Tiger vs. Valdez

I was going to post this too

I did do it a while back, I mean a couple of years back... Not sure what the consensus was.

But believe it or not, I'd pick Valdez, despite me saying just recently that nobody would outslug Tiger. I bounce back and forth between who was the strongest... Tiger may have been fractionally sturdier (not by much, Briscoe and Monzon hit Valdez with everything) but it's Valdez' punching power that swings it. He was lethal, and as fast at Tiger too, which is normally the big factor I count on. Tiger would beat Tony Zale through quickness, but he wouldn't consistently beat Valdez to the punch.
Tiger took the punches of Florentino Fernandez and Rubin Carter, but he was able to outmuscle both and keep them on the back foot. The fact that Valdez was stronger than those two, and that he was more accurate, would be another telling difference.

I can't really see a stoppage either way; I could see both men being rocked but Tiger more regularly. A knockdown, a stumble. I'm a bit of a believer in 'punch cracks any jaw' rather than 'chin absorbs any punch' and I think this fight would prove that to be true - just like it was proven when Valdez-Briscoe II took place and Valdez just wiped the floor with him.

Tiger was definitely more proven at the higher level, and then Tony Canzoneri was proven, too. But I'd still pick Esteban De Jesus to beat him :good

Great matchup though, probably the one I'd like to see most. Ever!

 

I think Tiger would take Valdezs best punches and wear him down more with his own offence, pulling away with it towards the end of a 15-rounder. I like Valdez though, and have no problem with Manassa's interpretation

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf0-UZCdsHg&feature=related

Valdez's power was 'Jackson-esque'.





I gues you SHOULD say Jackson's power was 'Valdez-esque' :deal

 

Valdez likes to stick n' move to conserve energy for the later rounds and save himself from picking up wounds - but see how, when he goes in to trade, he's just so clearly the stronger of the two? Go to 1:28 for an example.

I love that fight.

 

Agreed. His short hooks are BEAUTIFUL

 

I still think Tiger was the better boxer though, and at least as good a counter-puncher, though Valdez did have the edge in power. Definitely would've been one of the better battles, though.

 

Combination punching is on Valdez' side. I just see him outgunning Tiger; all else is not far off equal.

 

It's possible, You make a compelling argument because it's based on logic, not just fancy words. However, my point stands. I do indeed think Tiger was a skilled boxer. Probably moreso than Valdez, but in a fight like this Valdez's combination punching could see him scoring very well. My problem with choosing Valdez outright is in his stamina. Yes, he did like to conserve energy when he wasn't in attack mode, but Tiger was as steady as they went. If Valdez is unable to fend him off, I think Tiger's superior physical strength (I do believe he was stronger, though Valdez was the more powerful puncher) and stamina will win him the day down the stretch. Over 15 rounds I see him eventually slowing Valdez down, with his strength taking over.

 

Just to expand for a second, what I meant by combination punching was more to do with the fact Tiger fought in bursts. Valdez fought in bursts too, but prolonged them rather than stopping and starting. Valdez would start an exchange and then wouldn't finish until he came out on top.

Of course, that didn't work on Monzon, who had much the same attitude. Tiger wasn't quite as bothered about taking punches, maybe because he didn't need to be bothered. Valdez would make him see sense though, or maybe detach him from them altogether.

Valdez was actually quite a slow starter, even though the Briscoe rematch wouldn't have you think it, so I think Tiger (not particularly a fast starter either, but still) would take the first three rounds - that is, unless he forced Valdez to really exchange. If it was kept steady... Jabbing, feeling out, a few non-close encounters, then it would go to Tiger. Then Valdez would crank up the pressure and the fight would kick off. I do think he'd take it, even if Tiger came on again in the last two or three rounds.

I still disagree that Tiger was a 'skilled boxer.'

And ta for the logic bit, you too :good

 

I agree that both fought in bursts. However, what I know about Tiger that I don't about Valdez is how steady he was in deep waters. I know how Tiger cranked his gear up when things were going his way, and how he was pretty much unbreakable down the stretch. I don't know if Valdez would've been able to keep up for the full 15. Even Briscoe was winning that last round prior to getting starched, if only because Valdez seemed to be catching his breath and cruising. I don't think that works on Tiger when the fight gets into the championship rounds.

 

Was the 'fancy words' directed at me? lol. you guys definitely give convincing cases whether I agree with you or not :good

 

Why does everyone misconstrue what I say? You're the second person who's accused me off taking a jab at them in a post, despite the fact that neither were meant to be taken that way. Am I that much of an ******* that everyone just assumes I'm always talking ****?

 

No, I actually think you're one of the nicer guys on here...........well, to me anyway, but then again I'm not Asero

 

puncher-boxer versus agressive counterpuncher, ill take the latter by UD in a rugged fight.

i wouldn't say that valdez was stronger than floro fernandez or rubin carter; just as tough as either if not moreso as well as more technical, but not necessarily stonger. floro fernandez truly was an ox of a man at 160 who had gene fullmer fighting off the back foot and left future light heavyweight champ jose torres crippled from body punches in just 5 rounds (becoming the only man to stop him). rubin carter was also a ripped animal at middle who trained like an absolute spartan in his prime and he couldn't do anything standing with tiger. and although this is boxing and not bodybuilding, valdez looked comparitively a bit more "light" next to those two. and while valdez did look incredibly strong in the briscoe rematch, it was bennie, always true to form, that was constantly pressing forward for the most part, throwing bombs as valdez timed him coming in and ripped him with combos time and time again.

valdez would definitely be a game opponent, stealing quite a few rounds with his jab, quick combinations, and superior movement. but tiger was much less predictable than briscoe and would be landing his own explosive counters as well as handling valdez in the clinch much the same way monzon was able to, all the while roughing him up on the inside and getting the better of the exchanges. i think valdez will fade by the championship rounds and allow tiger to take home a decision.