Which fighter had better defensive skills, Don Curry or Benitez?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mark ant, Jan 3, 2023.

  1. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    How did a prime Curry`s defensive prowess compare to Wilfredo`s?

    haNZAgod
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  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I’m going with Benitez.
     
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  3. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Benitez was considered the finest defensive technician of his era. You could certainly make a case for Curry's defense being underrated mostly due to being lost in all that brilliant offense, at his best.

    It's Benitez. His game was built around defense a lot more than Curry's was and seldom has anyone ever slipped punches as good as Benitez. I believe he claimed to have radar in his eyes and his nickname was of course "El Radar". His defense at times was otherworldly.
     
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  4. White Bomber

    White Bomber Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Benitez
     
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  5. PernellSweetPea

    PernellSweetPea Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Wilfred and in a greater era. But Donald had great defense and it was also his offense which was a lot of his defense. Donald would counter so accurately off of someone's mistakes, but he was not like Wilfred's defensive wizardry.
     
  6. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Benitez without a doubt. He was n't called El Radar for nothing.
     
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  7. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Wilfred gets my vote, but Curry had excellent defence too,he stood in the pocket against Colin Jones, a terrific banger and barely took a shot.
     
  8. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    True. Curry looked awesome in that fight.
     
  9. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Very true and I agree. But one bad memory which stands out for me was when curry was standing directly in front of Mike McCallum and got KO’d with a left hook that just came out of nowhere. Curry was an outstanding boxer with good defense but that was just pure complacency and carelessness.
     
  10. techks

    techks ATG list Killah! Full Member

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    I get you but I'm more critical of Currys performance against Honeyghan. Much credit to Honeyghan ofc what an upset.
     
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  11. techks

    techks ATG list Killah! Full Member

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    Benitez fighting all of the Fab 4 minus Hagler n looking great defensively even in losses against SRL n Hearns will always impress me more. Bring a 17 yr old beating Cervantes looking very slick doing so as well. He was definitely more tested than Curry tho I love both.
     
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  12. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Benitez was more reflex based while Curry used a tighter guard. I think everyone can agree that Benitez was much harder to hit. Even at his best Curry wasn't known for his defense even though he did show good defensive skills, he was certainly more methodical.

    I think a better comparison would be Marlon Starling.
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  13. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, that was a rare rookie mistake on his part.
     
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  14. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Curry was a very skilled allround boxer, with emphasis on defence, but Benitez was a defensive wizard at his best. I think this is going to be a shutout in his favour.
     
  15. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    He was getting court before that, McCallum was working his body with hard shots.