BoxRec

Rank these fighters...

Tommy Ryan
Mickey Walker
Carmen Basilio
Emile Griffith
Ray Leonard
Thomas Hearns

Ezzard wrote:Rank these fighters...

Tommy Ryan
Mickey Walker
Carmen Basilio
Emile Griffith
Ray Leonard
Thomas Hearns

1. Walker
2. Ryan
3. Griffith
4. Hearns
5. Leonard
6. Basilio

..why?

That's quite a difficult one. I think I'd have Griffith #1 though. I think he was only a slight, slight step behind Leonard at welterweight, a tiny bit better than Hearns, better than Walker & Basilio, and I'm not too sure about Ryan. I also think Griffith was the best middleweight on the list, so on averages he is my #1; for instance, Leonard would be something like my #20 middleweight on ability, whereas Griffith is about #10, and only two places behind Leonard at welterweight (#4).

Difficult list to sort Jaclem, but heres my logic. The only one of these guys who is a consensus top 15 MW is Mickey Walker, hence I put him at 1. Tommy Ryan had a longish MW albeit at the turn of the century, so I placed him at 2. Emile Griffith also had a reign as MW champion, no.3.
I dont think Hearns or Leonard did as much as these three at 160, although I would rank both at the top at 147 out of this list. I ranked Hearns above Leonard cos I really believe Hagler was robbed against Leonard (but lets not start a new thread on this tired subject). Basically Leonard didnt beat anybody at 160 IMO, Hearns did win some fights and should have got the decision over Leonard at 168. Hearns vs Leonard at 160 I would favour Tommy.
And lastly Basilio, I probably should have ranked ahead of Leonard at 160.
So I revise my rankings to 1. Walker 2. Ryan 3. Griffiths 4. Hearns 5. Basilio and 6. Leonard

Decagon wrote:It's difficult because some fighters, Like Leonard, only had a few fights at 160, while others, like Walker, didn't spend much of their respective primes at 147.

That's why I put the thread up to see how the different achievements would be weighted by forum members.

I do appreciate this give and take and have very little to add....but as usual I'll add it anyway. The complexity of these lists forces one to refer to quantum physics formulas. However I truly appreciate the effort people put forth and always find it fascinating reading and I usually learn something every time.

So from those who choose to read and learn we salute those who have the vitality, energy and creative genius to post such lists.

Meanwhile I have the definitive versions hermeticaly sealed and placed very cleverly in Al Capones old Vault in Chicago.

The very one that Rivera searched for but did not really find. I'd tell you where it is but then I would have to kill you.

Emile Griffith
Walker
Basilio
Hearns
Leonard

Don't know too about the other guy