Wilfred Benitez vs. Sweet Pea Whitaker 147lbs

Benitez UD. He is more at home here.

 

At 147 I'd pick Whitaker but I'd pick benitez at 140.

 

I like Whitaker in this one. Benitez was at his best capitializing on his opponents aggression and/or mistakes. I think Whitaker would be able to manufacture a little more offense than Benitez without committing those errors Benitez pounced on so well.

 

:huh

Logically Benitez would be the better choice at 147, given his size advantage, as well as the fact that he was more experienced than his 140 pound self. Whereas Whitaker would be the better choice against the less experienced Benitez at 140.

 

At this weight I would favour Benitez he has the size and power advantage. Wilfred via close decision.

 

It is always hard for me to pick against Whitaker, as he was the truest champion from the 90's. Whitaker did everything he could to give his resume depth, and you can make the case he only lost one fight doing so.

Whitaker was a master boxer, but oddly enough; out boxing Whitaker seems to be the most effective strategy for fighting him. Whitaker showed that he can win fights coming forward, but it was not his most flattering method of victory at 147. McGirt, and especially Hurtado, found success in making Whitaker the aggressor. Both lost, the strategy isn't fool proof. It just seems to increase your chances.

Back to McGirt. When I watched their first fight live on HBO, it was the most competitive match I'd seen Whitaker involved in. I had it for Whitaker 7 rounds to 5. Barring knock downs and point deductions, that is as close to a draw as you can get. I think that Benitez, on his best night at 147, is better than McGirt.

Benitez by close decision, 7-5.

 

Been a while since i've watched it, but didn't Whitaker make the McGirt fight closer than it needed to be by clowning around/taking it easy late in the fight.

It was a bit like Duran against Leonard.

 

Benitez was a great fighter...but as great as he was, Whitaker did moves in the ring that were simply unbelievable. I like Whitaker at 140 and 147. Whitaker would initiate and then counter Benitez's counters more sucessfully. Whitaker would be more active, while Benitez (IMO) would be posing more. It would be sort of a tit for tat kinda fight. Whitaker's right jab would be the difference.

 

Yes, that is how I remember it.

BTW, I'd edge towards Pernell in this fight based on higher activity, his jab, and his edge in speed.

 

I agree. Kind of like what Leonard did to Benitez without the stoppage. Leonard was a big hitter at 147, Whitaker not so much.

 

Whitaker wouldn't have beaten Benitez like Leonard did. Too many things to take into account to make that comparison. I do think Whitaker would've fared better against Leonard though, albeit in a losing effort.

 

Other way around pea at 140 and Ben 147.

 

I'm not talking mirror image here. I just think Whitaker could've generated more offense, with his jab and the occasional sneak left. Benitez was often too intent on trying to make the other guy miss and countering. I think exceptional boxers like Whitaker (and like Leonard did), could take him out of his comfort zone and he wouldn't generate enough offense.

 

Well, like some already mentioned it´s Whitaker´s jab who will decide if he wins or not. If Pea get´s his jab going and Benitez isn´t able to neutralize it I think Sweet Pea takes it. But if not then Benitez would win.
Also weight influences this one greatly. At JWW I think Whitaker takes it clearly, at WW it´s very close but I lean slightly to Pea, at 154 it´s win for Benitez.