Wilfred Benítez

**PeasantCrusha** · 02-26-2015, 03:30 PM

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

**bigjavi973** · 02-26-2015, 03:40 PM

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.

**lefthook2daliva** · 02-26-2015, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by Dinamita 03

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?

**Juof** · 02-26-2015, 04:00 PM

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

**VG_Addict** · 02-26-2015, 04:01 PM

I heard he hated to train.

**Pugilist95** · 02-26-2015, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by Juof

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

Yep, double world champion at age 20 as well.

**f15bone** · 02-26-2015, 04:05 PM

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...

**Dinamita 03** · 02-26-2015, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by bigjavi973

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.

Originally posted by lefthook2daliva

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

He was a 3 division champ by 22. One of the most elusive fighters of all-time which led to being known as "Radar".

**lopez12** · 02-27-2015, 08:11 AM

Originally posted by f15bone

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.

Wilfred Benítez