Quote Originally Posted by Syntax Error View Post
It's time to resurrect this thread due to FMJ's latest retirement.

So, where does he stand now?
Solid top 10-15 ATG. Hard for me to put him over SRR, Hank Armstrong, Duran, Ray Leonard, Ali, Whitaker...etc. things that hurt him in my rankings:
1. Quality of opposition: Floyd didn't duck anyone and at one point was chasing the big fights, but he never beat a prime Pac, Cotto, Kostya...etc., level fighter. Hatton, Chico, Castillo were all prime but a level below, and Pac just wasn't anywhere near his best. Just to be clear, I think he beats all of those guys regardless, but I can't put him over say Leonard who beat prime Hearns, Benitez, Duran and Hagler.
2. Pac fight debacle: Dominated his perceived greatest rival by minimizing punching opportunities. For all of the hype, money, and potential of this fight Floyd never pushed himself or tried to get. The stoppage for the fans. Boxing is worse off after that fight, and Floyd is more to blame because he was the better fighter who could dictate what went on in the ring. Hard to rank him over, say.... Ali, who made boxing a global sports priority in his fights with Frazier and Foreman.