What's the best argument against FMJ being the greatest?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by DrederickTatum, Mar 28, 2020.



  1. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Who cares?

    Even the absolute best fighters today seldom unifies all (the big 4) belts. Promotional connections, TV contracts, etc. most of the time determines who gets the right chance.

    But if you are the best, this shouldn't really matter. I don't think historians 100 years from now will look back at Mayweather and say: "sure, he was pretty good - but he didn't unify, so he can't really be an ATG!"
     
  2. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    There's definitely an argument for that. A bit like how you can rank Armstrong above SRR.

    People stil don't really seem to understand how truly remarkable Pac's feats were. Going from a world class FW to a world class WW.... That's just insane. I mean, do anyone expect to see Inoue beat the living **** out of some of the best WWs? Loma even? And be compeitive at that level at 40 still?

    We might very well not see that again in our lifetime.
     
  3. Bulldog24

    Bulldog24 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    ATG! P4P! That's Internet forum crap.

    The argument is whether he is the greatest of all - he's clearly not as he was never the #1 in a division for a start.

    You can't put him in the sentence of a Henry Armstrong, Ezzard Charles or Benny Leonard, or even a Michael Spinks if you really think about it (Lineal Champion in two of the original eight weight divisions).
     
  4. DrederickTatum

    DrederickTatum We really outchere. Full Member

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    If anything Kosta ducked Floyd.
    Floyd won two title eliminators at that weight in 2004, Kosta chose to fight Hatton, had he won he and Floyd would have likely fought,
    but he lost,
    and then he retired.

    Paul Williams was just a matter of timing, and bigger fights being available.
    He himself said Floyd didn't duck him.

    He could have fought Margarito instead of Baldomir, but believe it or not, Baldomir was on a much better run in that moment in time.

    Had Margarito not been so inclined towards losing, I think FMJ would've faced him at some point.

    Mitchell was a title eliminator to guarantee a title shot to Kosta Tszyu.

    These don't look like ducks IMO.
     
  5. h8me

    h8me Member Full Member

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    Exactly, I mean... Beating Thurman was really so incredible... Do you see Mayweather coming back and taking on a legit young fighter in his prime?
     
  6. DrederickTatum

    DrederickTatum We really outchere. Full Member

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    Is it better to be hit and miss over 8 weight classes, or consistent in 4?

    How you answer that question will have a lot to do with who you rank higher out of these two IMO.
     
  7. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I hear people complaining about Floyd being called “ the greatest “ about a thousand times more than I’ve actually heard someone say it. He thinks he is and he has every right to. Dude was ranked top 10 for about 15 years and number 1 for about 6 or 7 of those years. Belts in like five divisions. Over a dozen wins over past or present champions. God knows how many ranked opponents and several hall of famers or men who WILL be in the hall of fame. And of course a 50-0 record..... I don’t have a problem with him being rated the best or top 5 or top 10. There are some who don’t even rate him top 20 and I’d really like to hear their reasoning
     
  8. DrederickTatum

    DrederickTatum We really outchere. Full Member

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    I can't wholeheartedly argue that he is above Arguello at 130, based on achievements alone, but boy do I think PBF would put a beatdown on him.
     
  9. DrederickTatum

    DrederickTatum We really outchere. Full Member

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    You're not the only one pal.
     
    mr. magoo likes this.
  10. DrederickTatum

    DrederickTatum We really outchere. Full Member

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    Corrales, Canelo and Hatton all arguably qualify.
     
  11. Ike-Man

    Ike-Man Active Member Full Member

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    You don't have a problem with him being rated higher than the likes of SRR or Harry Greb, seriously?
     
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  12. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    There's 20 I find greater?
     
  13. DrederickTatum

    DrederickTatum We really outchere. Full Member

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    You can also make an argument for Mosley, Judah and JMM.

    Paqciauo doesn't need an argument.
     
  14. Fury's Love Handles

    Fury's Love Handles Mrkoolkevin Full Member

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    Excellent post!

    I can think of a number of reasons reasonable people might have him outside of their top 20 though.
     
    JC40 likes this.
  15. Loudon

    Loudon VIP Member Full Member

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    It's not over generalised.

    It's the way it is.

    U.S. fighters have home court advantage.

    It's not just certain junctures in time, it's the majority of the time.

    The European fighters either have to fight there or move there permanently in order to reach the top.

    Ali never had to travel, he just really enjoyed it.

    Guys like Floyd never had to, because everything they needed was based at home.

    U.S. fighters very rarely travel, as they don't need to for the most part.

    They have luxuries that non based U.S. fighters don't.

    The biggest fights will always take place in Vegas.

    The majority of the world's best fighters will always be based in the U.S.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2020