David Martinez Boxing

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

How do they keep turning out such great fighters ? Jose Torres, Wilfredo
Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, Felix Trinidad and now Miguel Cotto. Puerto Rico has
put their stamp on the fistic map!

In the forty five years I’ve followed the great sport of boxing I’ve seen two
lightweights that were not only Puerto Rican standouts but in my opinion
among the greatest lightweights of all time.

I am speaking of former champions Carlos Ortiz and the late Esteban
DeJesus. Who would have won if these two fine fighting machines had met in
their primes ?

Carlos Ortiz dominated the lightweight division in the mid and late 60’s.
He was extremely strong and powerful for his weight. He was also more clever
then ever given credit for. He was a solid puncher with a sturdy chin.
Only the vastly talented Ismael Laguna was able to give Carlos problems
at his peak.

Then you have Esteban DeJesus. If there was ever a fighter who fought at
the wrong time it was Esteban. If only Roberto Duran had not been around…
DeJesus beat Duran in their first bout, a non-title affair. Roberto then
came back to twice halt Esteban in championship encounters. In between all
that Esteban won the W.B.C. version of the title by whipping Guts Suzuki.
This is not a feat that should taken lightly. Suzuki had held his own with
Laguna and Duran. He twice kayoed the respected Rodolfo Gonzalez. He won
against tough Tury ” The Fury ” Pineda and defeated future Hall Of Famer Ken
Buchanan.
Read more…

Joe Frazier and legendary trainer Eddie Futch

< photo courtesy Eva Futch >

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

What happens when the unstoppable force meets the unmovable object? Let me rephrase that. What would have happened if Joe Frazier and Ron Lyle would have hooked up in the mid-1970′s?

It is too bad this fight was never made. It was discussed on occasion, but to the best of my knowledge no serious talks ever took place. What a shame. This would have been a thrill-a-minute battle for the fans. Each boxer had the tools and the style to offset the other’s skills.

Let’s start with Ron Lyle. George Foreman showed everyone that a big, strong heavyweight with a decent jab and a solid uppercut could keep Joe from getting inside, while also punishing him at long range. Frazier was game to the core, but Big George showed that Joe could be hurt. Lyle was no Willie Pep on his feet, but he had decent mobility for a man his size. He had a fairly quick jab with some pop to it. He threw a strong right hand but he needed room for it to gather steam. His best weapons on the inside if Frazier did get past his jab were a short left hook and a scorching uppercut. Also Ron was more then willing to stand in the trenches and swap body shots. He would have been quite a handful for Joe.

What would Frazier have to do to counter Ron’s strategy? First and foremost he would just have to be Joe Frazier at his bobbing and weaving best. At times Lyle had a tendency to paw with his jab. This would have been a crucial mistake against the relentless Frazier. Joe was very adept at timing a jab and then either slipping under it or slipping to the side of it. The end result would be the same. Joe would now have his head on the opponent’s chest and he would pummel the stomach, ribs and kidneys with savage purpose.
Read more…

Julio Cesar Chavez

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

DREAM FIGHTS … you hear and read about them all the time. How
would Ali have done against Dempsey, Louis or Marciano? How would Roy Jones Jr. have fared against Bobby Foster? Could Bernard Hopkins hold his own with Marvelous Marvin Hagler?

Interesting scenarios and I’m sure we all have our opinions. We as
fans are entitled to these opinions. My how they differ. We will never know if Sugar Ray Robinson could have beat Sugar Ray Leonard or if Willie Pep could have outslicked Salvador Sanchez but damn it sure is fun to argue about it. With that said I’d like to venture into who would have won if Alexis Arguello and Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez would have met at 130 or 135 pounds?
Read more…

Ray Mancini
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

NOTE: this is article #8 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and were featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

Author’s Note:
Since this article was first published in th June 1997 issue of BOXING WORLD magazine, Harry and Ray have put any animosity behind them.

“Why We Missed The Battle Of Youngstown”

By Jim Amato

Let us make believe that it is 1984 again and the management of Ray Mancini decided NOT to defend his W.B.A. lightweight title against Livingstone Bramble. Instead they opt to unify at least part of the championship against cross town rival Harry Arroyo, the I.B.F. title holder. The bout would be held in their home town of Youngstown, Ohio and be televised live nationally. The whole city of Youngstown and its surrounding areas are buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The TV executives predict a bonanza rating since both boxers are proven crowd pleasers. In the days preceding the FIGHT, there is electricity in the air. The city is divided in its loyalty. Mancini seems to be the fan’s favorite, but Arroyo has a faithful contingent too. The fight has been a sell out for weeks and the local betting has been heavy. This is a bookmaker’s dream and Mancini’s going off as an 8 to 5 favorite with decent action on the Arroyo short end. Mancini, short, muscular and aggressive with his bread and butter left hook -VS- Arroyo, tall and lean with a stiff jab and a stiffer right cross. What a match up! Alas this possible scenario never took place. Why? Who is at fault, if anyone? Did one boxer avoid the other as has been hinted ? Did Ray or his management plan on a payday against Arroyo after a victory over Bramble or is it possible Harry was never in their plans ?
Read more…

Julio Cesar Chavez
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

NOTE: this is article #7 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

By Jim Amato

DREAM FIGHTS …You hear and read about them all the time. How would Ali have done against Dempsey, Louis or Marciano? How would Roy Jones Jr. have fared against Bobby Foster? Could Bernard Hopkins hold his own with Marvelous Marvin?

Interesting scenarios and I’m sure we all have our opinions. We as fans are entitled to these opinions. My how they differ. We will never know if Sugar Ray Robinson could have beat Sugar Ray Leonard or if Willie Pep could have outslicked Salvador Sanchez but damn it sure is fun to argue about it! With that said I’d like to venture into who would have won if Alexis Arguello and Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez would have met at 130 or135 pounds?
Read more…

By Ray Cerda

When mega fights look to be on the horizon then falls off faster than Vanilla Ice, it’s usually because of money. This very well could be the case for Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Any time you have mega fighters involved, you have mega egos involved also. Usually you won’t find a high caliber fighter who is willing to take the smaller portion of the purse. However, this is the only fight that makes logical sense not just financially, but for the sport itself. There is no denying that the sport of boxing has been slipping in the last decade. With high profile fighters fighting less and less and the promoters protecting their fighters, the fans miss the biggest fights available.

Read more…

Vito Antuofermo
photo courtesy
David Martinez

NOTE: this is article #6 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

By Jim Amato

What would have happened if two of the best Italian born middleweight
champions would have squared of against each other?

Nino Benvenuti, 5″11″ from Trieste against Vito Antuofermo, 5′ 7 1/2″
from Bari. The slick boxing Nino and the rugged, brawling Vito. The
perfect boxer -vs- slugger match up.
Read more…

Salvador Sanchez
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

NOTE: this is article #5 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

By Jim Amato

It is a shame that Salvador Sanchez never had a chance to reach his full potential. His tragic car accident cut short any already outstanding career. He dominated the featherweight division after his title winning knockout of the respected Danny Lopez. Read more…

Manny Pacquiao
photo courtesy
Ray Luna

NOTE: this is article #4 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

By Jim Amato

With all due credit, Manny Pacquiao is on top of today’s boxing world. He is the “Man”. His destruction of Oscar De La Hoya drove the “Golden Boy” into retirement and put Manny as the #1 fighter pound for pound in the world today. His hammer job on the formidable Ricky Hatton put an exclamation point on his current status.

What if there was a fighter named Roberto Duran roaming the boxing landscape today ? I’m talking about a lean, fit and motivated Duran. The Duran who defeated the talented Esteban DeJesus in their rubber match at 135 pounds. The Duran that practically shut out the gritty Carlos Palomino and handed the gifted Sugar Ray Leonard his first loss at 147 pounds. How would Manny match up with THAT Duran ?
Read more…

Ron Lyle
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

NOTE: this is article #3 of a series of eight for your enjoyment from boxing writer Jim Amato. The articles are listed (in order) below and will be featured from September 2009 through November 2009 with each article based on these boxing greats had they met at the peak of their careers in the ring:
1) Jerry Quarry vs. George Foreman
2) Carlos Monzon vs. Gene Fullmer
3) Joe Frazier vs. Ron Lyle
4) Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran
5) Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
6) Nino Benvenuti vs. Vito Antuofermo
7) Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Alexis Arguello Ray Mancini vs. Harry Arroyo

By Jim Amato

What happens when the unstoppable force meets the unmoveable object ? Let me re-phrase that. What would have happened if Joe Frazier and Ron Lyle would have hooked up in the mid 1970′s ?
Read more…