Greatest Fighter of the last 25 Years?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Hands of Iron, Dec 25, 2012.


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  1. DrMo

    DrMo Team GB Full Member

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    In terms of raw talent, Holy was/is clearly behind Pea & Roy & Ive got no problem with anyone who ranks either higher.

    However, Holy was special in ways that Pea & Roy were not & perhaps never needed to be. He overcame incredible adversity time & again, he fought an absolute murderer's row of competition unequalled in modern times imo.

    Holy spent over 20 years fighting at world title level & fought over 20 past/present/future world champions. That is an insane accomplishment made even more remarkable by the fact he was almost always the smaller man, quite often giving up 20+ pounds in weight.

    Holy doesnt get half the love he deserves. In a sport of warriors Holy is amongst the bravest & most accomplished to ever lace them up.
     
    DrMo, Dec 26, 2012
    DrMo, Dec 26, 2012
    #61
  2. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    Slugger voted Hopkins. :lol:
     
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    #62
  3. chitownfightfan

    chitownfightfan Loyal Member Full Member

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    Pacqioua

    Lewis a close 2nd

    with Chavez Jr a clear 3rd
     
    chitownfightfan, Dec 26, 2012
    chitownfightfan, Dec 26, 2012
    #63
  4. silenc

    silenc dropout bear Full Member

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    :deal Evan Fields :yep

    For me it's Pernell
     
    silenc, Dec 26, 2012
    silenc, Dec 26, 2012
    #64
  5. SJS19

    SJS19 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I always liked him. :yep
     
    SJS19, Dec 26, 2012
    SJS19, Dec 26, 2012
    #65
  6. BretN

    BretN Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Pacquiao :lol::lol::patsch
     
    BretN, Dec 26, 2012
    BretN, Dec 26, 2012
    #66
  7. KidDynamite

    KidDynamite Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Tyson followed by Roy

    Then Holyfield, Lewis and then the rest

    Heavyweights are what matter in boxing ... lighter divisions always come after the heavyweights
     
    KidDynamite, Dec 26, 2012
    KidDynamite, Dec 26, 2012
    #67
  8. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    It's pretty much an impossible and ridiculous question. :lol:

    I rate Olajuwon and Barry both #1 at their respective positions in terms of their skill levels, though admittedly neither the greatest (Barry is closer at #2). Whitaker has a very mighty rival at 135 to contend with for the former, and a couple more (Gans, Leonard) for the latter. But Boxing > NBA/NFL... :think
     
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    #68
  9. KidDynamite

    KidDynamite Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Barry Sanders' used his athleticism more than Hakeem and would sometimes hurt his team with his style, which is expected of course

    Easier to make a case for Hakeem being the best center over Barry Sanders being the best RB ... most complete center ever who dominated in an era with elite centers and practically carried a team on his own to a title in 1994.
     
    KidDynamite, Dec 26, 2012
    KidDynamite, Dec 26, 2012
    #69
  10. alakran

    alakran Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think its close between Whitaker and Chavez and the rest are very close
     
    alakran, Dec 26, 2012
    alakran, Dec 26, 2012
    #70
  11. MAG1965

    MAG1965 Loyal Member banned

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    I have to go with Manny.
     
    MAG1965, Dec 26, 2012
    MAG1965, Dec 26, 2012
    #71
  12. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    Yeah, I've damn near written full-length essays in The Lounge on Olajuwon's 1994-95 title runs. :rofl Though basketball tends to be more catered to individual talent as far as impact on a game. Barry's got a tremendous case to be #2 to Brown if only based on his sheer numbers and records. As a pure runner anyway, Walter Payton was a more complete football player. Olajuwon has big company for 'Greatest Center'.
     
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    #72
  13. the cobra

    the cobra Awesomeizationism! Full Member

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    Since '87 (they could all be switched around within their groups, but these are definitely the groups):

    1. Whitaker
    2. Pacquiao
    3. Jones
    4. Chavez

    5. Mayweather
    6. Hopkins
    7. Holyfield

    8. Lewis
    9. De La Hoya
    10. Marquez
     
    the cobra, Dec 26, 2012
    the cobra, Dec 26, 2012
    #73
  14. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    Since I did specify 25 years, are you keeping Chavez's wins over Lockridge, Laporte, Uncle Roger and Castillo out of the equation? Go ahead and count them retroactively. The main idea was just to keep any of the Fab 4 guys out of the argument.
     
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Dec 26, 2012
    #74
  15. the cobra

    the cobra Awesomeizationism! Full Member

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    I'd still have him at the bottom of that top group. It is the top group though, afterall, so I wouldn't argue too much with anyone who put him at #1, I guess.

    I could see Toney in over both Marquez and De La Hoya, too. McCallum would have a few of his better wins taken away, but he did some real quality work in that time frame all the same. Also applies for Azumah.
     
    the cobra, Dec 26, 2012
    the cobra, Dec 26, 2012
    #75
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