Ray that beat Hagler faces prime Carlos instead. Monzon's fights were often close. Emile Griffin was able to frustrate him for long and even Joey Napoles did pretty well early. Leonard with his speed, smarts and round-stealing ability would definitely make it tricky and probably lead on points at midway, but would he have a chance to hang on to his lead?
Monzon wins. He presents Leonard with a lot more style issues than a faded Hagler did. Monzon was less susceptible to becoming frustrated than Hagler was, and his height/reach/awkwardness would be a problem for Ray. Leonard wins rounds because, well, he's Ray Leonard, but I think Monzon really takes control late and gives Leonard a beating down the stretch. I think Robinson at his best could beat Monzon, but Leonard is a bit too small.
I have serious doubts that the 87 Leonard could beat a prime Monzon. Maybe if the 81 Leonard put on some pounds and moved up to middle he could pull it off, but not the 87 version. Leonard got under Hagler's skin and made him emotional.' With Monzon? Well, you gotta have emotions to get emotional, and Monzon was a total sociopath. No emotion whatsoever. Leonard wouldn't throw him off. Also, not at all saying that Hagler wasn't a smart technician, but I'd rate Monzon's ring IQ higher than Marv's.
Yup. Monzon wouldn't play it clean like Hagler either. He had no issue roughing guys up and getting dirty when he had to. That fuckin bum Lalonde gave an older Leonard trouble with his height and range. I think Monzon could do a bit better.. Like I said, probably a different story with Robinson.... the Robinson of the St. Valentines Day Massacre. Robinson had the power to hurt Monzon, and Robinson was just a bigger/more heavily built guy than Leonard.
87 Leonard would try to win via stink against Monzon and it wouldn't work. Take the Leonard that fought Kalule, put a few pounds on him, and he has a shot. He'd still probably lose though
No I guess he didn't he was a hungry kid from poverty. Very much a mystery man still to this day as he did not grant interviews to American reporters - only Cosell because he had to. Two different levels at middleweight - Ray would have to fight and box for his life just to survive with the guy Monzon was unbeatable IMO I know the standard reply but no one ever did it and he went through some beasts
I think Griffith only really troubled Monzon in their 2nd fight, when Carlos had a lot of trouble making weight and was also returning to the ring after being shot 3 times by his wife. I thought Monzon largely dominated their 1st fight against a less old Griffith.
