Most Skilled: Gavalin, Napoles, Rodriguez, Chocolate, Ramos, Rigondeaux, Casamayor, Legra or Paret?

Literally just robbed @Flo_Raiden's thread concept. Who's the most skilled, or in what order you put this squad of Cuban greats?

Kid Gavalin
José Napoles
Luis Rodriguez
Kid Chocolate
Sugar Ramos
Guillermo Rigondeaux
Joel Casamayor
José Legra
Benny Paret

 

Added. I've never watched either though, hence why I didn't include them.

 

Of the original 7, I'd have the list looking like this

1. Napoles
2. Rodriguez
3. Gavalin
4. Rigo
5. Chocolate
6. Ramos
7. Paret

I'll do something detailed when I'm able and have seen the other two

 

@Xplosive any insight?

 

It's funny how you think that matters

 

If your reaching the heights that Napoles and Rodriguez reached, I don't think it matters at all.

 

7. Benny Paret.
No Shame here, he just isn't as good as the others, he took bad beatings in his prime that the others didn't, although I think it's arguable he faced top 3 competition.

6. Sugar Ramos
He was good, really good and was competitive with 2 certified ATGs in Saldivar and Ortiz, where he showed good balance, understanding of range and the ability to set up his punches.
He was good, just not as good as the next few guys.

5. Kid Chocolate
I know this will raise a few eyebrows, and I imagine most will not agree with him below Rigondeaux.
My reasoning is that whilst Chocolate on offence was a blend of Tyson and Robinson stylistically, I don't think that he was as good on offence as he was on the backfoot. He had better footwork moving laterally imo and could get caught to often coming forward.
In short, what I'm saying is that whilst Chocolate was good at more things, I don't think that he's better at anyone thing than Rigo was as a slick counter puncher.

4. Guillermo Rigondeaux
Rigo in the amatuars was when he was at his best physically, he was quick as anything and could bang with either hand, upstairs and down. His feet were very close to as good as you can get and his timing was immaculate. He was a natural counter puncher, and clearly had issues with the idea of leading, making for a one sided, relatively boring fighter, but what he did well, he was unbelievable at.

I make it sound like Rigo was perfect as a natural counter puncher. This is definitely not true, as he had immense trouble with southpaws and as he got older he became very very one dimensional, fighting for survival and looking for a huge punch to end the fight. He didn't have the best balance or complete mastery of his Philly shell style, so he could be knocked down with a timed shot. But at his best he was a wonder.

3. Kid Gavalin
He had a wonderful ring IQ, his best talent was imo timing the rounds so he could nick them, a tactic Bratton and later Leonard would adopt. Gavalin had great feet, he always seemed in range and well balanced to set up his punches, he was the epitome of a master technical brawler.
He had an iron chin, the best on the list imo, and was a subtly slick fighter on the way in and could outfight the best of them. He had great accuracy and could continuously whip his left hook both upstairs and down in the same place. His third fight with Bratton shows his devastating he could be, even with a lack of power.
He did have a tendency to whip his punches, and with them being arm punches this probably contributed to his lack of power imo.

2. Luis Rodriguez
My reasoning for José above Luis, is the exactly the same as my reasoning for Rigo above Choco, ones more versatile (and proven) but what the other did best, is better than what the other guy did imo.
Rodriguez had brilliant feet, unbelievable ring IQ, generalship, understanding of range, defence and calculated offensive.

Tbh he did everything well technically, and has to be in the running for one of the best pure boxers ever.
It was a farce he didn't get the decision against Griffith in more of their fights.
Very versatile fighter, being able to lead or force a lead, and can throw beautiful combinations, inside and out, upstairs and down. His best strength is definitely his footwork though, he set everything up with them.

1. José Napoles
The silkiest fighter of all time imo. Top 3 at merging offence and defence and owner of one of the greatest performances ever.
His offence was smooth, and he could up the pressure and go all out with it.
His feet were among the best and he could open people up with them and force them on the defensive, could throw every punch and had a deceptively hard punch. He was also adept at fighting from all ranges.

Tbh I don't know what I can say that you don't all already know.