The Hagler who fought Duran against the benitez that fought Duran at a catch weight of 157?

I've always felt slick boxer types would be a troubling style for Hagler that's why i kind of wished Hagler would've turned pro a bit later so he could've fought some of the late 80s/early 90s Middleweights like Toney, Kalambay, Nunn, Graham.

As for the fight aslong as the few extra pounds don't effect Benitez too much and he still has the same form he had vs Duran then yes he would give Hagler all he could handle in a close fight.

 

I would still take Hagler

 

Benitez would give a good account of himself for the first five or six rounds and win most of them. However there will come a point where Marvin gets revved up and starts laying on punishment. I don't think that Wilfred would be strong enough to last out over the distance.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler TKO Wilfred 'El Radar' Benitez by no later than the tenth round.

 

You never know with Hagler. He should have run through Duran but didn't. He should have run through Leonard but didn't.

 

Hagler wasn't the first fighter to use the wrong strategy against Duran (Leonard Duran 1). In the Leonard fight, i think he just wasn't capable at that point in his career. Anyway, no one runs through Leonard.

 

I can’t see Marvin conceding a meet-in-the-middle (no pun intended) weight, even though I think he could make it pretty handily and might come in around 158-ish anyway.

If he did, we’d never hear the end of it.

I want to see this at 157, 24-foot ring, 12-ounce gloves, all-you-can-eat soup-and-sandwich buffet and free refills on all drinks.

 

Hagler was 157 1/2 again Duran. We are talking half a pound. Just leave him at 157 1/2 and we don't need to speculate.

That exact Benitez would make for a fantastic fight with Marvin. Take a look at Benitez - Duran and see how sharp and pro-active he was. Top match.