"Strength of Schedule" Sweepstakes (Post-2000): Who Wins?

[Hop]

I think we all agree that for a boxer the level of competition they have faced is one of the very most important factors when evaluating their true standing in the game. To say a fighter "takes on all comers" is high praise indeed, and rare. On the other hand, the accusation of "cherry picking" is something one hears all to commonly. So, fellow aficionado-pugilistas, I ask you ...

Which boxer(s), in your opinion, has taken on the toughest overall opponent choice since the year 2000? Who would you nominate for the "Strength of Schedule Sweepstakes"?

The floor is now open for candidates!

[Threads are always made better when posters also explain their reasoning, I think. That's why I don't do too many polls; people just click-and-run. Cheers.]

[Hop]

Hopeful bump ...

[hhs661]

Easily Erik Morales. His tuneups were against guys like Famosito. But his run since 2000 is nothing to **** with

[Hop]

How 'bout Miguel Cotto, y'all? Doesn't he at least deserve mention here?

[soul_survivor]

Erik Morales is a good call and so is Miguel Cotto but I have to other names:

Manny Pacquiao, the man has fought anybody who was worth a damn, from the lower divisions to as high as 147. Ledwabo, Barrera, Morales, Marquez, Cotto, Oscar, Clottey, Bradley, Hatton, Mosley........I could name a few more but the list would stretch on for a while. I know not all the names mentioned were primed or at their best weight (Oscar) but Pacquiao was an underdog in at least 3 of those fights. That's a rarity for many modern "champions".

Carl Froch is the other name, seriously, the guy has all but cleared out every legit name in the division and beaten em all except Ward. What more can anyone want? Froch is another man who was an underdog in a number of those fights, just off the top of my head the AA fight, Kessler 1, Ward, Taylor and if I remember correctly he was an underdog versus Pascal in some corners.

[Hop]

Two more worthy entrants, SS. Thanks. And appreciate you taking the trouble to post the rationale behind your picks. Good stuff.

[revs1227]

pacquiao and it not even close

he lower weight resujme was insane


past 5 years go to froch

[JmH Reborn]

Cotto, Hopkins, Froch, Mares, Pacquiao, Morales

I think those guys have each had the toughest stretch of opponents. Cotto, Pac, Morales in the former half, Hopkins, Froch and Mares in the latter half. Hopkins though is going on a decade plus of just nothing but top level fights

[hhs661]

Cotto, Hopkins, Froch, Mares, Pacquiao, Morales

I think those guys have each had the toughest stretch of opponents. Cotto, Pac, Morales in the former half, Hopkins, Froch and Mares in the latter half. Hopkins though is going on a decade plus of just nothing but top level fights

Same for Morales. If you go back before 2000 you'll see that he's been fighting top opposition since 1997. Even in the back half of his career he's fought guys like Maidana and Garcia twice when he clearly didn't have to. Even now there's talks about a fight with Humberto Soto but idk if that's still going through

[pugilistprophet1994]

Erik Morales, Cotto... i'll be back.