He was a good fighter, but not elite level. Impressive handspeed when he was young, and above average pop.. but his chin and stamina were always a problem. He definitely wouldn't beat Crawford, but with Crawford moved up he could pick up a belt at 140 and would be one of the best in the division today. Historically however, there's countless junior welters in history who beat him.
He was a very talented fighter and a top 10 talent in most eras just missing the greatness ingredient somewhere I could never quite pinpoint....sort of reminds of what Nino LaRocca a fighter with talent just missing something where Nino lacked heart/grit Sharmba had it but just missing something.
He was kind of a gatekeeper to elite status. Beat a lot of damned good fighters on a combination of speed, skill and southpaw style, and all of his losses were to the upper class. Never backed down from a challenge, willing to fight anyone. A credit to the game and probably underappreciated in his time.
