Kostya Tszyu where do you have him at 140lbs?

Yeah, he’s top 10. He has an argument for top 5 too. There were better fighters at the weight but his overall body of work as a committed 140 pounder for his entire career makes him one of the most identifiable champions in that division’s history along with Kid Pambele Cervantes, Aaron Pryor and JCC. I’d rate all three above him as well as Barney Ross and then maybe Niccolino Locche but after that, he’d be there or thereabouts.

 

I think for sure top 10. He’s my favorite of all 140 champs. I think top 5 is reasonable but your need to put forth a good argument for him over Locche, Perkins, Ross, Pryor and there probably isn’t a case for him over Chavez & Cervantes.

 

He was a force of nature but that Vince Phillips fights showed some cracks in the veneer IMO.

Top 10 at 140? Sure. Top five? Not quite.

 

I don't think he was often at that weight, but rather often below.

Anyway he should be ranked higher than Perkins. Ross never competed in the same divison...

 

Top ten on resume.

Borderline top ten h2h.

 

I think very highly of him. I don't really like ranking guys because I honestly feel like at the top level, they are all capable of beating each other but he certainly had the type of power and timing to KO anyone at Jr Welterweight.

 

He weighted more often 138 and 139 lb than above, like 2/3 of boxers in Light-Welterweight (thereI have him in the top 3, at least 5). He achieved a lot more than a Hatton or even than Crawford, whos opposition was in comparison crap.

 

he didnt ?? Canzoneri fought there as well
I think the division was established in the early 20's and recognized by the NBA, , and NYSAC did stop recognizing it at some point ...if my memory serves me today ,, but I wouldn't bet on it .. but although not universally recognized by all commissions until late 50's
I would take Canzoneri and McFarland to beat him at that weight as well

 

Awesome fighter who was a match for any fighter of any era.

 

Light-Welterweight didn't exist official before around 1960, so he couldn't compete in it, when he retired before 1950...
It were just non-title bouts, where you don't have to make any weight limit (you can call it catch-weight), but he can not be in the top 25 of that weight-class.
Maybe can these bouts, also the early in Super-Featherweight, compared with Briderweight or Super-Cruiserweight now.

 

Then he didn't fight in Light-Welterweight, when it is the official weight-in.

These just before fight TV scales are ridiculous and just for entertainment. Some boxers made fund about it (and this rightfully), as Arreola against Klitschko with a blomo-waist or Clottey weight as light-heavyweight because of wearing gold-chains during the weight-in.