OK so I rank mainly on H2H, although that doesn't strictly mean the eye test, resume has to be considered so we know the level at which a fighter is performing. I only include fighters I've watched fight, and I tend not to include active fighters as their placing is too dynamic. So here's my LWW list 1 Carlos Ortiz 2 Aaron Pryor 3 Pernell Whitaker 4 Barney Ross 5 Julio Cesar Chavez 6 Kostya Tszyu 7 Floyd Mayweather 8 Wilfred Benitez 9 Eddie Perkins 10 Nicolino Locche HM: Canzoneri, Pacquaio, De La Hoya, Hatton, Loi Are there any people you feel should be in that aren't? Any orders that need changing?
You know what, I thought long and hard about Eddie Perkins. He has some quality wins, but he has too many losses in and around his prime for my liking. I mean the following losses are what give me the most trouble: Alfredo Urbina, LC Morgan, Lennix Beckles. All took place at 140 in and around his prime. Losing to Loi, Locche, Hernandez and Napoles, fine. But those 3? And none avenged. I know his slick negative style probably has a lot to do with it. I'm really torn with him as a H2H force, I really am.
Worth bearing in mind when evaluating Perkins that he was a road warrior almost always fighting in the other guy's home town. The Loi, Locche and Napoles fights were all on away soil and the first two especially were known to benefit from some questionable officiating.
My question is what the hell does one do with Duran? Tho he never fought for the title or overly campaigned there he had about 20 fights in that division. He didn't have notable wins there but there may not be a fighter in history who could beat him at that weight and if so there would not be many. He's a bit of a conundrum.
Same with Napoles. FWJW I just stick to those who officially campaigned at the weight, or if it was a one off fight, held a title/championship at the weight.
I've read the same, certainly about Loi anyway. But he has a good few losses at 140 that I can't explain with quality of opposition, out of prime, or dubious decision. It's a tough one and there's so little footage of him at his best.
Fair enough mate i knew you had something in place. Napoles is another top mention along these lines.
Been looking a lot into Eddie Perkins today. From what I can gather, 1960 to 1974 it seems only Napoles holds a clean victory over him, there's a lot of close fights in the opponents home town and it seems a lot could have gone his way. The only footage I can find is his fight with Hub bar which was a bit before his prime. You can see a very strong jab, excellent feet movement and slick head movement. But you can also see him clipped with a big hook and fade down the stretch, something I think he sorted out after the loss to Urbina. But then there are his victories we know he did score so he clearly was a great talent. I think I need to be giving a lot of benefit of doubt to fights I haven't seen, but I feel more comfortable doing that and including him then judging solely on record and not doing so. Updated list: 1 Carlos Ortiz 2 Aaron Pryor 3 Pernell Whitaker 4 Barney Ross 5 Julio Cesar Chavez 6 Kostya Tszyu 7 Floyd Mayweather 8 Wilfred Benitez 9 Eddie Perkins 10 Nicolino Locche
I think he's top ten and at least some of those losses were questionable. I have a soft spot for road warriors though, so I give him the benefit of the doubt more than most. Let Mayweather travel halfway across the world to fight Locche in Argentina and Loi in Italy, not to mention local favourites in Venezuela, Mexico, Guyana and elsewhere, while Perkins fights exclusively in Vegas with every advantage and see who gets better results.
I think a defensive road warrior with hardly any power will struggle to get the nod in close fights, that in no way detracts from his greatness imo. Just a same we can't see and judge for ourselves.
