Has the last era of lightweights been one of the best ever??

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by pugilistspecialist, May 19, 2008.


  1. pugilistspecialist

    pugilistspecialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    For the last ten years the lower weight classes have been carrying the sport. The LightWeight class has been one of the main reasons. I know there have been deep eras over the years in this weight class its usually one of the better classes ever but in my opinion this era deserves a mention. Im a lil old school I go by the classic weight class combining the 130 and 135

    Floyd Mayweather champion at 130(1998-2002) and 135(2002-2004)
    Jose Luis Castillo champion at 135(2000-2002,2005,)
    Diego Corrales champion at 130(1999-2001) and 135(2005-2007)
    Joel Casamayor champion at 130 and current lightweight champion
    Sugar Shane Mosley champion at lightweight 2 years
    Stevie Johnston:yep several years champion and 2 times at 135
    Acelino Freitas titlist at 130 and 135
    Nate Campbell current titlist at 135
    Juan Diaz former holder of multiple Titles
    Angel Manfredy the best fighter of the era to never win a title
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    pugilistspecialist, May 19, 2008
    pugilistspecialist, May 19, 2008
    #1
  2. pugilistspecialist

    pugilistspecialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What do you guys think in the classic forum, these general forum guys cant remember before Mike Tyson.
     
    pugilistspecialist, May 19, 2008
    pugilistspecialist, May 19, 2008
    #2
  3. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Yea , i realy liked the era, Castillo has been a great/very close to that 135er imo. And he fought his top guys at the time when they were the valid contender to his crown, Casamayor, Lazcano, Diaz, Corrales, these were top wins for him. I did think the first Mayweather fight was a draw
     
    teeto, May 20, 2008
    teeto, May 20, 2008
    #3
  4. pugilistspecialist

    pugilistspecialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    wins over steve johnston, jorge paez, and cesar bazan didnt hurt either.
     
    pugilistspecialist, May 20, 2008
    pugilistspecialist, May 20, 2008
    #4
  5. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    :good :good
     
    teeto, May 20, 2008
    teeto, May 20, 2008
    #5
  6. pugilistspecialist

    pugilistspecialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Its funny that such a dominant champion didnt get his due until the fights with Corrales.

    Who is your fav out of the bunch
     
    pugilistspecialist, May 20, 2008
    pugilistspecialist, May 20, 2008
    #6
  7. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Corrales is the epitome of a warrior. His first two fights with a PEAK lightning quick Joel Casamayor, Jose Luis Castillo, and Acelino Freitas were all fights of the decade, he simply had the heart of a warrior. He came out on top on most of these fights and the ones he lost never quit. He beat Castillo, Casamayor, and Freitas at the peak of their powers and he did so at 135lb, castillo beat him in over the weight match. That Castillo-Corrales fight was arguebably the best of all time. I think h2h diego corrales rates very well with his size, power, heart, stamina. I still wonder what would have happened corrales vs castillo if castill had come on weight. both very good figthers top 25 lightweights of all time.
     
    SuzieQ49, May 20, 2008
    SuzieQ49, May 20, 2008
    #7
  8. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    One of the better eras for sure.
     
    Mendoza, May 20, 2008
    Mendoza, May 20, 2008
    #8
  9. pugilistspecialist

    pugilistspecialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    :smoke
     
    pugilistspecialist, May 20, 2008
    pugilistspecialist, May 20, 2008
    #9
  10. sweet_scientist

    sweet_scientist Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The last era has been solid without being spectacular.

    There's been a lot of good fighters, but few that have ascended to great heights.

    The two fighters probably capable of doing it, Mosley and Mayweather, didn't stay in the division long enough, and in Mayweather's case, he didn't even look spectacular whilst we has there in any case.

    Let's compare the last era to the 1980's:

    That era produced the likes of Alexis Arguello, Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker, all three of whom I'd almost automatically pick against anyone that has come on since.


    The list of other lightweights throughought the 80's also pretty much easily trumps the last era's.

    Consider these fighters:
    Hector Camacho
    Ray Mancini
    Jose Luis Ramirez
    Edwin Rosario
    Jim Watt
    Roger Mayweather
    Howard Davis Jr.
    Freddie Pendleton
    Greg Haugen
    Livingstone Bramble
    Frankie Randall
    Edwin Viruet

    And that's not even including the likes of Tony Baltazar, Jimmy Paul, Juan Nazario, Arturo Frias, Poli Diaz and a slew of other decent fighters that were also on the scene, as well as those rising from lower weights like Vinny Pazienza, Vilomar Fernandez, Cornelius Boza Edwards, Bobby Chacon etc.
     
    sweet_scientist, May 21, 2008
    sweet_scientist, May 21, 2008
    #10
  11. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Castillo is mine, really liked him in his prime and was so impressed with the second lot of top wins (after the Mayweather bouts), wasnt too sure what he was gunna do at the time, but the Casamayor wins etc. were top class imo. Definitely a very good era
     
    teeto, May 21, 2008
    teeto, May 21, 2008
    #11
  12. pugilistspecialist

    pugilistspecialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Of course the 80's was a great era as well. I'd have to say it is slightly better. There is still alot of very good fighters that were never great just popular but I see what you meant.
     
    pugilistspecialist, May 21, 2008
    pugilistspecialist, May 21, 2008
    #12