Well Chavez jr. was the #1 contender at the time, Macklin was he #2 contender, and Murray is currently the #8 contender. Kelly Pavlik was the lineal champion and Paul Williams was the #1 contender.
The most you can say is that Barker and Dzinziruk were 'weak' defenses but both those guys get really underrated around here and you have to keep in mind that everyone was ducking him back then. HBO forced the Dzinziruk fight on Martinez and Barker was a last minute opponent after Daniel Geale and Quillin (or rather his management) refused the Martinez fight.
The most you can say is that Barker and Dzinziruk were 'weak' defenses but both those guys get really underrated around here and you have to keep in mind that everyone was ducking him back then. HBO forced the Dzinziruk fight on Martinez and Barker was a last minute opponent after Daniel Geale and Quillin (or rather his management) refused the Martinez fight.
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