What was Carlos Monzons best skill as a boxer?

He may not have been exciting nor spectacular to watch, but he was always cool and in control of the fight, be it at long range or in close. He was always in top condition with great stamina and a wide assortment of punches in his arsenal. He was very good at methodically chopping down an opponent and finishing one that was hurt.

 

His framing left hook is a move I’ve personally stolen for it’s effectiveness- he was a very simplistic style of fighter with a brilliant ring IQ similar to Rigo in that regard.

Monzons punch selection, Ring IQ, grappling tactics and judge of distance where among the best ever.

 

He also had exceptional belief in himself. Total confidence he was the best.

 

What do you mean by framing?

 

Carlos Monzon was calm, cool, and collected in the ring. He studied an opponent, analyzed his adversaries strengths and weaknesses, and reacted accordingly. He had immense confidence, believed he could never lose, but was well prepared for each bout. His record at the time of his retirement in August 1977 was 89-3-9, 61kayos. Won 82 straight, dating back to Oct 9 1964, defeated the 3 men who defeated him, 8 of the 9 men who held him to those draws early in his career. Champion from Nov 7 1970- until August 29 1977. Retired as champion, 14 title defenses. Had a strong left jab, pulverizing right hand, and was a good counterpuncher. And also to mention, he had size and reach on his opponents plus an iron jaw.

 

Is that ,,,ring generalship?

 

His ability to readjust his balance with the left hook if he missed with the right- just to put it simply.

 

Gotcha. I figured it was in reference to the follow up left hook he used after the 1-2. Just never heard it phrased that way.

 

I'd say his ring generalship. He made a guy do what he didn't want to do.

 

An example is when he fought Napoles. I’m not making a comment on the quality of the win or trying to get into any argument on the size difference. I’ve got all that down. It’s just the fight of his I’ve watched the most and makes for an easy point.

Everyone who knows Napoles knows his footwork. He often did a little step back reset after an exchange. Just a rhythm thing for the most part. That’s when Monzon attacked. Not so much early on, given how Napoles came out as the aggressor. More so after Napoles had tasted his power and started to slow his pace.

You can just tell that’s the kind of thing he’d been working on in preparation. Napoles gave him a different look early, so he rode out the storm without too much trouble and then went straight back to the game plan when the opportunities presented themselves. His focus was remarkable.

 

I did follow him since his title win over Nino Benvenuti in 1970. Angelo Dundee who was in Napoles corner was impressed.

 

Took him some time, though. Directly after the fight he was calling Monzon out for being dirty and thumbing Napoles. He gave him his just due after the dust settled, though.

 

I do remember that fight on Feb 9 1974 in Paris, France. It was shown on Closed Circuit Television.

 

He was a master at controlling pace and space. He just always seemed to dictate the speed and activity of a fight and the range he wanted it fought at.

 

What he did best was ring generalship. His ability to dictate the pace, control his opponent and the ring. that is not really a skill tin purse sense though. I gotta say always found Monzon to look quite unimpressive on film. But there must have been more to it I guess