I categorize the weight classes based on elite, world class and above average. The elite level would be all time greats and those who fall just short of that status. The elite level consists of those with excellent resumes and those who present head to head problems for other elites and world class level fighters. I have been researching this a lot lately with the boxing fan's best friend: youtube. I have found Conn (the Pittsburgh kid like myself), Foster, Spinks, Tiger, Qawi, Jones Jr, Hopkins to be elite thus far. Mustafa Muhammad, Tarver, Glen Johnson would be examples of guys at world class level. Who am I missing? I am sure this has been a topic repeatedly but could I get some tips on who to watch and possibly some opinions on fighters who are somewhat between world and elite classes (like Jones Jr). Thanks, and I am not really a newbie I have had like 3 different screen names over the last 3 years and they keep getting erased.
Hopkins is not an elite LHW. He's not fought too many fights there, and was quite clearly at his peak at 160lbs. He wouldn't make a top 20 list. Foster, Conn, Tiger, Spinks, Charles, Moore, Tunney.
The highlighted I wouldn´t consider elite but I´m pretty harsh when it comes to this. You must be in my Top3, in some weights Top4, of my tiers to be an elite/atg. For lhw that means I consider Charles, Foster, Moore, Spinks, Loughran, Tunney, Conn, Langford, Greb and Harold Johnson as elite.
Why Jones and not Michaelchewski? Imo the difference between them at lhw is nearly non existent and an argument for both as beeing greater could be made.
its jones' hand speed that catches my eye.i don't like the bloke but he is fast.the others who i mentioned ,spniks apart,especially charles,are all favourites of mine.
What kind of list is this without the best one Ezzard Charles? Or a top 3 or 4 guy like Archie Moore? What about Tommy Loughran who was considered arguably the greatest of all pre 1950s? Gene Tunney ? and if you wann a go back further Jack Obrein and Bob fitzimmons. You left out a whole lot of guys here. Oh yeah id consider Harold Johnson elite also and i have a feeling im forgetting at least 1 or 2, this was a rich division, you got to go back and do some more homework.
Bernard is great against walk in slugger types with no mobility or cleverness...he owns them, but not against a mobile fast jabbing boxer.
I agree with Conn and Loughran but I´m not so sure about Pastrano. At this age. A younger Bernard would be do much better against this type. Harold Johnson against the Bernard Hopkins who dismantled Tarver would be a good fight. I expect a prime Johnson to win though.
Harold Johnson would have outpointed Bernard in one of the "dullest" fights (to casual fight fans) ever.