Gonzalez beat : yaegashi, viloria, estrada, cuadras and sor rungvisai in the first fight to me. Who tops that? Ward beat : kovalev, dawson, froch, abraham, barrera
Those are the Top Candidates @ the Moment... Triple G's Got a Shot @ it, Depending on How his Career Closes Out...If Canelo Could String Some DECISIVE Meaningful Wins Together, he'd have an OUTSIDE Chance... Inoue, Lomachenko, Thurman/Spence and Possibly Mikey Garcia Will Have the Opportunity to Make BIG Splashes Before the End of the Decade, Which Could SWAY Opinions in their Favor... REED
agREED... If his Career Continues to Trend in the Direction it's Going, Joshua Will Be THE Biggest Name in Boxing by 2019...And Being a Heavyweight will Carry MORE Cache with "Fighter of the Decade" Voters, than Chocolatito's Exploits Will... REED
agREED. If the clock stops now you have to give to Ward but there others who still have a shot. I really hope somebody (almost anybody) surpasses him. Every list is subjective but quick google search found this from The Ring: 1940s: Ray Robinson – Untouchable as a welterweight. Runner up: Willie Pep 1950s: Ray Robinson – Also one of the greatest middleweights ever. Runner up: Archie Moore. 1960s: Muhammad Ali – The Greatest really was the greatest at this time. Runner up: Carlos Ortiz. 1970s: Roberto Duran – Virtually untouchable as a lightweight. Runner up: Carlos Monzon. 1980s: Ray Leonard: His victories over Duran, Hearns and Hagler were epic. Runner up: Julio Cesar Chavez. 1990s: Roy Jones Jr. – At his best, he inspired awe. Runner up: Pernell Whitaker. 2000s: Manny Pacquiao – Sorry Floyd but you need to fight the best to be the best. Runner up: Floyd Mayweather. For me it just don't seem "right" adding Andre Ward to such a prestigious list. I think most people would have each of the runner-ups listed above well ahead of Ward on an all time list too.
In terms of pure overall talent, Lomachenko would probably get my pick, but if we're also basing our choice on resumes then he may fall short.
agREED... "Fighter of the Decade" is a COMPLETE Package...Accomplishments, Resume, Highlight Reel Performances and a Degree of Mainstream Notoriety...Not Only Would the Runner-Ups Rank Higher than Ward All Time, They'd Rank Higher in Terms of Being COMPLETE Packages Too... You Have to RESONATE w/Fight Fans During the Decade You Competed, and for Whatever Reason, Ward Didn't... And Being Completely Honest, the Weight Classes Chocolatito Competed in will HINDER his Chances...Basically, "Fighter of the Decade" is ANYBODY's Race @ This Point... REED
Wow, he beat the legendary Yaegashi, Estrada, and Cuadras, then got completely flattened by Rungvisai - who could possibly top that?
True all round, I can't lie I have trouble picking a FOTD this decade. Unless Golovkin or Lomachenko get some amazing wins in the next 3 years. Joshua has no chance. Beating a 41 year old wald pussy and then what, Wilder and a few other scrubs? I like Joshua too.
I can foresee boxing casuals clicking a link "Andre Ward wins fighter of the decade" just to find out who he is.
Ward may come out of retirement once a new challenger emerges. It's also not unlikely that a new challenger emerges, particularly if one of the possibilities manages to take out Kovalev easily. On the other hand, Kovalev may stay the top guy and if that happens, Ward probably stays retired.
1980s....Leonard with Runner up Chavez? Have you lost your mind?!! He may have started late but the 80s belonged to Mike Tyson. I can accept an argument for Leonard...but Tyson is runner up at the very least.
As for fighter of teh decade it's obviously still too early to say. Ward or GGG for my money. I know I'll get mad hate for this but at this point in time...there's still a case for Mayweather as well. The two biggest fights of the decade were won by him after all, whether boring or farces or not.
Fighter of the 2000s is split between Floyd and Manny...both achieved incredible feats in that decade.
The only objective way to evaluate "fighter of the decade" is by IMPACT on the sport in that decade...and by considered the best for the majority of that decade. Any other criteria is either too subjective or irrelevant. As such...Ali has as much claim as Duran in the 70s; Duran the p4p but Ali had waaaaaaaay more impact. Tyson and Leonard are pretty much equal overall in the 80s. 60s belong to Ali, no doubt. 90s...Jones due to p4p prowess and no one else had a huge impact advantage over him, including De La Hoya. 2000s...Mayweather 1a and Pacquiao 1b 2010s....Still have to say Mayweather I'm afraid, for the decade so far...if we're being objective. Ward and GGG have been more active...Ward with better resume achievements and GGG with more impact in terms of fanbase...but the biggest fights of the decade have involved Mayweather and for most of teh decade he's been the P4P.
Ali has no case for being over Duran in the 70s. None. You're a walking contradiction who talks about how "inconsistent" Duran was in the 80s, but Ali wasn't exactly dominant as a whole in the 70s. The Rumble ALONE is not enough to trump Duran's reign of dominance in the 70s. As for the 80s... biggest Tyson fan on Fightbeat here, but I'd have Mike at #3 in the 80s. Leonard is #1.... and Hagler is the runner up. The Ring is on fucking drugs for saying Chavez is #2 in the 80s.
I agree that Ali wasn't dominant but Ali became 2 and 3 time heavyweight champion in the 70s and was involved is the most high profile fights in that decade. He carried the sport on his back. In fact, forget just boxing.....Ali defined the decade period.
4 division champion. No small feat considering all the boxers he fought. Is not an Adrain Bronner resume.
