JC Chavez - The best in the last 25 yrs ?

I'll take Whitaker and Jones Jr. over Chavez. A guy like Hearns outranks him as well for me slightly, but he's hard to judge within this time frame as he did some of his best work prior to '83.

 

1. Whitaker
2. Jones Jr
3. Lewis
4. Chavez

 

Jimmy Wilde, Packey McFarland?

 

I suppose

 

That one NEEDS an explanation H.

 

Why?

 

I don't remember Chavez ever being criticised for padding his record during the 80s-90s. Most boxing people were pleased that a fighter was so active. He was seen as an old school fighter doing what he did best. And there were enough big names on the record...

It's only really during the inter-web days of stats as king that anyone ever made such a critique.

 

Actually, I remember a number of people doing it. Greg Haugen commented right before getting his ass kicked by Chavez, that his record primarily consisted of, and I quote " cab drivers from Mexico City. "

Now granted, Haugen was an opponent of Chavez, and one with a big mouth at that, but he was not the only person to make this observation.

That said, I do not personally think that his record was padded. I simply think that he was trying to do what no other fighter was doing at the time, and that was to stay active between big fights, which is partly why he stayed on top as long as he did....

 

Yes, I remember that...though nobody took it seriously.

I guess my point is that all of the publications (usually fairly critical of boxers) were seeing his activity as a positive, especially as he was consistently looking to make the best fights. he was also commended for giving so said taxi drivers their 15 mins of fame (though often less).

IMO a padded record is someone trying to negotiate themselves a title shot without facing a live fighter...

Chavez was a breath of fresh air for the game at the time. Like you say staying busy helped him (especially as I think he was one to go off track between fights) and made him something of a throwback

 

I agree. And I wasn't personally accusing him of having a padded record.

 

I think Pernell Whitaker is a clear number 1. And personally, I'd have Roy Jones Jr edging in ahead of Chavez at no 2. JCC is my 3rd place. I have given this matter a lot of thought.

 

Well, let's start with the fact that he was laid flat by two journeymen. You don't see that as significant?

After that, you can of course compare Lewis' resume with that of Chavez's and tell me how it is better.

 

Chavez and Whitaker are the outstanding fighters of the last 25 years. There are sever other fighters who should also be called great.

 

Last 10 of the last 25 years:

1. Jones Jr
2. Whitaker
3. Mayweather
4. Hopkins
5. Lewis
6. McCallum
6. Holyfield
7. Tyson
8. Chavez
9. Delahoya
10. Toney

Honourable mentions: Mosley, Calazage, Barrera, Pacquaio, Morales, Hamed, Nunn, Tyszu, Trinidad, Kalambay, Benn, Eubank, Castillo

 

I'd have to go with Whitaker, then Chavez, then Jones Jr.

Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler had 4 good years in there, Bernard Hopkins, Ricardo Lopez, Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks, and James Toney have to be mentioned if you start trying to do a top 10.