I've not started this thread to question whether or not Burley was a great fighter, just to understand how people rate him in boxing history. I'd imagine he could fit anywhere from top 10 p4p to top 100.
Archie Moore said that Burley was the best fighter he ever fought. The Old Mongoose told the story about the day Burley worked about 10 hours on his day job and hopped on a bus to fight Moore on short notice. He put Archie down and won decision. Thats only 1 man's opinion but Moore's may carry a little more. He's seen a few
Of what we can see, he looks like a very sophisticated technician with a fair bit of malice within his work. It's a shame what we have is so limited.
I actually don't think one should make too much out of that. Fighters' pick for best opponent is in most cases counter intuitive since they almost always pick someone they beat. Kalambay had Barkley as his best opponent for example. Foreman had Lyle. Even though it isn't always this flagrant, it is usually a bit suspect at best. And this is also at least somewhat counter inuitive. The logical thing would be for Moore to pick the one he is 0-3 against at his best weight: Ezzard Charles. But he didn't. Of course, that Moore never beat Burley makes his claim more believable, still Charles is the most logical answer.
I believe Eddie Futch after hearing Moore's account of Burley agreed with Archie that Burley was the best he had seen. Your righ though that it is just one opinion. It at least puts Burley in the conversation.
This guy was a beast. He beat Fritzie Zivic and the Cocoa Kid for the Negro title within 2 years of turning Pro at 19 with limited amateur experience. Great even series with Holman Williams, may have been robbed of one win. Beat lots of contenders at MW and WW in Jack Chase, Joe Carter, Bert Lytell, Jimmy Leto, Archie Moore, and Billy Smith. Supposedly put a whipping on Jimmy Bivins but spotted him too many early rounds.