All time Top 5 boxers at 140

I agree with your analysis, but what do you think of the prospects of Taylors career without Chavez around? In a way I kinda think Taylor's first performance against Chavez enhances his status at 140, so I'm not sure he would've benefited all that much from Chavez' absence. And considering his struggles with the taller boxer types like Hooper and later Espana (although Taylor was past it by that fight), I think there would've been somebody around that would've outboxed Taylor from the distance and by using their reach...maybe(?) a guy like Roger Mayweather, who I think was still around and ranked at that time.

Absolutely. As it is, Taylor is still one of the better jr. welters of all time. What did you think of the stoppage (or better yet, the way it came about, timing wise) of Taylor-Chavez? Did you think Richard Steele was right to stop it with 2 sec's remaining?

With his quick and flashy, in-and-out style, it's not hard imagining Taylor giving some of the greatest Jr. Welterweights problems and possibly even beating a few of them. But I just don't think he did enough at that weight to warrant inclusion in a top ten at this weight (I also rate Benitez lower than most, as well). He had a couple of fairly decent wins before winning the IBF title, and he did look excellant against both Buddy McGirt and John Meekins (and later vs. Chavez in a losing effort). But even though the scorecards would tell you otherwise, he did struggle with Courtney Hooper, and in fact, I can remember a bit of a fuss being made in the various boxing magazines about how Taylor didn't even deserve the decision in that fight...Quite a few people thought Hooper won that one. I would maybe sneak Taylor into the all-time top twenty at 140, but he wouldn't get a much higher ranking from me than that. I agree with your analysis, but what do you think of the prospects of Taylors career without Chavez around?

Absolutely. As it is, Taylor is still one of the better jr. welters of all time. With his quick and flashy, in-and-out style, it's not hard imagining Taylor giving some of the greatest Jr. Welterweights problems and possibly even beating a few of them. But I just don't think he did enough at that weight to warrant inclusion in a top ten at this weight (I also rate Benitez lower than most, as well). He had a couple of fairly decent wins before winning the IBF title, and he did look excellant against both Buddy McGirt and John Meekins (and later vs. Chavez in a losing effort). But even though the scorecards would tell you otherwise, he did struggle with Courtney Hooper, and in fact, I can remember a bit of a fuss being made in the various boxing magazines about how Taylor didn't even deserve the decision in that fight...Quite a few people thought Hooper won that one. I would maybe sneak Taylor into the all-time top twenty at 140, but he wouldn't get a much higher ranking from me than that.

Absolutely. As it is, Taylor is still one of the better jr. welters of all time.

Do you think it's safe to say that if JCC was never around at 140 while Mel Taylor was there that Mel would have been on his way to being one of the 5 greatest 140 pounders ever? Only a guy like Chavez could have beat that fight out of him.

I just realized I left out Tony Canzoneri . . . he should be up there. He did most of his work at lightweight, but he was definitely one of the best jr. welterweights of all time. Yep, Canzoneri can definately make a strong claim for an all-time top five spot in this division, when you consider his wins over HOF'ers like Jackie Kid Berg and Jimmy McLarnin. Also the common opinion is that Canzoneri was robbed in at least one of the fights against Ross, if not both of them...A couple of quotes from the Sept. 2001 issue of The Ring; "He (Canzoneri) outfought, outhustled, and beat up Ross in their first fight, despite what the judges saw." "Ross made his name at welterweight, but two decisions over Tony Canzoneri, even if they probably were unjust, are hard to ignore."

I just realized I left out Tony Canzoneri . . . he should be up there. He did most of his work at lightweight, but he was definitely one of the best jr. welterweights of all time.

Benitez is up there with Pernell Whittaker and Willie Pep as the most hard to hit fighters ever. You can easily mention Nicolino Locche in that group of defensive geniuses, as well, and Locche is also one of the great Jr. Welterweights in history. And don't judge him strictly on the old version of himself that fought and lost to Pryor, because Antonio Cervantes deserves mention in any discssion pertaining to the great 140 pounders of all-time...He'd certainly be in my top three, no doubt.

at 140 cotto over mayweather. mayweather has fought 2 guys at 140 and cotto has beat a lot more and better guys at 140.

People, and what I dont get is how Benitez fell off in his 20's. tho now he is disabled, and in care, he was 24 when he fought Hearns, and after that he fell off. What don't you get? He was never in peak shape. Actually, he was never even close to peak shape. He didn't take training seriously. And so, while he had all the natural talent you could want to see in a fighter, by the time he was in his mid-20's (remember he started so early -- he was only 17 when he won the 140 lb title) he just didn't have it physically any more.

it is, i start to watch boxing from 1995. Cotto, Trinidad, DLH, Mayweather?! Huh? Please tell me that's your list over the last 10 years and not all-time. Aaron Pryor (should be the top of any 140 lb list) Julio Cesar Chavez Barney Ross Wilfred Benitez . . . maybe Kostya Tzzyu

Its a bit insulting to some of the greats who have fought at that weight, Cotto's talented but so are a lot of fighters. This is true...I'm crazy about Cotto, but he's still so young and hasnt fought nearly as long as the others. He's still way too green to be considered an all time great. :eek:

Yeah Benitez already beat Roberto. He frustrated him with movement and defense and did a great job of picking his shots and countering. Damn I saw that fight a LONG time ago...I don't even think I was aware of who Benitez was at the time. Iwatch who are these people that thought Benitez beat Hearns?

Benitez never lost at 140. Both Leonard (who he fought at welter) and Hearns (who he fought at jr. middle) were just too big and powerful. He had his moments against both of them, but obviously not enough to get a win. Leonard was also too fast. Benitez was one of the most talented boxers of all time, but partied his ass off and was never in great shape. He probably would have defeated almost anyone else at welterweight, but not Leonard. He did fight Duran (at 154), by the way.

Benitez beat Duran by UD right before he fought Hearns. I thought he did very well against Hearns but I think Tommy broke his right hand in the fight. Benitez is up there with Pernell Whittaker and Willie Pep as the most hard to hit fighters ever.

hmm How did Benitez look vs Ray Leonard and Hearns? I see he has two losses but get the feeling he might have had his moments in those fights if he was one of the best all-time at 140. How come Benitez never fought Duran?

Trinidad at 147, yes, 140, no. Cotto will be #1, tho. I don't think he'll be able to stay at 140 long enough to establish himself as an all-time great. He's just too big.

Cotto, Trinidad, DLH, Mayweather?! Huh? Please tell me that's your list over the last 10 years and not all-time. Aaron Pryor (should be the top of any 140 lb list) Julio Cesar Chavez Barney Ross Wilfred Benitez . . . maybe Kostya Tzzyu

How can you put Miguel Cotto on the list, he still hasn't fought hasn't fought the best at 140 like Mayweather and Hatton. Its a bit insulting to some of the greats who have fought at that weight, Cotto's talented but so are a lot of fighters.