This is a bit of a head-scratcher. Escalera had the two epic fights with Arguello — both losses to one of the best 130-pounders ever but ones which showed his mettle — but he was also up and down throughout most of his career. He probably has a few better wins than Sammy but a lot more puzzling losses. Serrano was probably better protected and most of his WBA challengers were of the ‘where did they dig this guy up?’ ilk. And he had the upset-of-the-year unsightly loss to Uehara (avenged). But he’s the smoother boxer and his skills at least look a bit more world-class, although a more than a full grade below the better Puerto Rican champs of his day like Wilfred Benitez and Wilfredo Gomez. My gut says Sammy is just a little too evasive and risk-averse to get into any kind of war with Escalera. He keeps him off-balance enough to win a fairly close but entirely boring decision.
