Who could beat Carlos Ortiz?

At his lightweight best. Duran? Williams? Carter? Angott?

:think

 

I'm not so sure. I'd call it 50/50 - Ortiz could deal with boxers nicely, but Leonard was no boxer. He was Benny Leonard, a man with a style all his own.

 

Williams and Duran are 50/50 for me. Buchanan, no, as much as I think he's excellent, he wouldn't beat Ortiz. Maybe one out of three fights, but not a peak Ortiz. Ortiz was just plain better than Chavez, and Arguello would be looking at a superior technician to himself, and one that wouldn't wilt under his punches.

 

Don't know why people are saying Chavez. Could someone explain further?

 

Chavez was a fine fighter, and I fully appreciate his abilities. I'd pick him over many a lightweight, but I'm confident that the historically underrated Buchanan would beat him (narrowly).

Ortiz wasn't a mover, but could move when he had to; he was all about economy. Ortiz is actually one of the most well rounded boxers I've ever seen fight, along with the likes of Roberto Duran, Wilfredo Gomez, Ray Robinson and Marvin Hagler. He punched a lot like Joe Louis actually, but had all the aura of Carlos Monzon. Ortiz would be using his top jab to offset Chavez while subtly shifting and edging backwards and setting up the right hands. Ortiz might even find himself pressing the action at some point in the fight; he was terribly strong and a big lightweight himself. It wouldn't be easy, nobody beats Chavez easily, but I would expect a decision of around 9-6 to sway in Ortiz' favour.

 

I didn't say Carter could beat Ortiz.

 

I wouldn't give anyone more than a 55% chance to beat Ortiz, and even those are few and far between. Ortiz is one of the fighters where I can't imagine how he would lose, what method he would succumb to, because he was so good all over.