The Unpopular Opinion Thread

I think the "Golden Age" of the heavyweights in the 70's was more a pop culture phenomenon than a reflection of the actual talent at the time.

 

no plenty of people would disagree with that

 

yeah, but all the middles he fought he destroyed. the light weight was probably the greatest lightweight ever when fully motivated, and Leonard did not clearly win and was also, in my opinion, one of the greatest of all time. None of the middleweight title defenses before that blown up light weight went the distance, Duran was special. And hearns had a bunch of 1st round knock outs even as high as cruiserweight, he was also an exceptional fighter who did not have exceptional punch resistance. Hagler was awesome, he just started a little too slow against Leonard, and was the victim of a few bad decisions, and was never even hurt in his whole career, not even the Mugabi fight. None of his decision losses were clear cut and non-controversial.

I'm sure Greb was great, but Hagler could do everything in the ring, and Duran going the distance with him just shows how amazingly awesome Duran was, not how bad Hagler was, who took care of business with every middleweight there was.

 

Much more than you know

 

True. But it doesn't stop you from overrating Ali.
The real golden age was the 1990s

 

Agreed

 

I don't agree., sorry I couldn't resist.

 

Ray Leonard would be a top 10 middleweight in any era.
In three fights with Ray Robinson at 147, Ray Leonard would win at least once.

 

I kind of agree with you .. I give him mad props and hes definitely an atg... very exciting but i dont think he looked like the most talented or fluid guy out there.,, ,ust as effective as many greats,but i agree looked stiff or as you say wooden at times.,, I thik his huge heart and mental strength gave him that something to make him great..

Dont get how most of the posters rate him over Barrera.... When Barrera proved the slightly better man in their triology. I also think barrera was more pleasing to watch,more natural talent, His combos and style was also much more smoother and pleasing to watch than Morales... He was also just as tough and their power pretty equal. I guess the Pac win and his popularity has something to do with it.

I alos think talent wise Marquez is better and hes very close to Morales, right now overall, almost neck and neck. In a hth matchup in their primes i might lean towards JMM to beat Morales in a close fight.

What gives Morales the edge is his great triology with prime Barrera,and early career wins, over better names.

 

Is this very controversial, though?

 

kid berg was the best lightweight to come out of britain , yes i think he beats buchanan

 

The thing with Sanchez is that sometimes he fought to the level of his compettiton and made fights much closer than expected (Castillio,Cowdell,Ford,LaportekYoung Azumah) all outstanding fighters (nelson great) but took Sanchez to the wire... But alot of legends had fights like that, and he showed greatness in Stopping Nelson and cliinching late rounds when he had too....Even though he had a number of fights already, you have to keep in mind that he came out of nowhere and if anything was gonna be even greater.,... In his biggest wins he completely dominated and upset ATG.. The best version of Sanchez would have showed up vs Arguello, not sure if he wins but its winnable and a pretty even matchup at JL..... As for Morales,Marquez,Barrera having to much power?? I dont get that logic... Sanchez had one of the best chins ive ever seen, he walked through Gomez,Lopez best shots ,and although he dominated both guys, they both hit him on the button several times. those 2 might have their hands full or lose to the MAB,MOR,JMM but they definitely hit harder...Laporte,Nelson were also big puchers who never hurt Sanchez... Sanchez beats all 3 on their best nights, but if he were to fight them back to back or have rivalries im sure hed pick up al loss...Still trying to figure out that "power" comment....Better chin than all 3, and power wise hes right there with Marquez,, And only a little behind Mor,Mab.

Mayweather and Whittaker hands down the best defensive fighters since ive been a fan (better defensively than Benitezs).. But i just think Floyd is on he just has a little more offensively rounded,stronger than Pernell....Dont get me wrong Pernell had a great jab and could score whenever he wanted on everyone he fought in his prime, he dominated almost everyone he fought, but against Floyd hed meet his match (slick wise) and wouldnt be able to clown,play and frustrate Floyd the way he did everyone else.... Believe it or not i think Floyd does alitle more offensively and effectively presses Pernell and fights his fight.. Also think Mayweather is stronger,Harder puncher and hed take the lead, hed get more confident as the fight went on takes aclose decision over WHittaker.


After Duran moved up to JM.. He slowed down big time and was a little more tame.. His sometimes brillinant fights at JM and MW were just flashes of what he once had... He was no longer a feared pucher(respectable power but not a bomber) didnt have the same speed he did to make up for his size disadvantage... He got by on Experience,Smarts, and Spurts of his of his prime abilites.. At Welter he wasnt quite the fearsome puncher he was at LW,, But he still hit hard.. Hard enough to Drop iron chined Palomino, Badly hurt Suar Ray and Ko Cuevas... He also pretty much kept his speed,,, Fast enough to repeatedly score,keep up, time a speed demon like Leonard all night.,.. He still had great refelxes and managed to make SRL miss.. AT Jm he still was slick but couldnt siip and counter back as fast as he did at WW and LW.... .. I just cannot see Hearns teeing off on a ww Duran like that,,.. Also the super hyper and fiery Duran would not go on the ropes or end up in the center of the ring standing still the way , he did against Tommy... I think he sticks to Tommys chest and gets inside roughing Tommy up, He was fast and slippery enough to do so as well..... Also TOmmy got much physically stronger when he went up to JM,taking his punch,Speed and even more experience with him.... .. At ww i really believe Duran would be more physical,and eventually wear Tommy down.... Duran was just a totally differnent fighter before moving up,,, Mentally)(tamer) and physicaly.. And Hearns although still devastating at WW, seemed to get a little better in everything when going up to JM...

And Duran also didnt do himself no favors, by blowing up to Hw before training camp.. At the time i thought id never see the day that Duran would look tame and unintrested.... he did try and keep Tommy off him but he wasn there mentally or physically.. Seems like his mindset through trainng camp was probably just the payday...... Where as the best Version of the Hit man showed up.

 

Exactly :good He even had that round-six Whitaker moment where he dodged 6 of Margarito's consecutive punches with his hands down

 

I have Ali at #2 all time. However, I have Frazier and Foreman lower than most.

 

If Davey Moore fought Donald Curry at 154, he would've kayoed him.

Marvin Johnson would've beaten John Conteh.