percent win but if Fenech can see an opening on those whirlwind punches Olivares threw then all bets are off.

 

Which boxers moved down in weight, during the few years after the introduction of day before weigh ins?

I don't know of any that did, which suggests that the c.8% average increase in body weight, from weigh in to fight night, of more recent years, didn't occur until many years after the introduction of day before weigh ins.

Unless you're answer to the question in my first paragraph persuades me otherwise, I think the scenario in my second paragraph applies, in which case, I highly doubt Fenech would have weighed as much as a LW (I.e. above 130lbs) on fight night for his BW fights.

 

I agree with you 100%.

 

Great post, John. No surprise

 

I think this is one of the few matchups where Fenech actually has a good chance to be beaten in his prime weightclass,super bantamweight.

But on featherweight and super featherweight,I believe Fenech has a higher chance to win by outworking Olivares.

That's if Olivares didn't nail him with his infighting and counters.

 

Olivares threw those whirlwind looking punches because he knew the exact correct timing and placement of it.

Idk about Fenech countering Olivares,but El Puas can get his composure broke.