Here we have two guys who would fall outside of the top 10 greatest Latin fighters in history, but are top 15-20. Who was greater/better?
It's interesting. I've not seen massive amounts of Cervantes, but he reminds me of Monzon in a lot of ways. Steely eyes, cold expression, incredible ring general with underrated speed and nasty combos. Fucking massive for the weight in the same day weigh-in era too. It just seemed so hard to get up and running with your game-plan, vs him. Good résumé, over an era of overlooked fighters. Massively overshadowed by Duran's division. Peppermint, DeJesus, Locche and Thompson are nice wins, but I don't think he has anything else that's mind blowing. Lots of defences though, always counts for something. Insane consistency, too. Very underrated in that regard, IMO. Between his first and last world class win, he has two losses. In TEN years. One to Locche, which he green for and avenged, and then one to Benitez. I'm bias, because I both love Galindez and light-heavyweights. I think as a technician, Galindez is incredible. He has that sort of 'gritty' seeming skill, like Chucho Castillo or Roberto Duran. Not as sharp as someone like Rose or Napoles (in comparison to those two), and sometimes can be quite rough on the eye but they knew how to use some very, very high level tactics and techniques. Just how he feints with his knees, baits guys into take the lead and counters to the body then comes upstairs. It's just brilliant, and his defence while fighting off the ropes is always great to see, too. Incredible pressure fighter, as well. Just a very good all-rounder. His title run is top quality. Two proper underrated guys in Jorge Ahumada and Pierre Fourie, two wins over each. Followed by two wins over Ritchie Kates, and two wins in non-title fights vs Freddie Pendleton-type fighters; Billy Douglas and Jesse Burnett. The final three title defences over Lopez (twice) and Eddie Mustafa Muhammed just too off a great run. The rematch with Rossman isn't a shabby win either. Galindez was definitely greater IMO, and impressed me more from a technical standpoint, but Cervantes was harder to beat. If that makes sense.
It makes perfect, and I would agree. I have Galindez as greater (very slightly), but mid 70s Cervantes as better/more dominant. I mean, you've seen film of the Fraser rematch. I've never seen a version of Galindez that was as good as that Cervantes. But what hurts Galindez/helps Cervantes is Galindez getting beaten up by a 2nd rater like Rossman, whereas Kid Pambele only lost during his reign to El Radar and The Hawk.
Ordering Galindez's best wins seems like a right ball ache. I wish he'd have fought Conteh, Saad and Foster. At the times those fights would've happened, I'd have taken Galindez over all three and he'd have become an all-time great because of it.
Yeah, I think Galindez was just plain better than Conteh. And yes, he beats a washed up Foster. Prime Foster stomps a hole in Galindez.
