At 154???.. Give me Norris. Benitez is greater overall. But Terry at 154 at his best I would take in this matchup. Faster hands, more powerful. I doubt he stops Benitez very much. But I can see him carrying the day with his faster hands, provided he keeps his head on straight. Norris via UD.
50-50 Fight... w/Norris Being BIGGER, STRONGER & More ATHLETIC, there's a Good Chance he Beats the Shit Out of Benitez OR, @ the Very Least, Keeps Benitez DEFENSIVE Minded Enough to Win by Decision... There's Also the Likelihood of Benitez DRILLING Norris w/a Beautiful COUNTER & Maurice Hope'ing his Ass... REED:hammert:
50-50 Fight... w/Norris Being BIGGER, STRONGER & More ATHLETIC, there's a Good Chance he Beats the Shit Out of Benitez OR, @ the Very Least, Keeps Benitez DEFENSIVE Minded Enough to Win by Decision... There's Also the Likelihood of Benitez DRILLING Norris w/a Beautiful COUNTER & Maurice Hope'ing his Ass... REED:hammert:
Man, I'd pick Benitez ten out of ten... surprised by the dissenting voices At 154, Benitez damn near beheaded Maurice Hope and flat out handled Duran... his big loss was a points loss to Thomas Hearns, who was a stylistic nightmare for him In my mind, I keep seeing him timing Norris with a perfect counter and knocking his block off
I don't know if know if Norris' handspeed would be enough. You might be referring to Benitez-Leonard when you think that, but Terry wasn't as fast as a prime Leonard, nor was he as skilled, as intelligent, and just wasn't plain as good. Benitez from the Duran fight had more single shot quickness than Norris, and by far the better reflexes, which would play a factor. I could see him slipping some of Terry's combos, and countering back with something that hurts Norris. Norris never fought anybody as QUICK as Benitez. No, a faded Taylor doesn't count, as Mel had NO business fighting above 147. Plus, Mel didn't have the OVERALL quickness and reflexes that Benitez had. I don't know if Benitez puts him away, but I think if anybody DOES get stopped here, it'd be Norris. My official pick is Benitez by UD. Terry accomplished more at 154, but the Benitez of the Duran fight was better than ANY version of Norris.
