Rate these 90s/00s welterweights in terms of ability only

Crisanto "Claws" Espana Ernesto's brother...the Irish Venezuelan

At my dads bar a his name came up often when we talked quality welters...I would have loved to see him and Tito go 12 or less

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyioEg6ZLn0&feature=related[/ame]

 

Espana was twice the fighter Williams is.


He also fought a much better Quartey than Oscar did.The Oscar version was inactive, slow as Bruno and totally flat footed by comparison.

 

Thanks for the correction :good

 

Quartey looked awesome in their fight! Espana also demolished Melderick Taylor in another fight.

 

espana was a fine boxer-puncher.Not the quickest welter or possibly the most durable, but threw superb combinations, was heavy-handed and very solid technically, if somewhat mechanical.He was very much in the mix head-to-head with anyone in the division at the time.

 

1. Pernell Whitaker: Seems to be the consensus No. 1. which is hard to disagree with. Its also hard discount him entirely on any fight at 147 against anybody.

2. Floyd Mayweather Jr.: He's a few great wins away from topping Sweat Pea. He may be a polarizing figure, but he's damn good. Frankly, I think his ring intelligence is one of the highest ever.


3. Shane Mosley: Of all the fighters in the list, I don't think there's one that has more self confidence in their ability. Even in his losses he stayed comptitive with everyman he's been in there with. Some of his great win's span almost a decade apart and he's still relevant.

4. Felix Trinidad: He may seem to be a boxing simpleton with heart and power but he's surprisingly hard to outbox. Ask David Reid. I think only exceptional fighters can beat him. But at 147 considering his size, speed, power and fighting spirit he has the uncanny ability of making all the top fighters fight down to his level and then assault them in the process.

5. Oscar De la Hoya: Helluva fighter, can adapt to any style and has been competitive in every fight he's been, save Pacquaio. He's got a hell of a left hook a competent jab and he's managed keep himself in every fight. Tall order for anyone at 147. Though I'd favor him over Tito. I tend to favor Tito or more over top fighters at 147 which is why I have him ahead.

6. Paul Williams: His size, skill and work rate makes him tough customer. While he's not as proven as the rest of the people on this list, many welter's today don't wan to give him the opportunity to so.


7. Ike Quartey: Shame that a fighter so talented would fall to last place on the list. I always felt that Bazooka Ike was a cut above other welters and that the De la Hoya fight could have easily been his (the Forrest fight clearly was) but for whatever reason he came up short against the elites each time.