How would the champions of today fare against the top fighters of twenty years ago? (Part Two-Light-Middleweight to Light Welterweight)

By Boxing News - 10/15/2009 - Comments

jackson5443By Steven Pink: So we have examined how the fighters rated number one in October 1989 from Heavyweight down to Middleweight might have fared against their modern day counterparts. The list has provoked debate and disagreement in equal measure but now it is time to cast our net a little wider and take in Light-Middleweight to Light-Welterweight.

Light-Middleweight

In October 1989 one man reigned supreme at Light-Middleweight, WBA champion Julian Jackson. With a 37-1 (35) record Jackson was making a name for himself as one of the hardest hitting fighters in the sport. In his previous defence, a stunning second round stoppage over the highly touted Terry Norris (a man who was to eventually embark upon a stellar title run of his own), we had been treated to what would become a Jackson staple over the years: brutal one punch knockout power. Jackson, was a threat to anyone he could catch cleanly, though interestingly he was somewhat vulnerable himself as his second round defeat at the hands of the more experienced Mike McCallum in 1986 attests. Jackson could take a man out with either hand and his stoppages were of the highlight reel variety, with the powerful champion often to be seen celebrating victory as his stunned opponents were collapsing to the mat.

Facing him, as the number one 154 pounder of 2009 would be, either the stylish and slick Puerto Rican Daniel Santos, 32-3-1 (23), or the tall and powerful Paul Williams. Santos, a well-schooled and technically sound operator would attempt to outbox the powerful Virgin Islander. Santos, at 34, is experienced and possesses enough guile to cause Jackson problems, while piling up the points. However, it is hard to see the wily Puerto Rican managing to avoid being tagged for the whole 12 rounds, especially considering his recent inactivity. Santos can be hurt and discouraged, though only Kofi Jantuah in 1999 has managed to stop him. Santos, while more of a boxer than a puncher has racked up 23 stoppage wins and his power would have to be respected. I can envisage him having success early, mixing movement and adroit defensive boxing to build up a points lead. Unfortunately he is facing a fighter who delighted in making a mockery of the scorecards. If Herol Graham and Norris could not keep Jackson off them for more than a few rounds it is inconceivable that Santos would succeed where they failed. Unless Jackson’s suspect punch resistance found him out I feel sure one screaming left hook or right hand would bring Santos’ house crumbling down around his head by no later than the middle rounds.

Williams, 37-1 (27) would no doubt prove to be a much tougher opponent. Incredibly tall for the weight the 28 year old would offer Jackson a number of potential problems. At 6’2’’ and a southpaw Williams might prove something of a stylistic nightmare for the smaller champion. Mixing smart moving with eye-catching flurries Williams would be able to win rounds, while keeping Jackson fully occupied. Paul has shown plenty of power of his own (as Carlos Quintana would no doubt attest) and is more than capable of hurting Jackson. With a punch output that would shame almost everyone in boxing (remember Paul outworked the redoubtable Antonio Margarito over the final few rounds of their 2007 contest) Williams would make Jackson work for three minutes of every round. The 1989 version of Jackson though mixed up his attacks and kept busy, as he matured and his run of consecutive knockouts grew ever larger, he tended to load up on shots and fire less frequently. This fight has the potential to be a classic, with the smarter boxing Williams favourite if the fight went the distance. As ever the potential leveller is Jackson’s crushing power. Paul’s chin (sure to be tested in his upcoming bout against Middleweight king Kelley Pavlik) has proved solid so far, though against Julian no chin can be truly deemed invulnerable. In a fight of swings, ebbs and peaks I can see Williams sneaking a thriller on points. Though “The Hawk’s” legion of fans will no doubt protest long into the night. Fairness dictates that I point out that the fight could just as easily be over in a couple of rounds with Jackson, voted the eight best puncher of all time by Ring Magazine, demolishing Williams with a few well placed power shots.

Welterweight

At welterweight the controversy really begins. Despite the endless bickering and countless assertions of rival fans one thing is sure: we are lucky to be around in an era that has thrown up such stellar talents as Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley. That all four inhabit the Welterweight division offers up a mouth-watering plethora of potential fights for the viewing public. So whom do we pick to represent 2009? Mayweather, the most technically adroit of the bunch has fought only once in two years. Mosley is 37 years old and despite his career best victory over Margarito has already lost to Cotto, who himself lost to Margarito (though in somewhat suspicious circumstances). Add to this the fact that Pacquaio has never fought a world-class practitioner at 147 pounds (thus making it fairest to assess his chances at 140 pounds) and we have the start of a huge argument.

So after a great deal of reflection it seems best to assess the chances of Mayweather and Cotto (the consensus picks as the two top men in the division) against the best 1989 has to offer. But even here we are faced with problems. The top three Welterweights in 1989 were Simon Brown, Mark Breland and Marlon Starling. Starling (as of October 1989) had defeated both of his arch rivals, outpointing an up and coming Brown, while shocking the highly touted 1984 Olympic Champion Breland in scoring an eleventh round stoppage. Yet Marlon, for all his defensive skills, iron chin and in-ring guile was never taken to the heart of the boxing community. His defensive style led often led to dull fights and he steadfastly avoided giving the streaking Brown the rematch he craved. After exciting demolitions of Tyrone Trice, Jorge Vaca, Bobby Joe Young and Jorge Maysonet I think Brown had just about earned the number one spot at 147 pounds. This is especially true when one considers Starling’s recent, more pedestrian win over Fujio Ozaki, the draw in the rematch against Breland and his crushing knockout loss to Colombia’s unheralded Tomas Molinares. His punch perfect demolition of Lloyd Honeyghan in February 1989 certainly raised eyebrows, although it must be said the Britain performed like a shadow of the man who had defeated Donald Curry a few years previously.

In October 1989 Brown was carving out a name for himself as one of boxing’s toughest and most exciting young champions. Possessing a great chin, hurtful left hook and solid fundamentals he would have given any of the present day champions a serious tussle. Against Cotto fans would have been treated to an all out war. Both fighters liked to trade and both possessed devastating left hands. However, in terms of overall adaptability and guile I feel Cotto has the edge. Miguel showed in tight battles with both Mosley and Joshua Clottey that he could think his way out of problems in the ring. The Puerto Rican can box with poise and fluidity when necessity dictates and I feel that his more polished all round game would have seen him take a close and exciting points verdict. Though Brown would have been in there punching until the very end.

Brown versus Mayweather would have been a different fight entirely. While Floyd may have lacked the power to hurt the seemingly iron-chinned Jamaican, he certainly possesses the skill and quickness to befuddle and outpoint him. Using much the same template established by the slick “Buddy” McGirt, who annexed Brown’s IBF title in 1991, I feel the current Pound-for Pound contender would have given the more direct and plodding Brown something of a boxing lesson. While the fight would have been almost certain to last the full 12 rounds Brown would never be able to exert enough concerted pressure to wear down the fleet footed Mayweather. My pick is Floyd by lop-sided 12 round decision.

Light-Welterweight

Once again rating the top man at 140 pounds in October 1989 has proved problematic. Both Julio Cesar Chavez and Meldrick Taylor were among boxing’s finest fighters in 1989. Taylor was 22-0-1 in October 1989 and owned the fastest hands in boxing. The twenty-two year old was something truly special. His blazing hand speed was allied to a whirlwind style, which mixed sensational flurrying with superb boxing skills and ring movement. His title winning effort against James McGirt, in 1988, was nothing short of sensational. At the time of this mooted match up he had made two defences of his title and looked set for a lengthy reign. His soon to be archrival, the WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez, had only recently secured his title. Having stopped old foe Roger Mayweather in 10 rounds. Chavez, the owner of boxing’s most glittering record (66-0 in October 1989) was the consummate ring predator. Heavy handed, implacable and seemingly impervious to punishment, Chavez had shrugged of the biggest right hands of Mayweather, Edwin Rosario, Jose Luis Ramirez and Rocky Lockeridge in winning titles at both Super-Featherweight and Lightweight. Either of these men would have guaranteed a super fight against current Pound for Pound leader Manny Pacquiao, 49-3-2 (37).

Taylor versus Pacquaio would have been a great match up, featuring numerous lightning exchanges and swings of momentum. Both take a great shot, although Pacquiao is clearly the harder one punch banger. In terms of speed Taylor could stand alongside any fighter in recent memory and even the quicksilver Pacquaio might have been shocked at the punch output of the 1984 Olympic Champion. Taylor did tend to fade on occasion down the stretch and he could allow his Philadelphian warrior instinct to take over and lure him into a slugfest. I am sure that if Taylor could box for 12 rounds and minimise potentially dangerous exchanges then he could box his way to a clear points verdict. However, against a foe certain to be in his face throughout the fight I am not sure he could remain cautiously circumspect at all times. Manny possesses the power to hurt Taylor and at some point I believe he just might have managed to land the one telling shot to turn the fight his way. Whatever the outcome this is one fight any true boxing aficionado would happily pay to watch.

For me the battle between Chavez (arguably the top fighter along with Aaron Pryor) in the history of the division,) and Pacquaio would have been the best of all the hypothetical matches we have analysed so far. Both fighters look certain to go down as two of their respective era’s greatest champions. Chavez would have looked to cut down the ring on the Filipino dervish and punish him to the body. The fact he managed (eventually) to do this to the even more fleet footed Taylor in their 1990 mega-fight suggests he would have been able to pin down Pacquiao. Chavez could take a whale of a blow, though the punch that demolished Rick Hatton earlier this year would have tested even his legendary punch resistance. Chavez was often under appreciated defensively, even though he was highly skilled when it came to riding and slipping punches on the way in. Pacquiao’s speed and punch variety would certainly have caused the Mexican problems though. His in and out style, though not a close approximation of Taylor’s, would have bemused Chavez and piled up points. However, although Chavez could be outfoxed he could not be discouraged. At 27 years of age Chavez would probably have been fresher than the 30-year-old Pacquaio. His three-division dominance and the crushing nature of many of his wins had certainly seen him engage in fewer all out wars than Manny.

When forced into action Pacquiao has a tendency to revert to his all action, hit and be hit style. It is not inconceivable that if Juan Manuel Marquez could force him into numerous torrid exchanges then Chavez would have been able to replicate the feat. Both men are insanely game, with huge reserves of courage and stamina and it just might have come down to conditioning and will. Chavez’s left hook to the body, one of the sport’s most aesthetically pleasing shots, would have been deployed to devastating effect, although the Mexican would no doubt have had to eat a number of big left hands as he forced his way inside. In a war I see Chavez coming out on top. I do not think it is fair to reflect too closely on the two stoppage losses suffered by Pacquiao earlier in his career (interesting both due to body punches). He has improved almost immeasurable since then. Pacquiao has shown he can take a heavy shot and his punch resistance, like his movement and defence appears to have improved as he has aged. Unlike many of the other match ups we have examined so far this one appears to feature two supremely talented champions at, or close to their primes. Could Pacquaio have defeated the man Ring Magazine rates as the 18th best fighter of the last 80 years? My gut feeling is that he could not, although it would be a thrill a minute ride watching him try.



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