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The Top 20 Fighters Since 1990!
The Top 20 Fighters Since 1990–Pacquiao Number 1
June 14, 2009 · posted by Julius Stecker · 4,404 views
For what it’s worth; I thought Joshua Clottey beat Miguel Cotto last night by a 114-113 margin, but I have no problem with the decision. In close fights, fighters should realize they could come out on the losing end. Did you really believe Cotto was going to lose a decision in a close fight at Madison Square Garden. Was it a great fight; no. But both men proved their metal, and maybe some day they will end up on a top 20 list like the one below.
I love these lists. Not because I am particular good at them, but because it sparks debate. When people read this list, I will hear the words, ‘idiot’, ‘******’, and ‘foolish’. But it is also the only time that I hear those words, and I don’t feel insulted. You see we all have opinions, mine no better then the next man.
In 2005 I put a list together, and now that I look back at it, I felt embarrassed I put my name on it. I did the same 2 years ago, and I felt the same way. I hope in 2 more years I don’t feel the same way again. But if I do, no big deal, it is fun.
This list examines who were the best figthters since 1990. Some fighters on this list had success before 1990, but carried it over into the next decade, and some didn’t (It was hard exclude the excellent Mike McCallum, but his best work was in the 1980’s) This is an underrated era of prize fighting, and a lot of old timers will say that fighters of today couldn’t fight with the best of era’s back. I would disagree with them, but I am not old enough to have seen Sugar Ray Robinson fight live or Jose Napoles in his prime. So really in an effect what do I know, I am just a little known writer with a computer and an opinion. Well here you go.
20. Kosta Tszyu
Notable wins—Zab Judah, Sharmba Mitchell, Miguel Angle Gonzalez
Highlights-Kosta Tszyu was brilliant technican. He had an excellent right hand, and underrated boxing skills. He was the undisputed Jr. Welterweight Champion. His knockout of Zab Judah was his best win. Future Hall of Famer.
Drawbacks: He was knocked about by an slightly above average fighter in Vince Philips. And he quit on this stool against Ricky Hatton.
19. Azumah Nelson
Notable wins—Jesse James Leija, Jeff Fenech, Gabriel Ruelas
Highlights—The professor was a fantastic prize fighter. His wins over Jeff Fenech in 1992 and Gabriel Ruelas in 1995 cement his hall of fame career.
Drawbacks—nothing to be ashamed of losing to Pernell Whitaker, but lost a to a good, but not spectacular Jesse James Leija twice.
18. Winky Wright
Notable wins—Shane Mosley twice, Felix Trinidad, Ike Quartey
Highlights—Convincing wins over future Hall of Famers Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad. Great south paw with great skills
Drawbacks—lost to Harry Simon, and Fernando Vargas. Both were close fights, but he still didn’t win. And lost to Bernard Hopkins in 2007.
17. Erik Morales
Notable wins—Marco Antonio Barrera, Manny Pacquiao, and Paulie Ayala.
Highlights—Beat a prime Marco Antonio Barrera, and Manny Pacquiao. Never in a bad fight
Drawbacks—Lost twice to Barerra. Crushed twice in return matches with Pacquiao, and lost to the pedistrian Zahir Raheem.
16. Ricardo Lopez
Notable wins—Rosendo Alvarez, Will Grigsby, Ratanapol Vorapin
Highlights—Was the best tactician on this list. Nobody looked better or did things more beautifully. A joy to watch.
Drawbacks—NEVER had a career defining fight. There are people who rate him as a top 5 guy. He is not. Why didn’t he test himself against bigger fighters like everbody else, besides Tszyu did. You have to fight great fighters in order to be the greatest.
15. Joe Calzaghe
Notable wins—Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr.
Highlights—Fast, quick, and great fighter. Beat 2 all time greats. He never lost.
Drawbacks—He beat 2 all time greats when they were way past their best. Never really beat great fighter in their prime.
14. Juan Manual Marquez
Notable Wins—Joel Cassamoyer, Juan Diaz, Marco Antonio Barerra
Highlights—Brilliant fighter who can throw any punch in the book, his last win over Juan Diaz was something special.
Drawbacks—Lost to 2 fighters he shouldn’t have, Freddie Norwood and Chris John. Came up short both times against the great Manny Pacquiao in close fights.
13. James Toney
Notable wins—Michael McCallum, Vissily Jirov, Michael Nunn
Highlights—If we were talking about best pure fighters, he would be top 5. He did everything well.
Drawbacks—Failed 2 steroids tests. And lost to a very average Montell Griffin twice. And gave terrible efforts against other average fighters, Dave Tiberi and Drake Thadzi.
12. Lennox Lewis
Notable wins—Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschsko
Highlights—Best pure heavyweight of the last 20 years. Beat all the best heavyweights besides Rid**** Bowe, who refused to fight him. Avenged all his loses.
Drawbacks—Knocked stiff by 2 very average fighters, Hasim Rahman, and Oliver McCall.
11. Felix Trinidad
Notable wins—Fernando Vargas, Oscar De La Hoya, and Pernell Whitaker
Highlights—Brilliant offensive fighter, and he was extremely popular among his fans. When he was on, there was nothing better to watch from an offensive stand point.
Drawbacks—When he lost, he lost huge. In his 3 defeats, he was totally dominated. Most believe he should have not gotten the De La Hoya decision.
June 14, 2009 · posted by Julius Stecker · 4,404 views
For what it’s worth; I thought Joshua Clottey beat Miguel Cotto last night by a 114-113 margin, but I have no problem with the decision. In close fights, fighters should realize they could come out on the losing end. Did you really believe Cotto was going to lose a decision in a close fight at Madison Square Garden. Was it a great fight; no. But both men proved their metal, and maybe some day they will end up on a top 20 list like the one below.
I love these lists. Not because I am particular good at them, but because it sparks debate. When people read this list, I will hear the words, ‘idiot’, ‘******’, and ‘foolish’. But it is also the only time that I hear those words, and I don’t feel insulted. You see we all have opinions, mine no better then the next man.
In 2005 I put a list together, and now that I look back at it, I felt embarrassed I put my name on it. I did the same 2 years ago, and I felt the same way. I hope in 2 more years I don’t feel the same way again. But if I do, no big deal, it is fun.
This list examines who were the best figthters since 1990. Some fighters on this list had success before 1990, but carried it over into the next decade, and some didn’t (It was hard exclude the excellent Mike McCallum, but his best work was in the 1980’s) This is an underrated era of prize fighting, and a lot of old timers will say that fighters of today couldn’t fight with the best of era’s back. I would disagree with them, but I am not old enough to have seen Sugar Ray Robinson fight live or Jose Napoles in his prime. So really in an effect what do I know, I am just a little known writer with a computer and an opinion. Well here you go.
20. Kosta Tszyu
Notable wins—Zab Judah, Sharmba Mitchell, Miguel Angle Gonzalez
Highlights-Kosta Tszyu was brilliant technican. He had an excellent right hand, and underrated boxing skills. He was the undisputed Jr. Welterweight Champion. His knockout of Zab Judah was his best win. Future Hall of Famer.
Drawbacks: He was knocked about by an slightly above average fighter in Vince Philips. And he quit on this stool against Ricky Hatton.
19. Azumah Nelson
Notable wins—Jesse James Leija, Jeff Fenech, Gabriel Ruelas
Highlights—The professor was a fantastic prize fighter. His wins over Jeff Fenech in 1992 and Gabriel Ruelas in 1995 cement his hall of fame career.
Drawbacks—nothing to be ashamed of losing to Pernell Whitaker, but lost a to a good, but not spectacular Jesse James Leija twice.
18. Winky Wright
Notable wins—Shane Mosley twice, Felix Trinidad, Ike Quartey
Highlights—Convincing wins over future Hall of Famers Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad. Great south paw with great skills
Drawbacks—lost to Harry Simon, and Fernando Vargas. Both were close fights, but he still didn’t win. And lost to Bernard Hopkins in 2007.
17. Erik Morales
Notable wins—Marco Antonio Barrera, Manny Pacquiao, and Paulie Ayala.
Highlights—Beat a prime Marco Antonio Barrera, and Manny Pacquiao. Never in a bad fight
Drawbacks—Lost twice to Barerra. Crushed twice in return matches with Pacquiao, and lost to the pedistrian Zahir Raheem.
16. Ricardo Lopez
Notable wins—Rosendo Alvarez, Will Grigsby, Ratanapol Vorapin
Highlights—Was the best tactician on this list. Nobody looked better or did things more beautifully. A joy to watch.
Drawbacks—NEVER had a career defining fight. There are people who rate him as a top 5 guy. He is not. Why didn’t he test himself against bigger fighters like everbody else, besides Tszyu did. You have to fight great fighters in order to be the greatest.
15. Joe Calzaghe
Notable wins—Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr.
Highlights—Fast, quick, and great fighter. Beat 2 all time greats. He never lost.
Drawbacks—He beat 2 all time greats when they were way past their best. Never really beat great fighter in their prime.
14. Juan Manual Marquez
Notable Wins—Joel Cassamoyer, Juan Diaz, Marco Antonio Barerra
Highlights—Brilliant fighter who can throw any punch in the book, his last win over Juan Diaz was something special.
Drawbacks—Lost to 2 fighters he shouldn’t have, Freddie Norwood and Chris John. Came up short both times against the great Manny Pacquiao in close fights.
13. James Toney
Notable wins—Michael McCallum, Vissily Jirov, Michael Nunn
Highlights—If we were talking about best pure fighters, he would be top 5. He did everything well.
Drawbacks—Failed 2 steroids tests. And lost to a very average Montell Griffin twice. And gave terrible efforts against other average fighters, Dave Tiberi and Drake Thadzi.
12. Lennox Lewis
Notable wins—Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschsko
Highlights—Best pure heavyweight of the last 20 years. Beat all the best heavyweights besides Rid**** Bowe, who refused to fight him. Avenged all his loses.
Drawbacks—Knocked stiff by 2 very average fighters, Hasim Rahman, and Oliver McCall.
11. Felix Trinidad
Notable wins—Fernando Vargas, Oscar De La Hoya, and Pernell Whitaker
Highlights—Brilliant offensive fighter, and he was extremely popular among his fans. When he was on, there was nothing better to watch from an offensive stand point.
Drawbacks—When he lost, he lost huge. In his 3 defeats, he was totally dominated. Most believe he should have not gotten the De La Hoya decision.
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