which one is more difficult...

[talip bin osman]

dominate in a single weight division (beat "the man", clean up & take on all comers... like duran & monzon...

OR

jump through the weight divisions & collect belts... like dela hoya & pacquiao...?

what say you historians?

[#1Assassin]

today its much easier to jump through several divisions, i dont think its even up for debate. just look at some of the ppl carrying titles, theres basicly a highly average fighter with a title in each division so u can cherrypick your way to titles in diffrent weightclasses without challenging yourself. back in the day when arguello, hearns and leonard were moving up and down divisions it was a diffrent thing though. they usually went for the best titleholder and even the title holders considered weak could fight their ass of back then.

[GJC]

today its much easier to jump through several divisions, i dont think its even up for debate. just look at some of the ppl carrying titles, theres basicly a highly average fighter with a title in each division so u can cherrypick your way to titles in diffrent weightclasses without challenging yourself. back in the day when arguello, hearns and leonard were moving up and down divisions it was a diffrent thing though. they usually went for the best titleholder and even the title holders considered weak could fight their ass of back then.

Whilst I think it is impressive to jump out of your comfort zone so to speak and collect titles at other weights as was pointed out it is easy enough to do this without ever challenging "the man" so to speak. Now they have changed the rules of weigh ins it is also easier.
I wouldn't neccessarily rate Pac's 7 as any more impressive than Armstrong's 3 at the same time, plus Armstrong put in a fair number of defences at WW.
Duran also had a dominant reign at LW before moving up so ticked both boxes.

[bojangles1987]

It depends who the fighter is fighting as they move up in weight. Part of dominating a division for a long time like Hopkins, Jones, and Calzaghe recently did is that there are going to be a lot of outclassed fighters you fight, you will get no credit for.

If the fighter is fighting the best fighters while moving up in weight, that's more impressive to me.

[KlownvonnomaD]

I think it all depends on how competitive the division is, if there are a few good fighters and a few good looking up and comers then cleaning up the division is very good achevement.

In theory it should be stepping up in weight to fighting naturally bigger and equaly as skilled guys. Sadly that isn't always what happens and alot of guys look to step up, beat the weakest of the 4 champs and either move up again or drop back down.

[turdleburgle]

its not how many divisions hes fought at its who hes fought and beat.pacs resume is greater than any other fighters of the modern era you just cant ignore it.pacs the only fighter of his era who can say he's right up there with any all time great.




marvin hagler didnt compete in as many divisions as mayweather but hes far greater than mayweather could ever be

[sonnyboyx2]

its more difficult to move through the divisions like Delahoya & Pacquiao did

[StarshipTrooper]

Whilst I think it is impressive to jump out of your comfort zone so to speak and collect titles at other weights as was pointed out it is easy enough to do this without ever challenging "the man" so to speak. Now they have changed the rules of weigh ins it is also easier.
I wouldn't neccessarily rate Pac's 7 as any more impressive than Armstrong's 3 at the same time, plus Armstrong put in a fair number of defences at WW.
Duran also had a dominant reign at LW before moving up so ticked both boxes.

What I give Armstrong credit for is holding those three belts simultaniously.....that isn't something any modern day "belt collector" can claim. I personally prefer to see fighters rule their weight class until biology dictates they can't make the weight anymore.

Poet

[Bright-Eyes]

Level of opposition counts above all else.There are guys who have won three titles in three different weight classes who were never anything more than good fighters.



Going from weight class to weight class isn't really much of an accomplishment anymore due to the day before the fight weigh-in's.

[Megamasterking]

What I give Armstrong credit for is holding those three belts simultaniously.....that isn't something any modern day "belt collector" can claim. I personally prefer to see fighters rule their weight class until biology dictates they can't make the weight anymore.

Poet

Good post !
If it comes difficult for you to make the weight, then you go up and try your best. A lot of factors are involved here, like if you move up and find an ATG in his prime ready to decapitate you, would it be wiser to stay in your division and dominate. There is no shame in dominating only one division, i prefer that to many belts won against grandpa's in different weight divisions...