I'm gonna take the controversial opinion and say that Naseem Hamed is an ATG. He brought the spotlight to 122 and 126 and had a pretty good run there, although somewhat short-lived and not a bullet-proof list of opposition. It's popular to dismiss his entire career because of an 8-4 decision loss to Barrera when Hamed was basically disinterested in boxing, but I'm not going to. My point is that a discussion of the best 122-126 ever on a given night should include Hamed...so I'm gonna say he slides onto the ATG list, conceding that there have been lesser fighters with better resumes.
I'm gonna take the controversial opinion and say that Naseem Hamed is an ATG. He brought the spotlight to 122 and 126 and had a pretty good run there, although somewhat short-lived and not a bullet-proof list of opposition. It's popular to dismiss his entire career because of an 8-4 decision loss to Barrera when Hamed was basically disinterested in boxing, but I'm not going to. My point is that a discussion of the best 122-126 ever on a given night should include Hamed...so I'm gonna say he slides onto the ATG list, conceding that there have been lesser fighters with better resumes.
if marquez would have bulled his way into the morales/marquez/pac triumverant earlier and not had such poor career management (like getting back with pac sooner), I'd have him in for sure.
I agonize about JMM's place all time. If he would have caught a break on any of those fights vs Pac, there'd be no doubt. I had him winning the first fight.
as far as signature wins vs prime hof/atg's, he's a little lacking. I also wish he would have avenged either of his losses to norwood or john.
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