Im leaving out Duran and Whitaker, just because. All fights over FIFTEEN rounds, like they bloody well should be. Bout 1: Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Julio Cesar Chavez Bout 2: Oscar de la Hoya vs Niccolino Locche Bout 3: Wilfred Benitez vs Aron Pryor Bout 4: Carlos Ortiz vs Jose Napoles Winners progress to the semi finals when they get 4 picks. I just spent 20 minutes beautifying this tournament with pictures - I want picks and mind bending analysis folks!
I think Floyd narrowly outpoints Chavez at 140(Chavez wins if it was 135) Locche schools Oscar and wins a clear UD. Benitez(at his very best) narrowly outpoints Pryor Napoles UD's Ortiz
I think Floyd squeezes Chavez out over 15. A draw isn't out of the question, but I think Floyd is resourceful enough to find a way. This isn't a fight I'd bet on however, Julio is a far better version of the Castillo and Jesus mould which gave Floyd such hell. I also think Locche beats Oscar clearly. As good as Oscar was at this particular weight, a one handed man just isn't beating a true master of the ring like El Intocable. I think Pryor's shear volume is all wrong for a cerebral guy like Benitez and Pryor wins clearly. 9-6 at least. Ortiz-Napoles could go either way for mine. Something makes me lean towards ortiz' greater experience at the time & extraordinary accuracy carrying the day in a close one.
140 always struck me as Floyd's optimal weight, while Chavez was effective but not quite at his true best. That, IMO, is the difference in this fight. Floyd by decision in a fight that's probably closer on the cards than in reality (though by no means a blowout in either regard). I'd probably pick Locche over Oscar, but honestly wouldn't be surprised if it went the other way. It's entirely possible that even if down on the cards, Oscar wins the fights on cuts. At their best, I think Benitez is too crafty for Pryor and banks enough rounds to overcome a knockdown or two to take a decision. The last one is the toughest for me. Gun to my head, I'd probably pick Napoles to barely outpoint Ortiz.
Locche was a one handed fighter as well. He also didn't have Oscar's length and power in it. I'm not saying that i favor Oscar but i don't think it's an easy pick. None of these matchups are in fact.
I think he means to say you need a well-rounded arsenal against Locche, because he just is so elusive, & so far-reaching in his ring intelligence.
Precisely. Locche could neuter the best of 'em, and converted southpaws are perhaps the easiest opponents to neutralize (Pac's made a career out of the trick). Oscar's handspeed and size are what make it more interesting, but i don't think they're enough.
Pryor-Benitez & Ortiz-Napoles are deadlocked. Next poster decides the ties. Locche & Floyd are through already.
