Wilfred Benitez vs. Sweet Pea Whitaker 147lbs

[Waynegrade]

For pure sweet science fans... Could `El Radar` put the whammy on Whitaker? I Like Bentez in this one(provided he`s in shape) Benitez was an UNBELIEVABLE talent. Won the ttile from `Kid Pambele Cervantes at 17! He and Whitaker would be a couple of defensive masters going at it. Good close fight...

[laxpdx]

Benitez UD. He is more at home here.

[kickbxn5]

At 147 I'd pick Whitaker but I'd pick benitez at 140.

[natonic]

I like Whitaker in this one. Benitez was at his best capitializing on his opponents aggression and/or mistakes. I think Whitaker would be able to manufacture a little more offense than Benitez without committing those errors Benitez pounced on so well.

[Sweet Pea]

At 147 I'd pick Whitaker but I'd pick benitez at 140.:huh

Logically Benitez would be the better choice at 147, given his size advantage, as well as the fact that he was more experienced than his 140 pound self. Whereas Whitaker would be the better choice against the less experienced Benitez at 140.

[Minotauro]

At this weight I would favour Benitez he has the size and power advantage. Wilfred via close decision.

[rekcutnevets]

It is always hard for me to pick against Whitaker, as he was the truest champion from the 90's. Whitaker did everything he could to give his resume depth, and you can make the case he only lost one fight doing so.

Whitaker was a master boxer, but oddly enough; out boxing Whitaker seems to be the most effective strategy for fighting him. Whitaker showed that he can win fights coming forward, but it was not his most flattering method of victory at 147. McGirt, and especially Hurtado, found success in making Whitaker the aggressor. Both lost, the strategy isn't fool proof. It just seems to increase your chances.

Back to McGirt. When I watched their first fight live on HBO, it was the most competitive match I'd seen Whitaker involved in. I had it for Whitaker 7 rounds to 5. Barring knock downs and point deductions, that is as close to a draw as you can get. I think that Benitez, on his best night at 147, is better than McGirt.

Benitez by close decision, 7-5.

[Mantequilla]

Been a while since i've watched it, but didn't Whitaker make the McGirt fight closer than it needed to be by clowning around/taking it easy late in the fight.

It was a bit like Duran against Leonard.

[dpw417]

Benitez was a great fighter...but as great as he was, Whitaker did moves in the ring that were simply unbelievable. I like Whitaker at 140 and 147. Whitaker would initiate and then counter Benitez's counters more sucessfully. Whitaker would be more active, while Benitez (IMO) would be posing more. It would be sort of a tit for tat kinda fight. Whitaker's right jab would be the difference.

[the cobra]

Originalyl posted by Mantequilla
Been a while since i've watched it, but didn't Whitaker make the McGirt fight closer than it needed to be by clowning around/taking it easy late in the fight.

It was a bit like Duran against Leonard.
Yes, that is how I remember it.

BTW, I'd edge towards Pernell in this fight based on higher activity, his jab, and his edge in speed.

[natonic]

Whitaker would initiate and then counter Benitez's counters more sucessfully. Whitaker would be more active, while Benitez (IMO) would be posing more. It would be sort of a tit for tat kinda fight. Whitaker's right jab would be the difference.

I agree. Kind of like what Leonard did to Benitez without the stoppage. Leonard was a big hitter at 147, Whitaker not so much.

[Sweet Pea]

I agree. Kind of like what Leonard did to Benitez without the stoppage. Leonard was a big hitter at 147, Whitaker not so much.Whitaker wouldn't have beaten Benitez like Leonard did. Too many things to take into account to make that comparison. I do think Whitaker would've fared better against Leonard though, albeit in a losing effort.

[JM22]

At 147 I'd pick Whitaker but I'd pick benitez at 140.Other way around pea at 140 and Ben 147.

[natonic]

Whitaker wouldn't have beaten Benitez like Leonard did. Too many things to take into account to make that comparison. I do think Whitaker would've fared better against Leonard though, albeit in a losing effort.

I'm not talking mirror image here. I just think Whitaker could've generated more offense, with his jab and the occasional sneak left. Benitez was often too intent on trying to make the other guy miss and countering. I think exceptional boxers like Whitaker (and like Leonard did), could take him out of his comfort zone and he wouldn't generate enough offense.

[Loewe]

Well, like some already mentioned it´s Whitaker´s jab who will decide if he wins or not. If Pea get´s his jab going and Benitez isn´t able to neutralize it I think Sweet Pea takes it. But if not then Benitez would win.
Also weight influences this one greatly. At JWW I think Whitaker takes it clearly, at WW it´s very close but I lean slightly to Pea, at 154 it´s win for Benitez.

[kickbxn5]

:huh

Logically Benitez would be the better choice at 147, given his size advantage, as well as the fact that he was more experienced than his 140 pound self. Whereas Whitaker would be the better choice against the less experienced Benitez at 140.

Benitez was impossible to hit at 140. I think his natural talents served him best at that division. Whitaker matured as a fighter at 147. I still say benitez at 140 at Pea at 147. Besides, my boxing sim game says so:hey

[Sweet Pea]

Benitez was impossible to hit at 140. I think his natural talents served him best at that division. Whitaker matured as a fighter at 147. I still say benitez at 140 at Pea at 147. Besides, my boxing sim game says so:heyWhitaker matured as a fighter? Sure, I guess so(in the same way Ali was more mature in the Frazier fights, though not as effective as in previous years), but he was nowhere near as effective as at lower weights given his change of style due to his decreased physical abilities at the weigt. Watch the film, Whitaker is a level above his WW self at LW and probably in his fight with Pineda at 140.