Who can beat Monzon?

I'd love to see the Monzon had a Hagler level chin claim substantiated.

 

It takes an ATG to beat Monzon. That ATG(s) would have to have the power or strength to offset Monzon. Which is not an easy feat.

But if you want a blueprint look at the Licata and Bouttier fights. Granted Monzon was not at his peak in those fights, but you can see what gives him trouble stylistically. Monzon has difficulty with an opponent who can consistantly move to the left side away from his jab. It forces him to have to reset to find range, and limits his right hand, Because the jab is the intregaral part of his offense in setting up the right.

I like Robinson against Monzon primarily because he attacked with speed and power from the left side. Greb would defintiely have a shot. I can't see Monzon beating a Tunney.
Giardello would trouble Monzon, but he could not hurt Monzon, so I don't think Giardello is capable of the upset. Jones' speed and power are major assets against Monzon. Hopkins has the movement and the smarts, to employ a winning strategy. Burley could win, but I don't think he would.

So right now, I'd pick Robinson based on his speed, power, and style of attack. Greb based on record against all the great fighters. The others I mentioned give Carlos major trouble, but won't say they beat him. Monzon is a great, great, fighter.

 

again, you still didnt acknowledge the fact that it happned at lightheavyweight. you think monzon punches like a lightheavyweight? prime jones is a probable for any fighter. how many fighters do you see posses that talent. you talking about his opposition but that has little to do with the question at hand.

 

Hagler would also have a realistic shot at beating Monzon. I would pick Monzon to win, but consider that Hagler is a southpaw who sometimes moves the direction that southpaws normally do not...to his left side, to set up his right jab. Not one of Monzon's title opponents were able to do this on a consistant basis. Hagler might be able to...On a given night, Hagler could beat anybody at 160 lbs.

 

Hagler can do it IMO

Hagler was a good boxer aswell as a pressure fighter. Hagler was good at avoiding jabs and landing his own hard right hand in retaliation this would bode well against Monzon. But thats the only factor that i can pick them against i think this is the difference in the fight

 

You don't think he had that good a chin? Or think he didn't fight enough 'big hitters'?

 

Prime for prime, i think that Jones Jr, Hagler and Hopkins (1999-2002 version) could've all beaten Monzon- Monzon was a great technician and basically beat up everyone in middleweight during the 70's, but RJJ's athletic ability, Marvin's constant pressure + granite chin and Bhop's defensive mastery and overall ring savvy could've posed huge problems for Monzon IMO...

 

I think his chin was great, but Briscoe had him all over the place twice, Valdez had him down.

He wasn't invulnerable. Hagler was.

 

Monzon was overrated, he wasn't very quick and he wasn't very powerful. He could keep distance very well, but he rarely faced any opponent who was really fast. Briscoe had him ready to go in their second fight and Griffith fought close with him in their second fight. SRR, Hagler, and Roy Jones would beat him.

 

I think Greb, Ketchel,SRR,Walker and Hagler all have a chance and a few others over the course of time

 

Look he was an incredible fighter but anyone can be beaten. The Griffith fights showed he was vulnerable to speed and movement and Emile was old. Napoles also had some good rounds and he was an old blown up lightweight.

Greb, with his speed, strength, stamina, chin and success against larger, excellent men is an obvious choice. The Robinson who fought LaMotta for the title is a great match up but I favor Carlos as the naturally bigger man who would be punching down. Hagler is an even money pick to me. Hopkins is a great match up. Walker and Tiger and LaMotta would all be tough. All three were iron chinned , exceptionally strong and well conditioned. Sam Langford would have done the trick.