Is it fair to have Lennox Lewis rated higher than Floyd Mayweather Jr on a ATG rankings list?

Since it is an opinion question and not a fact question it is absolutely fair. I rate Floyd higher but there is a great case to be made for Lennox being higher rated.

 

Floyd went through many weight divisions but never became undisputed in any of them?

It depends on which metric you're using tbh.

 

I don't think there's a fair way to rate Lennox higher, but there's always a huge issue rating HWs vs non-HWs. In a lot of ways they really shouldn't be compared.

 

Lennox was the Undisputed champion in one of the most prestigious divisions in the history of boxing, and has the resume to boot. I think its fair to put Lewis higher than Floyd and vice versa.

 

Basically, no. No, not at all. If you want to rank Foreman over Pacquiao and Holmes over RJJ and Tyson over Pernell, hey, it's your business, but basically no to all of this from me. Not just no for my own list, but no, it's not fair.

 

What's that got to do with anything ?
By the way,Lennox is being compared to Mayweather not Pacquiao

 

I like Lewis more than Mayweather but no absolutely not.

In what criteria could Lewis be rated above Mayweather ? Mayweather has the undefeated streak, more wins against quality opposition, and didn't suffer two KO losses against two mediocre Heavyweights.

 

No. But it's not because of Floyd being in several divisions, how long will it take people to realize that when you're the height of Lennox (or taller), you don't have the option to take a leak and change the division, but you're stuck to heavy and cruiser at most?

 

Much respect to Lewis, but It's hard for me not to believe that Mayweather was a superior pound for pound fighter.

 

Lennox arguably has a better resume so ofc its fair/reasonable.

Floyd = Hernandez, Corrales, JLC 2 (obv not 1 lol), Manny, Mosley, Hatton, DLH, Canelo...none of those opponents were PRIME/PEAK when Floyd fought them

Lennox = Mercer, Morrison, Golota, Briggs, Holyfield, Tua, Rahman, and ofc Vitali...also shot to sh1t Tyson

Lennox was undisputed which is pretty important for a guy campaigning in any one weight class for a period of time. Also, dont remember Lennox EVER ducking anyone. He retired after Vitali so that's not a duck...

And some peeps prefer/biased to HWs

 

No but he's greater than Manny Pacquiao. For sure

 

Why not

 

Non-HWs fight over multiple divisions, facing a much larger talent pool. If you defeat a much larger pool of people than another fighter with an equal amount of dominance, of course, it can be said that your technical skills/pound for pound athletic skills are greater.
Heavyweights, however, are the best overall athletes and boxers on the planet. In a sense they compete with everyone.