Fenech?? He does not compare to Rose for a start. Yes, he won three versions of World titles, but he was not rated #1 in any of the divisions he picked up titles in, nor did he tackle any #1 rated men in the divisions of which he was fighting. Lionel Rose tackled Takao Sakurai, Chu Cho Castillo, Alan Rudkin and Rubin Olivares during assaults on his title. Now, take a look at each man ranking in the bantamweight division in the month leading up to the title shot. Yes, Lionel's resume shits on that of Fenech. Had fenech unified a division, I'd give him a lot more credit. Fine, Fenech was a vicious fighter blah blah blah.. He'd not have lasted past the 5th round at Bantam against Lionel.
Griffo, Darcy, Richards, Palmer, Carroll, Sands, Rose and Famechon. Each of the I'd rate above Fenech. Amazing how Fenech started getting the **** belted out of him when he faught guys his own physical size.
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He has not been mentioned yet, but Fitzsimmons could be the best figther from Australia, New Zealand, England or even USA, depending on your eligibility rules. As far as Australia goes, if Fitz isnt eligible, i think it is pretty much accepted that Darcy is the pound for pound guru. Most Australians at the time, thought he was pretty much a cut above Harry Greb and he very well might be.
You need to understand how Manny would fight under the same conditions as his peers. Could be as good as Elorde or Villa if he was fighting 60+ rounds a year, rather than 12/24? Could he compete with less notice, less time to train? Could he go 15+ rounds and still be up there with Villa and Elorde? Maybe he can, maybe not, we will probably never know, because as I pointed out, Elorde and Villa fought in basically a different sport.
You obviously over estimate Fenech, and underestimate Lionel Rose. Listen goose, if you know Fenech resume' at Bantam and think he'd survive against Lionel, you're a moron. Chin or body, Rose would take both.