Two of the more underrated Latino greats in history. They rarely get the same mention as the Duran's, Arguello's, and Chavez's, yet these two guys were good enough to hang with any of those guys. Who wins between them? I'd favor Cervantes in a close one.
Cervantes was bigger and hit harder. Wasn't Ortiz a light-weight, whereas Cervantes was a junior welter-weight? And Laguna's lenghty arms gave Ortiz problems. My guess is Cervantes' would as well.
Ortiz was a lightweight, but watching his fights he looked like a pretty big lightweight to me. I think he coulda carried 140 just fine. I also believe he beat Niccolino Loche, or I think it was a draw, not sure. But yes, Cervantes was the bigger man. And Cervantes was tall, and rangy too. Like 5'10". I rate Cervantes as the 3rd greatest jnr welter in history behind Pryor, and Chavez. I rank Tszyu 4th. Loche at 5.
Good point, cant believe I forgot my boy El Radar! I think Will on the night he beat Cervantes deserves 2nd place behind Pryor. El Radar at his best would have outboxed Chavez IMO. So I rank em like this: 1. Pryor 2. Benitez 3. Chavez 4. Cervantes 5. Tszyu/Locche I think Tszyu-Locche woulda been a picked em. And thats not a knock on Tszyu(Tam!) its just that Locche was a terrific fighter. In fact I think the Locche that beat Fuji would have outpointed Tszyu.
He beat Pambele by split decision in his hometown of San Juan, I have the fight and Wilfredo won, but didn't dominate, IMO. I like Cervantes to beat Ortiz by decision.
