The GOAT candidates

[boliodogs]

I can see Jones being a candidate but not the other three. Mayweather was great but far from the GOAT in my opinion. Leonard had a short prime and was not very old when Terry Norris destroyed him. Hearns won the rematch but had to settled for a BS draw. You forgot Duran moved up from lightweight to beat Leonard in the first fight. It was Leonard who was the loser then and not Duran. Duran went on to win world titles at an age when Leonard was finished and retired. Lewis was KOed in his prime by two average heavyweights. He KOed them in rematches but he never should have lost to them the first time. Your top 4 are all modern fighters with nothing said about past greats. Marciano was really a light heavyweight yet he was a great heavyweight champ who never lost. Joe Louis made a record 25 successful title defenses. Ray Robinson was a great fighter for 20 years. Henry Armstrong held world titles at 126, 135 and 147 at the same time and fought to a draw with the 160 pound champ. Mayweather never did anything like that.

[Shawnex]

I can see Jones being a candidate but not the other three. Mayweather was great but far from the GOAT in my opinion. Leonard had a short prime and was not very old when Terry Norris destroyed him. Hearns won the rematch but had to settled for a BS draw. You forgot Duran moved up from lightweight to beat Leonard in the first fight. It was Leonard who was the loser then and not Duran. Duran went on to win world titles at an age when Leonard was finished and retired. Lewis was KOed in his prime by two average heavyweights. He KOed them in rematches but he never should have lost to them the first time. Your top 4 are all modern fighters with nothing said about past greats. Marciano was really a light heavyweight yet he was a great heavyweight champ who never lost. Joe Louis made a record 25 successful title defenses. Ray Robinson was a great fighter for 20 years. Henry Armstrong held world titles at 126, 135 and 147 at the same time and fought to a draw with the 160 pound champ. Mayweather never did anything like that.

Mayweather's resume is far beter than Louis, Robinson and Armstrong's resumes and Marciano belongs even less in this conversation. The guy was so small and primitive. Andre Ward would give him a beating, despite being a light heavyweight, simply due to being a 10 times more skilled fighter and having an advantage in both height, reach and speed.

[JuniorTorres720]

Pacquiao: 8 division world champion, fought the greats of his era, and lineal champion in 4 divisions. He's also still performing at a world class level 23 years into his career.

[Shawnex]

Pacquiao: 8 division world champion, fought the greats of his era, and lineal champion in 4 divisions. He's also still performing at a world class level 23 years into his career.

Pacquiao was always two steps behind Mayweather, so it doesn't really make sense to bring Pacquiao into this conversation. Pacquiao arguably lost to Marquez 4 times...

[JuniorTorres720]

Pacquiao was always two steps behind Mayweather, so it doesn't really make sense to bring Pacquiao into this conversation. Pacquiao arguably lost to Marquez 4 times...

Mayweather was a defensive genius, yes, I'll happily admit that. But I don't agree with him being two steps behind Mayweather. Mayweather's 50-0 might look pretty on paper but let's not forget he stalled out on fighting a bit of those guys. In '07 he "retired" when you had guys like Cotto and Margarito chomping at the bit to fight him and they were prime fighters during that time. Let's also not forget that he waited 5+ years before he finally agreed to fight Pacquiao.

Would a prime Pacquiao, Cotto, Margarito, etc. have beaten Mayweather? Maybe, maybe not. But I think the narrative could have been different had Mayweather fought the best when they were actually at their best. Pacquiao fought prime Barrera, Morales, Marquez, Bradley, Cotto. The list goes on. I won't say Mayweather isn't up there but I'd put Pacquiao a step above Mayweather simply because he fought prime fighters more often then Mayweather. He may have losses but for the most part all great fighters have losses. 50-0 tally is overrated. Just my personal opinion.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

So, who do you consider to be the GOAT candidates? Personally, I consider these 4:

Lennox Lewis is an obvious candidate, being the H2H best heavyweight of all time.

Floyd Mayweather is undefeated through 50 fights and has one of the best resumes ever.

Sugar Ray Leonard made Duran quit like a loser and generally has a great resume. He should be in the conversation.

Roy Jones Jr. The guy was so great that I actually think he is the one I consider to be the GOAT. Prime Hopkins and prime Toney were truly elite wins.

Lester!!

What's up, my dude?!?

Where did Morton Belgram go?



That Morton...what a sensitive bltch.

[Leonbus2]

Or if someone would go full ******, then they could likewise throw Golovkin into the mix. But let's stay reasonable.

Never go full ******.

[Leonbus2]

Top 4

Ray Robinson
Mohammed Ali
Julio Cesar Chavez
Roy Jones Jr.

[Larry the boss]

I can see Jones being a candidate but not the other three. Mayweather was great but far from the GOAT in my opinion. Leonard had a short prime and was not very old when Terry Norris destroyed him. Hearns won the rematch but had to settled for a BS draw. You forgot Duran moved up from lightweight to beat Leonard in the first fight. It was Leonard who was the loser then and not Duran. Duran went on to win world titles at an age when Leonard was finished and retired. Lewis was KOed in his prime by two average heavyweights. He KOed them in rematches but he never should have lost to them the first time. Your top 4 are all modern fighters with nothing said about past greats. Marciano was really a light heavyweight yet he was a great heavyweight champ who never lost. Joe Louis made a record 25 successful title defenses. Ray Robinson was a great fighter for 20 years. Henry Armstrong held world titles at 126, 135 and 147 at the same time and fought to a draw with the 160 pound champ. Mayweather never did anything like that.

Was Floyd not great for 20 years?? was he not on the p4p list from the 90's till the 2010's?? was he not unified champ and lineal at 147 and 154 at the same time WHILE HE WAS 37 AND 38 YEARS OLD??? how good were Robinson and Armstrong at that age??? you just said Leonards prime was short and he lost to Norris when he wasnt very old right??? yet Floyd was still p4p#1 and undefeated..Ortiz and Canelo were what?? 10-15 years younger then him??

[Leonbus2]

Was Floyd not great for 20 years?? was he not on the p4p list from the 90's till the 2010's?? was he not unified champ and lineal at 147 and 154 at the same time WHILE HE WAS 37 AND 38 YEARS OLD??? how good were Robinson and Armstrong at that age??? you just said Leonards prime was short and he lost to Norris when he wasnt very old right??? yet Floyd was still p4p#1 and undefeated..Ortiz and Canelo were what?? 10-15 years younger then him??

Floyd was great for 20 years. No question about that. I choose Robinson over Floyd because he was also great for 20 years and fought all the time and faced everybody all year. They are equal, but Ray beats Mayweather because he took risks and had the balls Mayweather never showed. With all of his boxing brilliance, Mayweather never. Never. Took a single risk for his legacy. That's why he never makes GOAT lists.