Has any boxer ever achieved a greater feat?. At the time Benetiz was 17 years old and had been highly rated by the WBC since he was 15 I believed. Despite the split judges decision (even though the fight took place in Benetiz's Puerto Rico) Benetiz clearly was the superior man to Cervantes. Antonio had defended his tite 10 times and just a year later after the Benetiz loss he won a title again which he defended 6 times. While Cervantes is not a legend he is very highly regarded by those who have seen him. Personally I don't know a huge deal about him but when you look at evreything its a huge accomplishment. Is this the greatest achievement ever from a boxer and if you think not were does it rank?
It certainly ranks very highly. The critics will say Cervantes was past his best, but, is that relevant? Benitez was 17, and that's an unbelieveable acheivement, whether his opponent was past prime or not.
Benitez is very, very underrated (at least on ESB). This guy fought ATGs again and again and won a title while still a teen. Amazing boxer. In any other era he would have dominated.
will never be replicated... boxers turn professional now at 17.. but that was part of his downfall too much too soon .. by 24 he was past his prime and over the hill :hat
thats true. Like duran he became imconsistent, partied, and lost fights he easily should of won. Most fighters mid 30s they past their primes, morales it was late 20s, for benitez probably even younger. Vargas was another. Never seen anyone rise and fall so quickly.
His health hasnt been the best for the past 25yrs, he used to walk around my house all the time. He was in great shape and looked like he couldve beat a bunch of people up. But his balance and speach was bad, he couldnt walk straight even though he ran like five miles everyday. And you couldnt understand much of what he said and all he talked about was the glory days. He loved when people recognized him in the streets. After his mom died two yrs ago his sister takes care of him, he doesnt remember much and cant talk that much. Is sad what has happened to him after a great career that couldve been even better had he dedicated himself instead of partying all the time. If you can read spanish here is an article about him that was written last month. http://americadeportiva.blogspot.com/2010/11/para-wilfredo-benitez-el-boxeo-brutal.html :hat
He is often overlooked because of the hoopla surrounding the "Fab Four". He deserves to be mentioned with them. He did fight three of them, and he beat Duran. He was the youngest world champ at 17 and a three weight world champ at 22. At 24 he'd taken Leonard, Duran and Hearns to 15 rounds. Amazing when you think about it, regardless of how his career ended.
To be honest I think his downfall was turning pro too early, 25 years of punches to the head won't do anyone any good
That was his fathers fault that falsified his birth certificate so he could turn pro. He became a rich guy before he was 20yrs old and that was his downfall. He stopped training and thought he was invincible and that's how he lost to leonard. He shouldve beaten leonard and had the talent but without training you cant do it. :hat
