why are fighters like calzaghe who stay in one division

[larry x]

considered overated????im far from a joe fan..but the man cleaned out an entire division and got every belt there was to get in that division...21 title defenses can't be overated plus the man did beat everyone put in front on him...im not gonna even mention him wins at lightheavy..cause that'll stirr up contravesy...and hopkins who also had 20 title defense gets alot of flack on here for some reason...both of these guys cleaned out their respective divisions and moved up another division to win the ring belt and even defend it......if thats overated then there are no great fighters anymore...

[IMDAZED]

I don't think fighters are considered overrated if they stay in one division. Who here thinks Marvin Hagler was overrated???

[savorduhflavor]

I agree. As long as a fighter fights the best in a division, I don't think he should have to be a multiple division champion to be considered great.

[BattlingNelson]

I don't think fighters are considered overrated if they stay in one division. Who here thinks Marvin Hagler was overrated???

Agreed. Personally I like when fighters stay in a division rather than moving up and down. I like the fighters that dominate a division for a number of years more than those moving up cherry picking opponents like Floyd recently and Leonard (Lalonde) before.

Perhaps I'm oldschool in that regard wishing there was fewer champions and a bigger separation between the divisions thereby minimizing those moves.

[rizkybizness]

Agreed. Personally I like when fighters stay in a division rather than moving up and down. I like the fighters that dominate a division for a number of years more than those moving up cherry picking opponents like Floyd recently and Leonard (Lalonde) before.

Perhaps I'm oldschool in that regard wishing there was fewer champions and a bigger separation between the divisions thereby minimizing those moves.

there should be 4 weight divisions

straweight

jr welterweight

middleweight

heavyweight

[flyest1]

I agree. As long as a fighter fights the best in a division, I don't think he should have to be a multiple division champion to be considered great.

Yeah I agree with that. Hagler, Monzoon, Hop for a long-time have done it.

I just think that a fighter like Ricky Hatton was overated. I also don't think that 147 was a problem with him. He just fought two fighter in Floyd and Collazo that gave him problems with his style. Same with Jermain Taylor moving up to 168.

[Chunk..]

If he had opportunities to fight anyone above and below his weightclass then don't expect no criticism.

He was very comfortable at 168 - Simple as!

[IMDAZED]

Agreed. Personally I like when fighters stay in a division rather than moving up and down. I like the fighters that dominate a division for a number of years more than those moving up cherry picking opponents like Floyd recently and Leonard (Lalonde) before.

Perhaps I'm oldschool in that regard wishing there was fewer champions and a bigger separation between the divisions thereby minimizing those moves.

Agreed. No one thinks Ricardo Lopez is overrated either. It's about who you beat. End of story. And you're absolutely right about cherry picking as you move up...something that DISGUSTS me.

[Scary]

Good post Larry, you once again show that you aren't a biased poster, props mate.

I think it comes with the Hopkins and Roy Jones era, they both moved up and dominated. Both have a large fanbase here at boxingscene, so I guess that plays a role.

[hookoutofhell]

i think fighters who can go and up and down weight divisions do tend to cherry pick their fights (ala hopkins 170lbs-175lbs, mayweather 140-150lbs)

fighters who fight in one weight division know that they will come across all types of fighters and have to defend their status as champions.