Three best pound for pound fighters of the eighties ?

I just want to say Sanchez and McCallum and end there, but that would perhaps be a bit biased?

Off the top of my head: Leonard.

 

Duran, Claimed WW, LMW, and MW title, beat Leonard for WW title, came back from career ending move, TKO'd Pipino then Moore for the LMW, 15 round battle with Hagler, then kinda fell off, then popped up at age 37 and beat Barkley for MW title. Leonard Beat Duran twice, TKO'd Hearns, and then beat Hagler and drawed with Hearns(despite both being controversial) and hel titles in 5 different weight classes. Hagler, and Sanchez are also up to be mentioned, Tyson, McCallum. All these guys deserve mention and any can be top 3.

 

Hearns, Tyson and Hagler should probably rate higher than them, though. Perhaps also Chavez.

 

Just remembered that he beat Benitez in '79, so that shouldn't count then. But still - Hearns, Duran, Kalule and Hagler, with LaLonde as a little added bonus...

 

Hagler, Leonard & Whitaker.

 

Leonard,Chang and Spinks.

 

My objective p4p answer would have to be Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks and Salvador Sanchez.

But good arguments could be put forward for Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Mike McCallum, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran etc.

 

Spinks is a very good call. Forgot about him.

Could you tell me some about Chang?

 

Very good pressure fighter/swarmer made 15 defenses of the WBC Light Fly title beating quality fighters such as Zapata,Torres 3x,Tokashiki, Chitalada,Ohashi,Montiel etc,only lost twice during the decade one by SD against the also great Zapata and the other in the end of the decade when he was already past it against Chiquita Gonzalez.

Maybe not as good a record names wise to warrant a top three placing but deserves an honorable mention.

 

Ok. Thanks.

 

Guys please don't be disregarding Sanchez just because he passed in '82.

Record, resume, achievements and performances are what's important surely in this particular discussion, not longevity.

Sanchez's record in the 1980s was flawless, 11-0, 5 KOs, 10 world title fight wins.

Wins included Danny Lopez (twice, two stoppages), Ruben Castillo, Wilfredo Gomez (took his zero by stoppage), Azumah Nelson (only time he was EVER stopped, despite fighting on til he was about 86), and Juan laPorte.

Sal took on world-class comp including two ATGs (Gomez, Nelson) and beat them all. His wins over Lopez are two of the best wins of that decade IMO, as was the Gomez victory. And the next time Azumah lost was to a peak Sweet Pea up at lightweight after the 80s had finished.

Judging him objectively on wins and such like achieved within the time-period in question, Sanchez is a very live contender for top 3 status. :good

 

Leonard, Whitaker, Hearns

While Leonard and Whitaker were simply a class above, Hearns accomplishments speak for themselves in any pound for pound discussion ...