Super Flyweight has always been the most talented of the Junior Divisions, in my opinion. Today, Super Flyweight holds some of the most talented, skilled and courageous fighters in the world. Today, many a talent or favourite have passed through or competed here for long stretches of time. The same is true of the 1980's period. If you were to compare the class of the division and individual fighters, what would you say? For example, which era has the best fighters H2H? Resume? Greatness? Today we have: Juan Francisco Estrada, Kazuto Ioka, Jerwin Ancajas, Kal Yafai, Donnie Nietes, Carlos Cuadras and Srisaket Sor Rungiviasi, alongside strong contenders and former champs like McWilliams Arroyo and Chocolatito, among others. In the 1980's period, we had: Gilberto Roman, Khoasai Galaxy, Jiro Watanabe, Santos Laciar, Payao Poonterat, Rafael Orono, and Chul Ho Kim, alongside strong contenders and aged but still good fighters like Shoji Oguma and Gustavo Ballas, among others. With this in mind, what are your thoughts?
C’mon Mark! This is the classic forum!!!!! JK, I will try to answer later but it is always more difficult to contrast a current crop against the past of any era.
It's a great thread, and I look forward to reading the replies. But that probably means you'll get 24 at the most. I'll have a think and learn about some of the guys from the 80s, then I'll have an answer. Although SSR is my favourite here.
24? You are very hopeful! Anyway, both have very similar levels of strength and great fighters. I think 80's has the best fighters individually / H2H (like Jiro and Roman) but I think the current era actually succeeds it in terms of competition etc.
I've got to be honest, I don't know enough about the current era to compare. The 80s was probably the peak of the division (unless you rate the current one higher, of course). But I'll wait to see what other more knowledgeable posters have to say...
For those interested. Some highlights I found on the mentioned fighters. 80s Gilberto Roman This content is protected Jiro Watanabe This content is protected Khaosai Galaxy This content is protected Santo Laciar This content is protected
Current Kazuto Ioka This content is protected Rungvisai This content is protected Carlos Cuadras This content is protected Chocolatito (115) This content is protected
80s super flyweight greats Rafael Orono Gilberto Roman Nana Konadu Gustavo Ballad Jiro Watanabe Khaosai Galaxy Jiro Watanabe Today's crop Estrada,Yafai, Chocalitito, SSR. Chocalatito stands his ground with everyone above. SSR and Estrada a level below and yafai is an absolute joke. The 80s were better.