is it actually possible for a heavyweight to ever be the p4p #1??

[jahmez]

The reason why heavyweights are dominated by lower weights in the P4P list is based on the assumption that they can rely more on strength, power and the vast differences in height, weight and reach that can be found in their division and that if they could not rely on these attributes in a hypothetical fight with the lower weight fighters at the same weight class than they would have more of a chance of losing.

[Dave Hughey]

The reason why heavyweights are dominated by lower weights in the P4P list is based on the assumption that they can rely more on strength, power and the vast differences in height, weight and reach that can be found in their division and that if they could not rely on these attributes in a hypothetical fight with the lower weight fighters at the same weight class than they would ave more of a chance of losing.

Rather than guess how the P4P rankings are arrived at, why don't you just consult the formula used?

It should read:

P4P = {(FW - FL) / TF} X WO / WF
ARO


Where:

P4P = pound for pound rating
FW = fights won
FL = fights lost
TF = total fights
WO = weight of opponent (at weigh-in)
WF = weight of fighter being rated.
ARO = average ranking of opponents fought

Individual opponent ranking is figured as:

The individual opponent's ranking in his weight class X the average weight of the class of the opponent. (for instance, the light heavyweight division is 160 -175 pounds. That divided by 2 equals 167.5). The heavyweight division rating is set at an estimated average of all the ranked heavyweights. This is usually set at 220 pounds these days. (I guess it is considered legitimate to forget about Valuev, LOL).

[killersheep]

The reason why heavyweights are dominated by lower weights in the P4P list is based on the assumption that they can rely more on strength, power and the vast differences in height, weight and reach that can be found in their division and that if they could not rely on these attributes in a hypothetical fight with the lower weight fighters at the same weight class than they would ave more of a chance of losing.

Rather than guess how the P4P rankings are arrived at, why don't you just consult the formula used?

It should read:

P4P = {(FW - FL) / TF} X WO / WF
ARO


Where:

P4P = pound for pound rating
FW = fights won
FL = fights lost
TF = total fights
WO = weight of opponent (at weigh-in)
WF = weight of fighter being rated.
ARO = average ranking of opponents fought

Individual opponent ranking is figured as:

The individual opponent's ranking in his weight class X the average weight of the class of the opponent. (for instance, the light heavyweight division is 160 -175 pounds. That divided by 2 equals 167.5). The heavyweight division rating is set at an estimated average of all the ranked heavyweights. This is usually set at 220 pounds these days. (I guess it is considered legitimate to forget about Valuev, LOL).

Ok show an example say Albert Sosnowski, Sergio Martinez and Ivan Calderon, I'm not sure how you get the ARO, are you relying on the boxrec ratings? Also is the WO an average over the entire career (same with WF)?

[Kev]

The reason why heavyweights are dominated by lower weights in the P4P list is based on the assumption that they can rely more on strength, power and the vast differences in height, weight and reach that can be found in their division and that if they could not rely on these attributes in a hypothetical fight with the lower weight fighters at the same weight class than they would ave more of a chance of losing.

Rather than guess how the P4P rankings are arrived at, why don't you just consult the formula used?

It should read:

P4P = {(FW - FL) / TF} X WO / WF
ARO


Where:

P4P = pound for pound rating
FW = fights won
FL = fights lost
TF = total fights
WO = weight of opponent (at weigh-in)
WF = weight of fighter being rated.
ARO = average ranking of opponents fought

Individual opponent ranking is figured as:

The individual opponent's ranking in his weight class X the average weight of the class of the opponent. (for instance, the light heavyweight division is 160 -175 pounds. That divided by 2 equals 167.5). The heavyweight division rating is set at an estimated average of all the ranked heavyweights. This is usually set at 220 pounds these days. (I guess it is considered legitimate to forget about Valuev, LOL).

Aside from confirming you as the biggest geek on the board (well done by the way) this formula is irelevent as it's clearly not how The Ring makes its rankings.

Maybe the boxrec system works this way but the Ring is clearly based on the purely subjective opinions of its staff and voting panel.

Nonito Donaire for example can't possibly be even in the Top 10 according to this formula, seeing as he has never beaten a p4p ranked fighter (Darchinyan was only p4p after beating Mijares and Arce) and has only ever fought a single fighter who has ever held a world title.

What's even more crazy is that even since Vic has been taken out of the p4p rankings Donaire contiinues to climb further up, on the back of other fighters wins, i.e Hopkins beats Jones so he drops a place to Donaire who hasn't even fought since February.

There is no formula for such bullshit decisions, it's just incompetence or favouritism.

Wlad would be right up there according to any formula imo.

[jahmez]

Bilbos exactly right. The Ring magazine's writers invented the mythical title of P4P #1 for Sugar Ray Robinson based on professional opinion not formulae. It was in their professional opinion that in a hypothetical bout where both fighters would come in at the same weight class SRR's current skill and style would defeat his contemporaries. SRR's current dominance of his own weight class was also a major deciding factor because it was also in their professional opinion that you would have to look outside the Welterweight division for fighters that could defeat him. This factor seems to have been forgotten in present day arguments and is instead overlooked by which fighter has beaten fighters from outside their own weight class. Though this is impressive I think more attention should also be placed on fighters who dominate in their own weightclass than those who choose to fight opponents at dubious "catchweights" whilst seemingly avoiding perfectly suitable candidates, contenders and champions who are right in front of them.