If we're talking about who is best in terms of athleticism, skills, etc then yes Leonard is really high up the list. But a man can be less gifted, and still rank higher than the most gifted.Onetimeonly wrote: ↑18 May 2019, 21:12 Wlad isn't top 100. All-time rankings should be based on resume. Leonard's is outstanding. He's clearly greater than Fitz for me, toney isn't even in his league.
That's why I still applaud that RING ALMANAC issue years ago that rated Greb as the #1 middleweight of all time and Robinson as #2. I think sometimes people say things enough times they actually start to believe it, even if it's not the truth--- and sports is no exception.
Boxing is easily the most speculative sport of all time. We've all wasted years of saliva and time on these ratings and "What if?" questions. TBH, we're all probably wrong on who was the best, worst, strongest, toughest, etc.
But it's the debates and arguments that make the sport fun, ultimately.
Fitzsimmons, certainly had more balls than a guy like Leonard because he fought heavyweights when he was only 167 pounds--- and did something nobody else would come close to replicating until 40-50 years later (triple crown). Leonard, on the other hand, didn't do anything that others haven't surpassed since--- After all, Pacquiao and Mayweather certainly did.
As for Toney, again, throw his name out and substitute Jimmy Wilde or someone else of great standing. Does it really matter? When we're talking men this good and great it's truly splitting hairs. If all of them fought each other 4-5 times, the "lesser" man is bound to win at least once.
Maybe the real question ought to be, "How many welterweights, junior middleweights, middleweights, super middleweights and light heavyweights could beat Leonard?", and then average it all out. If he's consistently top five in those divisions then you have one helluva case he is a top ten P4P fighter.
Mind you I said he's no higher than #11 and no lower than #30, and that's nothing to bitch and complain about. That's generous from me considering I dislike hot-dogger's and flashy pretty boy types. Considering Sugar's list, whether it be the 1980s or 2000s, that Leonard's so low, I don't feel so bad in my estimation.
As for Wladimir, I would argue somewhere between #70-#80 on the P4P list because of the title reign length and number of defenses. It's difficult to argue he doesn't belong, especially when Larry Holmes & Joe Louis also fought in extremely weak eras and are usually considered top ten heavyweights.
That's what I am talking about!