The Real Meaning of "Pound for Pound"

[TheBigLug]

Did GGG really look skilled to you in the Canelo fight? What I saw was a guy who was clueless, lost, and shooting in the dark. He could hardly land any of his power shots, while Canelo did several times. Skill for skill, Canelo is way better.

Then why did Canelo need a gift to get a draw?

GGG's intelligent pressure is also a skill and allowed him win more rounds than Canelo, unofficially.

You just don't really understand the intricacies of boxing and how not every skill is eye catching. Some are more subtle.

[Thraxox]

You are right about P4P list, I also wonder how some of the names there get so high up when I see skilled guys beating them.

Guys like Canelo, a good fighter but I see him as more of a "fighter" a guy who struggles and digs deep to win. He would get schooled by certain fighters.

As for GGG, his style will be effective up to LHW due to his chin and extreme power but beyond that, he would start having serious issues. The power above is too much. While the skills of the lower weights, guys like Crawford and Loma will be too much.

I still rate GGG a top 5 P4P, probably at 4 below Loma, Crawford, Mikey. He hates body shots and Spence wont let his body take a 2 sec break but GGG also have the power to stop him. 4 and 5 will be a toss up between both of them.

I rated pre-Ward Kovalev higher then GGG, he is a far better boxer than GGG and Canelo with KO power in both hands.

Also, I feel P4P slots can be vacant like Loma as 1 while 2 will be vacant till Crawford proves himself some more. For now, Crawford should be 3 and so on.

Do you seriously think that Spence has a chance against Gennady Golovkin?

[Thraxox]

Did GGG really look skilled to you in the Canelo fight? What I saw was a guy who was clueless, lost, and shooting in the dark. He could hardly land any of his power shots, while Canelo did several times. Skill for skill, Canelo is way better.

Skills alone doesn't carry you to victory. That's why Lara lost to Hurd when Lara is several times more skilled than Hurd.

[BoxingIsGreat]

Then why did Canelo need a gift to get a draw?

GGG's intelligent pressure is also a skill and allowed him win more rounds than Canelo, unofficially.

You just don't really understand the intricacies of boxing and how not every skill is eye catching. Some are more subtle.

He looked skilled and could even cut the ring off while fighting subpar opponents. The first time he's ever stepped up to B+ opposition (Canelo), we all saw for what he was- a good, limited fighter.

Success against pedestrian opposition doesn't equal a P4P material.

[BoxingIsGreat]

Skills alone doesn't carry you to victory. That's why Lara lost to Hurd when Lara is several times more skilled than Hurd.

Everything was not equal in that fight. Hurd looked twice Lara's size. P4P implies, weight being equal, who wins.

[FinitoxDinamita]

It’s strictly subjective so the list isnt that relevant.

Only noobs talk about pfp and sht like it means something.

[Lomadeaux]

It is quite annoying when you see boxers like Joshua, Wilder, Canelo, Thurman, Sor Rungvisai & even Golovkin (who is my favorite boxer) on top Pound for Pound lists.

My understanding of the P4P meaning is who is the skilled/best boxer if you take out the factor of weight differences.

I would consider the following:

1. Resume - Have they fought a beat a solid list of fighters including current/ex-champions, top contenders & gatekeepers?

2. Eye-Test - Just by observing them fight, is it apparent that they are highly skilled and possess many great qualities including power, speed, ring IQ, technique, movement/footwork, etc.

3.If skills they possess and which make them effective in their ordinary weight class can both be applied to & just as effective in a higher or lower weight class, then this should give them P4P consideration.

When I think P4P, I think of fighters like Lomachenko, Crawford, Mikey Garcia, Errol Spence Jr. These are the types of guys who can apply there skills and still be effective and dominant in other weight classes. These guys rely on other skills other than just power or size to win fights.

GGG for example has many skills. But his main tool is a jab, constant effective pressure and KO power in both hands. The style he fights won't be effective a SMW or LHW.

Pound for Pound was created for one reason, and one reason only. To help tell the world that Sugar Ray Robinson was the best fighter on the planet.

Stop over thinking it. If mythically the two fighters you're thinking of were the same weight, who'd win the fight?

[BoxingIsGreat]

Do you seriously think that Spence has a chance against Gennady Golovkin?

If they were the same size, absolutely.

[Thraxox]

If they were the same size, absolutely.

Spence said that he walks around 180 and GGG walks around 180, they are both 5'10 with GGG slightly taller at 5'11 or 5'10 1/2, their both the same size.

[BoxingIsGreat]

Spence said that he walks around 180 and GGG walks around 180, they are both 5'10 with GGG slightly taller at 5'11 or 5'10 1/2, their both the same size.

GGG and Spence are definitely not the same size. GGG is more the size of Andre Ward, or closer.

Make a poll saying GGG and Spence are the same size: Yes or No. See what you get.