Who wins? I think Esparragoza has massive difficulty with Paez's head-movement and crouching style, but finds the uppercut. Esparragoza TKO9 in a war of epic proportions.
Yeah, Esparragoza might have difficulty for a bit, but in the end he takes Paez apart. Esparragoza was a top P4P fighter at one point - Paez never hit that level.
I think the draw with Villasana is the most telling fight of Esparragoza's entire career. It's clear he was better than Marcos, but the fight showed his difficulties with that style - and also that his level wasn't terribly far above Villasana's IMO. Although, I rate Villasana quite highly anyway. I think he'd have stopped Paez as well. I love Paez though, he's up there with Pedroza, Morales and Kelley as my favourite featherweights.
I had Esparragoza winning the Villasana fight, for what it's worth. Competitive fight, but I just feel Esparragoza landed the cleaner shots throughout. And agreed, Villasana would beat up Paez. How bout a Villasana vs Young Kyun Park matchup?
IIRC, I had it to one of them by a single point. Can't remember which. I rate Villasana really highly now I think about it. A real darkhorse vs any fighter who relies on power IMO - because a great chin and good punch should primarily be favoured over a good chin with a great punch. Someone like Naz or Little Red. I think Paez-Villa would like something like Villa-Hoko. And I think Kyun would out-work Villasana if he can take his best.
Paez could be beaten by fighters who put sustained pressure on him and didn't let him rest/play around - think Dorsey(unofficially), Lopez, and Ruelas. If Esparragoza lets his hands fly like he did against Cruz, I'd favor him to beat Paez as well.
