Who beat better natural middleweights between Hagler and Monzon? Both men are almost universally accepted as a top 8 All time greats at Middleweight. One of the criticisms of Hagler and Monzon is part of their legacy rests upon beating smaller fighters who moved up to middle weight, while Hagler and Monzon themselves were natural middleweights who never moved up or down. Between the two, who beat better natural middleweights?
Hagler. His opposition was younger and on the way up, plus dangerous opposition I believe that's why Hagler's reign was shortened - too many big punchers
they both had there share of welters that moved up and they both had there share of solid middleweights
Hagler fought harder opponents.. From 1976-1986, Hagler faced Monroe, Watts, Briscoe, Antoufermo, Minter, Hamsho, Hearns, Duran, Roldan, Mugabi, and Sibson, those were some tough dudes, there was an occasional , tomato can in there like Caveman Lee, but for the most part his competition was pretty solid.. Hagler probably would have fought on another 2-3 years, but the loss to Leonard, killed his spirit for the sport..
Monzon its not even remotely close Nino and Griffith are waaaaaaaaaay more accomplished at MW than anyone Hagler ever fought
That is true. You could also say many of their signature wins were vs smaller fighters moving up in weight. I'd give Monzon an edge in terms of beating natural middleweights.
Griffith lost to Vito in Vito's second year in 1974. Griffith was way more accomplished than Vito yet Vito still won so much for that :yep Vito faced Hagler and Griffith faced Monzon Licata, Bogs, Mundine would have never qualified as Hagler's competition would have swallowed them whole and Napoles' career was winding down. Too small anyways Monzon's best comp was undoubtedly Valdez Corro whipped Valdez twice and Vito whipped Corro in a 15 round fight Vito also drew with Hagler in a 15 round fight so the name of Vito alone is high caliber but Vito gets little respect any further comparisons between opponents is futile
other than being a bleeder Vito was a tough and rugged guy, a fullmer type strong but an average puncher, he surprised me vs Hagler 1 and I thought it was going to be a blow-out for Hagler...I had the fight as a draw but Vito had a very big 13th rd and mentally took the fight with his stand...a draw but Vito's stock rose IMO Duran also surprised me vs Hagler and Barkley Monzon sometimes only put out what was needed, did not always push for the KO if he felt he was winning but tested his opponent, Briscoe,Valdes,Benvenuti were strong middles and Griffith and Naples were extremely experienced FO,Mugabi,Rondon,Sibson,Hamsho,Hearns were also strong guys for Hagler and Leonard and Duran were very talented and experienced
lol chain comparisons? really? Nino and Griffith are waaaaaaaaaay more accomplished at MW than anyone Hagler fought thats not debateable. It is also cute how people act like Mugabi wasn't a trash can who took Hagler 11 hard rounds landing at will.
why are you repeating yourself? I just acknowledged that but also proved that aint saying much if Vito beat Emile in his second year at pro I never mentioned anything about Mugabi but calling him trash shows your widespread discrimination against Hagler opponents. Hagler struggling with opponents was nothing new, and should especially not be a surprise at the end of his career