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View Full Version : Saoul Mamby - Unbelievably Underrated


Russell
09-10-2008, 08:39 PM
The best comparison I can draw to a current, well known fighter is Glen Johnson.

Mamby was consistently robbed, and just as consistently fought in his opponents backyards.

He was well past 30 when he finally received a title shot, and he became a better fighter as time went on.

Mamby's best wins were over far more obscure opposition than Johnson's, though, but were no less impressive.

I'll try and shed some light on Mamby's career, his best wins.

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For a fighter with mediocre power, Mamby's one punch, 14th round KO of Sang Hyun Kim in South Korea was a amazing finish to a dead even fight. Mamby won the WBC light welterweight title from Kim with the win.

I know many have said Mamby's win over Esteban De Jesus isn't worth mentioning because Esteban was at the end of his career, but Mamby was actually four years older than Esteban at 33 years old. Having just watched the fight I can say that Eseban looked extremely capable, and landed one of the hardest bodypunches I've ever seen on Mamby in the second. Mamby broke him down and stopped him in the 13th round.

Decisioned capable Jean-Baptiste Piedvache in his native France.

Shortly afterwards went to Africa to decision Nigerian Obisia Nwankpa.

Completly dominated the 55-3 Jo Kimpuanai.

Mamby also decisioned the ultra tough Angel Robinson Garcia in the early 70's.

Most of these wins came during a very short peroid of time. Beyond that, I feel Mamby's record is easy to dismiss because of the amount of robberies and the fact that he fought on until he was more or less 60 years old, diluting his record with a number of losses.

Thoughts on Mamby?

Longhhorn71
09-10-2008, 09:38 PM
Lost decisions to Robeto Duran & Antonio Cervantes basically back-to-back when Duran & Cevantes were in their prime .....knocking everyone out...and Mamby only had had 22 fights.

Don't be surprised he would give PBF fits if they fought at each others' prime.

Russell
09-10-2008, 10:21 PM
Especially considering how he was truly a 15 round fighter, seemingly getting stronger as fighters went on.

Great combination puncher too. Not to mention one of the most durable fighters ever, literally.

Bill1234
09-10-2008, 10:42 PM
He just recently fought, and I think he is like 63 or something.

Seamus
09-10-2008, 11:29 PM
No. I think he's rated about right amongst the cognescenti. Extremely difficult, savvy, under-powered, a very good but not great fighter.

Russell
09-10-2008, 11:38 PM
No. I think he's rated about right amongst the cognescenti. Extremely difficult, savvy, under-powered, a very good but not great fighter.

Not saying he's great, but how often do you here any praise being directed Mamby's way?

Ezzard
09-11-2008, 05:56 AM
He wasn't great but he was very, very good. I think he gets overlooked because he didn't have one of these over-managed careers.

JohnThomas1
09-11-2008, 08:19 AM
He wasn't great but he was very, very good. I think he gets overlooked because he didn't have one of these over-managed careers.

Agreed on both counts. Well schooled fighter.

Titan1
09-15-2008, 09:43 AM
I could see him beating Alexis Arguello if they ever had fought at 140 as well.

Sweet Pea
09-15-2008, 09:52 AM
A tad inconsistent, no?

Vantage_West
09-15-2008, 10:14 AM
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The dipper
09-15-2008, 10:29 AM
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If thats a recent photo he looks good for a guy in his 60s

TBooze
09-15-2008, 10:41 AM
He was good and fun, also a little quirky but also a bit overrated.

Far too overrated in his prime, he nearly always found a way to lose the bigger fights.

Redemption came in part in his 40s with the Brown and Barnes results, but as good as them wins looked at the time, history does not exactly look fondly back at Larry and the Beast...

Fat Joe
09-15-2008, 10:47 AM
First heard the name Saoul Mamby in the very first boxing book I read. I was about 15 and I picked it up in the local library. It was a biography, I think it was written by Thomas Hauser and I think the boxer was named Billy Costello. He fought Mamby either for the title or to get his shot, can't remember the outcome of their fight.

radianttwilight
09-15-2008, 11:09 AM
I boxrec'd him and wow, did he have a long career....

or should I say, is having a long career?

Mantequilla
09-15-2008, 01:42 PM
Dejesus was not extremely capable when hefought Mamby.

he looked awful imo and was sloppy as hell.Every inch a washed up drug addled fighter.