Rank these recent european fighters...

[Fenster]

Kostya was an excellent fighter but he got knocked out in his "prime"

So did mike tyson.

So did lennox.

So did klitschko.

Yeah excellent fighters get beat in their prime. However, it has to be considered when you choose specific fighters to make a comparision with.

Kostya didn't avenge his loss as say Lewis did (even though Lewis is not on the list).

[THE THIRD MAN]

Kostya was an excellent fighter but he got knocked out in his "prime" and the best "prime" fighter he beat was Zab.

As for that 16 "world" champions stuff (they are alphabet holders). Yes it means he beat top rated fighters, however, i'm pretty certain loads of current top fighters will have similar numbers on their record.

So did Joe Louis, George Foreman and Lennox Lewis. Phillips was beaten by Millet so a rematch couldn't be made as planned. Tszyu was matched up with Miguel Angel Gonzalez (WBC lightweight champion for 5 years and defended it 9 times, his only loss before fighting Tszyu was to DLH) and Millett went on to fight Judah in 2000. Tszyu was the underdog in the Judah fight in 2001, Judah was then unbeaten and looked every bit as good as Floyd leading up to this fight. Tszyu actually ruined his career. His following 3 years after the Phillips loss were outstanding.

[Bobthepen]

He fought an incredible sixteen champions in his short career (only had thirty or so fights) and was often stiffed during his prime years for lack of willing opponents. He just missed out on big fights with Mosley, Oscar, Mayweather for the high risk, low reward factor that he brought up until his final years as an older fighter in one of the top divisions in boxing where he was finally a big money opponent and name.

.

Hardly really fair on the three you mentioned. Oscar was on a collision course with Tszyu, when Tszyu blew it by being knocked out by Phillips. One can't blame an ambitious young Oscar for skipping a fighter with no belt and a devastating recent KO defeat.
Mosley jumped two weight divisions to fight his old mate Oscar for a fortune, for a belt. Can't fault that. Pacquiao did the same.
Mayweather only became a champion at 140lbs the same month Tszyu lost his belt to Hatton, so it wasn't like there was an overlap.
If I'm honest, all three are a country mile above anybody Tszyu fought, and I can't help but feel he would have been exposed against those three. I sometimes wonder if Tszyu knew it himself, which is why he cleaned up at 140lbs, when 147lbs was brimming with talent and dollars. Big fish, small pond.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Again with the neurotics....

I don't doubt Tszyu was an incredibly good fighter... I just can't find a viable point of reference to compare him with the other fighters.

[bigstinkybug]

In order of greatness:

-Wladimir klitschko (Ring mag and current linear champ)

-Vitali klitschko (A 3x HW champ)

-Joe calzaghe (Undisputed SMW champ, ring champ at SMW and LHW, one of the longest reigning champion's ever)

-Kostya tszyu (#1 fighter at 140lbs for over 10 years and was the first fighter in 30 years to unify the title's at 140 lbs)

-Dariusz michalkzewski (Linear champ at LHW, ring mag champ from 97-03, and WBO cruiserweight Champion)

Joe Cal... he was undefeated..and beat anyone who got in front of him. pssibly the most underated fighter in history, next to ricardo Lopez. I don't think i ever saw a guy go into a fight as the under-dog more than Cal and come out winning.

Vitali Klitsko... could easily be undefeated. I'd feel comfortable in putting my money on Vitali vs anyone in history... BUT, in the end, he did quit once and the fight was stopped against Lennox.

Wlad... Will go down as a better fighter than his brother, but Vitali's better... Wlad has ruled the heavyweight div for 10 years! People say theis is a poor div..i say Wlad and Vitali are that much better. than the rest.

Kostya Tszu... one of my favorite fighters. Rumors say that both DeLaHoya and Mosely skiped over the lt welter weight div just so they wouldn't have to face this guy. IMO,he underachieved.

DM... what's not to like about him.. tough as nails. but in this group, he comes up last..and that's no slight to a great fighter.

[Bobthepen]

In order of greatness:

-Wladimir klitschko (Ring mag and current linear champ)

-Vitali klitschko (A 3x HW champ)

-Joe calzaghe (Undisputed SMW champ, ring champ at SMW and LHW, one of the longest reigning champion's ever)

-Kostya tszyu (#1 fighter at 140lbs for over 10 years and was the first fighter in 30 years to unify the title's at 140 lbs)

-Dariusz michalkzewski (Linear champ at LHW, ring mag champ from 97-03, and WBO cruiserweight Champion)

Kostya Tszu... one of my favorite fighters. Rumors say that both DeLaHoya and Mosely skiped over the lt welter weight div just so they wouldn't have to face this guy. IMO,he underachieved.

Rumours spread by people so lacking in boxing knowledge they miss the fact that Oscar was WBC light welterweight champ.

Tszyu's fans trot this hogwash out occasionally, ignoring the fact that their man is most culpable for big fights never happening. Do you really believe Oscar and Mosley looked for easier challenges after looking at their records...

[bigstinkybug]

DeLaHoya is fighting eveyone but doesn't fight THE MAN at welter, and u don't think he skipped over welter? DeLaHoya has even said he was worried with KT... and Mosely nevr fought him either? how does that happen?

[Bobthepen]

DeLaHoya is fighting eveyone but doesn't fight THE MAN at welter, and u don't think he skipped over welter? DeLaHoya has even said he was worried with KT... and Mosely nevr fought him either? how does that happen?

I have no idea what this post is about.

[Master]

DeLaHoya is fighting eveyone but doesn't fight THE MAN at welter, and u don't think he skipped over welter? DeLaHoya has even said he was worried with KT... and Mosely nevr fought him either? how does that happen?

I have no idea what this post is about.

You are not the only one.

[Violent Demise]

In order of greatness:

-Wladimir klitschko (Ring mag and current linear champ)

-Vitali klitschko (A 3x HW champ)

-Joe calzaghe (Undisputed SMW champ, ring champ at SMW and LHW, one of the longest reigning champion's ever)

-Kostya tszyu (#1 fighter at 140lbs for over 10 years and was the first fighter in 30 years to unify the title's at 140 lbs)

-Dariusz michalkzewski (Linear champ at LHW, ring mag champ from 97-03, and WBO cruiserweight Champion)

Kostya Tszu... one of my favorite fighters. Rumors say that both DeLaHoya and Mosely skiped over the lt welter weight div just so they wouldn't have to face this guy. IMO,he underachieved.

De La Hoya-Tszyu was just about set. All Tszyu had to do was beat Vince Phillips. He did not

[THE PHILOSOPHER]

bump.

[bigstinkybug]

Ive never heard of delahoya vs KT coming close to happening...
Theres video of delahoya saying he didnt want to fight KT...

[THE PHILOSOPHER]

I like tszyu, i mean he did beat Roger Mayweather around a ring for 12 rounds. For that i am forever grateful...

Tszyu compiled an amateur record of 259-11. Was a 3x gold medallist too. Watch his fight with vernon forrest and undefeated judah and tell me he is not great!

[Repoman]

Calzaghe 1 tyzsu 2 vitali 3 wlad4 darius 5, joe unbeaten saw him ringside against Lacey awsome, tyzsu beat some great fighters, klitschos, not their fault, but no great fighters in their era, darius only b+ in my opinion!