Wilfred Benítez

PR had some good boxers back then but my favorite of those five was Hagler.

because cocaine Actually ironically (one of the most elusive) because of the punishment he took in the ring he now has brain damage, one of the worse cases for a boxer.

because cocaine

He was an original member of the Fab Four. Hagler kind of took his place, but it should still be a Fab Five. Good stuff. Fab 5 would be more fitting and a true recognition of an ATG like Benítez. It's tragic how rapidly he declined, and worse yet the physical state he's in today as a result of that.

He was an original member of the Fab Four. Hagler kind of took his place, but it should still be a Fab Five.

Benitez was one of the most talented fighters of his era... Had he been more disciplined & managed more carefully we'd be talking about him in the same breath as the big 3... True. Benitez had the potential to be an ATG.

Im thinking cuz he beat duran... it messed up the "fab 4 fight" with hearns cuz hearns fought the winner of that fight... also he declined pretty quickly while duran actually beat iran barkley in that same time frame. If anything beating Duran would have meant a stronger connection to their legacy since he also fought Hearns after that fight. I used to have a SRL career set and have seen Benitez lose his title, but it was a good fight and close if memory serves. Anybody fights a young Leonard close has got to be scary. Wasn't he a very young champion with kind of a natural, reflex-based defense? Maybe a little like Sweet Pea, but before Sweet Pea, but with heavy hands? Nice topic. Where are the history section guys to take us to school? Champ at 140 at 17, dude was still in High School :lol1: He was a 3 division champ by 22. One of the most elusive fighters of all-time which led to being known as "Radar".

Benitez was one of the most talented fighters of his era... Had he been more disciplined & managed more carefully we'd be talking about him in the same breath as the big 3...

I heard he hated to train.

I hear he won his first world title at 17 is that true?

Why is his name rarely mentioned when discussing the Fab 4? I realize he didn't fight Hagler, but is that the only reason? Or the fact he declined so quickly? He fought the other 3 members going 1-2 against them. He lost to both Hearns and Leonard in very competitive fights and clearly beat Duran. Although his win against Duran was at Jr. Middleweight he was still a damn good fighter, and he beat Duran before Hearns and Hagler did. I used to have a SRL career set and have seen Benitez lose his title, but it was a good fight and close if memory serves. Anybody fights a young Leonard close has got to be scary. Wasn't he a very young champion with kind of a natural, reflex-based defense? Maybe a little like Sweet Pea, but before Sweet Pea, but with heavy hands? Nice topic. Where are the history section guys to take us to school?

Im thinking cuz he beat duran... it messed up the "fab 4 fight" with hearns cuz hearns fought the winner of that fight... also he declined pretty quickly while duran actually beat iran barkley in that same time frame.

Benitez was a child prodigy in that ring. Skills so seasoned and natural at such a young age.