Wildredo Benitez, how good was he?

benitez was a lot better than cotto. come on now. cotto is easier to appreciate because he actually trained like he cared but benitez in his prime was better in almost all areas of boxing. cotto does not beat palomino or cervantes.

Compares to Zab Judah? Eric Morales? Somewhere in between? Morales was light years better than Judah ever was. Benitez was B to B+ level for back then. Yes he beat Duran, but Duran at 154 wasn't the same Duran. Duran was at his best at 135-140 --- with 147 being his summit. The guy started at 118 namsayin? It's like Mosley at 154, that was never his weight.

I think so. He was truly a natural and special talent. One of the best defensive fighters ever. Thanks for the input. Sounds like he had a few highlights, was very good in his time, but then lost to some guys as he went up in competition.

He was a very special fighter but didn't take his career seriously enough to achieve his true potential. Just look at how badly he schooled Duran, he could've achieved a lot more than he did, even in that era. Very talented, great defense.

Fair enough. IS he a top 100 all time fighter? I think so. He was truly a natural and special talent. One of the best defensive fighters ever.

you think cotto is comparable to benitez in any way??? he has 3 wins that crush cottos best win. cottos best win is what 36 year old mosley??? or crippled 39 year old martinez??? dont talk crazy! when they say they dont make um like they used to, its true. If compared side by side Benitez in him prime was much more impressive but he lacked the longevity of Cotto. I do think it's a fair comparison to say if it wasn't for Hearns and Leonard, Benitez would have been the top Welterweight in the world. I think the same can be said about Cotto who would have been the best Welterweight if it wasn't for Mayweather and Manny. But at the same time, Cotto lost to smaller guys while Radar lost to bigger guys. Maybe Mosley would be a better comparison in terms of where he would rank on a fighters resume. Kinda of that higher 2nd-tier but not quite a 1st Tier. Because although he was just as good as Mayweather and Manny who will never rank above them in history nor carry the same weight.

I think the comparison to Miguel Cotto would be a very good comparison in terms of where he ranks in history. A great fighter who fought in an era of special fighters. And another ATG Puerto Rican fighter as well. Usually, ranks around #4 behind Tito, Gomez, and Carlos Ortiz. Although I have seen some rank him behind Camacho and Rosario. I wouldn't compare Judah to him in terms of wins. He's far more respected in the sport than Judah is and ever will be. He would most likely rank a "Top 5" win on any fighters resume in almost any era. you think cotto is comparable to benitez in any way??? he has 3 wins that crush cottos best win. cottos best win is what 36 year old mosley??? or crippled 39 year old martinez??? dont talk crazy! when they say they dont make um like they used to, its true.

I think the comparison to Miguel Cotto would be a very good comparison in terms of where he ranks in history. A great fighter who fought in an era of special fighters. And another ATG Puerto Rican fighter as well. Usually, ranks around #4 behind Tito, Gomez, and Carlos Ortiz. Although I have seen some rank him behind Camacho and Rosario. I wouldn't compare Judah to him in terms of wins. He's far more respected in the sport than Judah is and ever will be. He would most likely rank a "Top 5" win on any fighters resume in almost any era. Fair enough. IS he a top 100 all time fighter?

He beat Colombia's greatest fighter, Antonio Cervantes at 140 when he was still good, (Aaron Pryor beat a past prime Cervantes). Defeated the great Carlos Palomino at 147. ATG chess match vs Leonard, a match where Benitez didn't even bother training for. KO'ed the 154 champ Maurice Hope. Went the distant with Tommy Hearns at Hearn's best weight class, 154.

Thanks. Any modern fighter his career compares to as far as level of achievement? How good of a win was Benitez if you beat him? I think the comparison to Miguel Cotto would be a very good comparison in terms of where he ranks in history. A great fighter who fought in an era of special fighters. And another ATG Puerto Rican fighter as well. Usually, ranks around #4 behind Tito, Gomez, and Carlos Ortiz. Although I have seen some rank him behind Camacho and Rosario. I wouldn't compare Judah to him in terms of wins. He's far more respected in the sport than Judah is and ever will be. He would most likely rank a "Top 5" win on any fighters resume in almost any era.

well lets see at 140 he beat a guy named antonio cervantes. how good was he? lets see what he did before and after benitez beat him... http://oi63.tinypic.com/okdgeq.jpg lets see at 147 he beat a guy names carlos baldomir oh wait carlos palomino. lets see what he did... http://oi65.tinypic.com/b7c0lw.jpg lets see at 154 he beat #1 ranked maurice hope and then beat all time great roberto duran. hmmm i think the modern fighter he compares most to is adrien broner! :smashfrea:smashfrea

Compares to Zab Judah? Eric Morales? Somewhere in between?

He was an absolute bum...he has losses on his record...duh

A naturally good fighter who I suspected did lots of drugs which led to a quick demise. His offense was good but it was really his reflexes that set him apart from other fighters in my opinion. Winning the world title at 17 was pretty special and he most likely will remain the youngest champion in boxing history. And to do it against a future Hall of Fame fighter was unheard of. He also gave Hearns a tough fight as well and he beat Duran. Thanks. Any modern fighter his career compares to as far as level of achievement? How good of a win was Benitez if you beat him?

So I remember Benitez barely from when I was a kid, I know he was a world champion as a teenager, but how good was he really? I have noticed so many people claiming that a win over him was a big deal, but was it? He had a bunch of bums fed to him, then he lost to Leonard. His lone big win to me was against Duran, then Hearns beat him and he lost to a bunch of average fighters after that? Educate me. How great/not great was Benitiez? What were his big wins? What modern fighter does he compare to? A naturally good fighter who I suspected did lots of drugs which led to a quick demise. His offense was good but it was really his reflexes that set him apart from other fighters in my opinion. Winning the world title at 17 was pretty special and he most likely will remain the youngest champion in boxing history. And to do it against a future Hall of Fame fighter was unheard of. He also gave Hearns a tough fight as well and he beat Duran.