Are these the top 5 fighters since Ray Leonard ?

Why settle for inferiority when you can have superior quality?

Whitaker over Chavez
Norris over Leonard
Jones over Hopkins
Jackson over Norris

with the top fighter being the fighter of the 80s, Hagler, winner of KO magazine's p4p #1 award 4 straight years.

Follow that up with Roy Jones' p4p award 6 times. Or is it 7? Maybe Powerpuncher knows

 

KO voted Leonard as their fighter of the 80's. Funny that, huh.

 

The problem though is he dont win the award of excellence like Hagler or Jones. Ray COULD have been fighter of the 80s with an impressive win over young Micheal Nunn following the kalambay fight. Apparantly, Ray wasnt very eager to put the young upstart in his place, so he doesnt get the award.

 

Whitaker
Pacquiao
Chavez
Hopkins
Jones

 

To put himself ahead with enough distance to make the debate academic, yes he would need Mosley.

 

Sugar Ray Leonard would win the majority of votes on the fighter of the 80's from a group of knowledgeable boxing fans. No dispute there.

 

If you believe Leonard defeated Hagler. If you are one of the people that feel Hagler really won that fight, it may be hard for you feel that Leonard is the best from the 80's.

I haven't watched Leonard/Hagler in well over a decade, I'd bet. The last time I scored it 7-5 for Leonard. It is almost a rule in my head that Leonard is the 80's best. I've begun to 2nd guess that pick in the last several years. Michael Spinks is a top 10 all time great at light heavyweight, and his first performance against Holmes was truly special. It is a far bigger deal than Jones defeating Ruiz.

 

I would say Whitaker, Chavez, Jones, Holyfield, and Hopkins if asked today. Pac and Floyd still have a shot, with a slim chance going to the still active Mosley.

 

GTFOH! How you gonna bring Randall into this Chavez was already clearly on the down side.
He wasnt overrated hes become Underrated. Bottom Line Taylor wouldnt have been stopped if he could have held up under Chavez punishing shots, People act like Chavez wasnt doing any thing during the fight,like if he just landed some Lucky punch.
IN my opinion Whittaker did deserve the fight but Chavez was moving up and only came in at 142 against a Welter. Chavez was also fading already, I would have loved to see that fight at 135 or even a couple years before at 140. Maybe Whittaker would have outpointed him again,but im not positive on that one either. I think at 135 that could have gone either way.

Anyways I agree with Bill Butcher the fighters you mentioned Were right on but i agree you can make an argument for Hopkins over Mayweather. If Mayweather beats Pac though(i think he will) Mayweathers stock rises even higher.

 

Ray Leonard fought from 1977-1997. However he retired and made a few combacks. his first career was 1977-1982. He made a one fight comeback in 1984. After that he fought from 1987-1989 he did not fight in 1990 but did fight in 1991. He would have a last fight in 1997. My question is when you say since Ray Leonard from which point in his career do you mean? His debut in 1977? His final fight in 1997? After 1989 when he was still compitive against his opostion after 1991 when it was clear he was no longer world class?

 

...Are you for real? You know exactly what he means. :-((

 

I'm sorry I don't have your skills when it comes to mind-reading. I will try to to hone my skills in this matter.

 

Hey I must be a mind reader too cause i know what hes talking about.

My telepathy tells me that the threadmaker means since Leonards prime which is roughly around 25 years.

 

Really?

Like the Exorcist once said, "there are no experts"

How you become an expert?

anyone can call themselves an expert or a knowledgable fan but can they prove they are?

years ago I ran into a man who didnt take kindly to my point of view and argued vehemently over something I said about Leonard. he got steamed as tho I said something wrong - as tho HE were an expert. But I quickly showed him the error os his ways and he soon learned his rightful place.

After putting him on the spot, he said less and less. When further pressed, the truth finally came to the survace and in a last ditch effor to save face in front of the others, fianally admitted "Well I dont really follow boxing"

people like that frequently pop up

I dont even watch boxing anymore. The sport now bores me but still I'll always have a high boxing IQ as Ali had. There are a lot of people who follow the sport, watching hours and hours but they always have a low boxing IQ.

What can I say, it's something you're born with. :smoke

You can follow boxing all your life watching endless footage and never get it right like I have

 

Apearently.