Benitez wasn’t at his best at 140lbs, he was inexperienced, Mayweather beats him at that weight. IMO Benitez’s best weight was 154lbs.
Back in the day, they used to call him BenTREEez because his roots was stuck in the ground like a tree's. Means he ain't had no footwork, couldn't move around, didn't have them angles. May, KO, 10.
Nip and tuck all the way. I think Mayweather was a little quicker with his hands. Floyd by decision in a tactical fight.
I think Benitez wins a close one. He was as great defensively as Floyd but with more offensive firepower. (If Benitez actually trained hard in preparation for the fight instead of his usual "laissez-faire" approach then I think he would win more decisively.)
Benitez was a weight-drained seventeen-year-old at 140. I know he's somewhat of a sentimental favourite around here but to say that a seventeen-year-old kid who only barely squeaked by Cervantes (a great fighter in his own right, but not Floyd caliber and obviously overlooked Benitez) would beat one of the greatest and most versatile prize-fighters of all time at his athletic peak and at his best weight is absurd. Benitez was deeply inexperienced at world level at that point in his career and struggled to make the weight, fading late in fights because of it, whereas Floyd was 28 and made 140 with ease. Floyd beats Benitez convincingly at 140.
I concur, and I’m a major fan of El Radar … but at 17/18 at 140, he’s just not strong enough. He hadn’t matured offensively yet. He showed some more oomph at welter but as sure as I am Floyd wins this at 140, I’m equally sure Wilfred outclasses the pretty boy at 154. At 147, I’d still favor Money but I wouldn’t put any of my money on it either way. Not quite a toss-up for me, but close enough.
Benitez in a close one, and most likely PBF at some point during the fight feels Benitez's punch and possibly fall down. Benitez was a different breed, as it was Gomez.