Hello again Classic. I had a fun thought about whether we could class fighters into 'Tiers' of Talent. My list here is not representative of all fighters, but is an idea on how you could produce your own tiered list. I know list obsessed posters like @George Crowcroft would find this interesting. It is also an opportunity to define what 'talent' in Boxing actually is, as it is very subjective. I will list according to the 'standard' definition of talent as usually seen on this forum. Mythic Tier: Nipper Pat Daly Jem Belcher (LPR) Top Tier: Wilfredo Benitez Roy Jones Jr Young Griffo Roberto Duran Mike Tyson Harry Greb Sugar Ray Robinson Muhammad Ali James Toney Tier A: The rest of the 4 Kings Manny Pacquaio Barney Ross Julio Cesar Chavez *Basically most ATGs and the very talented 'Very Goods' would fall into this category. Tier B: *A tier where ATGs who did not rely much on physical talent, or Very Good fighters, would possibly be ranked* Bernard Hopkins Juan Manuel Marquez Marco Antonio Barerra Gene Tunney Tier C: *The less talented 'Very Good' fighters and just solid fighters in general* Gaspar Ortega Curtis Cokes Tier D: *Top Journeymen, gatekeepers etc*
Top Tier: SRR Ali SRL Armstrong Jones Jr. Tyson Duran Hagler Hearns Manny Sanchez Among others I would put Manny in top tier. His speed and power in his prime was off the charts. Truly a physical marvel.
Personally, I'd say there's quite a gap between guys like Ortega/Cokes to gatekeepers/high performing Journeymen. The two above were legitimately top fighters in their division, someone like Dereck Chisora or Gabe Rosado haven't got a patch on them. Another little aside I'd like to say, is that Ray Leonard should absolutely be top tier IMO. For one, I just can't see him behind someone like Toney, or that he should be in the same tier as Ross. He's much more talented than those two IMO. And two, look at his attributes, man! Athletically, he compares to everyone. Even the likes of Robinson. Obviously guys like Forum Tua should be in mythical tier.
Also belonging in the mythic tier are Melankomas of Caria, Daniel Mendoza. Harry Greb is mythic tier. If no film exists he should be relegated to the pre-film era, given his resume how can you not have him on mythic tier?
Because there is ample footage of the men he beat, plus large amounts of style descriptions and fight description to coincide with them. You can make out a general style, unlike someone such as Belcher or Mendoza who are basically figments, with only their talents and achievements being resolute. Not to say Greb is resolute, but he is more concrete than them.
Well in regards to Mendoza we do have fight reports of his battles and have a "Rough" ideal of what style he used. He did move around and counter punch and was a pretty good grappler when it came down to it.
