Best P4P Fighter Of Each Decade

Do you mean the 20th century?

 

We have not had a completed decade yet in the 21st century

But I think you mean the 20th... so here is my take

1901-10 Sammy Langford

1911-20 Jimmy Wilde

1921-30 Benny Leonard

1931-40 Henry Armstrong

1941-50 Ray Robinson

1951-60 Sandy Saddler

1961-70 Emile Griffith

1971-80 Roberto Duran

1981-90 Marvin Hagler

1991-2000 Oscar de la Hoya

 

60s was Ali. Griffiths lost 9 times in the 60s. Ali was undefeated with 29 wins, 23 by KO and defended his title 8 times until he was stripped of the title. Ali defended his title more times than Rocky Marciano just in the 60s.

 

21 century is 2000+. 20th century is the beginning of the 1900's.

 

TBooze, ( damn, I always seem to be questioning your opinions lately, lol,) what did DLH do to be regarded the fighter of the 90s?

By your estimation he beat Chavez when he was 9 years past his prime, Whitaker when he was 8 years past his prime (which most felt he lost), Quartey (in a fight most felt he lost) and other than that blew out a lot of older or smaller opponents that didn't belong in his weight class.

If glam and popularity is part of your criteria then I'd understand.

 

And big time quality opposition that de la Hoya's rivals (Whitaker and Jones) lacked.

 

I thought about Ali, but he did not fight for three years in the decade, and his opposition (Liston apart) was fairly uninspiring.

Griffith was competing with the very best in two excellent divisions, and had a brilliant series of bouts with Moyer, Rodriguez, Fernandez, Paret, Archer and Benvenuti as well as a one off bout against Dick Tiger.

 

Hagler didn't fight for about 3 years of the 90's either. Hearns apart, his opposition wasn't fantastic either excepting Leonard, whom he lost to. Duran was wellll up in the weights and beyond his prime.

 

Whitaker faced 5 guys that were top 10 p4p (at the time he fought them) during the decade:Azumah Nelson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Buddy McGirt, Oscar De la Hoya and Felix Trinidad. He arguably went 5-1 with those guys. How is that a lack of quality opposition?

 

Hagler did not fight at all in the 90s

I am damned if I am going to give Leonard credit if I can avoid it, so I spun it...

As the 20th Century did not begin to 1901, (because we did not have a year 0), I could start the 80s in 1981... which took out the the two Duran/Leonard fights that mattered, and without the first two Duran fights I think there is scope to give the decade to Hagler.

 

He actually went 3-2-1 with them and two of them victories were over McGirt who althoug a superb technician, was arguable not a top 10 pound for pound contender in the 90s... pre Taylor maybe. And his other victory is over Nelson (a man who at his best 9lbs lighter) but that was in 1990 anyway, which means it does not count in my list.

So I reckon Whitaker actual record over top 10 pound for pound fighters was 0-2-1 (91 to 2000)

 

Sorry, 6 Corona's have me operating on just 7 cylinders

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

It can be debated either way for sure. Thing is Leonard's loss to Duran doesn't go against him either. We still have him beating Hearn's, Hagler and Duran. His loss to Norris also doesn't count. We now have a fighter who went thru the entire 80's period undefeated while beating 3 ATG's.

I give him the crown based on zero losses and quality over quantity. The win over his only serious rival for the position seals the deal for me. Ray Leonard, fighter of the 80's.

 

Buddy actually achieved his higest p4p ranking after beating Simon Brown for the WBC welterweight title in 1991. THAT was his signature performance. He was on the p4p charts briefly before the Taylor fight, but then didn't re-emerge on them til 1991, and then he stayed on the lists til 1994. Some lists, e.g. KO Mag actually had him top 5 before he faced Whitaker for the first time. Who was arguing that Buddy wasn't a p4p'er when he fought Pernell?

As for Nelson being at his best 9 pounds lighter, well Whitaker was at his best 12 pounds lighter than where he fought DLH, and he was past his prime as well, and still to most observers he won and even if some thought he lost, would have to admit that he showed what would have happened if he was in his prime.

As for the Chavez draw, well, no comment. :good

 

JT. You make some good points regarding Hagler. Apart from his wins over Duran, Hearns, and Mugabi, which were his biggest wins?. I'd probably go with Roldan.