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MONZON AND HAGLER ; Why Did They Never Move up ?
By Jim Amato
The middleweight division is second only to the heavyweights in
glamour
and prestige. "The Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey, Ketchel, Greb, Walker,
Zale,
Robinson, and Basilio have all graced this legendary division. Two
boxers who have been elevated to the mantle of greatness in this class
were Carlos Monzon and Marvin Hagler yet each boxer had failed
to do the one thing that may have cemented their ultimate link with
the Gods
of boxing. It also denied the fans of the two potentially exciting
battles.
Greb, Walker, Zale, Robinson, Basilio, Tiger and Griffith all stepped
out
of their natural weight classes to cross gloves with larger men for
and
glory. Greb had Tunney, Ketchel had Johnson, Walker had Sharkey and
Schmeling, Zale had Conn, Robinson had Maxim, Basilio moved up to
fight
Robnson and Gene Fullmer and Griffith also moved up from welterweight
to
meet Tiger and **** would eventually capture the light heavyweight
crown
from the great Jose Torres.
Why then did Monzon and Hagler elect not to challenge their
heavier contemporaries? A 1973 version of Bob Foster was not the kayo
machine of the late 60's. Instead of meeting Griffith, Briscoe and
Bouttier
in re-runs, why not challenge Foster? Carlos was more than willing to
entertain the challenge of the "smaller" Jose Napoles.
Michael Spinks wanted to fight Hagler. He even challenged Marvin in a
couple of boxing publications. Still Marvin found it easier and very
profitable to take on the likes of Duran, Hearns and Leonard. Remember
Foster and Spinks moved up in to the land of the heavyweights.
The three ex-welterweight kings provided Hagler with prime time
exposure
and mega-paydays. He probably would have fought Benitez too if Wilfred
would
have defeated Hamsho. It's too bad we weren't given the opportunity to
witness Foster-Monzon and Spinks-Hagler. To Hopkins credit he has
decided to move up and call out Antonio Tarver. Do I think he will win ?
No...but he will do what Monzon and Hagler failed to attempt.
Great fighters make great fights. Foster-Monzon and M.Spinks-Hagler
may have been classics. Too bad for us fans, we'll never know.
By Jim Amato
The middleweight division is second only to the heavyweights in
glamour
and prestige. "The Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey, Ketchel, Greb, Walker,
Zale,
Robinson, and Basilio have all graced this legendary division. Two
boxers who have been elevated to the mantle of greatness in this class
were Carlos Monzon and Marvin Hagler yet each boxer had failed
to do the one thing that may have cemented their ultimate link with
the Gods
of boxing. It also denied the fans of the two potentially exciting
battles.
Greb, Walker, Zale, Robinson, Basilio, Tiger and Griffith all stepped
out
of their natural weight classes to cross gloves with larger men for
and
glory. Greb had Tunney, Ketchel had Johnson, Walker had Sharkey and
Schmeling, Zale had Conn, Robinson had Maxim, Basilio moved up to
fight
Robnson and Gene Fullmer and Griffith also moved up from welterweight
to
meet Tiger and **** would eventually capture the light heavyweight
crown
from the great Jose Torres.
Why then did Monzon and Hagler elect not to challenge their
heavier contemporaries? A 1973 version of Bob Foster was not the kayo
machine of the late 60's. Instead of meeting Griffith, Briscoe and
Bouttier
in re-runs, why not challenge Foster? Carlos was more than willing to
entertain the challenge of the "smaller" Jose Napoles.
Michael Spinks wanted to fight Hagler. He even challenged Marvin in a
couple of boxing publications. Still Marvin found it easier and very
profitable to take on the likes of Duran, Hearns and Leonard. Remember
Foster and Spinks moved up in to the land of the heavyweights.
The three ex-welterweight kings provided Hagler with prime time
exposure
and mega-paydays. He probably would have fought Benitez too if Wilfred
would
have defeated Hamsho. It's too bad we weren't given the opportunity to
witness Foster-Monzon and Spinks-Hagler. To Hopkins credit he has
decided to move up and call out Antonio Tarver. Do I think he will win ?
No...but he will do what Monzon and Hagler failed to attempt.
Great fighters make great fights. Foster-Monzon and M.Spinks-Hagler
may have been classics. Too bad for us fans, we'll never know.
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