Azumah Nelson... better than Duran, Chavez, and Arguello???

[The Keed]

This guy is one of my favorite fighters ever, and every time I see him fight I just get more and more impressed with him. He's done some very amazing things.

I just got ahold of his fight with Wilfredo Gomez, and I was totally in awe. The guy was incredible! He just did whatever the hell he wanted with Gomez! He was still somewhat raw and unpolished (he still had probably less than 20 fights), but he showed a great defense and a lot of versatility. Gomez could hardly get in a solid shot, even though Nelson was the aggressor. Nelson kept changing his style, one round attacking, the next round boxing... but no matter what style he fought in he was always getting the better of Gomez. I haven't seen that kind of versatility since the real Cuban Hawk himself!

The knockout was great too. First, Gomez went down, and then when he got up Nelson sank a right hand into his chest. As Gomez sank slowly to the canvas - but was not yet down - Nelson nailed him with a right to the chin. Gomez was GONE!!!

Even more amazing was the fact that Nelson was still not yet even in his prime!

Anyway, getting back to the title of this thread, Duran, Chavez, and Arguello may have won more titles than Nelson, but I think Nelson at his best weight (probably featherweight) was better than each of those guys at their best weights. I think Nelson belongs among the all-time top 10 P4P.

Your thoughts?

[The Keed]

If Nelson and Chavez had ever fought (at 130), I'd take Nelson. I think he was more versatile and was the harder puncher than Chavez (although I suppose that is open to debate)... at least, the harder puncher to the head.

Nelson vs. Arguello is a tougher call, but looking at how much trouble Arguello had with Olivares (who was probably past his prime then), Escalera, and Ernesto Marcel, and how many clean punches Arguello took in those fights, I'd go with Nelson, who could do at least everything (and more) that those guys could do and was the harder puncher than any of them (Olivares might've been a big puncher at bantam but not at feather).

I don't think Nelson could've beaten Duran (who was naturally bigger) in the ring, but I think Nelson in his prime was more polished and maybe a bit more versatile than Duran at lightweight, so P4P I might give Nelson the edge over him... but that is the toughest call of the three IMO.

[Broncano]

How about Salvador Sanchez? Nelson was only 24 when he lost to him in Sanchez's final fight but he (Sanchez) also fought a younger, unbeaten and much more dangerous Gomez in 1981 and just decimated him in 8 rounds. You should see that fight if you still haven't.
Also, after 1983 Wilfredo Gomez was entirely dismissable as a contender. After a few rounds he became sloppy and erratic and was a cakewalk for Azumah (their fight was in 1984).
I agree with you, though that he was a versatile and exciting fighter, a true champ. Now to go as far as to say that he was better than the explosive flaco Arguello, I don't know. P4P definitely not better than the 1972-1980 Duran. The greatest, meanest lightweight of all time. Period.
Better than Chavez? I'm not so sure
And there's the numbers. Duran, 119 pro fights; Arguello, 90 pro fights; Chavez, 111 pro fights. against Nelson's 46. Plus, Yes, he was good but who did he beat beside Gomez that is worth mentioning? Jesse james leija? juan Laporte?

[The Keed]

How about Salvador Sanchez? Nelson was only 24 when he lost to him in Sanchez's final fight but he (Sanchez) also fought a younger, unbeaten and much more dangerous Gomez in 1981 and just decimated him in 8 rounds. You should see that fight if you still haven't.
Also, after 1983 Wilfredo Gomez was entirely dismissable as a contender. After a few rounds he became sloppy and erratic and was a cakewalk for Azumah (their fight was in 1984).
I agree with you, though that he was a versatile and exciting fighter, a true champ. Now to go as far as to say that he was better than the explosive flaco Arguello, I don't know. P4P definitely not better than the 1972-1980 Duran. The greatest, meanest lightweight of all time. Period.
Better than Chavez? I'm not so sure
And there's the numbers. Duran, 119 pro fights; Arguello, 90 pro fights; Chavez, 111 pro fights. against Nelson's 46. Plus, Yes, he was good but who did he beat beside Gomez that is worth mentioning? Jesse james leija? juan Laporte?

Jeffe Fenech.

As for Sanchez, he definitely was one of the most naturally talented fighters of all time... but Nelson came into their fight as a late sub with only 13 fights of pro experience and pushed him all the way into the 15th round before getting stopped. I had Nelson ahead going into the last round.

[Broncano]

Yes Hawk, you're right. I'd forgotten about the Fenech KO.
And yes, he was amazing against Sanchez that night, being so young and inexperienced. A true talent is what he was no doubt.
I still believe it takes a lot more than that to have him compared to arguello chavez and duran. Especially Duran...

[TonyJ]

Nelson is also one of my favorites, the man was a great fighter, but i would have to agree with Broncano as well. I just don't think you can compare Nelson with Duran, Chavez, and Arguello, if he fought with these three superb legends i can't see him winning against any of them they were all just a little greater than Nelson not to take anything away from him but he was not good as those guys.

All fighters assumed in their primes

Duran (possible late rd stoppage).
Chavez ( unanimouse decision) tough fight.
Arguello (Unanimouse decision) tough fight.

[Sweet P]

I think that Nalson was a great fighter but i don't think he could have beaten any of them 3. I also don't think that he could beat some of our modern fighters around his weight like Barrera, Morrales or even Mayweather.