Galindez v Kates I - Still perhaps my favourite fight of all time. Galindez is an absolute marvel in this brutal scrap and is easily my favourite last gasp KO, better than Chavez v Taylor I :yep Kates is vastly underrated nowadays as well, really nice fighter to watch when on form. Have uploaded it on youtube for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, really is a must watch fight!
Brutal :yep You got to feel sorry for guys like Kates who had to compete with that era of LHWs. He'd smash Dawson to bits if he was around now.
Actually, how would you rank those that came before Qawi/Spinks' prime? I;m thinking: 1. Saad 2. Galindez 3. Conteh 4. Johnson 5. Parlov Any disagreements? Kates put in three sterling efforts at least against great fighters, could you feasibly push him instead of Parlov who was lucky to receive a gift decision in his best win (Conteh) even though Kates never claimed a portion of the title? Or would you put Mustafa in; fairly low output and lazy, despite being arguably the most talented of the bunch?
I don't think I can leave EMM of that list really, the mans talent is undeniable and even though his efforts against Galindez and Spinks make for some incredibly boring action it's still obvious that he was up there with the best of them. My knowledge on Parlov is completely limited to the Conteh fight so I can't make a fair call on him. Your Top 3 are set in stone IMO, I'd have EMM in at 4.
You think that highly of Parlov, Flea? I'd rate Gregory, Kates, Ahumada, Lopez, Burnett, Bennet, Fourie, etc. over him. Parlov was about on a par with someone like Rossman for my money. Rating strictly on ability, anyway.
No I don't really rate him at all to be honest, he's looked crap in every fight I've seen him in He was just the first name that came to mind out of the best guys of that era to fill the last place. I knew I wasn't sure how to rate Gregory as you can see. I like the rest of you guys mentioned, but as one that grabbed a belt Parlov stuck out I guess. Would you agree: Saad>Galindez? And yes, I'll follow through with my earlier theory that Kates could deserve a loftier ranking than Parlov. EDIT: Yaqui Lopez how the **** could I forget that guy? Man, that was a great action-packed era for sure, probably my favourite actually. Franklin man, that guy tears me up. I also don't agree with the default Qawi>Saad
Yep. I think Saad would've stopped Galindez down the line in a fight that would start out as a technical chess-match between two very different (but very skilled) stylists before developing into another epic slug-fest down the stretch. Saad would probably take more leather than ever before in this fight, which is saying something. His resolve and punching prowess would prove too much in the end for Galindez, though, I think.
Nice. Both tremendous fighters. How about in terms of ranking these 3: Qawi, Saad, Galindez? I say Saad ranks the highest.
Yep, followed by Galindez. Qawi was just a bad styles matchup for Saad, particularly at that stage of his career. Interestingly, I'd favour Saad over Galindez by late stoppage (if not close decision), I'd probably always favour Qawi over Saad, but I think Galindez would stand a good chance of beating Qawi. How's that for styles making match-ups?
Yes, as Spinks would've been for completely different reasons. Saad has a lot of depth at 175. I'd feel pretty comfortable having him at the no.10 spot to be honest, and not just because he's an immensely likeable fighter.
Junior Jones vs Elvis Alvarez The only successful defense of Jones's WBA 118 pound title, which he lost to old foe John Michael Johnson in his next fight. Alvarez was a very tough and durable fighter, as well as a former 2 time world champion, and although he wasn't exceptionally skilled or in his prime, he still provided a decent stay busy title defense for Junior. Pretty straight forward win too, no problems on Jones's end. I thought Jones fought a lot of underrated fighters in his up and coming years.