Mythical Matchups Challenge Series: Top Welterweights of the Late 70’s and 80’s Vs Top Welterweights of the 21st Century
By Dave “Mythical” Siderski
The Welterweight division of the late 1970’s and 1980’s was perhaps the most talented in boxing of that era. It featured legendary hall of fame fighters such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Wilfred Benitez and Pipino Cuevas, along with strong champions such as Donald Curry, Simon Brown, and Marlon Starling. The Welterweight division of the 21st century has also been a hotbed of talent. It’s featured the two signature fighters of this era: Floyd Mayweather, JR and Manny Pacquiao, future hall of famers Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, and Oscar De La Hoya, along with exciting champions such as Paul Williams and Antonio Margarito.
So which generation of Welterweights was better? We’ll pit the 10 best Welterweights from each respective era in head to head mythical matchups to determine the answer. All bouts are scheduled for 12 rounds consistent with current boxing rules.
Let’s Settle This in the Ring…
10. Milton McCrory vs Zab Judah
Zab Judah will go down in boxing history as a better fighter than Milton McCrory. The question is was he the better Welterweight. Judah has faced a literal who’s/who of outstanding fighters over the past 15 years. However, he’s lost many more significant fights at 147 than he’s won. McCrory was far from an all-time great but he was a good fighter with a respectable championship reign. In the end, I believe McCrory’s size would be a bit too much for Judah, who essentially is a natural 140 pounder. McCrory punishes him at long range for the entire fight while Judah looks for a way in the entire night, never finding it. Milton’s chin wasn’t the greatest so it’s always possible Judah catches him. That said, I believe the most likely scenario is McCrory winning by a comfortable decision.
McCrory wins by 12 round unanimous decision
9. Marlon Starling vs Timothy Bradley
Marlon Starling was an excellent Welterweight who falls just short of greatness. However, he did hold victories over men such as Simon Brown, Mark Breland and Lloyd Honeyghan. Starling also gave Donald Curry two very difficult fights. Timothy Bradley is one of the top 10 pound for pound boxers in the world today. He’s won titles at both 140 and 147 and holds victories over men such as Devon Alexander and Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as engaging in two competitive battles with Manny Pacquiao.
These are two fine fighters with the biggest difference here again being Starling was a natural Welterweight while Bradley is not. Starling was not known for his power but was a harder puncher than Bradley. He was also the superior defensive fighter. This would be a dull affair with Starling landing the more accurate and powerful shots over the 12 round distance. Neither man would experience serious trouble. In the end, Starling wins 9 of the 12 rounds and prevails by a convincing decision.
Starling wins by 12 round unanimous decision
8. Simon Brown vs Paul Williams
This is a tough one to call. Brown was a solid champion with decent boxing skills and dangerous punching power as men such as Maurice Blocker and Terry Norris can attest to. Williams was also dangerous and one of the most avoided fighters in recent boxing history. The “Punisher” was there to be hit so a Brown knockout is certainly possible. That said, I envision Williams outworking and outpointing Brown over the course of a close fight. The Sergio Martinez knockout loss aside, the “Punisher” was very durable, possessing a solid chin and good stamina. Brown was also durable as a Welterweight so the fight probably goes the distance. In the end, Williams wins a competitive contest by majority decision.
Williams wins by 12 round majority decision
7. Wilfred Benitez vs Vernon Forrest
It’s actually tempting to pick the upset in this matchup. Benitez was actually at his best against guys who came forward against him and didn’t fare quite well against guys who could box with him such as Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns. Forrest would enjoy a significant height and reach advantage and oncould envision him giving Benitez problems with his jab and right hand. However, Forrest was not Sugar Ray Leonard or Thomas Hearns. At the end of the day, Benitez was just too skilled to lose this matchup. Forrest swings and misses the entire night confounded by Benitez’ defensive wizardry. Conversely, Wilfred accomplishes just enough offensively to give him the edge on the scorecards. Benitez wins by a close majority decision.
Benitez wins by 12 round majority decision
6. Carlos Palomino vs Antonio Margarito. This is an intriguing matchup and would almost certainly be a great fight. Margarito was a rugged fighter with excellent power and a strong chin. Palomino tended to be a slow starter so I would envision Margarito outworking him over the first half of the fight and building a solid lead on points. Carlos would face some harrowing moments during that time.
While Margarito would be throwing more, he’d also be missing more which would eventually take its toll in a war of attrition. Palomino begins to find the range over the second half of the fight, tagging Margarito repeatedly with left hooks to the body and head. In the end, Palomino was just more skilled than Margarito. Trailing on points, he’d close the show with a barrage of punches in the 12th round prompting the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Palomino wins by 12th round TKO
5. Donald Curry vs Miguel Cotto
I’d love to pick the Cobra here. Donald Curry was a tremendously skilled fighter with outstanding speed, boxing skills and strong punching power. In his prime, he was considered by some experts to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world, at a time when the likes of Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns were active.
However, the “Cobra” possessed one fatal flaw, a suspect chin. He was floored by non-descript Jun-Suk Hwang, then eventually stopped by Lloyd Honeyghan and Mike McCallum. Cotto may have been technically outmatched in this one but he does possess the power to hurt Curry. Curry builds a huge points lead over the first 10 rounds in this one. However, Cotto’s steady pressure and body work eventually pay off. In the 11th he sends Curry to the canvas with a left hook and pummels him along the ropes until the referee steps in and stops the fight.
Cotto wins by 11th round TKO
4. Pipino Cuevas vs Manny Pacquiao
This is yet another fascinating matchup. Cuevas was a devastating puncher and would be the much bigger and stronger man against Pacquiao. If he really tagged Manny, watch out! I just don’t believe he’d get that chance.
As dangerous as Cuevas was, I believe Pacquiao would be too far too skilled for him. He’d keep Cuevas off balance with angles and clever footwork and nail him with clean punches while effectively moving in and out. The slower Cuevas simply wouldn’t be able to cope with Manny’s speed. Pipino spends the entire night looking for the big punch that never comes. The pre-Thomas Hearns version of Cuevas had a solid chin so I believe he’d last the distance. But Manny wins at least 9 out of 12 rounds and earns a convincing decision victory.
Pacquiao wins by 12 round unanimous decision
#3. Roberto Duran vs Oscar De La Hoya
Now here’s one that isn’t so tough to call. De La Hoya was an excellent boxer with a good left jab and excellent power. He deserves recognition as all-time great. That said, Oscar never faced anyone quite like Roberto Duran. The Duran who defeated Sugar Ray Leonard in June 1980 was one of the greatest fighters who ever lived. Sorry to Oscar’s fans but he would have no chance against that version of Duran.
Oscar might win one or two rounds but that would be it. Duran would shake off his best shots, work his way inside and punish him over 12 long and painful rounds. De La Hoya would spend most of the night on the defensive with his back to the ropes. He’d be in trouble on numerous occasions. That said, Duran didn’t have the pure punching power at 147 that he did at 135 so the fight likely lasts the distance. Roberto Duran wins by a lopsided decision.
Duran wins by 12 round unanimous decision
#2. Thomas Hearns vs Shane Mosley. Shane Mosley was a terrific fighter and a future hall of famer. Mayweather and Pacquiao were both very lucky they caught Sugar Shane when he was past his prime. Shane would have the proverbial puncher’s chance in this one. Hearns was vulnerable to the right hand and Mosley had a good one.
Overall, though this would be a bad matchup for Sugar Shane. If the rangy Vernon Forrest could hurt and outpoint him what would Hearns do against him? Mosley would face the same problem that Sugar Ray Leonard and so many others did against The Hitman. In order to get into punching range, he’d need to expose himself to Tommy’s power shots. Unlike Sugar Ray, Sugar Shane would not have the formula to defeat a prime Hearns. Mosley would demonstrate the necessary courage but the Hitman would carve him up with his jab and right hand. Sugar Shane had an excellent chin but would not be able to survive Tommy’s crushing power. Hearns wins by stoppage in the 8th round.
Hearns wins by 8th round TKO
#1. Sugar Ray Leonard vs Floyd Mayweather, JR
I’ve addressed this matchup before and my opinion has not changed. I strongly disagree with those who think this would be a close fight. It would not be. Mayweather might give Leonard some problems early as Sugar Ray tries to figure out a way to penetrate his outstanding defense.
However, Leonard was at least as fast and skilled as Mayweather and much more powerful. After a few rounds, Sugar Ray realizes Floyd doesn’t have the power to hurt him and dominates the rest of the fight. Leonard’s jab would be a major factor in the fight and his body punching would wear Mayweather down. As tempted as I am to pick SRL by a late round stoppage, Mayweather’s defense and safety first style probably allows him to survive. That said, Leonard wins 9 of 12 rounds cleanly and captures a convincing unanimous decision.
Leonard wins by 12 round unanimous decision
Overall, the advantage goes to the Welterweights of the late 70’s and 80’s who win 7 of the 10 matchups. It’s hard to pick against the likes of Leonard, Hearns, Duran, Benitez, etc. Among the differences between that group and the current one is the majority of top Welterweights from the late 70’s and 80’s were natural Welterweights. Conversely, the majority of top Welterweights from this era moved up in weight and were not necessarily true Welterweights. As the old adage goes, a good big man usually beats a good little man. Sorry Floyd. Your team loses this one. Better luck next time.
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