Carlos Monzon on a Hagler fantasy matchup

He was impressed by Hagler, and feels Hagler would have been a very difficult fight for him.

 

I feel like I'd really like Monzon if he wasn't so killy.

 

I had never seen the psychopath smile before this interview.

 

Monzon is the only champion who boxed with one hand while simultaneously smoking a cigarette in the other. Wearing two gloves was done only to satisfy bureaucratic rules. If he didn't insist of having a few cocktails in between rounds rather than talking to his trainer he would have schooled a prime Ali.

 

I always think that when I see Louis smile.

 

Jokes aside i think Hagler-Monzon is one of the hardest elite MM's to call. It would be interesting for sure but i doubt it would be very exciting.

 

It's right up there with Spinks-Foster as a matchup that always seems 50-50.

 

Another thing that stands out... Monzon was a really powerfully built guy. An impressive frame. Not to sound like Foreman, but I'm about to sound like Foreman.... look at how broad his shoulders were.

I think he could have carried 168 well. Probably not 175 though.

 

Agreed. That one has higher likelihood of ending in a knockout, but until then it would probably be rather dull. Fascinating to think about but not much replay value.

 

Maybe you and stinger should get a room and talk about Monzon's big sexy shoulders.

 

I'd like to keep my nipples, thank you.

 

Why? Not like you need them.

 

He's trying to pretend he doesn't really want to sell.

Then why put them up on Ebay?

 

I don't think Stinger would get along with George. I can see it now, "Look, KID typist! I don't care if you train with brother Hatton, I taught Juan Diaz every pivot he knows. When I was your age, I taught Steven DeJesus how to throw a counter hook, and I worked on Joey Napoles' footwork with him."

 

There's no point comparing Hearns and Monzon, apart from height, that's it.

I think Monzon COULD have beaten Hagler up, not just beaten him, but really reduced him, if Monzon took it seriously and applied a proper game plan.

Where I think Hagler gets back into it is Monzon is sloppy and inattentive and tries to brawl.

Hagler never fought anyone with the potential to keep him at the end of a jab. Hearns is just not Monzon.

Antuofermo, Hamsho, Duran, Minter, {Minters shoulders were narrower than my mums} even strong Tony Sibson, these guys were all 5'8", 5'9" sort of guys.

If Mugabi gave him issues, then Monzon will give him some too.

I never liked Monzon, he seems a bully, a real chip on the shoulder sort, angry because Argentina didn't love his big Jungle Book face, so fucking what, deal with it.

Hagler can exploit that, Bullys tend to not last very long when you go after them.

Hagler would need to surprise Monzon, get at him early, maybe cut him

For me, Hagler isn't coming on strong late, he needs to do something to Monzon early.

 

There is no way Minter was 5'9. He looked a good three inches taller than Hagler.

 

IMO, Hagler's best chance vs Monzon and the way I'd envision him fighting him, is how he did vs Hearns, Minter or Obelmejias. That search and destroy-like pressure fighting is what he'd need vs someone like Monzon who thrived on controlling the distance and the pace; being the ring general. I think Hagler would have to make it a fight to beat Monzon, because Monzon would Be able to take away his best attributes in a boxing match. If Hagler's crowding him, suffocating him and not giving Monzon the space he liked and the fighting at a pace Monzon isn't comfortable with then I think Hagler stands a much better chance.

 

I don't think Monzon was a bully.

I think Monzon was a sociopath completely devoid of emotion, and that really helped him as a fighter. It's easier to keep a cool head under fire when you don't feel fear or panic, or don't really feel anything .

Hagler was more prone to emotion, and Leonard used that against him.

I don't think Leonard's mind games would have done a goddamn thing to Monzon.

Monzon is basically Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men.

 

Might be accurate.

Somebody should get in touch with the Coen brothers and ask if Anton Chigurh was based on the idea of Carlos Monzon choosing a different career path.

 

"Listen Hagler, you bring me my belts right now and I'll let her go. Otherwise, she's accountable, same as you. I won't tell you that you can save yourself... because you can't."

 

"Where does he train"





"Where does he train"





"Where does he train"

 

Hey Marvin, what's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?

 

His toupee.

 

"When do we train".

"Now".

"Now is not a time".

 

Marvin needs to see about closing.

 

"Monzon, is your wife there?"

"Not in the sense that you mean."

 

........taking his socks off as he says it........

 

Literally the only difference between them is that Chigurh actually survives car crashes.

 

Two things that I've always felt could be deciding factors in favor of Monzon here:
-Duran and Leonard were both able to limit Hagler's aggressiveness with lead rights. Granted, no fighter defends his title 12 times without having an "off" night or two (Monzon certainly had a few of those as well), but I've always felt there was a definite pattern there for someone of Monzon's skillset to exploit.
-Hagler was always uncomfortable with the notion of going the full 15 rounds, which visibly impacted his performances against Antuofermo and Duran. Conversely, Monzon was as comfortable fighting 15 as any other distance.

Ultimately, I just feel there are more viable scenarios for Monzon winning than Hagler. If Hagler were to try to blitz and swarm Monzon like he did against Hearns, I think the probability is that Monzon withstands the early onslaught and then works his way back into the right as Hagler's intensity fades.