Throw away the history books and not talking about espn classic type shiz. Who are the 2 best fighters you personally have witnessed in ure era and the fighters era. I'm sure ray Robinson and Ali were great but what fighters have made the biggest impression on ure own history book.
My 2 are
Bernard Hopkins
And
Manny pacquiao. Totally unbiased. So this weekend is special and nostalgic 2 me. I remember watching bhop de thrown tito in msg when he was a monster and the fact that he's still going at this level is one of the most special things I've seen in all of sports.
Roy Jones Jr and Mike Tyson. In their primes they were the most exciting and dominant.
They are great picks I agree.
Ironically both of those fighters are quickly dismissed by so called knowlegable posters at times based on ridiculous criteria. Just look at them! Speaks for itself!
RJJ first and easiest, for a time he literally looked like a totally different species, fighting mere mortals.
Second is much tougher, Tyson ruled his division with fear not seen in decades, but his peak was so short. I'd say Sugar Ray Leonard, I guess. Even though Hagler, Hearnes and Duran were right there with him, beating those legends, gotta give him his due, even though I personally liked all the other three better, style and personality wise.
I have a three way tie..My picks are based on different things as well..
BHOP's dedication and overall longevity is just amazing and historic within itself..So he's up there..BHOP also is one of the best technician I've ever seen..
Mayweather,again another historic fighter,and truly the best defensive fighter I've ever seen..Undefeated and has some of the best names of his era on his resume..Without a doubt he's one..
Then there's Pacmonster..The best offensive fighter I've seen,and low as it's kept subtle skills..Pac's footwork coming forward is some of the best,and dude will exchange with anyone,and is always super aggressive and true to his style..
I have to also just give Marquez a mention..
I know that's like 4,what can I say tho..It's been a good era..
Cotto and Pacquiao. Both never avoided a challenge. They were in plenty of fights where you didn't know for sure they'd win and somehow pulled it off.
To me, that makes a great fighter.
I've been watching Pacquiao since he came to America vs Ledwaba at 32-2. He is now 56-5. As you can see. That's quite a lot of matches he's had since 32 wins. It's been a hell of a career. Never would I thought in a million years that my favorite fighter at that time would go on to have a legendary career.
At the same time I was watching Miguel Cotto putting the beat downs with his afro hair on ESPN. Going from those days to the respectable fighter he is now that people will probably pay to see him fight anybody because he's entertaining and has done it all. It's been quite a ride. Seen him fight live plenty of times in MSG and AC. If there is one fighter I can relate most with because I could see him fight live so much, it has been Cotto and I'll always remember him as the must see fighter to go to MSG or AC with my buddies while I was "young".
Manny Pacquaio and Roy Jones Jr prime for me. Then again, even though I hate his guts, it's difficult to not consider Floyd as well grudgingly! Also Oscar Dela Hoya prime gets a look.
Regarding HW's (slightly different sport almost) it's tough to separate 2 really special ones.
I like 4 in particular that were stand out special. Both Klitschko's, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson from my era. I can't exclude 2 at the expense of any other there.
Roy Jones Jr and Lennox Lewis! (James Toney and Mayweather as well!)
I'm talking about watch them grow from the beginning and reaching the mountain top it would have to be those two.
Been great watching Andre Ward grow from the Olympics to one of the very best P4P in the world and dominate a Tournament he wasn't even favorite to win when it first started, everybody was on Abraham, Froch and Kessler bandwagon when the Tournament start and after Abraham knocked out Jermain Taylor everybody was posting comments on how Abraham was going to KNOCK EVERYBODY OUT!
Also currently watching Erroll Spence, Vasyl Lomachenko, Marcus Browne, Anthony Joshua, Anthony Ogogo and many others from the 2012 Olympics now working their way up as pros, that has been interesting and exciting. 2012 was probably the first time I watched the entire Boxing Events during the Olympics so I try to keep up with all the guy I remember from that Olympics.
In his absolute prime, Pacquiao is the greatest offensive machine I have ever seen.
In terms of mercurial talent and superiority to opponents faced, I'd have to say RJJ, although I don't rate him higher than Bhop or Floyd, I just believe, in terms of pure prime, there was nothing like him. Having said that, his choice of opponents was atrocious