Honestly, I wouldn't consider even one of those guys at the level of Duran, Hearns, Hagler, and Benitez.
Did he actually say Hatton was top 5 all time at jr. Welter. Hard to take a poster like that seriously.
Manny only beat Marquez twice officially. Considering when he got them, Ledwaba, Sasakul, Larios, and Clottey were in front of Oscar, Mosley, Broner, and Mattyhsse.
It's is far easier in the fight game of the last 30 yrs or so to jump weight class to weight class and win a version of a title because #1 Right now their are 5 different sanctioning bodies with there own version of a World Championship. WBA,WBC,IBF,WBO,and the Ring. The sport is watered down now. When Leonard was prime their were only 2, when Armstrong was prime 1. So yes Pac may have been able to win multiple championships in the fight game of the last 30 yrs or so , but many other fighters pulled that same feat also It really isn't that impressive when its looked at without blinders on. If were judging by a number of fights, Pac wins hands down. But if were talking quality of opponents Leonard wins hands down. Pac has beaten NO ONE close to the level of Duran, Hearns,Benitez, and Hagler. Hell I dare say, very few of Pacs opponents was that much better than Kalule when Leonard fought him. #2, No same day weigh in. A welterweight today can be almost as heavy as a Middleweight in today's game on fight night. Back during Leonard's prime, if the fight is a welterweight championship fight, on fight night the fighter came in as a welterweight. Look at Pacs best opponents. Barrera,Morales,Marquez, Deloyhoya, Mosely, Cotto each one was on the other side of the mountain. Deloyhoya and Mosely were down in the valley. Pac has been a credit to the sport. And is a excellent ambassador for it. But his opposition isn't close to the level Leonard faced and won against. Its boils down to what's more important to the fan. Pac's consistency in a great long career, or Leonard's spectacular wins against better opposition in a much shorter career .
You are right. Hindsight is wonderful. If we could only stop some guys from fighting on it might help their legacy. Stop Hagler after Hearns. Leonard after Hagler. Duran after Leonard one.. Hearns after Hill. Holmes never fighting Spinks. Liston never fighting Clay, although he has a pretty good reputation regardless.
