Ashamed to say that I am only now discovering this underrated fighter, who was a beast at Featherweight. I've just watched his great performance against Steve Cruz and I'm very impressed, very unique style with nice offensive skills. How good of a fighter was he and how well does he do against other great FWs? I'll check up on his other fights later this week. Fight recommendations is appreciated.
Don't be ashamed. It's never ever too late to learn about a past fighter. He was good enough that Ring Mag once ranked him as high as #3 P4P - I think in 89. I'd classify him as a feather "very good" rather than a great, however. From his era, I doubt he would have beaten Nelson and Fenech. However, he'd probably have beaten McGuigan. I also think he'd be a threat to any of the Mexican Big 3 of MAB, Marquez, Morales. In this piss poor featherweight era? Forget it, he'd easily be #1. Esparagoza would beat ten shades of shit outta Navarette.
Esparragoza was a brilliant fighter. Extremely talented offensively, with a high workrate, good, hard dig and blazingly fast hands. His only real physical drawback is that he suffered from the same leverage issue most long limbed fighters have up close. His weaknesses were generally a lack of a solid defensive radar, highly advanced movement and he didn't really like to work more than his own pace. Although that last one isn't a major issue as he worked pretty fast anyway. His fights with Villasana and Park are my favourites, and I really wish he'd have fought Paez and Kelley towards the end of his reign - even if he'd have beaten them clearly. He's likely not really good enough to be favoured over any truly great fighter, but the lesser featherweights greats like Hamed or Legra are going through hell in a fight with him. He'd smash these modern guys to boys. We've got a very weak, albeit highly entertaining featherweight at the minute. Lara wouldn't see five if we're gauging how he takes a punch off his last performance, and Warrington has no chance. Navarrete would get picked apart. Although to throw Nav a bone, I'd say he'd probably be Esparragoza's best win. I really like him, and rate him fairly highly but I think he lost to Villasana and that he falls just short of a great fighter. He was fairly unambitious as well given the calibre of fighter around at the time.
Yes it's always great to discover and learn more about fighters of the past, especially ones I've overlooked. He seems more in line with someone like Canizales who looks great on film but a resume that's nothing to go crazy for. Is Esparragoza someone that you would have a good chance against the likes of Kevin Kelley or Naseem Hamed?
Canizales isn't a bad comparison, but I would say that Canizales was a higher level talent, at his very best. Esparragoza would stop Kevin Kelly. Kelly wasn't in his league. He's probably too hittable for Naz though. I can't help but think that Hamed would be down on the cards, but eventually would spark Esparragoza out.
Esparragoza is a solid favourite over Kelly, but it'd be a good fight. Same with Gonzalez. Hamed would likely knock him out, though.
one of my faves for reasons it's hard to put my finger on. i definitely admire his ability to land heavy right hands from distance.
From what I understand, Esparragoza didn't come from abject poverty like a Duran or Arguello. He came from a pretty well off family in Venezuela, from I've heard.
I'd actually say it'd be the other way around. the style Barrera took on in the first Morales fight would really mess with Esparragoza provided Barrera didn't give him much space. He'd have to get up close and work damn hard. I can imagine it being one of those fights where individual exchanges can look really one sided, but there's lots of moments where a guy is getting pounded against the ropes and looks out of it at times. Barrera was better than Villasana or Park IMO.
Esparragoza was a shell when he got beat up by Park. Villasana - yeah, MAB was better, but Villasana had a much better chin.
Villasana vs Barrera would sell out the Olympic Auditorium and be one of those fights that, if you were there to see it, would become a landmark in your life.
