No real order... Edward Henry Greb Samuel Edgar Langford Robert James Fitzsimmons Henry Jackson, Jr. Walker Smith, Jr. Benjamin Leiner Patrick McFarland Roberto Duran Samaniego Joe Louis Barrow Joseph Gant
Roughly best each generation with some tortured decade placings. 1910s/20s Benny Leonard 1930s Henry Armstrong 1940s Joe Louis 1950s Sugar Ray Robinson 1960s Muhammad Ali 1970s Roberto Duran 1980s Sugar Ray Leonard 1990s Julio Cesar Chavez 2000s Manny Pacquiao 2010s Floyd Mayweather
You do also have to put it into context though. Lightweight was probably only second to Heavyweight and he was a dominant, very active champion in arguably the divisions golden era. So with that much competition and good purses and his willingness to defend his title it’s hard to hold it against him. Weight hopping can be overrated whereas long, dominance can be underrated. I think you factor all that in with his skills and talent and for me at least it’s hard to fathom a top 10 without him. The McLarnin fight can be tossed out. He was an old man who’d retired in his prime and spent 6/7 years out the ring and came back for money.
Yeah, I know. Doesn't really factor in for me, as whatever the reasons for it not happening is irrelevant imo. It still didn't happen. Skills he's top of any pile, but I don't factor that in, personally. I prefer weight hopping over dominance, as it really does sum up the phrase "P4P". I don't hold losing to McLarnin against him, just that if he didn't the sky's the limit.
Can you explain this please. Preferably all of it, I think it would really help see where you're coming from.
Champion: Sugar Ray Robinson 1. Harry Greb 2. Ezzard Charles 3. Sam Langford 3. Sugar Ray Leonard 4. Muhammad Ali 5. Jack Johnson 6. Joe Louis 7. Henry Armstrong 8. Roberto Duran 9. Willie Pep I haven’t done a list in years. Not sure I am comfortable with Pep over Benny Leonard. It also might be that Armstrong needs to be moved up over Louis and that Johnson needs to be moved up over Ali.
1. Sugar Ray Robinson 2. Benny Leonard 3. Ezzard Charles 4. Henry Armstrong 5. Muhammad Ali 6. Joe Louis 7. Harry Greb 8. Roberto Duran 9. Willie Pep 10. Evander Holyfield
