B-Hop rates himself #5 Middleweight ever, agree?

Hearns as well , Mugabi would have been a threat to Bernard also.... Him beating Bernard is not out of the question .

 

At least he's humble enough to not rate himself #1 like many would. Leonard shouldn't be anywhere near a top 10 middleweights list. The other names are credible, though obviously he's missing a lot of older guys.

 

Agreed. Neither could be classed as ATG MWs, albeit they are both HOF'ers, on account of their career exploits in other divisions.

However, I do think Hopkins should be credited for his long reign, throughout which he does have some good wins, even if not against ATG MWs.

I don't see him making the top 5 but I think an argument could be made for him just squeaking in to the top 10.

 

My main memory of the fight between underrated European HOF fighter Calzagge and alleged 'old school' fighter Hopkins was Hopkins feigning injury, low blows etc.

Underwhelming fight. But Calzaghe did win.

 

Get ride of SRL and put Greb at the top and you got yourself a fine list.

 

And let's not forget Michael Nunn, who had a stunning run against top-drawer opposition (Tate, Roldan, Kalambay, Barkley, Starling, Curry) and was totally taking Toney apart for most of their bout.

 

He might make the top 6 but not the top 5

 

In fact Nunn's MW opposition pisses all over Bernard's.

F.Tate > Mercado, John David Jackson
Roldan > Steve Frank, Joe Lipsey
Kalambay > K.Holmes, Joppy
Barkley > Glencoffe, Echols
Starling > Tito
Curry > Oscar
Toney > Taylor

 

Nunn also signed to fight Benn in London in early 1989, and... Benn > Eastman.

 

lamotta #1

 

Middleweight's nearly impossible for me to rank individual fighters all-time because of its ample history. It was such a strong, deep division for much of boxing history through a few years past WWII. And, after that, it's had pockets of strength and great fighters who were able to become longevity monsters.

I'd almost need to break it off into time periods than rank everyone across eras. It's hard enough doing it for Heavyweights, and Middleweight is a much, much deeper division historically.

 

I do agree he's 5th. Don't quite agree that's the top 5. Ray Leonard isn't in the top 5 (or top 10 for that matter). Robinson should drop to 3rd, Greb should be #1.

 

There are some eye-catching names in Nunn's favour, for sure. However, it's probably worth noting that:

- Curry was a spent force, having already featured in two major upset defeats (Honeyghan; Jacquot) at Welterweight and Light Middleweight, respectively - and Curry was no Middleweight.
- Starling was a Welterweight, who also had no business at Middleweight. It was also his penultimate fight, prior to his loss and last fight against Maurice Blocker.

Whilst Oscar was perhaps also out of his depth in the 160 division, he did actually bring a Middleweight title to the table against Hopkins, as did Trinidad; himself having had moderate success there. So, I have to disregard Curry and Starling as adding any legitimate value to Nunn's Middleweight legacy.


I will give you Kalambay, though. That was a standout victory for Nunn, against an experienced guy, who had never been stopped before and would never be stopped again. Roldan was also a good win but he'd had a lot of fights in a relatively short span of time. He was pretty shop-worn when he faced Hearns, two years earlier, with Nunn beating Roldan in his 75th and last fight.


However, I'd probably pick Glen Johnson over Iran Barkley - I can't see a lot between them really but I just think Johnson could tough this one out to a decision win.

With regard to Frank Tate, who didn't have a huge impact on the division in his short title run, I would comfortably favour John David Jackson to beat him (and maybe even tip ODLH and Trinidad against him too).


In addition - Taking into account Hopkins' and Nunn's respective key losses at Middleweight - Hopkins gave a reasonable account of himself against Jones; even taking a few rounds - whereas Nunn's KO loss to Toney counts against him significantly, in my opinion.


Overall, Nunn had massive potential to become an All-Time Great Middleweight but his résumé, as it stands, doesn't do enough to stack up to that level, when you look at in context.

 

Watch the fight again. Watch that deliberate low blow & don't tell me it didn't hurt. Now count the LEGITIMATE scoring punches Calzaghe landed? not too many huh most were inside of the glove slaps. Calzaghe knew he really lost hence his refusing a rematch with Hopkins at home in Wales. He knew Nard was pissed & would kick his ass up & down the Rhonnda Valley:hi: