1960s WWs v late 70s/early 80s WWs: The 4 best welterweights from the 1960s (Griffith, Rodriguez, Cokes, Napoles) versus the 4 best from 1979 to 1982 (Benitez, Leonard, Duran, Hearns) in a round robin tournament. Which generation comes out on top?
If Rodriguez gets those SD's he lost to Griffith (3/4 fights) he moves way up in status. But ironically, Cokes won 2/3 from LR, and controlled the fights in those 2 wins. LR had trouble with Cokes' long-range style. "LR was unbeaten in 36 fights before losing a split decision to Emile Griffith in a 1960 non-title fight. In 1963, Rodriguez and Griffith fought twice for the World Welterweight Championship.[1] Rodriguez defeated Griffith by a unanimous decision to win the title, but Griffith regained it three months later with a split decision. Their fourth and final meeting came in 1964, with Griffith retaining the welterweight title with a split decision."
You can make a case for every fighter in such a round robin losing at least one fight (or more)....depending on how they are matched up. Napoles' famous quote: "Emile Griffith is the strongest fighter I have ever fought", and Griffith is on the 60's guys' team.
