The 10 levels of Professional Boxing

[B.U.R.N.E.R]

A year later...

Paul Williams. Level 6. Gatekeeper. Still likes?

I think hes a contender. But this thread is proof imo that the first Martinez fight took A LOT out of him.

[The Big Dunn]

I think hes a contender. But this thread is proof imo that the first Martinez fight took A LOT out of him.

I think Paul went from too overrated (most feared guy in world) to now being to underated.

[Nulle]

I would say contender at worst.

No way man, im actually trying to be generous w/ him.
He got a gift decision from a level 3 opponent. That's saying something.

[The Big Dunn]

No way man, im actually trying to be generous w/ him.
He got a gift decision from a level 3 opponent. That's saying something.

Paul clearly is vulnerable to the left hand. Did he lose to Lara, of course. IMO Paul was always too overrated. I mean he didn't just become vulnerable to the left all of a sudden.

Lara is much better than a level 3 fighter anyway.

[Nulle]

Paul clearly is vulnerable to the left hand. Did he lose to Lara, of course. IMO Paul was always too overrated. I mean he didn't just become vulnerable to the left all of a sudden.

Lara is much better than a level 3 fighter anyway.

Yeah you must be right. But i still think that Lara is more of a prospect than an actual contender imo.

[LeG00N]

how are Hopkins and JMM not level 10s?

they're obviously both Elite fighters which places them @ level 9 ....they aren't superstars but they are living Legends that are both Lineal Champions fighting @ an Elite level.

[tennis-legend]

former champs past their best need to have their own leveing system

sugar shane is still amongst the best at 147- only flyd and pac have outclassed him

level 1. disgrace
former greats who embarrass their legacy.
roy jones JR

level 2. has been
former greats who can still compete but at a reduced level.
tarver

level 3. still got it
former greats who are still a threat in their division.
mosley

level 4. timeless ATG
former greats who are still great- age doesn't affect them as much
B hop
foreman (in the 90s)
vitali

[KillerRightHook]

Posted this on the history section but it seems as dead as dinosaurs over there. Maybe i can get NSB's opinion on this;

This is my opinion of the different levels or hierarchy of professional boxing. Starting from beginning professional to all time great living legend. I would like to identify which boxers past present & future are at which level/ point in their career. Feed back would be greatly appreciated.

Level 1 - Beginning professional.
5 to 10 fights. This is your omar henrys, matyev korobovs, erislandy laras & shawn porters, rigondeauxs etc.

Level 2 - Tomato Cans.
The no hopers. Chums for beginning professionals. Probably boxing as a part time gig.

Level 3 - Young Prospect
Past the the beginning stage of their career. ready for the next step. This is your saul alvarez & to a certain extent chavez jr. (at least he's being treated by top rank as such.)

Level 4 - Journey Men
Good enough not to be labeled as tomato cans but have no future in the sport. This might be your emmanuel augustuses, monte barrets & hector velasquezes.

Level 5 - Shot/Washed up Name
Former contenders, hall of famers who have no business fighting professionally & need to retire asap. These are your erik moraleses, evander holyfields, marco barreras, & sad to say roy jones jr.

Level 6 - Gate Keepers
Done as elite fighters but not done as a good honest pugilistic professional. Get past this bunch you are a serious professional that is ready for the next level. This bunch could include rocky juarez, ricardo mayorga(maybe too high), antonio tarver, glenn johnson, & nate campbells of the world.

Level 7 - Contenders
Ready for a title shot, a shot at the champions. This your yuriorkis gamboas, urbano antillons, vanes martirosyans, bernabe conceptions, & eddie chambers.

Level 8 - Belt Holder/champion
This is a very ambiguous level. Sure they are above gate keepers & contenders but with the ubiquitous nature of belts & champions the boxers who reside in this level could also be considered level 7 contenders or even gate keepers. This is everybody with a title or belt.

Level 9 - Elite Fighter Status
This level is what differentiates a true champion with a belt to a ordinary fighter who happens to have a belt. This is your p4p top 10. You dont have to own a belt to be considered elite. This is the shane mosley, paul williams, chad dawson, arthur abrahams & bernard hopkins.

Level 10 - Super Star/ Legend Status
This is a level above elite. You cant be too gracious with this designation. I think only 1 or 2 fighters can be considered in this level each year. Sometimes you could go years without anyone attaining this level. I think this level requires some out of ring attributes. I think you have to transcend the sport. I think You have to galvanize the fans, the media, & non boxing fans to consider yourself for this level. I can only think of 2 fighters currently fighting that fit this criteria: Manny Pacquiao & Floyd Mayweather jr.


What do you think guys? Agree or disagree with the placement of levels or the placement of fighters in the levels? I would be glad to see your opinion.

we could identify currently active fighters & which level do they belong in right now. we could talk about fighters who will move up in the higher levels, which fighters will move down. we could talk about fighters throughout history; the highest levels each attained, the lowest. we could talk about the wins of a fighter & at which level were the fighters that they defeated were at.

I would like to see & participate in serious discussions. No name calling or childish talk please.

Good read !

[tennis-legend]

you forgot one more level, level 11 Paul Williams

agreed at 147

the most naturally gifted athlete in any sport in the history of sports

maybe the blue print for the perfect fighter at 147
the only fight at 147 pacquiao might lose

[Nulle]

how are Hopkins and JMM not level 10s?

they're obviously both Elite fighters which places them @ level 9 ....they aren't superstars but they are living Legends that are both Lineal Champions fighting @ an Elite level.

They're in between. They're both boxing legends but they didn't meet the criteria to be considered a "Superstar."