In terms of ability, where do you guys rank Ricardo Lopez ?

So you want an all time pound for pound ranking taking into account only pure ability? That's a pretty big ask!!!!

I won't get into all of that, but I will say that Lopez has come to define his style. I can't think of anyone who box-punches better than him really, purely in terms of execution. Of course, it's hard to be 100% sure about what lies beneath because, as you've pointed out, he didn't revel in competiton, but I do also think that he often made the copmpetiton look bad in a very Louis-like way - as far as straweights go, and that is his weight, there's nobody that can really expect to share a ring with him.

Which is also a factor. Has anyone ever been so superior to their peers?

 

I think it's reasonable to say that he could have been the best Mexican boxer in the terms you are describing. But he didn't prove that. So it's shaky ground.

As to whether or not he could be top 10 pound for pound regardless of competition, that's an enormous question. To answer it, a person would have to break down Robinson's entire skillset regardless of competition, Ike Williams's entire skillset regardless of competition etc etc.

 

I agree with you that he was an astonishing puncher. Some of his highlight-reel KO's are in the very, very top class. He does have only guys like Tyson for company at his very best.

 

It IS difficult to find things he did improperly, and I think he is both the best composite ever with a "proper" style at his best weight, and a perfect technical puncher to boot. So he's really defining multiple punching issues. Incredible fighter.