I really don't see Mysterious Billy Smith over Tommy Ryan, who got the better of him pretty consistently, and overall has a much more consistent record. I don't think Meehan belongs either. They're are a lot of guys with the odd shockingly good win, but looking at their overall record, clearly weren't at that level.
The problem with a list like this, is that you lack data on a lot of the early fighters. Do you give them, what is almost certainly an undeservedly low ranking, or leave them off altogether? For example, you could justify putting John L Sullivan or the Nonpareil in the top 20 for their weight class, but they might be closer to top 5 with complete data! It is almost like the debate about whether we should clone a woolly mammoth! Do you create a partial Frankenstein's monster of this magnificent beast, or just let it go extinct with dignity?
No George, not Brown above Midget Wolgast! I know lists are subjective, but Brown is way too high. I'd literally switch his and Wolgast's places. As Vesti said, you have alot of guys with shock wins, including Brown to an extent.
Whitaker is far too low for my taste. He dominated Nelson and Chavez who you have over him plus he was undisputed champion, pound for pound #1 for a while and ridiculously skilled and dominant. He probably didn’t even lose until the Tito fight too.
Don't get me wrong it hurt me to put Whitaker that low, he's an absolute favourite of mine. But whilst his résumé is very good and he was very consistent he didn't compile the résumé to go higher imo. If the list took H2H into account, it would also be drastically different, and Whitaker would be much higher.
Some good stuff here and excellent input I just don't feel I know enough on such a broad subject to usefully contribute. It would be pure conjecture on my part for quite a few of these guys.
im extremely pleased to see that Houck made your list, im still disappointed that McGrain never added him
Roy Jones at 84 and Michael Spinks at 86. But Tommy Loughran is 11. C'mon George. This is unacceptable. You know this. I'll be reporting this post as offensive and abusive. Also, I ****in hate Orange. You really ****ed up on this one.