Who beats Wilfred Benitez at 140lbs ?

It's easy to see the difference in quality between Duran prior to Leonard I and post. Just use your eyes and tell me you don't see it.

He lost something that night in New Orleans. He was in good shape to Benitez, but he was never even close to being that good again.

 

He was pretty darned good against Davey Moore and Iran Barkley.

Benitez was a level above.

 

He wasn't close to as good as he was against Leonard.

 

Yes the first Leonard fight was his peak, and he won it clearly … but it was closer than many think. Ray finished stronger (even Manny Stewart noted this) after the shaky start.

I’d say he had a great 10 or 12 rounds against Ray, something like that.

But he also had some very good to great performances after, including against Hagler, and all at higher weights. It’s not like he fell off a cliff and had a complete slide to oblivion.

I’m of the opinion that no version of Duran above 147 gives Wilfred much trouble. And probably no version of Duran at 147 beats Wilfred outside of Roberto’s magnum opus … but could he have gotten himself that fired up, that laser focused, that completely locked in for anyone but Ray Leonard?

He built Ray up in his mind as the American embodiment of everything he never had — bigger spotlight, bigger purses, bigger stage … yet when he got those things he simply couldn’t handle them. Whatever discipline he had went out the window. And it does take something to stay focused when you have all that adulation, all that wealth, all that fame and people pulling you in different directions. Like Marvin Hagler said, it’s hard to get up and do roadwork at 5 a.m. when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas.

Benitez didn’t anger him so much, didn’t offend his very being the way Leonard did. So I don’t imagine a Montreal Duran ever showing up to fight Benitez. I do, however, envision a Benitez who wanted to prove something to the world, a sort of machismo we maybe didn’t know he had, because I think he saw Duran as being to him in the Latin world, something like Duran saw Leonard — ‘this guy is seen as the ultimate Latin fighter, and I should be seen that way, so I’ll show everyone I am superior to him.’ And he did.

 

Was he?

Davey Moore knocked out Benitez in less than 2 rounds. A year or so after Duran butchered Moore. Are we going to insert an excuse for Benitez? The window of time that Benitez could have beaten Duran maybe 3 years total. 1981-83.
Anytime before or after that Duran wins. Wilfredo probably would have done worse after if they match up older, 1984 or later.

 

Moore didn't knock Benitez out. Benitez broke his ankle when dropped in the first round and pretty much couldn't move or get set to punch properly from then on. Despite this he ducked a boatload of punches before the ref had seen enough of him not punching back, basically. Benitez was still on his feet and coherent. After he broke his ankle he had no chance of getting into the fight.

 

How did Wilfredo do after that? What were his signature wins post Davey Moore? (who by the way dropped him cleanly) if somebody drives you to the canvas so hard you break your ankle that's pretty much on you.

 

It was a freak occurrence, nothing more, nothing less. His rear leg got caught under him.

Moore most certainly did not knock him out which was the point.

 

Benitez was definitely injured but he did get knocked down. Duran beats him at 140 and at 147, 154 was a weight where Duran really lost a lot speed. Benitez won the fight but also trained for it very hard which he never did really in any other fight. Duranś drive wasnt there his head was somewhere else. This was Benitez biggest win, I dont recall him doing much at all after it.

 

Benitez was 100% going to lose to Moore even with steel wires in his ankles.

 

Yes he was knocked down but he was dodging bullets quite impressively given his broken foot and inability to overly fire back.

Duran said he was in excellent shape but was surprised how strong Benitez was. Benitez certainly bossed him.

I'd agree Duran beats him at 140/147. I think Benitez that night could well beat any Duran you put in with him tho, probably even the 147 pounder who beat Leonard.

I'm not sure it was his biggest win. Duran had lost a lot of luster and Benitez was actually the 9-5 favorite. Benitez was a 4-1 underdog against the legendary Cervantes who hadn't lost in 5 years in defending his title 10 times and had built a big reputation. Cervantes had actually put a whooping on De Jesus in between the second and third Duran bouts. As a matter of fact Benitez's win probably cost us a Duran - Cervantes superfight.

 

Absolutely ridiculous statement.

 

Slightly off topic but I would of loved to of seen Niccolino Locche vs Wilfred Benitez, not the most exciting fight on paper. But the defensive skills in this match would be amazing.