Is Kostya Tszyu legitimately a top 10 140 pounder of all time?

Mosley would have broke Tszyu down. I think ALOT of ppl forget how good Mosley was from 98-01. Tszyu might have had the better one punch power, but Shane had by FAR a better chin than Tszyu, and would handle Kostya's punches better than Tszyu would handle his.

 

Mosley had trouble with an aggressive fighter like Forrest. Tszyu is a far more aggresive fighter with greater kayo power. If Mosley were able to keep Tszyu off, while he kept the jab out there. Then yes he would have a good chance. But if he allowed Kostya to penetrate his defense like Forrest. Then Mosley would eventually get broken down.

 

Tszyu has better knock out power IMO. He stopped Jake Rodriguez,Calvin Grove,Rafael Ruelas, Sharmba Mithell (Twice). Destroyed Zab Judah in Two. & even stopped Miguel A. Gonzalez, Who went the distance with ODLH.

 

Yep, Offensivly he can match Mosley. But Tszyu's chin has let him down in fights, especially when he is fatigued in the later rounds.

 

If Vince Philips can take Tszyu's best shots, why couldnt Shane?

 

Kostya Tszyu was a phenomenon who lived up to early hype and led the division for a decade.

He had longevity and redemption and when it looked like he might slip he showed his class and put the doubters in their place.

A top 25 fighter of the 90s and a very solid top 10 all-time 140lb-er.

 

Easily.

 

The only way that ZOO might scrape the top ten is to remove all fighters who also held belts at 135 and/or 147

 

He had the reasonable potential to beat every 140 guy ever. He possessed the great equalizer, timing, power and heart.

 

Pryor, and Prime Chavez would have beaten Tszyu hands down!

 

Yes...just.

Although I think KT might be slightly overrated, he still did enough throughout the course of his career to warrant a place in the lower echelon of the Top 10, simply by virtue of the fact that he unified the division, and looked pretty impressive against a reasonable caliber of opposition throughout the majority of two lengthy reigns as champion.