JC Chavez - The best in the last 25 yrs ?

1. Pernell Whitaker
2. Roy Jones jr
3. Floyd Mayweather jr
4. Evander Holyfield
5. Bernard Hopkins

 

Jung-Koo Chang

 

Of the past 25 years, I have Chavez at 2nd, although I could certainly see the argument for Jones ranking above him, I usually place Chavez slightly higher.

 

IMO the main players at that weight class were

Chavez, Whittaker, Taylor, Camacho and Rosario... They were seen as the most threatening fighters from 135-140

 

Pernell Whitaker called out Julio Cesar Chavez after just about every fight he had as a lightweight or junior welter, and it's a shame the fight didn't occur until 93.

As early as the Azumah Nelson fight, Whitaker said if he ever got a chance to fight Chavez, he'd beat him at his own game (which he did). He then called him out again after the Anthony Jones fight, again after the Nazario fight, and likewise after the Brazier fight where he said he moved up to 140 so there wouldn't be an argument about Chavez moving back down, and he called him out again after the Pineda fight.

I don't think Whitaker was scared of fighting CHavez at all, and after all, why should he have been? He was hardly losing a round during his fights at the time, much less losing decisions.

From the Duva's perspective, they played it safe and didn't let Whitaker in until Chavez was just exiting his prime, but at the same time, there wasn't much evidence of Chavez slowing down at the time Whitaker did face him. He was beating guys like Camacho and Haugen down like it was nothing and we didn't hear a peep out of the media about Chavez being over the hill, so as far as the Duvas (and everyone else) were concerned, they were putting him in with a prime Chavez.

Of course, they secured a higher weight for Whitaker, and that was an advantage, but that said, Whitaker only a couple of years earlier was a lightweight whereas CHavez was an 140 pounder, and Whitaker didn't really look bigger in the ring than Chavez to me when they did fight at the catchweight.

 

Depends what years we're talking. Ramirez had already beaten Rosario,and by 89 Nazario had knocked him out, so he was no longer that big of a player. As for Camacho, he was a big player in the mid 80's but by 1990, he was losing to Greg Haugen, so his star had dimmed somewhat as well.

Personally, I think someone like Freddie Pendleton would have beat both Haugen and Camacho around 1990, and he would have knocked out Rosario too.

 

How? There's hardly huge gulfs between 'em. Lewis' depth on his record is the best at HW since Ali. I'd call it near equal as a matter of fact (perhaps unfair on Chavez that I like Lewis more). Chavez was a greta fifght of course and his unbeaten run was mightily impressive.

 

The buzz was really on around 86-88... Rosario was really never the same after Chavez beat him. Ramirez and Rosario had split fights as I remember. (BTW didn't Camacho only lose to Haugen because he lost a point for some stupid behaviour?)

Chavez lost to Randall within 6 months of the Whittaker fight. I think he was past his best post Taylor I. And was in decline.

Besides which I couldn't see Chavez a grinder beating Whittaker especially as Chavez started at a lighter weight (and Whittaker was so much better at the weight than Chavez when they fought). Chavez IMO didn't have the speed or the one shot power. His stamina was not the same and to beat a guy like Pernell he would have to be absolute peak. When Chavez beat Camacho I thought well maybe there is a chance.

Whittaker had a long peak because he was hard to hit. And relied on fabulous skills. But when he needed to he could do it all. The Hurtado fight really showed Whittaker's greatness IMO.

 

Mayweather Jr above Jones Jr? :-(

I have Jones Jr over Chavez but I wouldn't argue with anyone having Chavez over RJJ, but I can't see how/why anyone would have Chavez over Whitaker. IMO Whitaker is by far and away the greatest of the past 25 years.

 

Peak for peak (at Lightweight) Chavez vs Whitaker is a complete tossup in my opinion. I'd give Chavez the slightest of edges over Whitaker on the depth of his resume. I'm surprised Holyfield isn't mentioned more prominently in this discussion. Is he hurt by hanging on way, way too long?
Lennox Lewis is an ATG, but unfortunately for him in this discussion, none of the other fighters on this list were knocked cold by mediocre opposition twice.

1a) Chavez
1b) Whitaker
2) Holyfield
3) RJJ
4) Hopkins

 

What you neglect to mention is Roy is a better puncher, far far more KO power, better combination thrower, faster. He got hit less, lost less rounds, landed a more dominant offense and put men away far faster than his rivals. He also beat Toney and Hopkins who are better than anyone Floyd's beat losing 3-4rounds in those 2 fights. Against Castillo & Delahoya Floyd lost around 6-8rounds, and Castillo and Delahoya arent as good as Toney and BHOP

If Roy was 135-147lbs would he have problems with a Castillo? Hatton? Judah? Delahoya? No Chance

Now compare top6 wins:

RJJ:Toney, Hopkins, Virgil Hill, Tarver 1 (past prime), Ruiz, McCallum - lost around 13 rounds
PBF: Castillo 2, Corrales, Delahoya, Hatton, Judah, G Hernandez - lost about 15rounds