Ruben Olivares: The greatest bantamweight of all time?

For me, it's between Olivares and Eder Jofre.

 

my fav. was Lupe, but I think the best was Zarate in my lifetime (all not in my lifetime don't count for me).:rasta

 

Dixon, Jofre, and possibly Ortiz all outrank Olivares for me. Possibly McGovern as well. These guys, along with Olivares, make up the top 5 Bantamweights of all time.

 

He's an ATG bantam, but I never thought he belonged in the #1 spot. He was a bit like Tyson in that he looked awesome when he could overwhelm opponents with his power and fury, but he didn't always take it as well as he could dish it out. I think he gets way too much leeway for his losses to Herrera right when he should've been smack dab in his prime.

 

Jofre for me.

Pea; good point bringing up the 'old weight classes' the other week; I'll be including McGovern and Dixon in my thoughts when I think of great 'Bantam' clashes.

Where the other weight classes drastically different? Where can I find out all the previous weights? And when did they start to change?

 

According to sources on CyberBoxingZone, the change in weights happened in 1909, when the Bantamweight limit was replaced by the Flyweight limit (112 pounds), and the Bantam and Featherwight divisions moved up to their modern limits of 118 and 126 pounds.

Prior to that, the Flyweight division is a bit hazy for me as well, but I believe it must've been at around 100 pounds or so, given that Wilde was recognized as the Flyweight champion at the time and his weight was rarely over it. Either that or there was no established Flyweight limit at the time.

 

I remember reading about a "paperweight"..That was formed when Queensberry started taking effect.

The limit was actually under 100 pounds I think. But then Ive seen it above that aswell..When Johnny Coulon was paperweight champ for instance.

Then it got changed at the turn of the century to anything under 112 and renamed Flyweight.

 

Pea and Rock, as always :good

 

I read a Ring magazine when the Ring finally stripped Ali and gave the Title to Frazier.

Inside it, it was discussing Ruben Olivares as one of the greats. It sopunded really interesting but was a total shite article but it goes to show he was very highly thought of at the time.

Personally i really rate Olivares. (sorry but i dont know enough of pre-1920s so i havent included them)

1. Jofre
2. Olivares
3. Zarate

 

You've changed your order then Greg? As I rememberyou pulling ke up for having that same order!

Olivares bs Jofre: what a boxing match it would be! And often I suspect, all-out war.

 

I musta been joking when i pulled you up for it as they are so close IMO.

I do think Olivares beats Jofre but Jofre was more consistent at the weight and had a better reign

I would love to rank Olivares number 1

BTW Rose is number 4

 

Yep. I'd have Rose 4th, then Ortiz. Probably Brown and Harada at 6 and 7. Not sure about who I'd have after that.

 

I'd probably agree with you, i can see Ortiz over Rose though.

Witht he pre 1920s guys

1. Jofre
2. Dixon
3. Olivares
4. McGovern
5. Zarate

???

 

Olivares was a party animal but he was on an amazing roll had he been more dedicated, who knows how long he would have been Champ.....Edger Jofre and Olivares up there but I think I go with Ruben in his prime