The Debate on Levels: How do you see it!

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by Mandanda, Oct 16, 2011.


Page 1 of 5
  1. Mandanda

    Mandanda SkillspayBills Full Member

    25,993
    5
    Oct 21, 2008
    For ages i've seen different names spoken when speaking of a fighters level or potential level and feel it's time a thread was made to discuss your thoughts on the following:

    The level: IMO this is how i view the boxing landscape..

    Elite World Class: The cream of the crop, fighters who put in sustained top class displays at the highest level over a number of years.

    World Class: Fighters who operate at world level with success and ease although not as good as there elite counterparts in terms of spectacular performances or wins on resume but none the less are top of there divisions.

    Fringe World Class (world level operators): Fighters who are able to operate at world level but just titter on periphery of there divisions. In weaker divisions they may hold a strap like Middleweight Division. Fighters overtime can develop into world class fighters.

    International Gatekeeper: Basically a fighter who bridges the gap for younger fighters to next level. Was once maybe a decent world level operator or more and is hanging around making a few quid.

    European/Continental Level:Fighters who compete on there continent with success but when stepping up against world class fighters are beaten. Although against Fringe world class can operate without looking out of depth.

    Domestic: Says it all really...but some may develop into higher level fighters over time.

    Area Level: Same as above...

    Journeyman:Ain't Tony Pace that's for sure!

    The Fighters...

    Elite: Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao
    World Class: Martinez/Dawson/Froch
    Fringe World Class: Geale/Macklin/Barker
    European/Continental: Matt Hatton/Piotr Wilczewski
    Domestic: Don Broadhurst/Ashley Sexton.
    Area Level: Dave Ryan/Ryan Barrett

    Now that's purely my opinion and the way i rank fighters into category's.

    I ask... How do you categorize fighters and who? and also why?

    Can ESB British Forum come to a general concensus on how to rank fighters?

    Look forward to some great posts :good
     
    Mandanda, Oct 16, 2011
    Mandanda, Oct 16, 2011
    #1
  2. Bill C84

    Bill C84 Boxing Junkie banned

    10,219
    1
    Sep 11, 2011
    That's pretty much the way I see it, there's a fine line between each category and a win or a loss for a fighter can sway the thinking, as well as the manner of defeat or win, when I look back to fighters careers I always try to think of them at their highest point and that was there level I rank them.
    Good thread this, Im going to give it some more thought and get back later. :good
     
    Bill C84, Oct 16, 2011
    Bill C84, Oct 16, 2011
    #2
  3. Mandanda

    Mandanda SkillspayBills Full Member

    25,993
    5
    Oct 21, 2008
    Cheers Bill.
     
    Mandanda, Oct 16, 2011
    Mandanda, Oct 16, 2011
    #3
  4. roe

    roe Guest

    Good thread Mand but I don't think it's much of a debate because you've outlined the different levels pretty well.
     
    roe, Oct 16, 2011
    roe, Oct 16, 2011
    #4
  5. NO MAS

    NO MAS Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,784
    1
    Mar 2, 2009
    That's a first class outline of the levels in Boxing...:good

    I think in his prime there has to be a space in the elite for Marco Antonio Barrera...:deal
     
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    #5
  6. Bill C84

    Bill C84 Boxing Junkie banned

    10,219
    1
    Sep 11, 2011
    Yeah Barrera is in the elite bracket as is Morales, Its harder to rank fighters that are still active because they are not normally what they once were, Roy Jones Jnr being a good example, To me at the moment he's at best in the gatekeeper bracket but once he retires he will be thought of as elite IMO.
     
    Bill C84, Oct 16, 2011
    Bill C84, Oct 16, 2011
    #6
  7. Pad-Man

    Pad-Man ***Team England*** Full Member

    89
    0
    Sep 24, 2011
    You have pretty much outlined that mate.

    New entries, all imo of course.

    Elite World Class: Donaire
    World Class: Khan
    Fringe World Class: Cleverly
    International Gatekeeper: Paulie Malinagee
    European/Continental Level: Brian Magee
    Domestic: Gary Skyes (good fighter but beaten by a fighter whom is level or 2 above).
    Journeyman: So many. Many of which are shipped in.
     
    Pad-Man, Oct 16, 2011
    Pad-Man, Oct 16, 2011
    #7
  8. dftaylor

    dftaylor Writer, fanatic Full Member

    20,730
    1
    May 7, 2010
    I keep it a little simpler:

    Elite - clearly beat all opposition in their weight-class
    A - guys who fight and beat the majority of B-level opposition in good fashion, but are competitive with guys of the same level
    B - Solid contenders who may pick up titles but can't beat top operators
    C - Capable at local level, but unable to beat the journeymen who make up the B-class
    D - Domestic level, but unable to progress above there

    Great thread, btw.
     
    dftaylor, Oct 16, 2011
    dftaylor, Oct 16, 2011
    #8
  9. royalt0208

    royalt0208 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,252
    0
    May 1, 2009
    I would agree with that exactly but it's funny the way some people look at levels, I have heard some strange suggestions of what level certain fighters belong at. The only thing I would add is that I have always considered World Class to be a fighter that is either extremely talented or experienced and can consistently compete within a top 10 of a division for a long period a la Glen Johnson.
     
    royalt0208, Oct 16, 2011
    royalt0208, Oct 16, 2011
    #9
  10. WalletInspector

    WalletInspector Obsessed with Boxing banned

    21,194
    2
    Jan 1, 2010
    I'd drop in Tomato Cans below Journeymen. It's a bit unfair to throw the Tony Booth's and Johnny Greaves in with some of these that are brought over to fall over.
     
    WalletInspector, Oct 16, 2011
    WalletInspector, Oct 16, 2011
    #10
  11. NO MAS

    NO MAS Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,784
    1
    Mar 2, 2009
    Good call with the Tomato Cans below Journeymen...:good

    Peter Buckley and Paul Bonson were 2 great Journeymen...:deal
     
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    #11
  12. Nipple

    Nipple I hate my username banned

    5,332
    5
    Sep 6, 2010
    Great list mate. :good
     
    Nipple, Oct 16, 2011
    Nipple, Oct 16, 2011
    #12
  13. NO MAS

    NO MAS Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,784
    1
    Mar 2, 2009
    My thoughts on fighters who have a place on these lists...:good

    1. Elite World Class: Barrera/Morales

    2. World Class: Khan/Froch/Barker/Macklin

    3. Fringe World Class: Kell Brook/Cleverley - Both fighters are elevated to number 2 in there next 3 fights...:good

    4. International Gatekeeper: Paulie Malinagee- This is a great call...:good

    5. European/Continental Level: Brian Magee/James Degale/Matthew Hatton

    6. Domestic: George Groves moves from number to number 4 in his next 3-4 fight...:good

    7. Journeyman: Peter Buckley/Paul Bonson - Over 300 fights between them and been in with lots of World Champions when they were on the climb to the summit...:good

    :bbb :bbb :bbb
     
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    #13
  14. WalletInspector

    WalletInspector Obsessed with Boxing banned

    21,194
    2
    Jan 1, 2010
    :huh
     
    WalletInspector, Oct 16, 2011
    WalletInspector, Oct 16, 2011
    #14
  15. NO MAS

    NO MAS Boxing Junkie Full Member

    9,784
    1
    Mar 2, 2009
    How do you see them Wallet...:think
     
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    NO MAS, Oct 16, 2011
    #15
Page 1 of 5