Benitez’s knockout losses were always sickening. And seeing him like this now is heartbreaking, especially considering he was the epitome of youth and life. The youngest world champion of all time at 17 and a half years. A record that will realistically never be broken for the rest of time
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._* _Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._ ----
Yes, it is sad to see Benitez be such a rare and great fighter and then to decline and fall so badly while still in his youth, and be severely handicapped. But a lesson in this is that he made enough money to have secured his future but he squandered it, and he should have stopped fighting when people pleaded with him to stop. It's almost like he was destined to this outcome.
The Leonard KO loss was debatable. It appeared the ref jumped in to early. There were only a few seconds left in the fight. The Davy Moore KO loss. Benitez was dropped and broke his ankle. He rose and slipped almost all the follow up punches. They stopped it because he couldn't move due to the ankle. The Matthew Hilton ko loss. Yes that was a brutal KO. He was stopped once more, by Carlos Herrera. Never saw that fight
@@jameshampton2899 Puerto Rican isn’t a race, it’s an ethnicity. It’s also perfectly ok to see one’s countryman and legendary fighter get recognized. Its ok to appreciate those that resemble us in some aspect.
I've been waiting for you to do a video on Wilfred. Absolutely the 5th King! Him vs. Leonard was a masterclass of the sweet science and him outclassing Duran was amazing. I can't lie, I have thick skin but seeing him in that state at the end of the video broke my freaking heart.
@@leebowens2631 he was once kidnapped when his father got the ransom demand his father told the kidnappers kill him you aren't getting anything he was released soon after tough upbringing
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._* _Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._ ----
Does anyone else think that Rich needs to be on a bigger platform? These videos are top notch and really show the unfiltered history of boxing. There are some great boxing channels on TH-cam, but this is by far the most interesting of the bunch.
6 months later and still underrated. Rich , Joseph Vincent best boxing content available. However rich covers guys I never heard of. Maybe 15 fighters I never off thanks to him. And I bet there's quite a few more he's covered I haven't watched yet
Rich tells the story more, which is better in a way, j Vincent has a different style. Talks 90pct less and is absolutely brilliant, has the voice, unbelievable music, but rich has the whole story, he will grow don't worry about that. Maybe build up the music and a good intro but then again I'm not an expert.Guys it takes a lot of work to do these vids. Sad ending, don't know how fighters who are worth 40 million plus not give back, boxers need a union for injured boxers, 1 pct of each fighter's purse, it could be ANYONE next.
@@derekgreene2304 always been that way for most fighters. In modern times, only their celebrity kept Ali and Tyson from being completely broke after retirement. That "love" if you want to call it that counts for something.
I don’t recall a great fighter simply disintegrating the way Benitez did. In my opinion, he was at his absolute peak at Junior Middle when he easily defeated Duran (I didn’t realize Roberto trained so hard for this) and crushing Maurice Hope. After Hearns it was pretty much over. The knock out at the hands of Matthew Hilton still hurts after all these years. What a gifted kid he was and what a charismatic personality he had. How things turned out is heart wrenching. Rich, you’ve brought us another gem. Thank you.
Benitez deeply believed he didn't need to train, so he wouldn't take training seriously that and his abuse of drugs, alcohol and partying is what really did him in 😔
The end of this documentary is so hard to watch. I know most fighters lives dont end well, but still a great champion like Benitez deserves to be in a better situation.
Wilfred Benitez is most certainly the forgotten great fighter in the all time great late 70s-to late 80s middleweight era, most featuring the 4 kings. This man went toe to toe with young Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns, and legitimately beat Roberto Duran when he was still fighting at a high level. I know it’s been mentioned a lot already, but I can barely even watch the images of him now. This great sport of boxing can take so much physically, emotionally and mentally from a man. I pray that in even the state that he’s in now, that he’s still able to have peace in his heart.
As a Puerto Rican myself 🇵🇷, nothing makes me more prouder than having a champion like Benitez. To be able to watch him fight in the era of the other 4 Kings was truly a blessing. Benitez is truly under appreciated. May God Bless Benitez 🙏🙏🙏...#truschoolsports🥊🥊
I second that comment so proud to be Puertorican but what is very sad is that Wilfred 😢 was having a hard time with financing his sister was caring for him there's a boxer from Gary Indiana angel manfredy who at the time was not well known gave his whole fight purse 😢 to help Benitez and then you have all these other millionaire fighter's not one put up except Mr. Roy jones jr. 😢 Wilfred Benitez a champion in and out the ring you are one of my very few heroes 💯🇵🇷💯❤💯🇵🇷💯🔥🇵🇷
@@petierican6079 Yeap, not one of those multimillionaire boxers ever gave Benitez a helping hand, but the one you just mentioned and Roy Jones, Roy’s a class act. It is indeed heartbreaking to see him in a wheelchair like this, I wish I had the resources to help him.
@@MarjorainMD just your kind words are a blessing God knows and sees who heart is were and yours is in the right place blessings to you and all your loved one's 🇵🇷💯🇵🇷
@@petierican6079 Blessings to you as well, peace upon you and your love ones, and much health love and happiness too. Thank you 🙏🏼 for your words, it’s great to know that there’s more excellent good hearted fantastic folks like us. ❤️ 🇵🇷 ( Puerto Rico Me Encanta) I lived there as a teenager from Jan 4th 1971 until July 25th 1976 in Puerto Nuevo, (close to Rio Piedras & Plaza las Americas) had the best of friends and wonderful memories there, the great majority of us have kept in touch and visited back and forth through the years, oh, did I mention my love for Alcapurrias, Arroz con gandules & Bacalaitos fritos? lord have mercy! Most incredible loving panas in the world, we were a tight circle of friends (still are) Sending you a fraternal brotherly 🤗 and all the best in life to you my petie🇵🇷rican friend.
@@MarjorainMD wow thank you my brother and yes nice to know there are great ones in this world like u made my day brother may you also have a great one people like yourself in this world of the we'd are dime a dozen peace ✌ and all happiness as well 💯🇵🇷💯👍💪✊️
Thank you so much for doing a documentary on Wilfred Benitez. Very very underrated. When people are often asked about great defensive fighters , Benitez is in my top 5.
What a powerful documentary. Always a big fan of Wilfred I had no idea this is how it all ended. As handsome and bright a star there every was, Wilfred Benitez will always own a place with the all time greats. However, in the end, Mother Nature, who is undefeated in her ancient championship reign, took our champion down the hard way. Like all true warriors he left on his shield. Thank you for burning bright Wilfred, life will always remember you.
Wow Rich! Wilfredo Benitez is absolutely the fifth king and I have always included him in any conversation I have ever had when people mention the four kings. As much of a boxing historian as I consider myself to be, I have no explanation as to why I never knew Benitez' back story and am truly shocked and saddened by his current condition. I had no idea he was in this bad of shape. Truly heartbreaking. He is a fighter to the core and is incapable of turning it off. May God bless him. These documentaries you do are very powerful.
He had so much talent, that he could've been the only king of boxing. If he had more of a work ethic along Cus D'Amato training him....he would've been the greatest Welterweight, Middleweight, Lightweight and P4P champion of all time. But his own arrogance did him in.
Thanks a lot for doing this for our great Wilfredo Benitez. He was a great champion with no dedication, can you imagine what would’ve happen if he was 100% dedicated… very sad how everything end up. Benitez! 🇵🇷🔥
Man...I remember when he fought Ray, I was so nervous because they were both that good. I was too excited when Ray won. We had the best fights free in the 70's and 80's I believe i saw every single one that was on tv. What a time. True on the 5th king.
Yup! Before PPV. I remember watching the Leonard-Benitez fight with my dad and uncle when I was 7. Was the reason I hated Sugar Ray back then. lol.That cut on his forehead terrified me. 😆
I've had arguments with Puerto Ricans because I think Wilfredo was the greatest Puerto Rican fighter ever. My OLD SCHOOL Italian father born in 1921, who was a HUGE boxing fan, watched him for the first time on TV. This guy can box, he reminds me of sugar ray Robinson. Of course he did not hit as hard, he gave Sugar Ray Leonard all he could handle. One of the most underrated fighters ever.
Ah yes, "The 5th King" Thank you for this piece Rich. Breaks my heart to know of what happened with Wilfred. The brain is a crazy thing. Brain trauma is no joke. The stories of him essentially being so out of his mind from head trauma he would run until he passed out, get up, and start running again. Truly sad.
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._* _Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._ ----
I’m going to love watching this Doc then switching over to watch HaNZAgod’s Bible of Boxing highlights of Benitez. And even though he lost against Hearns, no one made The Hitman miss the way he did.
Thank you, Thank you, thank you, waited forever to see a doc on this great champion and such a sad ending ! My view is that boxing from a very young age does more damage than when older as the brain is still forming. Brilliant boxer and heartbreaking at the same time ! 17 year old world champ wow and turned professional as a child ? And yet, what other path was there ? A product of his environment !
Man I remember watching some of those wars in the 80's & 90's & I believe the late 70's. Had no idea that he ended like that & all that happened to him. Bless you Wilfred, what a boxer in his day!
Rich I've been following boxing for years im near 60yrs of age and till this day never seen a real true documentary on my countrymen Wilfred Benitez never ever some short 4 to 5 minute run through but you you are a god to the boxing thing that we love ❤ bro rich blessing you are a true boxing legend yourself and 💯🥊💯.thank you again for another great documentary Puerto 🇵🇷 Rico is loving this ✌
That was tough. I knew he didn't do so well later and obviously was affected by the career he had. I will always remember him in those dark blue velvet trunks. What a boxer and credit to the sport.
Thanks for this. We Benitez fans are thrilled to be able to watch these rarely-seen fights. Great job! I remember those days - late 70's and 80's - a Golden Age. One side-comment: 3 championships were amazing for a boxer in those days... then came Manny Pacquiao!
I've heard about him having health issues, but I couldn't even imagine how severe they were. You know it's always so sad seeing a man who was very strong, talented beyond any measure, was on a very pinnacle of his sport, and now surviving like this. This hurts me so much. Thank you again, Rich...
A hell of an era with so much talent. Benitez always impressed me with his quick combinations, but your awesome footage reminded me of his allusiveness.
Just to think, if he took boxing more seriously and trained who could have beat him..He admitted he didn't really train for the Leanard fight and gave Leanard and Hearns a tuff fight..
Leonard is a top 3 all time welter...stop with the exuses...no shame in losing to sugar ray...who was better at everything except defense and that was close
Wilfred Benitez's record of youngest professional world champ is a record that should never be broken. His current status is due to the fact that at 14 years old he was taking shots from grown- ass professional prizefighting men . I'm sure during training, Wilfred 's sadistic dad thew him in to spar with whoever. No 14 year old child without completely developed brain should be boxing at that level..
Who that's such a super valid point never looked at his situation that way the best valid point I've ever heard about this ever period thanks Rob ash for the great feed back 👍
I remember this great fighter,this story really hurt,you wanna see the champions you loved and respect ride off into the sunset, Salute Mr. Benitez you are definitely a true warrior🦾🦾🌞
The greatest PR fighter ever! Very sad the way his life ended. There are so many stories like his in boxing. Something should be done so that stories like Benitez don't end like his.
I can’t get enough! You knocked it out of the park again!!! 💪 Wilfredo was one of if not the Greatest Puerto Rican Champions ever. Thank you once again Rich! 💪😁. 🐜
Always wondered what happened to Benitez. The first time I saw him fight was against Leonard, didn’t know much of his early beginnings in the sport. Fantastic champion and his feat at 17 years of age will probably never be beaten. Hate to see him in his current condition as this happen to many fighters to a lesser or greater extent. It’s no wonder many fighters of today try to negotiate as much as they can monetarily. We as fans don’t really understand the degree of danger involved in combat sports, an when we see fighters “price themselves” out of fights, maybe it’s not always a means to duck, but rather way of securing their own futures, financially. Much respect to Benitez and all of the great champions and fighters who put it on the line simply for our entertainment.
One of my favourite fighters of all time. To me one of the GOATS. To me he is in the same bracket as Ali, both sugar rays, Salvador Sanchez, Pernell Whittaker, Roy Jones, and the pretty boy version of Floyd, to name a few. To not include him as one of the kings was just a travesty of boxing. It showed to me that boxing is controlled by the ignorant. Like many things in life. Just because someone has money it doesn’t mean they know what they are talking about. Benitez embarrassed Duran and I have never seen anyone make Sugar Ray miss so much.
@@tintomara6209 if that’s the case then it’d be very unfair because one could argue that Haggler didn’t befight Benitez because if I’m not mistaken Benitez fought all the other kings except Hagler. He beat Duran and I think lost to Leonard and Hearns just like Duran lost to all the other kings including Benitez
Your right. "Money" Mayweather is not in this convo but "pretty boy" floyd is. Benitez is absolutely in the class of the 4 kings. He accomplished everything the other 4 did
I remember Benitez way back in the 80's and thought he was a great fighter with an ability to slip punches like no one else. I didn't know that his health had declined to such a devastating level. Holy shit that's freaking heart breaking to say the least. I believe that him getting knocked out by Hilton did permanent damage to him. Mathew Hilton was a hard hard hitter.
Yes I concur, Wilfred was special & yes the early start may have hurt him. And the Hilton fight did really help end his career. Funny I don't remember Matthew Hilton but what a boxer!
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._* _Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._ ----
@@jesusdamaso1007 Wow I never knew that before, man the way he fought back then it wasn't so obvious. What a great boxer like so many in his generation.
Haven’t watched it yet but I already know this is going to be amazing it blows my mind that their is no other docos on Wilfred “the 5th king” Benitez already just another example of why I love ur Channel always shining light on the forgotten greats keep up the great work man 💯🥊
@@RichtheFightHistorian He was kidnapped when his father got the ransom demand he told them kill him he was released unharmed soon after tough upbringing
Thank you Rich you're awesome brother this was my favorite boxer growing up and he definitely belongs with the other 4 talked about in that era, he schooled Duran basically a shut out and he gave Hearns all he could handled in which many believed he pulled it out as well, you could see how happy Tommy was to get the majority decision and he fought Sugar Ray hard too the referee stopping it in the 15th with seconds left he beat hall a fame fighters and legendary ones too like Antonio Cervantes Carlos Palomino three divisions champion and at 17 being a world champion unreal. In Puerto Rico you talk of the greats like Gomez, Ortiz Trinidad Cotto Camacho and you probably would have to put Benitez as the best all around technically sound counter punching defensive wizard as the best of them all. The last move up in weight was too much for him to carry and those harder punchers at 160 probably caused him the most damage this was a Man fighting at 140 most of his fights as well. The results are devastating his ending, truly heartbreaking indeed but he's a hall a fame fighter, who fought the best in his career one of the greats. God cover him, always once again Rich thank you for all you do for all these boxers especially the lesser known ones as well.
I mean no disrespect to Wilfredo but growing up in Gleason’s Gym (my uncle was a trainer) it was always a rumor that Wilfredo was born with a Mental/Intellectual Disability. Everyone was amazed at how great of a boxer he was in spite of his disability.
Its not surprising to me. The dude fought since before 14! Not sparred but actually fought. Imagine how many times he got rocked and lost brain cells during early development stages. The whole reason behind Alcohol being available only to 21 & over is to allow the brain to mature fully before tainting it and yet many fighters taint their brain in their teens by getting hit. My point is: by the time he became excellent at defense he had miles on his brain health already so it would only take a few more powerful shots from some of the greatest punchers ever to do what happened to him
He was only 17 when he won his first world title against an extremely dangerous fighter at the time Antonio kid Cervantes. Amazing 15 round performance. The only 17 year old boxing champion ever. 🇵🇷 💪
Great video I was born in 86 so I didn’t see these fights outside of him & sugar ray. I’ve watched the 4 kings didn’t realize he was a common opponent. crazy he literally gave boxing his entire life !
In one of his last fights, or maybe his last, he was left stranded in Argentina, living on the streets, like a homeless, until a cab driver recognized him and gathered money to send him home. The promoter who set up that fight left him in Argentina stranded, like a stray animal. So sad. Last time I saw him he talked like he was a 5 year old, the beatings he took late in his career damaged him for good.
It wasn't the beatings from late in his career. This video doesn't go into how much sparring his father had him do from 8 years okd against pros. He made money off of his kids by farming them out as sparring partners. He was already messed up by 27. His behaviour was very strange
I use to train with him in Los Explosivos Boxing Club in Carolina during his last boxing days, he was beaten BADLY by a sparring partner, Manuel "El yuca" Jimenez. So it was not only in fights, but in training that he got so hurt as well. So sorry, so sad.
Damn. Excellent documentary. So sad to see him like this now. There will always be the "what ifs". Had he been more dedicated to training . Had he retired earlier.
Rich thank you for another fascinating and brilliant documentary. You are the gold standard in boxing broadcasting and we are so privileged to view your brilliant documentaries.
" i am the dragon"..Benitez had the greatest natural skill of anyone i have seen.Wilfred was never big on training and only trained for 13 day's for his fight with Sugar Ray Leonard and gave Ray a great fight,imagined if he had trained.Hearn's couldn't touch him,he dominated Carlos Palomino,he gave Duran fits.Like so many fighters fighters before him his refusal to take boxing and training seriously we will never know just how great he would have been..One of my all time greats..Puerto Rico has produced some of the greatest fighter ever.Unfortunately today Benitez is a very very ill man.Almost blind,stokes,missing teeth and barely able to comprehend his surrounding.Such a sad sad ending for a man so so gifted.
There was a time I thought of Benitez as cocky, I was happy when Leonard beat him but over time I came to realize it was just him, his nature. Actually a great guy that was one of the slickest fighters boxing had known, such balance in his stance and power from both hands. Just hung on too long, too many blows at the end, so sorry to see what happen to him. One of the true warriors and I'm glad I was able to see him fight. 👍 Thank you for another well put together video 🥊
I enjoyed watching Benitez’s fights against Leonard & Hearns, and his mastery over legendary Duran, as well as Randy Shields, was impressive. Benitez maybe the only boxer that totally outclassed Duran when Roberto was in his prime (I disregard the Hearns-Duran fight & the second Leonard-Duran fight as Duran had to lose a ‘ton’ of weight before fighting each) . Against Benitez, Duran was at an optimal weight well before the fight & had regained his hunger & was dangerous. However, this didn’t stop Benitez from completely outboxing Duran over 15.
I i clude him as the 5th king...but no excuses...hearns was just too big at any weight class below light heavy...and leonard was a top3 welter all time
@@JL-bz9hi I disagree with your comment, ‘Hearns was just too big at any weight class below light heavyweight’. Tommy was huge for welter & super-welter but not for middleweight 160 lbs. Both Hagler & Iran Barkley quickly got the better of Hearns at that weight. Against the Marvelous One, Hearns lasted only 8 minutes & it took Barkley a fraction over that to nail Hearns. Even at welter, Hearns was not ‘too big’ to be stopped by Leonard. It’s good that the ref stopped the fight midway through the 14th - if it had been allowed to go on any further, Leonard may have seriously hurt him.
Thanks for this Rich. My goodness me, talk about god giving and takeing away. What an athlete he was and what a wreck he ended up. To say it was like a Shakespearean tradegy is an understatement. There must be a couple of leasons for all of us to learn from his life
Had heard of him for a long time but this was first time watching a docu on him. What an incredible fighter. The ending hit real hard tho. The result of fighting that long. Took way too many punches. Praying for his spirit and health and hope he knows the legacy he left in boxing.
Benitez beat my all time favorite fighter when he dethroned Carlos Palomino in early 1979( I was 13 and my mom had passed away a month earlier). I despised Benitez, couldn't stand him. I saw his 1st fight with Bruce Curry and, if New York had a points system instead of the silly round system(meaning 5 knock downs in one round still counts as 1 round won), he would have easily lost. Also, most of the referees today would have stopped that fight when Benitez fell twice during the second knockdown of that fight. I was happy when Leonard whipped him, was upset when he beat Duran and was thrilled when the Hitman took his belt. I didn't start feeling empathy for Wilfred until his ill-advised fight with Hamsho, then his injured, bizarre defeat to Moore. By the time Hilton KO'd him in early 1986, you could see the effects boxing was having on him. Had Wilfred quit then and there after losing to Hilton, he would probably be in a much better state of health. Yes, it's tear-jerking to see this once great champion reduced to a near comatose state. No matter how I felt about him nearly 40+ years ago, he was, and always will be a true champion and yes, the 5th King.
@@suicidebysasquatch4873 Yeah, styles make fights and Benitez gave Duran fits. You could see it in Duran's eyes the entire fight. He was frustrated and clueless.
As a Puerto Rican and Benitez fan, that's a tough one to watch, but I whole-heartedly agree he belongs in the mix as an 80s MW-WW king. The stories of his lack of training were public then. Had he trained adequately, the 80s might have looked different.
Just to think if he would have taken boxing more seriously .Who would have beat him? Admitted, he didn't train for the Leanard fight and still gave Leanard and Hearns a tough fight .Even with that, one of the best defense fighters ever and one of the greatest fighters ever .
Benitez’s knockout losses were always sickening. And seeing him like this now is heartbreaking, especially considering he was the epitome of youth and life. The youngest world champion of all time at 17 and a half years. A record that will realistically never be broken for the rest of time
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._*
_Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._
----
Yes, it is sad to see Benitez be such a rare and great fighter and then to decline and fall so badly while still in his youth, and be severely handicapped. But a lesson in this is that he made enough money to have secured his future but he squandered it, and he should have stopped fighting when people pleaded with him to stop. It's almost like he was destined to this outcome.
His ko losses were brutal.
The Leonard KO loss was debatable. It appeared the ref jumped in to early. There were only a few seconds left in the fight. The Davy Moore KO loss. Benitez was dropped and broke his ankle. He rose and slipped almost all the follow up punches. They stopped it because he couldn't move due to the ankle. The Matthew Hilton ko loss. Yes that was a brutal KO. He was stopped once more, by Carlos Herrera. Never saw that fight
Thank you , your right THE YOUNGEST WORLD CHAMPION 🏆 EVER !!!!!!
As a Puerto Rican, I’ve been waiting for someone to make a documentary on Benitez. Thank you! Great work!
My pleasure, Gus, thanks for watching.
Don't quite understand what race got to do with it.Am not Puerto Rican.But he have always been one of my favorite fighters.
@@jameshampton2899 Puerto Rican isn’t a race, it’s an ethnicity. It’s also perfectly ok to see one’s countryman and legendary fighter get recognized. Its ok to appreciate those that resemble us in some aspect.
@@jameshampton2899 it’s not a race. It’s a nationality. Don’t know why you gotta bring race up.
@@jameshampton2899 being proud dummy
I've been waiting for you to do a video on Wilfred. Absolutely the 5th King! Him vs. Leonard was a masterclass of the sweet science and him outclassing Duran was amazing. I can't lie, I have thick skin but seeing him in that state at the end of the video broke my freaking heart.
I guarantee you he didn't get a Tylenol from a so called fan. 😞
Me too, he was always one of my top favorite fighters since he won the title at 17 from the legend Cervantes
@@leebowens2631 he was once kidnapped when his father got the ransom demand his father told the kidnappers kill him you aren't getting anything he was released soon after tough upbringing
@@JOEFABULOUS. his father was a very mean and abused his children Wilfred Benitez always got the worst out of all the children he was abused the most
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._*
_Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._
----
Does anyone else think that Rich needs to be on a bigger platform? These videos are top notch and really show the unfiltered history of boxing. There are some great boxing channels on TH-cam, but this is by far the most interesting of the bunch.
6 months later and still underrated. Rich , Joseph Vincent best boxing content available. However rich covers guys I never heard of. Maybe 15 fighters I never off thanks to him. And I bet there's quite a few more he's covered I haven't watched yet
Rich tells the story more, which is better in a way, j Vincent has a different style. Talks 90pct less and is absolutely brilliant, has the voice, unbelievable music, but rich has the whole story, he will grow don't worry about that. Maybe build up the music and a good intro but then again I'm not an expert.Guys it takes a lot of work to do these vids. Sad ending, don't know how fighters who are worth 40 million plus not give back, boxers need a union for injured boxers, 1 pct of each fighter's purse, it could be ANYONE next.
well, he's got the best boxing stuff on here in my view.
@@derekgreene2304 always been that way for most fighters. In modern times, only their celebrity kept Ali and Tyson from being completely broke after retirement. That "love" if you want to call it that counts for something.
I don’t recall a great fighter simply disintegrating the way Benitez did. In my opinion, he was at his absolute peak at Junior Middle when he easily defeated Duran (I didn’t realize Roberto trained so hard for this) and crushing Maurice Hope. After Hearns it was pretty much over. The knock out at the hands of Matthew Hilton still hurts after all these years. What a gifted kid he was and what a charismatic personality he had. How things turned out is heart wrenching. Rich, you’ve brought us another gem. Thank you.
Thanks, uncjim. And yeah, Duran was in shape with no excuses.
Benitez deeply believed he didn't need to train, so he wouldn't take training seriously that and his abuse of drugs, alcohol and partying is what really did him in 😔
Wilfred has the style to beat Duran but Duran fought a close good fight too,I feel so bad for Wilfred's condition right now.
Thank you for this, Benitez is one of the all time greats for me
The end of this documentary is so hard to watch. I know most fighters lives dont end well, but still a great champion like Benitez deserves to be in a better situation.
Wilfred Benitez is most certainly the forgotten great fighter in the all time great late 70s-to late 80s middleweight era, most featuring the 4 kings. This man went toe to toe with young Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns, and legitimately beat Roberto Duran when he was still fighting at a high level. I know it’s been mentioned a lot already, but I can barely even watch the images of him now. This great sport of boxing can take so much physically, emotionally and mentally from a man. I pray that in even the state that he’s in now, that he’s still able to have peace in his heart.
It's nice that his memory as a great fighter is being kept alive as it is here.
The always erase puertoricans
Yes it should be The Five Kings !
It's criminal! I can't believe how hard boxing tries to forget about him! It's wrong!
As a Puerto Rican myself 🇵🇷, nothing makes me more prouder than having a champion like Benitez. To be able to watch him fight in the era of the other 4 Kings was truly a blessing. Benitez is truly under appreciated. May God Bless Benitez 🙏🙏🙏...#truschoolsports🥊🥊
I second that comment so proud to be Puertorican but what is very sad is that Wilfred 😢 was having a hard time with financing his sister was caring for him there's a boxer from Gary Indiana angel manfredy who at the time was not well known gave his whole fight purse 😢 to help Benitez and then you have all these other millionaire fighter's not one put up except Mr. Roy jones jr. 😢 Wilfred Benitez a champion in and out the ring you are one of my very few heroes 💯🇵🇷💯❤💯🇵🇷💯🔥🇵🇷
@@petierican6079 Yeap, not one of those multimillionaire boxers ever gave Benitez a helping hand, but the one you just mentioned and Roy Jones, Roy’s a class act.
It is indeed heartbreaking to see him in a wheelchair like this, I wish I had the resources to help him.
@@MarjorainMD just your kind words are a blessing God knows and sees who heart is were and yours is in the right place blessings to you and all your loved one's 🇵🇷💯🇵🇷
@@petierican6079 Blessings to you as well, peace upon you and your love ones, and much health love and happiness too.
Thank you 🙏🏼 for your words, it’s great to know that there’s more excellent good hearted fantastic folks like us.
❤️ 🇵🇷 ( Puerto Rico Me Encanta) I lived there as a teenager from Jan 4th 1971 until July 25th 1976 in Puerto Nuevo, (close to Rio Piedras & Plaza las Americas) had the best of friends and wonderful memories there, the great majority of us have kept in touch and visited back and forth through the years, oh, did I mention my love for Alcapurrias, Arroz con gandules & Bacalaitos fritos? lord have mercy!
Most incredible loving panas in the world, we were a tight circle of friends (still are)
Sending you a fraternal brotherly 🤗 and all the best in life to you my petie🇵🇷rican friend.
@@MarjorainMD wow thank you my brother and yes nice to know there are great ones in this world like u made my day brother may you also have a great one people like yourself in this world of the we'd are dime a dozen peace ✌ and all happiness as well 💯🇵🇷💯👍💪✊️
One of my all-time favorite fighters. When he was on, he was amazing.
Thank you so much for doing a documentary on Wilfred Benitez. Very very underrated. When people are often asked about great defensive fighters , Benitez is in my top 5.
What a powerful documentary. Always a big fan of Wilfred I had no idea this is how it all ended. As handsome and bright a star there every was, Wilfred Benitez will always own a place with the all time greats. However, in the end, Mother Nature, who is undefeated in her ancient championship reign, took our champion down the hard way. Like all true warriors he left on his shield. Thank you for burning bright Wilfred, life will always remember you.
looks like he's got people around him that love him, god bless
Wow Rich! Wilfredo Benitez is absolutely the fifth king and I have always included him in any conversation I have ever had when people mention the four kings. As much of a boxing historian as I consider myself to be, I have no explanation as to why I never knew Benitez' back story and am truly shocked and saddened by his current condition. I had no idea he was in this bad of shape. Truly heartbreaking. He is a fighter to the core and is incapable of turning it off. May God bless him. These documentaries you do are very powerful.
He had so much talent, that he could've been the only king of boxing. If he had more of a work ethic along Cus D'Amato training him....he would've been the greatest Welterweight, Middleweight, Lightweight and P4P champion of all time. But his own arrogance did him in.
Thanks a lot for doing this for our great Wilfredo Benitez. He was a great champion with no dedication, can you imagine what would’ve happen if he was 100% dedicated… very sad how everything end up. Benitez! 🇵🇷🔥
Man...I remember when he fought Ray, I was so nervous because they were both that good. I was too excited when Ray won. We had the best fights free in the 70's and 80's I believe i saw every single one that was on tv. What a time. True on the 5th king.
Yup! Before PPV. I remember watching the Leonard-Benitez fight with my dad and uncle when I was 7. Was the reason I hated Sugar Ray back then. lol.That cut on his forehead terrified me. 😆
I have no words to describe the feelings I have for such warriors who decline in such a manner.
I've had arguments with Puerto Ricans because I think Wilfredo was the greatest Puerto Rican fighter ever. My OLD SCHOOL Italian father born in 1921, who was a HUGE boxing fan, watched him for the first time on TV. This guy can box, he reminds me of sugar ray Robinson. Of course he did not hit as hard, he gave Sugar Ray Leonard all he could handle. One of the most underrated fighters ever.
Who is any better that the people you argue with thinks from PR? Tito, Macho, Bazooka, ? Charles you won that argument.
He might be. He was the first latin to hold 3 titles and the youngest
Champ ever.
Better than Gomes?
@@jjstratfordway better
@@LuisHernandez-so8llHim and the great Alexis Arquello
Ah yes, "The 5th King" Thank you for this piece Rich. Breaks my heart to know of what happened with Wilfred. The brain is a crazy thing. Brain trauma is no joke. The stories of him essentially being so out of his mind from head trauma he would run until he passed out, get up, and start running again. Truly sad.
My pleasure, A A H. It was heartbreaking to edit.
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._*
_Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._
----
@@williammorton3359 closer than you ever will be
@@williammorton3359 🤡
@@williammunny9916 i don't give a shit about jesus christ and here it's a channel about boxing not about religion..
Wilfred landed one of the most prolific right hands-on Hope. Incredible stuff.
I’m going to love watching this Doc then switching over to watch HaNZAgod’s Bible of Boxing highlights of Benitez. And even though he lost against Hearns, no one made The Hitman miss the way he did.
He made a lot of fighters miss... He always knew what was coming.
Yeah but he also found himself sitting on his butt on the canvas quite often.😣
@@darrickmalloy6909 that was late on his career
Sugar Ray Leonard said fighting Benitez was like looking at himself in a mirror
@@ronofficial5958 he made all them miss
Thank you, Thank you, thank you, waited forever to see a doc on this great champion and such a sad ending ! My view is that boxing from a very young age does more damage than when older as the brain is still forming. Brilliant boxer and heartbreaking at the same time ! 17 year old world champ wow and turned professional as a child ? And yet, what other path was there ? A product of his environment !
Man I remember watching some of those wars in the 80's & 90's & I believe the late 70's.
Had no idea that he ended like that & all that happened to him. Bless you Wilfred, what a boxer in his day!
Benitez is my favorite Puerto Rican fighter ever. Roberto Clemente is my favorite baseball player ever. Pele is my favorite soccer player ever.
Rich I've been following boxing for years im near 60yrs of age and till this day never seen a real true documentary on my countrymen Wilfred Benitez never ever some short 4 to 5 minute run through but you you are a god to the boxing thing that we love ❤ bro rich blessing you are a true boxing legend yourself and 💯🥊💯.thank you again for another great documentary Puerto 🇵🇷 Rico is loving this ✌
Much appreciated, petierican, thanks for the support.
@@RichtheFightHistorian bro you earned every bit it if it we need more people 💯 who know boxing I mean really know boxing like you my friend
That was tough. I knew he didn't do so well later and obviously was affected by the career he had. I will always remember him in those dark blue velvet trunks. What a boxer and credit to the sport.
He's a Legend
Wilfredo Benitez schooled Roberto Duran. Duran was so angry and frustrated. As others commented, Benitez was the 5th King.
Kirkland Laing also beat Roberto Duran after Benitez did..
He had that style that ultimately beats Duran, Tommy Hearns came close but Duran still wasn't at his best fighting Tommy.
@@HaraDuran Hearns would have smashed any version of Duran.He obliterated him in what 2 rounds
@@brianmorecombe2726 I mean Duran beat Iran who,if I remember was bigger than Tommy but yeah styles matter.
So heartbreaking to see this legendary fighter end up the way he has, much like his idol Ali did. Hope Benitez gets the help he needs.
Thanks for this. We Benitez fans are thrilled to be able to watch these rarely-seen fights. Great job! I remember those days - late 70's and 80's - a Golden Age. One side-comment: 3 championships were amazing for a boxer in those days... then came Manny Pacquiao!
I've heard about him having health issues, but I couldn't even imagine how severe they were. You know it's always so sad seeing a man who was very strong, talented beyond any measure, was on a very pinnacle of his sport, and now surviving like this. This hurts me so much.
Thank you again, Rich...
My pleasure, Force.
A hell of an era with so much talent. Benitez always impressed me with his quick combinations, but your awesome footage reminded me of his allusiveness.
Just to think, if he took boxing more seriously and trained who could have beat him..He admitted he didn't really train for the Leanard fight and gave Leanard and Hearns a tuff fight..
@@jameshampton2899 💯
Leonard is a top 3 all time welter...stop with the exuses...no shame in losing to sugar ray...who was better at everything except defense and that was close
I've always added Benitez when guys talk about the big 4. Thanks for the video. Great work!!!
Thanks, J L
Me too
Wilfred Benitez's record of youngest professional world champ is a record that should never be broken. His current status is due to the fact that at 14 years old he was taking shots from grown- ass professional prizefighting men . I'm sure during training, Wilfred 's sadistic dad thew him in to spar with whoever. No 14 year old child without completely developed brain should be boxing at that level..
Also that first fight against Bruce Curry would have been stopped had it occurred in modern times. Probably after second knockdown..
True was a different time I'm 44 and my older brother would make my fight my friends for entertainment I hate doing that
Hard sparring makes for easy fights.
Who that's such a super valid point never looked at his situation that way the best valid point I've ever heard about this ever period thanks Rob ash for the great feed back 👍
David benavidez was sparring world champs at 14 also
I remember this great fighter,this story really hurt,you wanna see the champions you loved and respect ride off into the sunset, Salute Mr. Benitez you are definitely a true warrior🦾🦾🌞
Stark reminder. This sport is no game.. God bless him 🙏 heart wrenching. Truly the Boxing Bible. 👏
that's why I admire boxers who hang their gloves early and enjoy the fruit of their labor, very hard breaking to watch Wilfred the way he is.
The radar was something to see. Youngest world champion ever! 17 years old...wow!
If Benitez would have training dedication , he would be one of the best ever
The greatest PR fighter ever! Very sad the way his life ended. There are so many stories like his in boxing. Something should be done so that stories like Benitez don't end like his.
Wow Rich .You’ve outdone yourself again!Benitez was sublime and such a skilled athlete.Boxing has such highs but such lows as well!
Very smooth boxer. Loved watching him fight, back in the day. He made an art out of it.
The best documentary I've seen of Benitez,accurate too.
Thanks, Edwin
I can’t get enough! You knocked it out of the park again!!! 💪 Wilfredo was one of if not the Greatest Puerto Rican Champions ever. Thank you once again Rich! 💪😁. 🐜
Thank you, soprano4ny
Without a doubt the greatest
Always wondered what happened to Benitez. The first time I saw him fight was against Leonard, didn’t know much of his early beginnings in the sport. Fantastic champion and his feat at 17 years of age will probably never be beaten. Hate to see him in his current condition as this happen to many fighters to a lesser or greater extent. It’s no wonder many fighters of today try to negotiate as much as they can monetarily. We as fans don’t really understand the degree of danger involved in combat sports, an when we see fighters “price themselves” out of fights, maybe it’s not always a means to duck, but rather way of securing their own futures, financially. Much respect to Benitez and all of the great champions and fighters who put it on the line simply for our entertainment.
Been waiting for this one for a while, another heart breaking story I’m Judy glad he has family to take care of him
sad to see such a legend fighting too long and even started way too early as a pro 😔
From these 1st fight clips, Curry was robbed BIG TIME!
@@NoName-zm1ks ty it
@@NoName-zm1ks Yes he was ROBBED
He's one of the best....
@@NoName-zm1ks i remember it being very controversial at the time.
One of my favourite fighters of all time. To me one of the GOATS. To me he is in the same bracket as Ali, both sugar rays, Salvador Sanchez, Pernell Whittaker, Roy Jones, and the pretty boy version of Floyd, to name a few. To not include him as one of the kings was just a travesty of boxing. It showed to me that boxing is controlled by the ignorant. Like many things in life. Just because someone has money it doesn’t mean they know what they are talking about. Benitez embarrassed Duran and I have never seen anyone make Sugar Ray miss so much.
I believe it's because he never fought Hagler that he is not classed as one of the Kings, although he probably should be.
@@tintomara6209 if that’s the case then it’d be very unfair because one could argue that Haggler didn’t befight Benitez because if I’m not mistaken Benitez fought all the other kings except Hagler. He beat Duran and I think lost to Leonard and Hearns just like Duran lost to all the other kings including Benitez
Your right. "Money" Mayweather is not in this convo but "pretty boy" floyd is. Benitez is absolutely in the class of the 4 kings. He accomplished everything the other 4 did
@@mongoslade277 💯
@@Jj-ty7qh ikr I never understood that either
Great doc. So sorry to see Wilfred in this condition. God bless him
I remember Benitez way back in the 80's and thought he was a great fighter with an ability to slip punches like no one else. I didn't know that his health had declined to such a devastating level. Holy shit that's freaking heart breaking to say the least. I believe that him getting knocked out by Hilton did permanent damage to him. Mathew Hilton was a hard hard hitter.
He was a teenager taking shots from adult boxers, he was sadly bound to succumb to brain damage a sad trade for becoming so good so young.
Yes I concur, Wilfred was special & yes the early start may have hurt him. And the Hilton fight did really help end his career. Funny I don't remember Matthew Hilton but what a boxer!
*_John 10.9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly._*
_Jesus Christ loves you. Only Jesus Christ saves. Repent and be saved. God bless you, and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all._
----
Hearns broke his right hand on benitez head,. Heard he was never the same after that.
@@jesusdamaso1007 Wow I never knew that before, man the way he fought back then it wasn't so obvious. What a great boxer like so many in his generation.
Heartbreaking indeed. My prayers are with you & your loving caregivers Wilfred. Que Dios te cuide y te acompañe.
Haven’t watched it yet but I already know this is going to be amazing it blows my mind that their is no other docos on Wilfred “the 5th king” Benitez already just another example of why I love ur Channel always shining light on the forgotten greats keep up the great work man 💯🥊
Sure thing, Jackson
@@RichtheFightHistorian
He was kidnapped when his father got the ransom demand he told them kill him he was released unharmed soon after tough upbringing
@@RichtheFightHistorian how about doing one on Curtis Cokes?
Prodigy. Mozart of boxing.
Thanks for another masterpiece of your own, Rich.
Thank you, Frank
Thank you Rich you're awesome brother this was my favorite boxer growing up and he definitely belongs with the other 4 talked about in that era, he schooled Duran basically a shut out and he gave Hearns all he could handled in which many believed he pulled it out as well, you could see how happy Tommy was to get the majority decision and he fought Sugar Ray hard too the referee stopping it in the 15th with seconds left he beat hall a fame fighters and legendary ones too like Antonio Cervantes Carlos Palomino three divisions champion and at 17 being a world champion unreal. In Puerto Rico you talk of the greats like Gomez, Ortiz Trinidad Cotto Camacho and you probably would have to put Benitez as the best all around technically sound counter punching defensive wizard as the best of them all. The last move up in weight was too much for him to carry and those harder punchers at 160 probably caused him the most damage this was a Man fighting at 140 most of his fights as well. The results are devastating his ending, truly heartbreaking indeed but he's a hall a fame fighter, who fought the best in his career one of the greats. God cover him, always once again Rich thank you for all you do for all these boxers especially the lesser known ones as well.
My pleasure, Santiago. I agree with your thoughts on Benitez.
I mean no disrespect to Wilfredo but growing up in Gleason’s Gym (my uncle was a trainer) it was always a rumor that Wilfredo was born with a Mental/Intellectual Disability. Everyone was amazed at how great of a boxer he was in spite of his disability.
Considering what a defensive master he was, its shocking how quickly he went downhill, great fighter, great video as well. Nice one.
Thanks, Kieran
Fighting World titles @ 17, set the stone for damage.
These were 15rd fights against top World Champions..
Turning pro at 14 years old in boxing. That sport needs a real comission
Its not surprising to me. The dude fought since before 14! Not sparred but actually fought. Imagine how many times he got rocked and lost brain cells during early development stages. The whole reason behind Alcohol being available only to 21 & over is to allow the brain to mature fully before tainting it and yet many fighters taint their brain in their teens by getting hit. My point is: by the time he became excellent at defense he had miles on his brain health already so it would only take a few more powerful shots from some of the greatest punchers ever to do what happened to him
@@andresfontanez3016 tbf that's a good point
He was only 17 when he won his first world title against an extremely dangerous fighter at the time Antonio kid Cervantes. Amazing 15 round performance. The only 17 year old boxing champion ever. 🇵🇷 💪
I definitely wasn't expecting that! On the streets in Argentina for two years? Wow! Great documentary again Rich!👊
Hey thanks, Hugo
Great video I was born in 86 so I didn’t see these fights outside of him & sugar ray. I’ve watched the 4 kings didn’t realize he was a common opponent. crazy he literally gave boxing his entire life !
In one of his last fights, or maybe his last, he was left stranded in Argentina, living on the streets, like a homeless, until a cab driver recognized him and gathered money to send him home. The promoter who set up that fight left him in Argentina stranded, like a stray animal. So sad. Last time I saw him he talked like he was a 5 year old, the beatings he took late in his career damaged him for good.
It wasn't the beatings from late in his career. This video doesn't go into how much sparring his father had him do from 8 years okd against pros. He made money off of his kids by farming them out as sparring partners. He was already messed up by 27. His behaviour was very strange
Really enjoyed this, what a boxer in his prime 👏
OMG! 😞 I was not ready for that ending. 😞
Thank you for the history lesson on ( Wilfredo Benitez ) !! ❤❤❤
My pleasure, Roberto.
5 Kings what an era!
Thanks Rich- King of the boxing documentary
Thank you, jackson
@0:57 what a great, dramatic way to introduce the video. "But these experts got it wrong. There was a 5th king".
Most Definitely!
ONE OF THE GREATEST BOXER OF ALL-TIME👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎👀👀👀👀🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆💥💥💥💥💯💯💯💯👌👌👌👑👑👑👑👑💪💪💪💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👊👊👊👊CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE 👍👊💪🔥
Great job Rich. He is a forgotten one when people talk about The Four Kings. Should be Five Kings, like you so eloquently said in the intro.
Thank you, Ron.
As a Puerto Rican I really appreciate this documentary Rich thank you for recognize him as the 5th King.
I use to train with him in Los Explosivos Boxing Club in Carolina during his last boxing days, he was beaten BADLY by a sparring partner, Manuel "El yuca" Jimenez. So it was not only in fights, but in training that he got so hurt as well. So sorry, so sad.
Awesome documentary Rich. I knew so little about El Radar's back story, so this epic is very much appreciated. Props to you. Bless up every time bro 👊
I appreciate the support, Nick, thanks.
I was shocked by the ending, never heard of all the failed comeback attempts. Saddest episode I've seen. Never had a clue it ended so badly for him.
After watching again. It hits even harder.
Fabulous fighter.
Tragic 😥 🙏
Such a small island, that produces giants amongst the world!!!
Olvidado por todos una verdadera leyenda
Damn. Excellent documentary. So sad to see him like this now. There will always be the "what ifs". Had he been more dedicated to training
. Had he retired earlier.
Rich thank you for another fascinating and brilliant documentary. You are the gold standard in boxing broadcasting and we are so privileged to view your brilliant documentaries.
Thank you for the kind words, L N
@@RichtheFightHistorian your very welcome. Have you considered writing books on boxing?
Thank you Rich. One of the all time greats. What an era in the welterweight division at that time. Wow
Sure thing, Todd. One of the all-time greats indeed.
If only he would’ve taken training seriously. One of the greatest boxing what if’s
Benitez should always be mentioned when SugarRay , Hearne. Hagler , and Duran is . He is right up there with them
My God..... So sad. Where were his rich friends? Imagine going from Millions, to no water in your home.....Heart breaking. Truly.
Great fighter, top 3 of all Boricuas fighters. Sad that he is struggling right now but he will always be a legend.
Benitez is absolutely the 5th king 👑, no doubt about it he earned his place! But very sad how he ended up!
What a Great &. Truly underrated Champion. It's Great to see Him get some shine that, He truly deserves. The 5th King indeed!
" i am the dragon"..Benitez had the greatest natural skill of anyone i have seen.Wilfred was never big on training and only trained for 13 day's for his fight with Sugar Ray Leonard and gave Ray a great fight,imagined if he had trained.Hearn's couldn't touch him,he dominated Carlos Palomino,he gave Duran fits.Like so many fighters fighters before him his refusal to take boxing and training seriously we will never know just how great he would have been..One of my all time greats..Puerto Rico has produced some of the greatest fighter ever.Unfortunately today Benitez is a very very ill man.Almost blind,stokes,missing teeth and barely able to comprehend his surrounding.Such a sad sad ending for a man so so gifted.
Benitez' handlers had no business putting him into the ring after the Hamsho fight. Another great, but sad, video. Thanks Rich.
Handlers?
@@jackholman5008 Boxing term. Handlers are the people that "handle" a boxer's career. Promoter. Manager. Trainer.
I sure loved the 15 round fights......those 3 rounds are what made the difference...those were THE Championship rounds!!
There was a time I thought of Benitez as cocky, I was happy when Leonard beat him but over time I came to realize it was just him, his nature.
Actually a great guy that was one of the slickest fighters boxing had known, such balance in his stance and power from both hands.
Just hung on too long, too many blows at the end, so sorry to see what happen to him.
One of the true warriors and I'm glad I was able to see him fight. 👍
Thank you for another well put together video 🥊
Sure thing, George
I enjoyed watching Benitez’s fights against Leonard & Hearns, and his mastery over legendary Duran, as well as Randy Shields, was impressive. Benitez maybe the only boxer that totally outclassed Duran when Roberto was in his prime (I disregard the Hearns-Duran fight & the second Leonard-Duran fight as Duran had to lose a ‘ton’ of weight before fighting each) . Against Benitez, Duran was at an optimal weight well before the fight & had regained his hunger & was dangerous. However, this didn’t stop Benitez from completely outboxing Duran over 15.
Absolutely right 100% If they don’t include Benitez as the fifth king, then they can’t claim Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, or Duran the 4 kings!
I i clude him as the 5th king...but no excuses...hearns was just too big at any weight class below light heavy...and leonard was a top3 welter all time
@@JL-bz9hi I disagree with your comment, ‘Hearns was just too big at any weight class below light heavyweight’. Tommy was huge for welter & super-welter but not for middleweight 160 lbs. Both Hagler & Iran Barkley quickly got the better of Hearns at that weight. Against the Marvelous One, Hearns lasted only 8 minutes & it took Barkley a fraction over that to nail Hearns. Even at welter, Hearns was not ‘too big’ to be stopped by Leonard. It’s good that the ref stopped the fight midway through the 14th - if it had been allowed to go on any further, Leonard may have seriously hurt him.
Thanks for this Rich.
My goodness me, talk about god giving and takeing away.
What an athlete he was and what a wreck he ended up.
To say it was like a Shakespearean tradegy is an understatement.
There must be a couple of leasons for all of us to learn from his life
Absolutely heartbreaking...
A great video with a very sad ending. I couldn’t hold back the tears seeing him in his twilight. God bless you champ and you too Rich. 😥😥😥
Thanks for watching, Tyler.
Had heard of him for a long time but this was first time watching a docu on him. What an incredible fighter. The ending hit real hard tho. The result of fighting that long. Took way too many punches. Praying for his spirit and health and hope he knows the legacy he left in boxing.
Benitez beat my all time favorite fighter when he dethroned Carlos Palomino in early 1979( I was 13 and my mom had passed away a month earlier). I despised Benitez, couldn't stand him. I saw his 1st fight with Bruce Curry and, if New York had a points system instead of the silly round system(meaning 5 knock downs in one round still counts as 1 round won), he would have easily lost. Also, most of the referees today would have stopped that fight when Benitez fell twice during the second knockdown of that fight. I was happy when Leonard whipped him, was upset when he beat Duran and was thrilled when the Hitman took his belt. I didn't start feeling empathy for Wilfred until his ill-advised fight with Hamsho, then his injured, bizarre defeat to Moore. By the time Hilton KO'd him in early 1986, you could see the effects boxing was having on him. Had Wilfred quit then and there after losing to Hilton, he would probably be in a much better state of health. Yes, it's tear-jerking to see this once great champion reduced to a near comatose state.
No matter how I felt about him nearly 40+ years ago, he was, and always will be a true champion and yes, the 5th King.
You think Durans style and his anger lost him that fight ? He schooled Duran from what I can tell
@@suicidebysasquatch4873 Yeah, styles make fights and Benitez gave Duran fits. You could see it in Duran's eyes the entire fight. He was frustrated and clueless.
It isn't the fights, it is the sparring.
The youngest champion in history! A record for life!!
As a Puerto Rican and Benitez fan, that's a tough one to watch, but I whole-heartedly agree he belongs in the mix as an 80s MW-WW king. The stories of his lack of training were public then. Had he trained adequately, the 80s might have looked different.
Just to think if he would have taken boxing more seriously .Who would have beat him? Admitted, he didn't train for the Leanard fight and still gave Leanard and Hearns a tough fight .Even with that, one of the best defense fighters ever and one of the greatest fighters ever .
Goosbumps on the intro... your channel is now my official favourite
He would stare you down, but was a sportsman when the fight was over. Tough to see him like this.
Would have loved to see a rematch with Leonard at 154.
this knocked me on my ass when i saw how he ended up , i literally prayed right there for him.
All I can say is wow and thank you.