Which Fighters Stand On The Threshold Of ATG Status?

[Addison]

And what do they need to do to get there?

[Addison]

I've tried to keep all things in mind when I frame this.

I'm talking about ATG.

These are the only guys who have a shot in my view.

It will take all the right twists and turns of fate for us to be talking about them 25 years from now.



Ricky Hatton. All he really has to do is win his next fight. Sad but true. Beating Kostya Tszyu at 140 and Floyd Mayweather at 147 is a slam dunk. Then there's the winner of Cotto/Mosley and if he gets that win and manages to retire undefeated there won't be much room for debate. IF.

Bernard Hopkins. Is he already? That's what the buzz has been.. But it certainly won't hurt if Hopkins beats the winner of Calzaghe/Kessler. He could stand to do slightly more in my opinion but time is not on his side. Regardless Bernard has already managed to get himself in the discussion at MW despite losing twice to Jermain Taylor. Another major win should seal the deal. People are surprised Hopkins doesn't need a walker at this point. It won't take much.

Floyd Mayweather. If he beats Hatton then Mosley or Cotto (because the winner of that fight will have considerable heat going) he'll put himself into major consideration for the majority. Maybe another big win or two beyond that will be enough to shut everyone up for good. Floyd is having to deal now with the greatest expectation of any living fighter. It's hard for him to win, even when he does by wipeout. But he has a great shot. He's heavily favored to become an ATG.

Joe Calzaghe. Joe also gets alot of ATG talk, but for my money the guy is theoritically greater than he's actually gotten a chance to prove. The Lacy win is probably the most hyped in Boxing history, though it was quite a display. Calzaghe needs to get a win over someone like Bernard Hopkins. But Bernard is old and it may require Joe take out several dangerous foes here at the end to truly cement himself and end all arguments.

Manny Pacquiao. What else can Manny accomplish? Is he already there, or could moving up add another required dimension to his certs? Who is left, really? Beating Casamayor, Juan Diaz, and Katsidis seems helpful. He'll have to get past Marquez first of course if that fight happens. But otherwise Pacquiao is running on a treadmill at 130 and if people don't already think he's an ATG the only thing he can do is beat up some names at a higher weight. It might be more than fair to say Manny Pacquiao is already an ATG.

Shane Mosley. Losing to Wright and Forrest is going to forever haunt Shane. But if he manages to get past prime Miguel Cotto and beat the winner of Mayweather/Hatton he just may be in business. Getting written off and suprising the critics can do wonders for ATG consideration. The establishment already has a major hard-on for this guy. They already say he was possibly the best 135 ever. Clearing out that top guys at 147 at 90 years old should cover all bases. IF.

[Azteca]

Mosley is probably a lock for the HOF - it's real easy to get into now, but he needs to seal his ATG status with a few more wins.

Winky Wright is a HOFer also. He needs a big win over a young lion, IMO.

Ricky Hatton - one more win and he is a lock.

[AntonTheMeh]

Today,floyd.
Cotto Will Have To Beat Mosley To Be Even With Floyd In My Opinion Mosley Is Better Than Anybody Floyd Ever Beat,if Floyd Beats Ricky And The Winners Of Cotto Mosley Williams Cintron,and Say Defends His Titles For 4 Years And 6 Weeks AND A DAY[breaking Freddie Cochran's Record] Or Defend His Titles 19 Or 20 Times [depending On How Many Defenses Henry Armstrong Had]to Break Armstrong's Record For Defenses Then He Goes Top Three.anybody That Does To Me Will Go Top Three If They Do That,in This Great Era Of The Welterweight

[Azteca]

Floyd's already an all-timer in my opinion.

[Addison]

I've tried to keep all things in mind when I frame this.

I'm talking about ATG.

These are the only guys who have a shot in my view.

It will take all the right twists and turns of fate for us to be talking about them 25 years from now.



Ricky Hatton. All he really has to do is win his next fight. Sad but true. Beating Kostya Tszyu at 140 and Floyd Mayweather at 147 is a slam dunk. Then there's the winner of Cotto/Mosley and if he gets that win and manages to retire undefeated there won't be much room for debate. IF.

Bernard Hopkins. Is he already? That's what the buzz has been.. But it certainly won't hurt if Hopkins beats the winner of Calzaghe/Kessler. He could stand to do slightly more in my opinion but time is not on his side. Regardless Bernard has already managed to get himself in the discussion at MW despite losing twice to Jermain Taylor. Another major win should seal the deal. People are surprised Hopkins doesn't need a walker at this point. It won't take much.

Floyd Mayweather. If he beats Hatton then Mosley or Cotto (because the winner of that fight will have considerable heat going) he'll put himself into major consideration for the majority. Maybe another big win or two beyond that will be enough to shut everyone up for good. Floyd is having to deal now with the greatest expectation of any living fighter. It's hard for him to win, even when he does by wipeout. But he has a great shot. He's heavily favored to become an ATG.

Joe Calzaghe. Joe also gets alot of ATG talk, but for my money the guy is theoritically greater than he's actually gotten a chance to prove. The Lacy win is probably the most hyped in Boxing history, though it was quite a display. Calzaghe needs to get a win over someone like Bernard Hopkins. But Bernard is old and it may require Joe take out several dangerous foes here at the end to truly cement himself and end all arguments.

Manny Pacquiao. What else can Manny accomplish? Is he already there, or could moving up add another required dimension to his certs? Who is left, really? Beating Casamayor, Juan Diaz, and Katsidis seems helpful. He'll have to get past Marquez first of course if that fight happens. But otherwise Pacquiao is running on a treadmill at 130 and if people don't already think he's an ATG the only thing he can do is beat up some names at a higher weight. It might be more than fair to say Manny Pacquiao is already an ATG.

Shane Mosley. Losing to Wright and Forrest is going to forever haunt Shane. But if he manages to get past prime Miguel Cotto and beat the winner of Mayweather/Hatton he just may be in business. Getting written off and suprising the critics can do wonders for ATG consideration. The establishment already has a major hard-on for this guy. They already say he was possibly the best 135 ever. Clearing out that top guys at 147 at 90 years old should cover all bases. IF.

I should say though.. A few months ago a Boxing mag I cannot recall did fantasy matchups with Pacquiao versus guys like Saddler and Pep - and they had most of the ATG's whooping Manny's ass. The establishment loves his achievements, but there will always be those who think his running/lunging piston punching style would have gotten creamed by the legends..

[joepal]

I've tried to keep all things in mind when I frame this.

I'm talking about ATG.

These are the only guys who have a shot in my view.

It will take all the right twists and turns of fate for us to be talking about them 25 years from now.



Ricky Hatton. All he really has to do is win his next fight. Sad but true. Beating Kostya Tszyu at 140 and Floyd Mayweather at 147 is a slam dunk. Then there's the winner of Cotto/Mosley and if he gets that win and manages to retire undefeated there won't be much room for debate. IF.

Bernard Hopkins. Is he already? That's what the buzz has been.. But it certainly won't hurt if Hopkins beats the winner of Calzaghe/Kessler. He could stand to do slightly more in my opinion but time is not on his side. Regardless Bernard has already managed to get himself in the discussion at MW despite losing twice to Jermain Taylor. Another major win should seal the deal. People are surprised Hopkins doesn't need a walker at this point. It won't take much.

Floyd Mayweather. If he beats Hatton then Mosley or Cotto (because the winner of that fight will have considerable heat going) he'll put himself into major consideration for the majority. Maybe another big win or two beyond that will be enough to shut everyone up for good. Floyd is having to deal now with the greatest expectation of any living fighter. It's hard for him to win, even when he does by wipeout. But he has a great shot. He's heavily favored to become an ATG.

Joe Calzaghe. Joe also gets alot of ATG talk, but for my money the guy is theoritically greater than he's actually gotten a chance to prove. The Lacy win is probably the most hyped in Boxing history, though it was quite a display. Calzaghe needs to get a win over someone like Bernard Hopkins. But Bernard is old and it may require Joe take out several dangerous foes here at the end to truly cement himself and end all arguments.

Manny Pacquiao. What else can Manny accomplish? Is he already there, or could moving up add another required dimension to his certs? Who is left, really? Beating Casamayor, Juan Diaz, and Katsidis seems helpful. He'll have to get past Marquez first of course if that fight happens. But otherwise Pacquiao is running on a treadmill at 130 and if people don't already think he's an ATG the only thing he can do is beat up some names at a higher weight. It might be more than fair to say Manny Pacquiao is already an ATG.

Shane Mosley. Losing to Wright and Forrest is going to forever haunt Shane. But if he manages to get past prime Miguel Cotto and beat the winner of Mayweather/Hatton he just may be in business. Getting written off and suprising the critics can do wonders for ATG consideration. The establishment already has a major hard-on for this guy. They already say he was possibly the best 135 ever. Clearing out that top guys at 147 at 90 years old should cover all bases. IF.

Great post! Do you write for boxingscene?

[Addison]

Great post! Do you write for boxingscene?

I should, shouldn't I.. HaHA!

Cheers, man.

[joepal]

I should, shouldn't I.. HaHA!

Cheers, man.

Yep, I think you should. Good work!

[Addison]

Yep, I think you should. Good work!

That's ace, man. Many thanks for that!