9-13 seems about right to me. I don't have any trouble seeing him left outside of the ten given his limiations and his losses. Having said that, I think he's underated as a technician and absolutely nobody i punching with him at his weight IMO. Given his physical limitations his success at LHW is close to unprecedented. How many men faced more champions, past present or future? Very, very few.
I see him being in the top 10, either in the middle or nearer the bottom. Decisively beat Fullmer, Giardello, and Benvenuti when all were reigning and formidable champions. Also is one of only two guys ever to stop Fullmer. Also decisively beat a good number of quality contenders, ie: Fernandez, Hank, Carter, Armstrong, etc. On top of that, he is one of only two undisputed middleweight champs to also become the undisputed light-heavy champ. That he dropped his title in upset losses to Giardello and Griffith is the one big mar against his legacy, and what may keep him out of the top 5 for me. However, he did decisively avenge the loss to Giardello, and the Griffith loss was on a very questionable decision.
Well said....Im not sure where I would put him but just outside the top ten..like 11 or 12 would be the absolute lowest IMO.
