What Made Pipino Cuevas Such A Uniquely Dangerous Fighter?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Jan 12, 2019.


  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    In the long annals of the sport, few have ever regularly broke their opponents bones along with training equipment. Cuevas, at least to me, stands among other fighters of phenomenal power from throughout history. Luminaries like Julian Jackson, Bob Foster, or Bob Fitzsimmons. Literal killer punchers that would at least put you into another dimension of time and space as Rod Serling would say, and at worst (and perhaps with smaller gloves) would legitimately put you in a box. As for breaking bones, you can't not mention banger Jeff Simms breaking Tyrell Biggs collarbone with a punch. Freaky.

    Cuevas had a legendary and lengthy championship run, and almost everything he ever accomplished as a fighter came down to his power and whether or not he could blow his opponent out of the water. I'm curious just how he accomplished it. What made him so exceptionally dangerous?
     
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  2. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    At his finest he had both immense power and a superb chin. He also had a strong will to win. That's a pretty good set of credentials right there Russ.
     
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  3. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Also cutting to the chase it was a pretty average era with Hearns, SRL, Duran and Benitez right around the corner.
     
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  4. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He could also sustain his attack for as long as it took. No one should be able to throw the kind of bombs he threw at Shields for 15 full rounds but he did.
     
  5. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Shields was his best challenger btw...up to Hearns of course.
     
  6. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    He over committed to his already lethal power because he figured he had his foes intimidated.
     
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  7. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Great chin. Very surprising quickness. Odd angles of punching. ABSOLUTE killer instinct. Unbeatable power. Greatest Welterweight Championship reign ever. PIPINO
     
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  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Cobra beat me to it. He really committed to his power and his hook. And he had unwavering belief in it. The God given talent he had in his power and that sort of mindset can take you really far.... (See: Deontay Wilder)
     
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  9. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Some of his very early fights, when his record included four losses or so, are/were available on Youtube.
    Would like to have seen the proposed SRL v Cuevas fight, (post-Harold Volbrecht defense 4/6/80), in June 1980, which SRL appeared ready to do the fight per SRL's own comments.

    Never understood why Cuevas took the Hearns fight against the bigger Hearns, in Hearn's own backyard.
    Defending against Hearns in Mexico City would have been a much better choice.

    • Purported to only have had 19 amateur bouts.
    • Lost his professional debut by a second-round knockout on November 14, 1971, six weeks before his 14th birthday.
     
  10. lloydturnip

    lloydturnip Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Spot on .he had a similar mindset to wilder ! Everything thrown with bad intent he like wilder really wanted to hurt his opponent .That attitude makes a dangerous fighter.
     
  11. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Shields went the 15 rd. distance.
    Not sure how you rate a 43 9 4 Angel Espada, who Cuevas fought 3 times for WBA title. (the WBC Champ was Palomino, Benetiz, or SRL)
     
  12. Cobra33

    Cobra33 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Also took out Weston who gave Benitez and Hearns hell.
    Crushed Clyde Gray who was a soild contender.
     
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  13. Xplosive

    Xplosive Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Unreal power and unrelenting aggression. That about sums it up. And as someone else mentioned, yes, he was quick handed as well.

    Cuevas would be a threat to most welters in history.
     
  14. juppity

    juppity Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The Ring Magazine summed Pipino Cuevas perfectly in retirement.
    " Oh how he could hit "
     
  15. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Before too much is made of Pipino, remember that all that clever, smart, unassuming Randy Shields needed was a punch, and I believe that he would have dethroned Cuevas.
     
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