We all know how remarkable Duran was at lightweight, he was like a freight train that was destroying in his path. But, despite that, I think Joe Gans has a much more impressive resume in the division. He has wins over Battling Nelson, George 'Elbows' McFadden, Jack Blackburn and Kid Herman. These are all ATG fighters, and the ones found on film are quite impressive IMO. Duran's resume at lightweight obviously isn't crappy either, and I have him higher P4P, but I think Gans might have a more legitimate argument as the lightweight GOAT. Thoughts?
I have my top 3 as Gans, Benny Leonard, and Duran but I can’t ever decide what order to put them in…I go back and forth.
It's a reasonable opinion. Joe Gans was/is held in very rare air for good reason. He just did his thing so long ago he gets overlooked.
Imo, I do have Gans ranked over Duran as a lightweight due to lightweight opposition beat. But if ranking all-time P4P, gotta go with Duran.
I don't rate Benny or Gans as high as Duran because I haven't seen as many of their fights and I am not as familiar with their work, additionally I rate the technique and fighters of their time a bit lower than Duran's. I understand Gans' historical significance and many who saw him recount him as the finest boxer they'd ever seen, but I just can't rate him higher than Duran all things considered.
Greater beyond almost all doubt i'd say. Gans took an absolute swathe of lightweight scalps, he was a monster there, it was crazy. Duran is way behind. You can argue it either way for ATG P4P status I think, but just based upon lightweights? The argument for GOAT is between Leonard and Gans with Duran maybe calling out the winner from ringside.
I have Leonard Gans and Duran in that order…but I don’t think there is enough separating these 3 to declare there is not room for debate or divergent opinions. To me, these 3 are the Lightweight kings, put them in whatever order seems best to you
Yea, on board with your thought pattern, and these are 123 by most punters, personally I have Duran at No1. stay safe buddy.
Just thinking, is the LWs the easiest to put down the unaqvical 123 ? Is HWs -- Louis/Ali/Marciano Is LHWs - Moore/Foster/Charles Is MWs -- Greb/Monzon/SRR or Hagler Is WWs -- Leonard ( either )/ Napoles/ Armstrong Is FWs -- Saddler/Pep/ Sanchez Is BWs - Olivares/Zarate/ Jofre Is -- FWs Wilde/Lynch/ Canto Thinking it might be..... stay safe guys.
Snap. 1. Leonard 2. Gans 3. Duran 4. McFarland 5. Whittaker 6. Ortiz 7. William's 8. Amber's 9. Welsh 10. Canzeroni I can see Mandell top 10, but that's about it. Gans just over Duran based on fights contested in and around LW only, imo. Duran just higher p4p based on their entire careers, for me.
