If you had to convince me of his genius in the ring WITH ONE FIGHT, which one would it be? Because I'm having a hard time putting JMM at #3. Juan Manuel Marquez came up from 126....He's a warrior....He defeated the monstrous Pacquiao in legendary fashion...He obviously takes his career VERY seriously and is dedicated. What has Andre Ward done in comparison? I believe moving up/down in weight is one of ways to tell who's really P4P. And I'm reading Andre Ward hasn't done much besides being a super middleweight...sooo......... :bart
Well. Ward has cleaned out a very solid division. Not many people in boxing have done that. He doesn't lose many rounds either.
P4P is a mythical ranking based on the notion of two fighters being the same size using their giving skill set. Moving up and down in weight should have nothing to do with P4P rankings. It should be based on opponents faced at any giving weight and rising/falling skill sets. How would fighter A do against fighter B if they were equal in size. Its mythical fun, but has its place among ranking fighters for today's purposes and historical. With that said Ward's inactivity may well catch up to him when ranking right now. Marquez's huge win can sure propel him to #2 and he follows it up with a win against another top 10 p4p in Bradley it should solidify him and #2, or if Mayweather some how loses moving him to possibly #1. Which would then create a huge argument in the fact that Mayweather thoroughly embarrassed Marquez when they fought. It makes for good debates.
Moving up and down weight kinda helps in projecting how good someone will be at an even higher weight. If Marquez went from 126 to 147, it can be surmised that given a slightly larger frame....well, let me cut the foreplay... If Marquez was a tad bigger...(opposite for Andre Ward)....who would win that fight? Is Andre Ward as elusive as Mayweather?
He is the undisputed king of his division. There is literally no question that he is the best SMW. Other than Wlad, point to another division where the top guy holds that dominance? (Floyd excluded as he's # 1)
All that would really mean is that he's #1 in that division. I could point to Guillermo Rigondeaux as I don't see anyone in HIS division EVER beating him.
That is true, I forgot about Rigo. But do you see any LHW's or CW'S beating Ward at this point in time (semi-retirement excluded). And Rigo's a real little guy, I don't see him pulling a Manny, Marquez, Morales, etc....cant see him higher than FW
He cleaned out a very solid divison then goes out to outclass THE nr 1 guy at the divison above him. Go figure.
Me neither, he's probably set for life at FW. But similarly, Andre Ward may only be effective at SMW. I was just reading that Chris Byrd piece on how losing weight affected his game. :deal
Is beating Kessler, Froch, Bika, Abraham and Dawson enough to be rated number 2 though? Great wins are Froch and Kessler. Good wins over Bika, Abraham( loses some credibility because of the Froch and Dirrell defeats.) and Dawson good win at 168 LBS, Great at 175 LBS. I would rate Ward highly based on how well he performed in these fights, surprisingly Bika was the most competitive. Marquez has a long career of fighting at world level and just scored a knockout over a top 3 P4P rated fighter I think he deserves the 2nd spot.
Ward's skill level is what makes him #2 in most P4P ratings. He is a master at distance and ring generalship. Only Floyd and maybe Rigo have more raw talent and skill.