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Where does Floyd Mayweather rank among the All Time Great Welterweights?
The answer might surprise some. While its difficult to compare eras, as athletes have evolved. We can only rank these fighters based on their accomplishments in their respective era. Historical significance will overshadow win/loss percentage. Beating the best while they were at their best is held in the highest regard.
Upon researching on the web and looking at as many respectable all time lists made by historians as i could. There is a clear consensus, that the following nine fighters all were consistently ranked above Floyd.
In no particular order:
1. Ray Robinson
2. Henry Armstrong
3. Ray Leonard
4. Barney Ross
5. Kid Gavilan
6. Barbados Joe Walcott
7. Hitman Hearns
8. Jose Napoles
9. Emile Griffith
Those nine are the consensus Top 9
Next is:
Mickey Walker - Would be ranked higher at Middleweight. And would be a Top 15-20 All time P4P. Fought anyone at any weight class from Welterweight to Heavyweight. A true All Time Great.
Floyd argument - There is no chance in hell anyone can argue Floyd deserves to be ranked ahead of the Toy Bulldog.
Jimmy McClarnin - His series of fights with Barney Ross are the stuff of legend. If he could have pulled off one extra win vs Ross we'd be talking about McClarnin being a No brainer Top 10 Welterweight. A two time Welterweight champion having lost the belt twice to Ross. Has wins over several All time greats including Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri and of course Barney Ross. As well as wins vs many other top flight fighters such as Lou Ambers and Young Corbett III
Floyd argument - While having a tremendous resume, McClarnin never had long runs as Welterweight champion. Losing it twice to Ross in his first title defence. This is a judgment call. I prefer McClarnin but could see a argument for Floyd.
Jack Britton & Ted Kid Lewis - These two are forever attached because they fought each other so many times. Britton was one of the true pioneers of defensive boxing,and Lewis was the exact opposite, he was all offence, all the time. These two were made for each other. Lewis was willing to fight anyone regardless of weight. He even challenged George Carpentier for the Light Heavyweight title. Lewis was also one of the first fighters to ever wear a mouth piece (something Britton thought was a cheating tactic) . All in all Lewis is a pioneer in both British & Jewish boxing circles. His historical significance cannot be understated. Britton has the distinction of having fought over 300 fights and only once was he ever knocked out (in his third pro fight). His defensive tactics were well ahead of his time. Two true pioneers in boxing.
Floyd Argument - Tough to argue for Floyd versus two historically significant fighters such as Lewis and Britton. Their contributions to the sport are so much more than what Floyd has contributed.
Charley Burley - Was never given a proper World Title fight because he was that damn good and the color barrier was still prevelant, that all the top names of the day avoided him. Instead having to fight for the "Colored" World championship. Burley defeated three World Champions in non title fights, Fritzie Zivic, Billy Soose, and the All time Greatest Light Heavyweight Archie Moore. A natural welterweight defeating the greatest LHW of all time (they fought at Middleweight). That's how good Burley was. Also fought and lost to another all time great in Ezzard Charles (future Heavyweight champion and consensus #2 all time Light Heavyweight). Despite fighting many bigger opponents, Burley was never stopped. Would have surely been a world champion if given the opportunity.
Floyd Argument - Burley was never world champion. Lacked signature wins outside of the Archie Moore win. Could see a argument for Floyd to be ranked ahead of him.
Carmen Basilio - Involved in some of the most epic, incredible, historical fights in the history of the sport. His series of fights vs the likes of Ray Robinson, Gene Fullmer, Johnny Saxton and Tony Demarco are the stuff of legends. Never the most gifted fighter, he made up for it with grit, determination, a iron will, and a granite chin. Often out everything'd height, reach, speed, power he still found a way to defeat the greatest boxer of all time Ray Leonard, and was both a Welterweight and Middleweight champion while fighting the toughest of the tough fights around. A true overachiever and one of the most likeable fighters in history.
Floyd Argument - While Basilio has many great wins on his record, he also has a bunch of losses. Finishing his career 56-16-7. But that was in a tough era.
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