Some of the posts over the past few days have debated quality of opposition and how some fighters are hurt by perception of ducking or avoiding tough fighters, while others receive a pass. I think it would be interesting to try and look at a some of the top fighters and their quality of opposition (I will try to remain as neutral as possible). We are all biased, so I want to say up front that I am a HUGE fan of Hop, Evander and James Toney. I am a fan of Floyd Mayweather in the ring, but I can't stand him and the way he acts outside of it. Here is how I look at some of the best fighters of past couple of generations and who they fought:
Oscar de la Hoya:
Best wins: Quartey (undefeated, P4P ranked, top 3 at weight), Genaro Hernandez (undefeated, top titlist at the time at 130), Julio Ceasar Chavez (past his prime ATG), Fernando Vargas (Top ranked at 154, one loss post Tito), Rafael Ruelas (1 loss but top ranked titlist/fighter at 135 when they fought), Pernell Whitaker (past his prime ATG, P4P ranked top welterweight).
Respectable wins: John Molina, Jesse James Leija, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, David Kamau, Hector Camacho, Javier Castillejo, Wilfredo Vasquez, Oba Carr, Gatti, Mayorga.
Losses: Felix Trinidad (prime, undefeated P4P ranked HOF), BHOP (P4P, ATG, prime), Floyd (prime undefeated ATG), Shane Mosely (prime, undefeated HOF), Manny Paq (prime, ATG, smaller).
Missed fights: Kostya Tszyu, Winky Wright, Jose Luis Lopez
Roy Jones Jr.:
Best Wins: BHOP (1 loss, pre-prime), James Toney (prime undefeated, P4P #2, HOF), Antonio Tarver (1 loss, prime), John Ruiz (titlist, prime), Montell Griffin (undefeated, prime, top ranked challenger), Virgil Hill (post prime, 2 losses, multi. titlist)
Respectable wins: Clinton Woods, Thomas Tate, Merqui Sosa, Reggie Johnson, Julio Gonzalez,
Losses: Montell Griffin (DQ), Antonio Tarver (prime), Glenn Johnson, Joe Calzaghe (#2 P4P, ATG, both post prime), BHOP (ATG, both post prime), Danny Green (Roy past prime), Dennis Ledbedev (Roy past prime),
Missed fights: Gerald Mclellan, Benn, Eubank, Steve Collins, Dariusz Michalczewski, Frankie Liles, Michael Nunn, Graciano Rocchigiani, Vasily Jirov
Floyd Mayweather:
Best wins: Chico Corrales (undefeated, HOF, P4P, prime), Jose Luis Castillo (135 pound champ), Ricky Hatton (undefeated, P4P, prime), Oscar (HOF, post prime, top ranked 154), Canelo (undefeated, top ranked 154, prime), Miguel Cotto (Cotto post prime, titlist, HOF),
Respectable wins: Shane Mosely (Shane post prime, 5 losses), Gatti (HOF, 2nd prime), Baldomir, Judah, Sharmba Mitchell, Maidana, Robert Guerrero,
Losses: NONE
Missed fights: Frietas, Casameyor, Steve Johnston, Kostya Tszyu, Paul Williams, Antonio Margarito, Prime Shane, Prime Oscar, Winky Wright, Manny Paquaiou
BHOP:
Best Wins: Tito (#2 P4P, HOF, prime), Oscar (#8 P4P, HOF, post prime), Pavilik (#4 P4P, prime, lineal champ), Tarver (#6 P4P, prime, lineal champ), Winky Wright (#4 P4P, prime), Glenn Johnson (undefeated, prime), Jean Pascal (1 loss, lineal champ, post Hop prime), Tavoris Cloud (undefeated titlist, post Hop prime)
Respectable wins: Joppy, Holmes, Lipsey Jr., Mercado, Simon Brown, Howard Eastman, Robert Allen, Antwun Echols, John David Jackson
Losses: Clinton Mitchell (first fight, Hop green), Roy (undefeated, Hop green), Jermain Taylor (undefeated), Joe Calzaghe (#2 P4P, ATG, undefeated, Hop post prime), Chad Dawson (1 loss, lineal champ, P4P #
Missed fights: James Toney, Andre Ward, Roy rematch during prime
From looking at just these fighters, in my opinion (I am biased, but think I limited my bias), Oscar took on the toughest opposition but lost the most. Hop had the most wins vs. toughest opposition. Floyd is undefeated, but remains in third place (in my opinion) in quality of opposition because most of the HOF guys he fought were past their primes at the time of the fight. Roy fought the weakest competition in my opinion, and suffered the worst blow outs. Roy also seems to have missed the most big fights, where with Oscar and Hop I really had to stretch the envelope to get names on those lists for them.
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