Kessler v Bute

For sure, no doubt about it.

 

True, this aint no contest.

I am curious dude. I have noticed that you like and favor mexican fighters and when someone beats one of them he seems to immidiately be elevated to elite status. That is your oppinion, no problem. Personally I think much of it is a circus and several of these socalled elites have less defense and technical skill than a contender like Bute or Dawson for that matter.

Anyway - that isn't my point. My point is - are there ANY elite fighters in LMW and above AT ALL according to your strict rules? (And I don't mean borderline elites or something, just elites as you define elite fighters)?

Cheers.

 

Debating isn't about winning. Its an exchange of opinions. The objective is to enlighten.

Fair enough. What elite has Calderon beaten? Has Cotto beaten a prime elite or even borderline ditto? Elites don't stay elite till they retire, thus Mosley isn't considered elite anymore in my book. Zab Judah have never been.

PS I do consider Cotto to be elite.

 

Funny thing is I think 30 yo. Hopkins has a better chance vs. 30 yo. Calzaghe than vs 36 yo Calzaghe. Young Calzaghe was not very smart and I think Hopkins might have outsmarted him back then. It is only in the last couple of years that Joe had lived up to his potential by applying his head. The younger Joe that got a SD over Reid would probably have lost to Hopkins.

 

One could argue old Hopkins poses far greater stylistic problems for Calzaghe. His ring IQ, dirty tactics, inside fighting that he came to rely on make him difficult.

He was more of a classic defensive counterpuncher back then.

 

Key word is younger. At 35 he still didn't have juice to fight at this pace. He was holding for his life from round 2.