Sweet Pea Eubank BHop Naz Graham of course some of what we dislike can be down to personality... but of the above, while knowing they are obviously good fighters, I was just not won over by them, knowing fine well many other Top Dawgs could run them out.
Naz for me, I couldn't stand the man. I held a grudging respect for him in the earlier days but as he aged he got sloppy and even more arrogant. Was quite happy to see Marco kick his ass.
Too me, the term "Great" in boxing should be reserved for hall of fame fighters. Vinny Paz just got voted into the hall of fame recently and I don't get why. He had a good career but far from great imo.
I agree, though the others are perceived greats, which equally, I wouldn't disagree with, just not the very best of great fighters in the general sense.
Ray Mancini was very popular when I started following boxing, I remember many casual fans thought he was great, sadly because the Duk Koo Kim fight got a lot of publicity, and he is still remembered today, while Harry Arroyo also from Youngstown Ohio never got his due and is mostly forgotten. Also, he was before my time, but I'd put Mike Rossman in there. After winning the title he became hugely popular, meeting Sylvester Stallone, and from some boxing mags I have circa 1979, there was even talk of an Ali vs Rossman fight after Ali had regained the title a 3rd time by beating Leon Spinks.
I definitely agree,Fergy. After a while Naseem seemed to totally forget about his undeniable skills and just slug. He could have made that Kevin Kelley fight far easier on himself if he'd boxed rather than simply tore in there. Have you seen him recently? He could be a heavyweight now!
Lol I have mate, he's bloody massive now. Can't understand Fighter's letting themselves go, to get into that state.