Nicolino Locche vs. Pernell Whitaker at 140

[KOTF]

Prime Locche vs. the Whitaker of the Pineda fight

[Sweet Pea]

Whitaker was too good offensively to lose the decision. He's not getting beaten by any pure boxer at those weights.

[PetethePrince]

It comes down to the better firepower by Pernell. While, I still think Locche is probably the best pure defensive fighter of all time. And that's included Whitaker. Whitaker has more offense, which is why he would win a decision. In a very intriguing fight, though.

[TommyV]

Whitaker was too good offensively to lose the decision. He's not getting beaten by any pure boxer at those weights.

This. People too often overlook Pea's offensive capabilities and merely think about him just being hard to tag. The Harold Brazier fight is one of my favourite Pea performances for that reason, he showcased everything he had in his offensive arsenal. The body-punching in particular was exceptional.

[Mantequilla]

Whitaker would give him a pasting as long as he doesn't try and get too offensive or cocky with the combos.

Locche's jab was like an old man reaching up for something from a shelf in comparison and his offense is generally far too reliant on countering frustrated opponent's mistakes, or working off a consistent aggressor who is trying to get powershots going.

[Boxed Ears]

I'm not going to take the consensus opinion here, not exactly. I think it's true, Whitaker's far more potent and diverse offensive skill and willingness to let his hands go won't see anything less than a win by decision but I honestly believe he has exactly what it takes to scuff Locche up enough to stop him. I know that sounds crazy, two extremely durable guys who are also defensive experts but I think Whitaker stops him.

[McGrain]

I agree with you. I think Whitaker would force some sort of stoppage - over 15. There, i'll hedge my bets a bit.

[Mantequilla]

Anybody think Jim watt would beat Locche?.Or have i lost my mind.

Tedious, constant minimalist southpaw jabbing, body angled well away from the opponent to maximise the jab, no risks, no variety, hardly any mistakes, never getting frustrated...just steadily pecking away with the long accurate jab every time NIco tries to draw him into the ropes or throws the lead hook and his own far shorter jab.


It would be awesome.

[McGrain]

You're high on Jim Watt.

Too small for me though, not hitting hard enough.

[TheGreatA]

Two defensive masters, one with better offensive capabilities. Whitaker by a decision.

[Mantequilla]

If Locche adjusted and walked him down he'd win handily, i just wonder if he would though.He didn't against Peppermint Frazier who used a strict minimalist gameplan to beat him by the accounts i've read.

[McGrain]

I love his name.

[Mantequilla]

:lol:


Good fighter.

[TheGreatA]

How do people see a younger Locche? Or is there simply too little footage to decide whether he was truly more agile/faster in his younger days than he was later?

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33 years and Locche's notoriously bad training habits may have played a part in the Alfonso Frazer loss. Let's not forget that Whitaker had some struggles of his own at that age.

[Mantequilla]

Very true, and he does look more mobile and no-nonsense in style in that clip.

I tend to think pretty much everything but that, we have on him is a slightly past it Locche.

[keith]

Whitaker just has too much of an ofensive edge.

Whitaker fairly comfortably.

Keith

[natonic]

Whitaker by decision. Much better jab, better offensively all around.

[ricardoparker93]

Whitaker has the greater offensive arsenal and his commitment to body work is what wins him this fight via decision. That being said what spastic voted for Whitaker by KO/TKO?

[Boxed Ears]

Whitaker has the greater offensive arsenal and his commitment to body work is what wins him this fight via decision. That being said what spastic voted for Whitaker by KO/TKO?

I explained that and I'm not spastic, thanks. :good

[Sweet Pea]

Can't see anyone stopping a prime Locche.

[ripcity]

While Locche was the better defensive boxer Whitaker was the better all around boxer.. The key hear is that Whitaker despite not being known as a puncher had decent stopping power while Locche did not. Locche would not have been able to keep Whitaker away from him for 12 or 15 rounds. Whitaker by late stoppage.

[Mantequilla]

I can't see Pea stopping Locche either, at least not any kind of proper knockout.

it's the jab and quick point scoring one-two's that win him this.Really committing to his offense and being aggressive to try and force a stoppage would play into Locche's hands and allow for a much closer fight.

[TheGreatA]

Locche had big trouble against southpaw Domingo Corpas but considering what kind of damage he managed to go the distance with in that fight, you have to doubt he'd be stopped by Whitaker of all people. Not that Whitaker couldn't produce stoppages but Locche seemed to be tough as nails along with being extremely difficult to hit.

[Bummy Davis]

Whitaker had the better power but not so sure how he would deal with the defensive master and how effective he would be vs a prime and experienced Loche. A lot of Loche's moves would negate Whitaker ( Sweat Pee never faced such a crafty foe) but Whitaker did have the amatuer experience and natural gifts. I see him pulling away a close decision but can not see him stopping Loche or even dominating the little master and would not be too shocked if Loche got the nod or the outcome was a draw.

[kidargentine]

I like Locche way more by a mile. Two defensive fighters will face off, but the more offensive and streamlined Sweet pea will take a UD in close bout.

[McManama]

I see sweet pea easily outboxing him, but I don't think he would be able to stop Locche

[Jersey Joe]

Locche's jab was like an old man reaching up for something from a shelf

Rofl. Harsh!

[teeto]

Whittaker is the more well rounded, blatantly. Locche is my number one for defense for what it's worth. It's really quite difficult to make an assumption though. You have to favour Whittaker just on the footage of his brilliance, he'd be ridiculously difficult for Locche to counter, and with Locche not using sweeping in and out as a style i wouldn't favour him. But it must be remembered that Locche frustrated the life out of great fighters who had varying styles, there is no chance of him being shut out imo, he is just too good with reflexes, smothering and countering, regardless of the style, until Whittaker susses him out.

[teeto]

Can't see anyone stopping a prime Locche.
We see through the same spectacles.

[red cobra]

True Whitaker had an offensive edge, but not THAT much of an edge..Locche was by far cleverer than anyone Whitaker ever fought, and a draw would not be out of the equation...if Whitaker did win, it would be very close..and one other thing..there is NO WAY IN HELL that Whitaker would have stopped Locche..that is a complete bullshit...the "inevitables" are...1. Death, 2. Taxes, and 3. This fight would go the scheduled limit.

[teeto]

True Whitaker had an offensive edge, but not THAT much of an edge..Locche was by far cleverer than anyone Whitaker ever fought, and a draw would not be out of the equation...if Whitaker did win, it would be very close..and one other thing..there is NO WAY IN HELL that Whitaker would have stopped Locche..that is a complete bullshit...the "inevitables" are...1. Death, 2. Taxes, and 3. This fight would go the scheduled limit.
I agree completely on your point about a potential stoppage. There is no potential. But i do think Whittaker has a good offensive advantage, but only in a direct comparison between the two fighters. I'm not saying that that is an advantage in the prospective fight between the two, i just don't know that. Locche is just so good and effective doing his own thing for me to be able to say that what is on paper results in substance. Lets be honest, a lot of the times in actuality it doesn't.