This is a thread that has nothing to do with greatness. It's simply asking, P4P who was the better fighter. I'll start with 5: 1. 147 Leonard or 168 Jones 2. 160 Monzon or 126 Sal Sanchez 3. 135 Duran or 147 Robinson 4. 130 Arguello or 175 Foster 5. 175 Spinks or 135 Chavez
Foster and Arguello was the toughest one to pick IMO because while Foster was absurdly dominant, Arguello's comp at 130 was fucking brilliant
Pretty tough questions, they're all close calls. 1 - I'm inclined to say even. Both amazing at the weight. If push comes to shove, Leonard, for being able to beat a welterweight Hearns. 2 - Monzon. 3 - Duran. Used to think Robinson was the GOAT, but now I think peak Duran is the ultimate fighting machine. 4 - Foster. 5 - Spinks.
It's my opinion (probably biased) that Roy at 168 was the best fighter that ever lived. HOWEVER, I can't really fault for anybody saying welterweight Leonard was better. Ray was absurdly good in his welter prime, and yes, obviously his comp was far better.
Which is basically the same case as Jones-Leonard. Roy was absurdly dominant, but Leonard's comp was brilliant.
I love Sal Sanchez and Sal Sanchez against an aggressive opponent is pretty much poetry in motion, but I can't see a strong argument for him over Monzon. His career was too brief and while we remember the great performances (Gomez, Nelson, Lopez), there's a tendency to forgot how much trouble he had with Pat Ford and Pat Cowdell (not that those guys were bad fighters or anything, mind you) ... I don't recall Monzon ever being run as close in his championship years as Sal was in those fights... I'd rather watch Sanchez fight 100 times than watch Monzon twice, but I think it's an uphill battle to rank him higher
1. 147 Leonard or 168 Jones I'd like to say Jones, but since there is not enough proof (not enough great opponents to display his skill against), it is a tie. Fuck it, it's not. It's still Jones. 2. 160 Monzon or 126 Sal Sanchez Monzon 3. 135 Duran or 147 Robinson Robinson easy 4. 130 Arguello or 175 Foster Arguello not easy 5. 175 Spinks or 135 Chavez Overall I'd say Chavez but if it is just 135 then Stinks
I think the only clear one there is Pryor over Qawi. And even then, I wouldn't say Pryor was MUCH better than Qawi. Clearly, but not a huge margin. I'd say Nelson was better than McCallum, close but clear as well. MOST would say Rosario was better than Jackson, but I dunno. I know Chapo's in the HOF and JJ isn't, but I'd say Jackson was the slightly better fighter. Kinda ironic that Jackson ISN'T in the HOF, yet the man he knocked cold in 2 rounds is. Hamed vs Tszyu is HIGHLY disputable.
Whitaker (but obviously not a landslide) Second one is tougher... one more big win might make Ward a clear favorite... As it stands, I'd shade it towards DLH