Rewatched Monzon-Griffith 1 today, as I do from time-to-time. Overall, easily the best performance of Monzon's career; this fight is him as his true peak. A few observations from this fight: 1. Monzon was more athletic than given credit for. While he hardly had the athleticism of a Jones, Leonard, or Robinson, I feel like there's a misconception that he was slow and ponderous. Watching this fight, notice how quickly he always turns Griffith and constantly keeps him off balance. Also notice how rapidly he's able to pull back from punches and evade Griffith's attack. The peak Monzon was fairly fluid and athletic. 2. I would say that he was best of all time at controlling distance. I can't think of another fighter in history who controlled the distance and overall pace of the fight better than Monzon. The ultimate ring general and master of being at the right distance where he could hit his opponent and not get nailed in return. 3. He was one of the top 5-10 greatest counterpunchers of all time. Enjoy this masterclass. I always do: (76) Carlos Monzon vs. Emile Griffith I.World MWC.1971.09.25 - YouTube
Monzon came from the Sean Connery school of: "If you give her the last word and it's still good enough... I think it's absolutely right."
Back to a serious note, Monzon vs Hagler will always be one of the true 50-50 MMs. For the record, Monzon himself was high on Hagler and said Marvin would have been a tough fight for him. I think both of them would have whupped Hopkins.
Jim Brown almost became the Carlos Monzon of football (or Monzon the Jim Brown of boxing), but luckily for him, the woman he tossed from a balcony survived. And luckily for us, we got to see his masterclasses in The Running Man and I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.
