Why isn't McGovern the Greatest Bantam of All Time?

Yes. Maybe he was the greatest bantam of all-time.
I've read about him being referred to as such.

 

because Eder Jofre exists.

 

Terry McGovern, by all who saw him in his meteoric, but short prime, was considered the greatest bantam weight of his time, and maybe all-time. Who would win between McGovern and Jofre ? Who can tell really ?

 

He certainly has a case. I think that he stands out as the greatest ever finisher at that weight.

Those who argue for another fighter holding the #1 slot will always have his lack of longevity and rapid demise to fall back on.

 

Zarate, Olivares, Jofre, McGovern, Ortiz = the Top 5 Bantamweights of all time

I would have Jofre on top, followed by McGovern, followed by Zarate.

 

He definitely has a case for being the most destructive bantie of all time. Any fighter who destroys the reigning champions at bantam, feather and lightweight (and annihilating several top contenders in between) all within 14 months has to be considered a marvel by any measuring stick. McGovern was that and more.

 

He didnt really destroy the reigning bantamweight champion though. If Jimmy Barry hadnt retired undefeated champion, he might never have held the world bantamweight championship.

 

He wouldn't last two round with Junior Jones.

 

Barry was more than ready to be taken by the time he retired. I don't think that he would have stood between McGovern and the title.

 

You do realise that Barry, by modern standards would be a Strawweight, right? McGovern would've ran right through him at any stage of his career.

 

A massive honour when you consider who fought at Bantamweight: Ruben Olivares, a wrecking ball who in his best days destroyed some superb fighters; Carlos Zarate, one of the ATG punchers and; Eder Jofre, another great puncher.