Probably the strongest division, historically, if we were going to include every fighter who could make the weight. You're really getting the best of the two strongest weight classes (lightweight & welterweight*) Now we're talking about who was the best ever to have made 140lbs. There are a hell of a lot of names to consider. Here are a few: Carlos Ortiz Barney Ross Jose Napoles Aaron Pryor Henry Armstrong Kostya Tszyu Floyd Mayweather Pernell Whitaker Nicolino Locche Duilio Loi I'm going to stop now because it could go on forever. Roberto Duran could be comfortable at 140lbs. A young Ray Robinson, too. Ike Williams... So, best ability wise. Who was it? *Actually light heavyweight is my #2.
This is o ne of the best divisions to me..I especially think of that troica pf great 140 lb'ers...Locche, Ortiz and Loi.
Also missing from that list: - The Manny Pacquiao who beat Hatton in '09 - The Oscar De La Hoya who beat JC Chavez & MA Gonzalez in '96/'97 Ability-wise if not achievement-wise, these two can compete with the fighters in your list IMO. These were some stunning lww performances.
I'd take Floyd Mayweather, Prenell Whitaker and Benny Leonard (he would have likely been a champion at 140 as well had the weight exested in his day.) over anyone else at 140.
**** me, it wasn't supposed to be a definitive list or anything close, I was throwing out a few reminders of names :huh I'm pretty meticulous with lists, you really think I'd leave off vital names? Now we'll try again, who was the best ever at 140lbs? One answer.
Robinson I think could have made the 140 lb limit from 1940 to 1943. He weighed 142 pounds against California Jackie Wilson in 1943.