What are some mythical matchups that you have a contrary view on who the winner would be compared with the consensus opinion? I'm trying to think of a few. 1. I think Cervantes beats Chavez at 140. Whenever I've posted that matchup, JC seems to be favored. 2. I think Benitez at his best beats McCallum at 154. That one is always controversial. Others?
This was inspired because JOM said he would pick Holy over Louis. Its an acceptable opinion to have, but it just isn't what the popular consensus would be.
Thats two great picks, i kind of agree with them Cervantes is incredibly underrated. He could set the tempo of a fight like few could do. I would pick him agains chavez with confidence. Im notso sure benitez beats McCallum, for me its a pick em
I don't mean to gang up on Chavez, but another controversial one: I think Mosley beats him at 135. No, I'm not at all saying that Shane was the greater/better fighter, but the styles favor Shane.
I also agree. Its a bit of a cliche, but shane thrived against aggressive guys. Shane at the higher weights was a bit of a dud, but he was a machine at 135
I totally see those two, Benitez in particular. McCallum was a wonderful, but textbook technician. Benitez was almost entirely instinctive and much quicker - I think he’d counter McCallum all night and frustrate him.
I guess you could look at it as Mosley at 135 being a harder hitting version of Meldrick Taylor and so, yeah, maybe he has the edge from that standpoint. I’d still probably pick Chavez myself.
Not to further gang up on Chavez but I've long thought he'd lose to Ismael Laguna. Another is that I've thought for years now that Duran from Leonard I would beat Sugar Ray Robinson. In fact, I'd possibly extend that to every welterweight who's name wasn't Tommy Hearns. Not so much a specific MM, but I think Jose Napoles is the best fighter head to head to ever fight at 140 - unless you want to include Duran in there, which I don't.
Love Qawi, but I highly highly doubt it. He's not winning a war with a guy physically stronger than himself with much bigger firepower. Rocky knocks Qawi out circa 10.
This one isn't so much about the outcome, but the way I feel it would play out: Many feel Pryor would have given Leonard and Duran Hell. I think both of them would have knocked Pryor in pretty one sided affairs.
My controversial opinion: Eusebio Pedroza could have beaten Salvador Sanchez Carlos Ortiz could beat Pernell Whitaker and Julio César Chávez. Edwin Rosario and Meldrick Taylor have the style to beat Nicolino Locche Manny Pacquiao would have a chance to beat Jose Napoles. Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis can beat prime Ali.
Pedroza over Sanchez isn't that controversial. Neither is Ortiz over Chavez, except by those who've never seen Ortiz and think Chavez is some top 5 all time guy.
I've long believed this but never considered it a contrary opinion tbh. I think the same with Cervantes and Ortiz beating Chavez since you mentioned it.
A lot of people pick Tyson to run over Louis and Frazier, and I see the the appeal and possibility of the thought. But I've long harboured doubts about it, especially if he didn't ice them both early. Walcott being a bit of a bastard of an opponent for Ali is another one at heavy. The same with Charles. I was thinking about Freddie Welsh maybe being an effective foil for Armstrong in vaguely similar fashion to Ambers and Zivic. Fast, crafty, dirty, tough, a very skilled infighter with a sharp jab etc.
