Who had potential to be greater: Wilfred Benitez or Edwin Rosario?

Pity...……….

ON a happier note, I do need to get down there. My wife's mother's side of the family still lives in Puerto Rico, and we've been talking about going.

 

It’s a must. A big mistake people make is going just for 5-6 days. You need 10-14 days and you won’t just go once. There’s so much to do and see and because the culture is so great, scenery so beautiful and people so nice you’ll just love the whole vibe of the place.

Oh and the food is to die for.

 

I've had a little of the food, and it seems much more akin to Cuban cuisine (which is my favorite) than it is to Mexican. Fried plantains, rice, boiled meats, all that savory goodness...…..

 

Yeah it’s more like Cuban. It’s really not like Mexican at all. I live in an area that’s dominated by Mexicans and the food is everywhere luckily though I’m close by a community that has some Cubans and three Cuban places to eat and love that food too but Puerto Rican I definately put as my #1 Latin food (unless we count Spain then everything takes a back seat).

The best Puerto Rican dishes IMO are

Mofongo
Arroz con gandules (with tostones, pastel, pernil ideally)
Tripletas (their Cuban sandwich but IMO even better)

Lechon
Morcilla sausage
Asapao de pollo
Soncocho stew

 

Well paella is my favorite food of all. When I die, I hope I meet my end by the means of drowning in a swimming pool full of the stuff. Either that or Jennifer Garner falling on top of me from the height of a tall building. Either is fine.

But yes, all latin food is the sh/t.

 

Benitez didn't plummet early in his career. He had a 6.5 year prime from early 76 to late 82 in which he won titles in three weight classes and engaged in superfights with Leonard, Duran and Hearns.

He was a prodigious analomy who turned pro and won his first title at redicuously early ages.

He started to fade at 24, but you have to put that in context. A lot of fighters have been on the decline a full 7 years after winning a title.

Rosario was also somewhat of a prodigy but won his first title at 20 and was hot and cold from then on.

Benitez had the greater talent and accomplished more than Rosario.

 

Benitez had the potential to be the GOAT fighter from PR if he partied less. He was the most gifted fighter the Island ever produced and in his best performances, I consider him a cut above Gomez, Ortiz, and Trinidad.

Chapo had more holes in his game, dedicated or not. I think Rosario did realize his full potential though, in the Bramble fight.

 

Ortiz is the G.O.A.T. You could argue skillswise too IMO, excellent, well-rounded fighter.

 

You could say the same about Gomez. He lived probably a crazier party lifestyle than Benitez. I know for sure he drank and did drugs more.

Gomez beat Benitez in the amateurs. He was considered a great fighter in Puerto Rico before he’d even turned pro and was an icon there. Tito surpassed both in popularity though and is behind only Roberto Clemente in terms of their all-time sports hero.

Ortiz was the best and most complete fighter ever from Puerto Rico. My theory is that because he was raised in New York and learned to box there and mostly fought outside of Puerto Rico (was never introduced as being a PR resident) he’s probably not as popular as he should have been. He also wasn’t as exciting and Gomez or Tito nor had their charisma.

 

I think Tito had the most power, Benitez the most natural talent and best defense, Gomez had better overall talent and was more complete than both and Ortiz was even moreso than Gomez. Gomez the more explosive talent with bigger power but Ortiz the more dedicated and intelligent hence the superior career though I can see why someone would look at Gomez and say he was better. I think Ortiz required a smarter eye and more patience to full appreciate.

 

I would agree that Ortiz was better than Gomez, despite being less physically talented than Gomez.

 

I agree that Ortiz is the PR goat. I have Will at 3, below Ortiz and Gomez, and in front of Tito.

I said Benitez had the POTENTIAL to be the PR goat.