What caused Wilfred Benitez to decline so sharply?

That's true. He looked very vulnerable there, smack bang in his prime too.
Yet he was only 19 !

Should have definitely avoided the big strong hitters.

 

Yeah, it was impressive ... but if you don't punch back all the bobbing and weaving in the world will not be enough to deter a good fighter.
Moore just kept throwing. Eventually he got through with a few more good ones.

 

Sad case. Lifestyle issues.

 

4 more than 1 reason , i find it hard 2 find better threads than this , also due 2d replies .

 

Moving up to middleweight and fighting Hamsho was a mistake. At 154 he was almost at his best. He outclassed Duran and went 15 with Hearns.

 

This is just my theory. I think atheletes only have so long at which they operate near their peak. Say 8 years. Once that time has passed, it doesn't matter if you're only 28, your skills fade. Benetiz fought at such an early age, he was spent before he was in his late 20's. Obviously I don't have any data to back this up but it crossed my mind because I noticd NBA players who turned pro after high school seemed to decline a bit earlier. Just a thought.

 

brain damage stemming from childhood fights and a ridiculous lack of training.

 

That, and also for the fact that he did indeed wipe!

 

To fall like that after being so supremely gifted is a tragedy to me. I was a huge fan of Benitez...and besides his fabulous skills, I love the theatrical, crazy way he would do stare downs...those he did vs Leonard and Hearns were my favorite of all time.

 

Benitez was the best non puncher at staredowns. He just looked ready to murder someone with an axe and then enjoy some tea.

 

That tipping his head back so that it would appear that HE was taller than SRL, and that again, theatrically pompous, arrogant facade he maintained throughout....also vs Hearns....he may have lost the fights, but he won the staredowns.
He was the master starer downer IMO,...everyone else, with the possible exceptions of LL (that stare down vs Shannon Briggs was unbelievable..there was something reptilian about being able to not break that stare or even blink) George Foreman and Sonny Liston, of course.

 

Leonard threw like 25 right hands in the first round, most with bad intentions at full-blur SRL speed ... and Benitez slipped every one of them.

Ray came back to the corner and Dunee told him: "Forget the right hand."

Ray: "But he's right there!"

At his best, El Radar was a marvel to watch. Sad case that the price he had to pay was so high.

 

this is true read this thread it has everything

http://www.boxingforum24.com/showthread.php?t=433068


poor Benitez's kids :conf

 

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