KO's Top 12 Lightweights of the 80's.

It's my pleasure John, great discussion for sure. Let's not forget Pea's early big win over Mayweather too.

I guess It boils down to what you prefer......pure, real dominance over perhaps a shorter time or more time in the rankings with somewhat mixed results.

 

He was still very much world class, and he deserved the decision in the Baltazar fight. Especially coming so relatively early in Whitaker's career it was quite a feather in the cap.

 

Hey, go with your gut

 

Balthazar was a bad decision and Pendleton had vastly improved after early career mismanagement. Sandwiched between his KO of Mayweather, Pendleton lost a decision to the reigning IBF champ Paul, winning three or four of the 10 rounds, then had a 12 round Draw with Frankie Randall, who had narrowly lost to Rosario the year before.

Mayweather was ahead on points when he got caught by Pendleton.

In the preceding two years, Mayweather had beaten perennial 130 lb contender Mario Martinez, prospect Kenny Baysmore and Sammy Fuentes, who had kod Harry Arroyo the year before.

Mayweather had great skills, and already had a wealth of experience. He just had the Achilles heel bad chin, which a still maturing Whitaker could not fully exploit, though he did drop him.

Mayweather was a big step up for Whitaker who was engaging in just his 12th professional fight.

It was a very solid win as he comprehensively outboxed the skilled Mayweather.

But, I do agree that Whitaker should not be #1 on this list.

I would put him around 6th.

 

My first reaction when I saw Rosario at no. 1 was 'that's wrong!'. I guess he's no. 1 by default but it doesn't sit right.

I think this list shows the difference between the 70s, 80s and 90s lightweight eras - not much possible debate over the no. 1 from the 70s or 90s but there is no clear no. 1 for the 80s.

You have Rosario who was the dominant lightweight presence but was probably not even top 3 in terms of the best fighting talent to compete there (Arguello, Chavez, Whitaker... and maybe Camacho).

Arguello was WBC champ for two years and had already beaten Mancini, the WBA champ, so was effectively undisputed champ during that period. But then he didn't fight there at all in the second year as he was fighting Pryor. Chavez beat El Chapo in a brilliant performance and partially unified by beating Ramirez, all in the space of a year... and then he was gone too.

Losing to Ramirez, Camacho and Chavez hardly seems worthy of the no. 1 spot to me. Perhaps no. 1 should have been declared vacant?

 

Pernell. Probably Mosley and De La Hoya are the runners up. Unless there's someone else obvious I'm missing?

 

I'd still make him clear no. 1. :/

 

Wasn't convinced About Rosario's number#1 ranking but Philly you've made a very valid argument for him. And your logic is sound (But's that's usual) In my opinion he was a little too inconsistent against the best competition he faced to have the number#1 position of the decade. But I certainly understand your point t of view.