Made a list of the 25 greatest fighters of the last 25 years...how bad is it?

[IronDanHamza]

Yes he has. he fought the best version of Zab Judah who, when considered at his best, and in consideration of his natural abilities, as well as his performance against Mayweather, is "close" to Mayweather.

Floyd Mayweather is an ATG and arguably the best fighter of his generation.

Zab Judah isn't even a Hall Of Famer.

He is not close to Mayweather's level.

[billeau2]

Floyd Mayweather is an ATG and arguably the best fighter of his generation.

Zab Judah isn't even a Hall Of Famer.

He is not close to Mayweather's level.

When mentioning Judah in the post cited you were implying that Zoo, talent wise, had never fought a fighter with the type of skills and ability as Mayweather.

Certainly Mayweather's career achievements are on a different level than Judah's, but in the short term, when comparing the ability of Judah when he was at his best, which is the version Zoo fought, there is similarity between Mayweather and Judah.

There is a lot of proof for this contention: Zab's speed, his record at that time, the abilities he displayed in the ring, were, at that time commensurate with Mayweather... Also, even a lesser version of Judah had his moments early on with Floyd Mayweather, including a possible knock down. One can also see when Judah hit the skids, and the difference in the abilities shown when comparing the version of Judah Zoo fought and the version afgterwards.

So, while career wise there is no comparison, Zab's natural talent and ability is such that a short term, "best" version of Judah is in some respects comparable to Mayweather.

[IronDanHamza]

When mentioning Judah in the post cited you were implying that Zoo, talent wise, had never fought a fighter with the type of skills and ability as Mayweather.

Certainly Mayweather's career achievements are on a different level than Judah's, but in the short term, when comparing the ability of Judah when he was at his best, which is the version Zoo fought, there is similarity between Mayweather and Judah.

There is a lot of proof for this contention: Zab's speed, his record at that time, the abilities he displayed in the ring, were, at that time commensurate with Mayweather... Also, even a lesser version of Judah had his moments early on with Floyd Mayweather, including a possible knock down. One can also see when Judah hit the skids, and the difference in the abilities shown when comparing the version of Judah Zoo fought and the version afgterwards.

So, while career wise there is no comparison, Zab's natural talent and ability is such that a short term, "best" version of Judah is in some respects comparable to Mayweather.

No he's not.

Zab has faster hands and is more explosive. That's it.

No where near Floyd's level.

I understand that his hype was better that of Mayweather's but I don't see how thar's relevant.

Skill wise Zab Judah isnt much better than DeMarcus Corley.

[Dodger07]

I think its a good list, although Nonito Donaire is definitely out of place in there, and should not be in it for sure. Also Andre Ward could have been higher, from an eyeball test he certainly would be, but I guess he still has more to prove so not a big deal as he is still active and has time to move up the list.

I personally would have the top 3 like this:

Roy
Floyd
Pea

You can honestly make a case for any of them, but this is my personal preference. Obviously Mayweather and Whitaker are easier to compare, my gut feeling tells me that Floyd would have gone through Whitaker's resume in a more dominant fashion, plus he has superior longevity. Whitaker does have the better wins though and I can see why someone might rank him higher.

Thanks for the input! Maybe I'm a little biased towards donaire as he was one of my favorite fighters, but I think he gets a bad rap on these forums. Multiple weight division champion and probably the hardest puncher pfp in his prime, great handspeed. I believe he had a good resume as well, no shame in losing to rigondeaux who is a great boxer and a bigger man in Walters.

Andre ward will probably move up on this list as he still has a lot to give in this sport. Wins over guys like ggg and especially kovalev would definitely move him up the ranks.

Pea, rjj and floyd are definitely the top three fighters of the last 25 years imo, I wouldn't have a problem with either of them being moved around. Like you stated, I think Whitaker has the better wins. Not sure floyd has as easy a time against chavez as Whitaker did, but then again not sure pea would've dominated guys like pac and canelo at a higher weight the way floyd did.

[Dodger07]

Great discussions guys! I learn more about boxing on this Forum than I do on nsb

[billeau2]

No he's not.

Zab has faster hands and is more explosive. That's it.

No where near Floyd's level.

I understand that his hype was better that of Mayweather's but I don't see how thar's relevant.

Skill wise Zab Judah isnt much better than DeMarcus Corley.

Thats a debatable point. Many pundits picked Judah, based on his abilities to be on the short lists. Its easy to dismiss those claims now after Judah went downhill, but it will always be a point of contention.

You reduce Judah to a point where one would think we were talking about a guy like Berto, again: Judah was competative against Mayweather to a point and showed a lot more than just speed and explosiveness. The fact that he lacked defensively is a valid point.

[IronDanHamza]

Thats a debatable point. Many pundits picked Judah, based on his abilities to be on the short lists. Its easy to dismiss those claims now after Judah went downhill, but it will always be a point of contention.

You reduce Judah to a point where one would think we were talking about a guy like Berto, again: Judah was competative against Mayweather to a point and showed a lot more than just speed and explosiveness. The fact that he lacked defensively is a valid point.

Andre Berto is very similar to Zab Judah. In regards to hype.

As is Adrien Broner.

What all 3 have is uncommon is a lack of skills, a lot of flash in the pan, mainly because of hands speed, and a whole load of hype.

Judah showed nothing other than speed and explosiveness, as soon as Floyd got his timing and adjusted to his speed it was a wrap and a very one sided affair from Round 5 onward.

[joseph5620]

When mentioning Judah in the post cited you were implying that Zoo, talent wise, had never fought a fighter with the type of skills and ability as Mayweather.

Certainly Mayweather's career achievements are on a different level than Judah's, but in the short term, when comparing the ability of Judah when he was at his best, which is the version Zoo fought, there is similarity between Mayweather and Judah.

There is a lot of proof for this contention: Zab's speed, his record at that time, the abilities he displayed in the ring, were, at that time commensurate with Mayweather... Also, even a lesser version of Judah had his moments early on with Floyd Mayweather, including a possible knock down. One can also see when Judah hit the skids, and the difference in the abilities shown when comparing the version of Judah Zoo fought and the version afgterwards.

So, while career wise there is no comparison, Zab's natural talent and ability is such that a short term, "best" version of Judah is in some respects comparable to Mayweather.

They are nowhere near the same level. Unless you want to leave out attributes like mental toughness, ring intelligence, defense, chin, strength, stamina and endurance, ability to adapt and adjust. That's a lot to ignore.

Two totally different fighters.

[joseph5620]

I have to take quite a few points off because you forgot Kostya Tszyu who was clearly one of the greats of the last quarter century, Kostya was a brilliant fighter and one of the hardest p4p punchers ever.I have no doubt he would beat Mayweather's head in, and I wouldn't have Floyd at 3 maybe 6 to 10... I don't think that much of him

So you don't think much of Mayweather but you think highly of Tszyu? That doesn't make sense unless you're just being biased.

In terms of resume and skill Mayweather is on another level from Tszyu.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

1 roy
2 floyd
3 manny
4 pernell
5 evander
6 hopkins
7 Oscar
8 toney
9 lopez
10 marquez
11 barrera
12 morales
13 tito
14 shane
15 Calzaghe
16 mccallum
17 lennox
18 cotto
19 winky
20 forrest
21 norris
22 prince
23 carbajal
24 tapia
25 bowe


Not set in stone, I'm sure I left someone off, I'm only using 1990-2015 resume so anythiny done in the 80s I didn't count