Pernell Whitaker's ATG ranking at Lightweight

There have many great Lightweight champions.

Whitaker would probably be even money against most if them all.

Is Whitaker the best?

(He also added welterweight and Jr. Middleweight titles)

 

I have him inside the top 5, though you have to really value his H2H rating at the weight for that. Obviously, he's as good as they come, so that's not really a problem.

 

In terms of being the best to fight at the 135lbs limit, maybe, Robinson also fought at the limit when he was green though

 

I think a solid case could be made for him to be top three head to head.

At that level, there were alot of great fighters at that weight, so anyone in contention for even a top 10 spot is in tough company.

 

#2 behind Benny Leonard.

 

I would say he is a top 3 for H2H and top 3 for resume. Battling with Duran for 2# but always behind Leonard.

 

He's up there with this group: Armstrong, Duran, McFarland, Gans, Leonard, Ross, and Canzoneri. Not too shabby, in other words.

 

Love Leonard but he built his legend against smaller men ... Whitaker fought all shapes and sizes and in his prime rarely lost a round ... one of the best that ever lived, period ...

 

after duran and gans I have Pea.

 

Great H2H, not sold on the resume/longevity as a duran, gans, or leonard. Comfortable at somewhere between 4-8, i think.

 

H2H I maybe would put him over any lightweight sans Duran. Overall standing is hurt by his opposition, which doesn't compare to Gans, Leonard, etc.

He's top 10 though. No doubt....

 

number 6 in my list.....

 

I don´t have him Top5, he´d be amongst the best from the point on what he could do but his career at lw isn´t quite living up to that. Rate him behind Leonard, Gans, and Duran for sure. Up there with Williams, Ortiz, Canzoneri, Ross and Ambers are up there or above him I think. Don´t know enough about McFarland but he maybe ahead of Pea too. Armstrong has a bit too less fights at lw to really put him in there IMO.

 

Pernell,was a great lightweight, no doubt. But in my fantasy fight, i would love to see him at 135 lbs against a young ,prime Beau Jack,though not the greatest,had a style that would befuddle Whitaker. A non-stop offense,consisting of hooks, crosses, uppercuts, bolo punches,in volleys, clusters ,etc. Strong as a bull,and tireless was ole
Beau Jack who sold out MSG,SEVEN times in one year. Jack even outsped Henry Armstrong. My favorite action fighter, who burnt himself out,because of a greedy mgr.
Pernell would dodge many punches, but too many HAD to get through...Beau's nemesis
was the great Ike Williams, the best lightweight I ever saw UNCUFFED...

 

Did you ever see Jimmy Carter live burt? The boxer I mean.