...i've only indicated that seven welterweights have to be ranked in front of them. They could literally rank #8 or #9 on the list. At the lowest, assuming no changes (and there will be changes) they will rank #13 and #14. In other words, their range is 7-14. You have said they were GOAT in their own century. Robinson, Leonard, Lewis, Britton, Napoles, Gavilan, Griffith and Mayweather have all emerged since then, so of course they might be ranked lower. I don't understand the objection if i'm honest, 7-14 seems to be exactly the sort of range they would inhabit; indeed, this was inflicted in the ESB poll (9 and 14), and in Ryan's case, both the Boxing Scene 25 and the IBRO poll. Walcott was ranked higher - but i believe he was credited upon these lists for heavyweights/middleweights he KO'd whilst weighing in as a ww. I don't treat these wins as being relevant for the ww division, but rather the division of the victim, and on the p4p list.
OK, I didnt understand that your list meant anywhere between A and B. Even on that basis, I think you are selling them short. I mean Mayweather?
Forrest beat a total of one ranked contender by my eye. I know, i was shocked too - any intell to the contrary gratefully received.
Kid Gavilan a bit high perhaps? Even in his prime he could be up and down and he has some stand out losses mixed in with his good wins.
I'd have to reject the premise that considering them for the lower reaches of the top ten of the welterweight list is selling them short. The alternative is to state that they are inarguably locked on such a list above Mickey Walker, Barney Ross and Jimmy McLarning and I don't accept that. Mayweather is a problem alright - but I think people have to accept he is in this type of company. The man is 11-0 in lineal welterweight title fights, retired the undefeated champion of the world and has a swathe of contenders at the weight. If you don't like him above Ryan, that's fine, but I don't think snorting at his inclusion in this clutch is reasonable any more - by your own standards of dominance, lengthy title reigns (seven or eight calender years in two stints) most of all.
If this was true it would get him in. What's your source? I'm after rankings when he met them btw, not two years after or whatever.
I really do think Mayweather is too high. I don't think he should be above any of the guys in Tier 4. Tier 5 is about where I'd put him. Hearns and Ross could swap places. Curry and Benitez I might put a tier higher. I'm very found of this series, and I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
Great list. But by your criteria, Whitaker seems too high compared to a bunch of the fighters in his tier and the one below. Cokes too, probably.
Mayweather seems too high by your criteria too. I don't see how he belongs above Hearns based on the quality of their wins at 147 (and Hearns should earn points for his fight against Leonard).
As good and reasonable a welterweight list as I have ever seen,,,it fits to a tee,...and Tier ll is exactly the way I see it.