I have matched 64 of the best fighters from the 1980s and 90s in a Tournament to decide who is the best fighter of my favourite era in boxing, the late 20th Century. I have drawn the 64 fighters into 32 matches, that you can pick the winner of in a pound for pound match up. All I ask is that you consider the fighter in his prime 80s or 90s period, as there are a number of fighters who arguably peaked before or after the 80s or 90s. For instance if Ali were in this (he is not), you would have to evaluate how the Ali of the Holmes or Berbick fights would of done against his opponent. How you come to your decision is course up to you, pound for pound is a very abstract term. For the sake of speed and not clogging up the board, I will post five matches at a time and offer you multiple votes, so you can make a pick for each fight. Finally, my vote will only count to break a tie. First Round part one: http://www.boxingforum24.com/showthread.php?t=494187
I think I cannot vote in those threads because I cannot say right now how good all those fighters are, what their weaknesses and strengths are. I am pretty sure I watched fights of pretty much all of them, but I cannot picture their style in my head right now. I also think the p4p thing is difficult to use because e.g. Vitali Klitschko is a Heavyweight with a long reach and who uses his height as well. So "pound for pound" you could say he is not that good, but as a big tall heavyweight and the way he uses his physical tools, he is almost unbeatable. I would vote in those threads if I would be able to have a complete picture of every fighter in my head, but I haven't. And it would be meaningless to vote just based on who the bigger name is I believe.
Pound for pound is very abstract. Have you thought about growing everyone up to 250lbs, rather than shrinking people down? That might work for you...
Interesting idea. But let's say Jeff Fenech was 250 pounds - would he still be so energetic and so fast with his punches? Would he have the energy to be so relentless, would he throw so many punches?
No, but he would be bigger, taller and more powerful, so you would then ask yourself does the advantages and disadvantages Fenech now possess at 250lbs mean he would be favoured to beat a Klitschko?
Baclava has a very good point. I think this exercise would have been easier if the elimination of a fighter was based on comparing two fighters at or near the same weight category. For example Duran - Mayweather or SRL - Hearns, rather than trying to compare fighters who are in vastly different weight categories. ( ie Bowe - Nunn)
It is pound for pound, it really just an opinion. There is no trick, there is no right or wrong answer!
I understand that, but it would be easier for me to have an opinion if I could visualize an outcome. But your right, it really shouldn't be necessary.
TBooze - Did you do any tiebreaking in the earlier pairings? Looks like you might get a chance to here.
The majority voters are realllll tall orders for all of the losing voters. I think maybe Fenech could give Mosley problems.
All 1st round matches as I post are still alive; at least for another half hour. I forgot to activate the option for all to see who voted for who in the first two parts, but from now on, if the 'fight' finishes tied, I will just not count my vote, and you should all be able to see my vote. The draw and in due course the results are posted here: http://www.boxingforum24.com/showthread.php?t=494189
I agree, but does he beat him? I would say no. Fenech was brilliant in the mid 80s and then with the first Nelson fight, but Mosley was awesome in the late 90s.