the fab of the 80s compared to the fab 5 of today...

[Illmatic]

Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, Duran, Benitez
Hopkins, DLH, PBF, Mosley, Hatton

I dont see how todays fab 5 DOESNT compare to the fab 5 of yesteryear.

Hopkins is greater than Hagler, and b.c of Hagler;s popularity, he is constantly overrated. For godsakes, freakin Mugabi is made out to be a legend b/c he fought a close fight with Hagler.

DLH isnt as great as Leonard, but he is an ATG in his own right and has accomplished some amazing feats as a pro.

PBF hasnt fought the ATGs Hearns has, but has accomplished more in terms of championships , titles, etc. Hearns was the man at 154, and won titles at 147, 160, 175 or 168 (cant remember at the moment). PBF has championships at 130, 135, 147, and titles at 140 and 154. So, debate away who;s the better fighter, but they are comparable.

Mosley and Duran comparable as well. Both absolute beasts at lightweight, beat an ATG at welterweight and titles at higher weightclass. Also, were very effective as their age increases and skills diminish slightly.

Benitez and Hatton. Now Hatton hasnt gotten to Benitez's status, as he was the man at 140, 147 and won a title at 154. While Hatton has won the championship at 140, title at 147. But Hatton still has time to grow and they have completely different styles.....this is probably the worst comparison to support my point, but Hatton's career is still in midstream and has accomplished quite a deal- being a top 10 pound for pound fighter for the last couple years.


So, in conclusion, everything looks better when looking at the past, but who is to say that the fab 5 of thge 80s is so much better than the fab of today?

[BoppaZoo]

the 80's for boxing were great and it will be hard to get fighters like that again ever i feel. because todays game isnt about Heart and Courage it is more about money and not losing.

the 80's had guys like

Mike Tyson
Larry Holmes
Marvin Hagler
Tommy Hearns
Ray Leonard
Julio C Chavez
Azumah Nelson
Roberto Duran
these guys knew the word heart and they went in with killer attitudes.
Todays fighters are more worried about the losing and if they do they think the money might dry up.
there safer more tactical weary and only fight if the money is perfect.
but it is slowly getting better with fighters now taking the big fights as we are starting to see.

but if was to compare the fighters of today with the 80's i would say one thing guys back then had Killer instinct and had heart. todays guys are like Basketball players protected and care about the money more than there reputation.

[WhataRock]

Well its still hard to judge because they are still fighting and at least two are yet to really hit the peak of their career.

I cant consider them as good yet but they could all certainly hold their own against those guys at the very least.
Except I reckon any of those guys smash Hatton at 147.

I agree that people look back with to much nostalgia, boxing in the 80's is the same game it is now pretty much. Its silly to suggest that the guys of today that rise up to be the best of their era, are so much different to guys of only 20 years ago.

Comparing boxing today with boxing in the 30's, 40's and 50' is a lot harder because the sport was a lot different back then.

[BoppaZoo]

also i would have to say i miss the 80's. but it is slowly getting better with fights like
Hatton vs PBF
Calzaghe vs Kessler
Cotto vs Mosley
all these fights are great for the sport and its a step in the right direction.

[TBooze]

Hagler, Leonard, Hearns, Duran, Benitez
Hopkins, DLH, PBF, Mosley, Hatton




The problem is the likes Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Duran were household names that even the casual fan knew of.

Maybe casual fans have heard of de la Hoya, possibly Mayweather Jr but that is it, and even if they had heard of Oscar and Floyd they would not know their achievements and big fights like they had of Hagler, Hearns Duran and Leonard.

[VIP]

We are in the middle of a very good era, golden age of boxing. There's some very good fights coming up this year, and there's already been some great ones. The only real weakness is the heavyweight division.

[Stewbear]

Um however you want to spin it Hagler, Duran, Hearns, Benitez, and Leonard were far far far greater than your modern fab 5.

[PowerPuncher]

Illmatic your forgeting most of the Fab 5 fought each other. Theres only been 5 fights between the modern fighters you mentioned compared to 10 fights between the Fab 5.

Also if you just want to look at great fighters from the era theres McCallum, Pryor, Tyson, Chavez, Spinks, Salvador Sanchez, Arguello. Allot of these fighters have claims to be the best ever in their weight classes.

So the 5 fighters you mentioned aren't light years apart but overal they are second best as a group. How would the following go:

Hagler-BHOPs (MH)
Pryor-Hatton (P)
Mayweather-Duran (M)
Leonard-Delahoya (L)
McCallum-Winky Wright (M)
Benitez-Cotto (B)
Hearns-Trinidad (H)

The 8-s win all but 1 of those 7 for me

[BoppaZoo]

Illmatic your forgeting most of the Fab 5 fought each other. Theres only been 5 fights between the modern fighters you mentioned compared to 10 fights between the Fab 5.

Also if you just want to look at great fighters from the era theres McCallum, Pryor, Tyson, Chavez, Spinks, Salvador Sanchez, Arguello. Allot of these fighters have claims to be the best ever in their weight classes.

So the 5 fighters you mentioned aren't light years apart but overal they are second best as a group. How would the following go:

Hagler-BHOPs (MH)
Pryor-Hatton (P)
Mayweather-Duran (M)
Leonard-Delahoya (L)
McCallum-Winky Wright (M)
Benitez-Cotto (B)
Hearns-Trinidad (H)

The 8-s win all but 1 of those 7 for menice call just goes to show they need to grow some killer instincts or maybe some heart.

[bill poster]

Mike McCallum in his prime would dismantle all those modern day fighters you listed

[lillarry]

The 80s are seen as better because the past always is gloryfied.

Bingo. In 20 years, there will be people saying things like "There will never be another PBF" . The past is always a little bit more pleasing to people than the here and now

[Gsand]

The problem is the likes Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Duran were household names that even the casual fan knew of.

Maybe casual fans have heard of de la Hoya, possibly Mayweather Jr but that is it, and even if they had heard of Oscar and Floyd they would not know their achievements and big fights like they had of Hagler, Hearns Duran and Leonard.

casual fans in the UK know hatton

at best they call mayweather merryweather so i dont like he has oscar like global popularity

[TBooze]

casual fans in the UK know hatton

at best they call mayweather merryweather so i dont like he has oscar like global popularity

You are right about Hatton, but even then there is a north/south split in this country (England) about Hatton.

It hurts his marketability that he is not from London.

de la Hoya is respected in Britain by sports fans, but I still think a casual sports fan would not be able to name a fighter de la Hoya has beaten...

Mayweather is a complete unknown force in Britain. If a casual fan has heard of him they still would not know who he has fought or indeed what he looks like.

The casual sports fan may of heard of Hopkins or Mosley but would have less of a clue about them than Mayweather.

[BoppaZoo]

this would be a great line up of fights if they could happen and who would you think would win.

1988 Mike Tyson Vs 2007 Wlad Klitschko HW

1986 Michael Spinks Vs 2001 Roy Jones Jr 175

1985 Marvin Hagler Vs 2004 Bernard Hopkins 160

1984 Tommy Hearns Vs 2002 Oscar Dela Hoya 154

1981 Ray Leonard Vs 2007 Floyd Mayweather 147

1983 Aaron Pryor Vs 2007 Ricky Hatton 140

1980 Roberto Duran Vs 2007 Miguel Cotto 147

1988 Julio C Chavez Vs 2007 Juan Diaz 135

1989 Azumah Nelson Vs 2006 Manny Pacquiao 130

Now although there will be debates about who would win just imagine watching all these fights no matter what the result.

[brooklyn1550]

Hagler > Hopkins
Duran > Mosley
Leonard > De La Hoya
Hearns > Mayweather (by the way, Hearns won titles at 147, 154, 160, 168, 175, and the IBO/WBU at Cruiserweight)
Benitez > Hatton

1980s was better!

[brooklyn1550]

1988 Mike Tyson Vs 2007 Wlad Klitschko HW
Mike Tyson TKO5 Wladimir Klitschko

1986 Michael Spinks Vs 2001 Roy Jones Jr 175
Undecided

1985 Marvin Hagler Vs 2004 Bernard Hopkins 160
Marvin Hagler UD12 Bernard Hopkins

1984 Tommy Hearns Vs 2002 Oscar Dela Hoya 154
Thomas Hearns UD12 Oscar De La Hoya

1981 Ray Leonard Vs 2007 Floyd Mayweather 147
Sugar Ray Leonard UD12 Floyd Mayweather
1983 Aaron Pryor Vs 2007 Ricky Hatton 140

1980 Roberto Duran Vs 2007 Miguel Cotto 147
Roberto Duran TKO6 Miguel Cotto

1988 Julio C Chavez Vs 2007 Juan Diaz 135
Julio Cesar Chavez TKO10 Juan Diaz

1989 Azumah Nelson Vs 2006 Manny Pacquiao 130
Azumah Nelson UD12 Manny Pacquiao


.

[El Bombasto]

Delahoya and Leonard are comparable in skill?

Perhaps Floyd has 'accomplished' more than Hearns in terms of championships precisely because he hasn't fought a decent level of competition.

I'm a Mosley fan, and I still can't believer you're comparing him to Duran.:patsch

There are lots of examples where today's fighters are better than those of yesteryear, and I think that many old guys tend to think of the fighters of 'their era' as being somehow better than those of this era. But, these are terrible comparisons.

[Toopretty]

Delahoya and Leonard are comparable in skill?

Perhaps Floyd has 'accomplished' more than Hearns in terms of championships precisely because he hasn't fought a decent level of competition.

I'm a Mosley fan, and I still can't believer you're comparing him to Duran.:patsch

There are lots of examples where today's fighters are better than those of yesteryear, and I think that many old guys tend to think of the fighters of 'their era' as being somehow better than those of this era. But, these are terrible comparisons.

True.....I mean they had the greater FIGHTS. But the fighters to me are near the same caliber. Duran is an exception, not too many skilled pressure fighters like that around. And Hearns..not too many phenoms vicious guys that can box his ass of and destroy you with one punch like that. SRL beat both guys and he is the truth. I say FAB 3. Hagler is a little overrated in my book. He was a great fighter but did not beat great fighters at his weight to me. B/c there were not many. But I put the 3 over top of him.

[The taff]

Um however you want to spin it Hagler, Duran, Hearns, Benitez, and Leonard were far far far greater than your modern fab 5.

Agreed :good

[brooklyn1550]

Hagler's opposition was better than Hopkins

[Illmatic]

Beside Antuefermo, Hearns, Duran and Leonard, perhaps Briscoe, all those guys made their name by fighting Hagler.
exxactly...by fighting Hagler then they became known as these ferocious contenders. Much like Mugabi who never beat a decent fighter in his career.

Hopkins with wins over DLH, Tito, Winky, Tarver, Holmes, Joppy, Johnson is clearly the more accomplished fighter

[brooklyn1550]

Hopkins with wins over DLH, Tito, Winky, Tarver, Holmes, Joppy, Johnson is clearly the more accomplished fighter

Hagler's wins over Duran and Hearns surpass Hopkins' wins over De La Hoya and Trinidad

[Illmatic]

Delahoya and Leonard are comparable in skill?

Perhaps Floyd has 'accomplished' more than Hearns in terms of championships precisely because he hasn't fought a decent level of competition.

I'm a Mosley fan, and I still can't believer you're comparing him to Duran.:patsch

There are lots of examples where today's fighters are better than those of yesteryear, and I think that many old guys tend to think of the fighters of 'their era' as being somehow better than those of this era. But, these are terrible comparisons.

I guess you can win CHAMPIONSHIPS in three weight classes by fighting complete bums....:patsch I didnt know that winning real championships was the easy way out.

Mosley to Duran comparison is being made b/c they both were beasts at lightweight while not beating a great crop of lightweights, went up to welterweight to beat an ATG. and later went on to win a title at a higher weight. Their careers, accomplishment-wise, are following a similar path

[Illmatic]

Hagler's wins over Duran and Hearns surpass Hopkins' wins over De La Hoya and Trinidad
He barely beat an ATG in Duran and kayoed Hearns, Hopkins dominated two. And what about their other fights...what other great fighters did he beat...any that were his size?

[brooklyn1550]

He barely beat an ATG in Duran and kayoed Hearns, Hopkins dominated two. And what about their other fights...what other great fighters did he beat...any that were his size?

Hagler-Duran is the most exaggerated "close fight" ever. Hagler won 10 or 11 rounds.

Hagler beat solid fighters in Antuofermo, Briscoe, Monroe, Watts, Minter, Mugabi, 154 pounder Obelmejias, and Hamsho

Hopkins beat middleweights like Echols, Joppy, Allen, Holmes, Lipsey, and Daniels. He beat former light middleweights in Jackson, Wright, and Brown.

[Illmatic]

Hagler-Duran is the most exaggerated "close fight" ever. Hagler won 10 or 11 rounds.

okay, did Hagler beat any great fighters that were his size?

[brooklyn1550]

okay, did Hagler beat any great fighters that were his size?

No, Did Hopkins?

You have to remember that De La Hoya and Trinidad were moving up to 160 as Duran and Hearns were, but Hearns and Duran are clearly the greater fighters.

[TBooze]

I think people are missing the point:

Hopkins, de la Hoya, Mosley, Mayweather Jr and Hatton are/were all superb fighters, the problem is with the possible exception of de la Hoya (even that is debatable) not one of them is a household name outside of boxing households; that was not the case with Leonard, Hagler, Hearns and Duran in the 80s...

[Illmatic]

No, Did Hopkins?

You have to remember that De La Hoya and Trinidad were moving up to 160 as Duran and Hearns were, but Hearns and Duran are clearly the greater fighters.

Johnson, Wright, Tarver

[brooklyn1550]

Johnson, Wright, Tarver

Johnson and Tarver are not future hall of famers, let alone great fighters. Winky Wright was a great light middleweight, not a great middleweight as Hopkins was. Plus, they were fighting at 170.

[brooklyn1550]

As if "Monroe, Mugabi, Hamsho, Sibson, Minter, Sugar Ray Seales, Scypion" have done anything beside losing to Hagler. Sorry, these guys were solid but not better than most of Hopkins opponents.

You're right, Robert Allen, Keith Holmes, Joe Lipsey, Morrade Hakkar, Carl Daniels, and Antwun Echols did so much more before losing to Hopkins.

[brooklyn1550]

You´re right but while Hagler had difficults with both, Hopkins dominated them. It´s about even.

Hagler knocked out Hearns in 3 and really defeated Duran comfortably if you score the fight right. And take into account who he was fighting. Duran and Hearns would do better against Hopkins than De La Hoya and Trinidad.

[brooklyn1550]

What about Eastman, who was/is a serious contender for years? Or Mercado who was the same? And looking at their opponents objective there isn´t much of a difference.

Eastman was a good win, fogot about him, but Segundo Mercado wasn't too impressive considering his level of opposition before he drew with Hopkins.

[Shareef]

He barely beat an ATG in Duran and kayoed Hearns, Hopkins dominated two. And what about their other fights...what other great fighters did he beat...any that were his size?

This is a pathetic claim. First off Duran and Hearns are much greater fighters than De La Hoya and Tito. Duran is one of the best fighters ever his skill level and ferocity was amazing old timers who don't give contemporary fighters there due gave duran his. Anyhow it is fact that Oscar was pure shit at middleweight his only other fight at middleweight was against Sturm a fight he arguably lost and looked like shit in. Anyway you slice it Oscar is a shitty middleweight. I really shouldn't have to even bring this up as Duran was light years ahead of Oscar but in 1989 6yrs after the Hagler fight he beat Iran Barkley for the WBC Title which was if you know your history the lineal title as Barkley had won it from hearns who won the vacant version off Roldan which was vacated by SRL whom won it from Hagler. In the fight with Barkley Duran proved he was a very good middleweight when motivated. Hagler fought a good fight agianst Duran maybe Duran should get his due for his greatness for lasting the distance.

Hearns is a much more versatile fighter than Tito and agian a greater fighter. I give Hopkins props for the Tito win because unlike Oscar Tito was a good middleweight who looked awesome in his destruction of Joppy. However Hearns was the better p4p fighter and more proven at the higher weights than Tito. Hearns proved he wasn't just a great welterweight or junior middle he went on to win titles at 160 and 175. Unlike Tito he had success after his loss to Hagler and had it at higher weights. Both Hagler and Hopkins had great performances against their respective opponents but Hearns as one of the truly greatest fighters of all time was great in defeat much like he was against SRL in 1981 but Tito was puzzled and exposed as a one trick pony who couldn't adapt in the ring.

Hagler beat some very good solid middleweights on his way up in his philly wars i suggest you should check those fights out. In all Hagler fought 4 guys who were on the greatest punchers list in Hearns, Eugene Hart, Bennie Briscoe, John Mugabi. Hart, Mugabi, Briscoe may not be atg but they were great punchers. I would argue Briscoe was a better middleweight than Glen Johnson was. Mustafa Hamsho, Antuofermo, Roldan were better middles than Mercado, John David Jackson, Simon Brown. Hagler has the deeper resume rather easily.

[BoppaZoo]

.nice, i like every decision even the one with Spinks vs Jones. which i agree would be the toughest fight to pick a winner.

my point and everyone elses is simple the talent back then is head and shoulders above todays.
all those fights would be huge fights though.

[brooklyn1550]

nice, i like every decision even the one with Spinks vs Jones. which i agree would be the toughest fight to pick a winner.

my point and everyone elses is simple the talent back then is head and shoulders above todays.
all those fights would be huge fights though.

There are some great fighters now, but I agree that the great fighters from the 1980s were better.

And yes, Spinks-Jones is a fight I have never given an answer to. Either could win...it's so tough to bet against them at 175.

Sorry - forgot about Pryor-Hatton. Pryor TKO

[BoppaZoo]

lets talk about Hopkins opponents.

Beat
Glen Johnson (32-0) at the time TKO 11
Robert Allen (23-2) at the time TKO 7
Antwun Echols (22-2-1) at the time UD 12
Syd Vanderpool (28-1) at the time UD 12
Felix Trinidad (40-0) at the time TKO 12
William Joppy (34-2-1) at the time UD 12
Oscar Dela Hoya (37-3) at the time KO 9
Antonio Tarver (24-3) at the time UD 12
Winky Wright (51-3-1) at the time UD 12

there his only wins worth mentioning.
Trinidad, Dela Hoya and Winky were great wins but Dela Hoya and Felix at Middleweight were never going to win.

Hagler
Beat
Bennie Briscoe (60-16-5) at the time UD 10
Ray Seales (46-5-2) at the time TKO 1
Bobby Watts (34-5-1) at the time TKO 2
Alan Minter (38-6) at the time TKO 3
Vito Antuofermo (46-5-2) at the time TKO 5
Mustafa Hamsho (32-1-2) at the time TKO 11
Roberto Duran (77-4) at the time UD 15
Juan Roldan (52-2-2) at the time TKO 10
Tommy Hearns (40-1) at the time TKO 3
John Mugabi (25-0) at the time KO 11

and then theres the split decision to Leonard which some believe it was a draw and some believe he won.

and all i will say if Hamsho,Roldan, Minter and Antuofermo would all win against fighters like Echols,Vanderpool,Allen and Joppy.

i mean take Roldan for instance in the Prime of his career he only lost to these 3 men Hagler , Hearns and Nunn.

I love both fighters but when you size the Hagler vs Hearns fight up aswell as the Duran fight those two names are bigger and greater fighters than Dela Hoya and Trinidad.
Hagler vs Hopkins would make a great fight but i would pick Hagler every day of the week. why he had something Hopkins never has had and thats Raw Power with Killer Instinct.

In Haglers Prime he only ever lost once and that was to a Hall of Famer in Ray Leonard.

Hopkins lost twice to Taylor who in my books is overated and although i feel he got shafted in the first fight he clearly lost the second.