How GREAT was Wilfred Benitez.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

With all this CV19 stuff, I’ve been watching a lot of old fights and rewatching Benitez-Cervantes today it literally amazed me how a boy at 17 could show such maturity, discipline, technique etc against a fellow world class operator in Cervantes. An incredible win/performance.

I feel like Benitez gets a little lost in the shuffle as he was in the same era as fellow ATG’s like SRL, Duran, Hearns, Hagler but for me he was on a similar level to those guys. Wins over Cervantes, Palomino and Duran, and in his prime was only beaten by great fighters like Leonard and Hearns.

[Luilun]

He would beat Spence Porter Crawford and Pacquaio

[_Rexy_]

I've been saying "five kings" instead of four for years now. El Radar goes in that group.

[TonyGe]

Very good. Ray Leonard has high praise for him.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I've been saying "five kings" instead of four for years now. El Radar goes in that group.

Yeah five kings is pretty apt.

[Longhaul]

Look up the stories about him prior to the Leonard fight .He kept disappearing and not training which was the norm for him.They kept threatening him they would cancel the fight if he didn’t train .When he hit Vegas he was Mia again with Leonard’s sister.

[FinitoxDinamita]

Mt Rushmore great.. i agree with the Fab 5. It should be Fab 5 of the 80s.

Benitez’ offensive game is underrated as well.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Look up the stories about him prior to the Leonard fight .He kept disappearing and not training which was the norm for him.They kept threatening him they would cancel the fight if he didn’t train .When he hit Vegas he was Mia again with Leonard’s sister.

Yeah I’ve read that story, he was always having training issues, his Father and Emile Griffith were constantly having problems too. Crazy how SRL actually gave him and his sister his blessing. I doubt a guy like Duran would’ve been as understanding...😂

He was a very interesting character but unfortunately he never truly lived the life and his personal life and career began to decline simultaneously. Then in the mid to late 80’s he began to develop signs of CTE which have sadly crippled his health for years.

[aboutfkntime]

With all this CV19 stuff, I’ve been watching a lot of old fights and rewatching Benitez-Cervantes today it literally amazed me how a boy at 17 could show such maturity, discipline, technique etc against a fellow world class operator in Cervantes. An incredible win/performance.

I feel like Benitez gets a little lost in the shuffle as he was in the same era as fellow ATG’s like SRL, Duran, Hearns, Hagler but for me he was on a similar level to those guys. Wins over Cervantes, Palomino and Duran, and in his prime was only beaten by great fighters like Leonard and Hearns.

excellent post, Benitez did get lost in the wash because he fought alongside the 4 kings... he was a GREAT fighter

anyone who can beat Duran is special

I remember when he lost to Matthew Hilton

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

excellent post, Benitez did get lost in the wash because he fought alongside the 4 kings... he was a GREAT fighter

anyone who can beat Duran is special

I remember when he lost to Matthew Hilton

Yeah that Hilton fight was sad man, I just remember him being slumped on the ropes with almost a vacant look on his face. He should have never fought again after that.