Does anyone believe Carlos Ortiz was the best lightweight - ever?

I dont think he was the best lightweight in the 60s personally

 

Who's your pick?

 

Napoles no doubt despite it being totally unjustified, though the true contrarian's pick is Rodolfo El Gato Gonzalez.

 

Well deliberate contrarians are usually just ****s anway.

 

That's just it, Duran was more dominant but Ortiz faced and beat the better opposition consistently, at both 135 and 140. He had few lapses even against such high level comp. Don't get me wrong, Duran actual dominated a pretty damn good Lightweight class, just not quite what Ortiz did.

Williams on the other hand did face even better opposition, but he was also far less consistent against it. Ortiz proved himself the top dog against an excellent crop, whereas Williams had a few too many losses scattered around in there. He also never avenged his knockout loss to Jimmy Carter, and only beat Montgomery when he was a shadow of his former self.

I rate Ortiz just above Williams based on this, and just below Duran based on Duran's higher weight conquests and sheer ability, though he was indeed the more proven Lightweight.

 

He certainly had the skills. A matchup between he and Ortiz would've been a dream, though their primes missed out on each other by a few years.

 

I'm sure me and you both have Ortiz at 5 and Williams at 6? No?

 

Live Ortizs shifts in pace, ability to box or fight, and he could punch a bit. As others have previously said he's fairly unflashy but adapts to the job at hand as the rounds pass by, workmanlike attitude and tough too. I personally agree with what was said about him winning at least one in a series of 3 against the greats mentioned. Am I the only person completely uninspired by the footage of Benny Leonard? Man what a career but I can't see how he won so many. Undeniably tough but....maybe the stuff on YouTube ain't up
to much, can someone educate me as to why he's rankedso highly HEAD TO HEAD, I know how good he was, just can't see it. Maybe the only footage of him available is horribly past prime? Any response will be welcomed :good

 

I salivate at the thought of Ortiz fighting Williams. I love both fighters.

 

One of the ultimate matchups at the weight for me...and thats saying something because that division is jammed pack with great matchups.

Could you imagine those guys trading hooks with each other?...would be magical. Those two had some of the best punching form Ive seen from fighters hooking.

 

i have williams in my top 4 but i think he's No.1 to watch.his hooks were so fluid

 

I really havent done any list in a long long time but Ortiz is always underated when it comes to such lists. I mean, i have seen many "experts" place him outside the top 10 which is competely ridiculous. I think Duran is the best ive ever seen but Ortiz should cofortable rank among the top 6 or 7.