Who is the greatest southpaw of all time?

[brooklyn1550]

Post your pick as to who is the greatest southpaw of all time and if you want, explain your reasoning.

[Dr Gonzo]

marvin hagler for me

[Lostmykeys]

Yeah in my opinion it's between Seat Pea and Hagler and I would lean towards Pernell.

[brooklyn1550]

This is a question I've had a tough time answering and I've thought about it a lot. It really comes down to Hagler and Whitaker, but I'm actually leaning towards Pernell as he had more title defenses against excellent competition (as did Hagler), and won world titles at 135, 140, 147, and 154. Plus he was perhaps the greatest defensive fighter since Willie Pep, and possibly the greatest defensive fighter of all time.

[jimmie]

Pernell Whitaker and easily.

[sweet_scientist]

I have them right next to each other on an all time p4p list, with Hagler one spot higher than Whitaker.

He smashed Hearns, easily outboxed Duran and imo beat Leonard. Amidst other great wins, that's slightly more impressive than easily outboxing Nelson, convincingly beating Chavez and edging DLH.

It's true that Whitaker showed what he was worth in more weight classes than Hagler did, and I don't think Hagler would have done as well as Pernell did outside his best division (as Hagler relied a lot on strength, an advantage he wouldn't have say at lightweavy over most guys), but he was master in his best division.

[sweet_scientist]

That's why I choose Whitaker P4P, because a lot of basis on P4P comes from doing things at different weights and fighting well at different weights(not all of it but some). Whitaker was a 4 division champ, overall fought just as good or better comp(although the top wins may go to Hagler slightly), and Hagler was a one division champ. Whitaker was arguably the best LW of all time just as Hagler was arguably the best MW of all time, but Whitaker did more at other weights and proved he could hang with anyone. Hagler I don't think would've done as well at other weights. Both top 20(arguably top 15) boxers of all time, but I have Whitaker ahead.

That's fair enough.

[CASH_718]

Joe Calzaghe.

[BoppaZoo]

Marvin Hagler
Pernell Whitaker
and i think when his career is all over
Manny Pacquiao should get a mention.

[doublesuited]

Cory "The Next Generation" Spinks

[fightking12]

Winky Wright

Michael Moorer

[liljp361]

whitaker

[pryorgatti]

Sweet Pea Whitaker
Marvelous

[heerko koois]

Marvin Johnson ........

[Theo]

Marvelous - forme without a doubt. ;)

[theHawtness]

when the dust settles, the Aztecs down, new world conquered, the title of greatest southpaw will only lead to one: Pacman.

[David UK]

Hagler easy. I never laughed so much when I recently saw a thread entitled 'Who wins? Prime Hagler v Prime Hopkins'!!!!!

[Guru_Too_You]

Pernell, by leaps and bounds.

[jyuza]

I, too, am picking Marvin Hagler.

He was just a perfect southpaw, sometimes he would switch to orthodox (still don't know why he did so) and lose rounds like in the Leonard fight.

His right jabs were his main weapon IMO. He KO'd a lot of guy with his right even though he is a left handed.

[acb]

Marvin Haggler and Pernell Whitaker 1 and 1A, depending on the day. I tend to favor Pernell, but its hard to be solid with that pick with what Haggler did in his career.

[ayala]

I like sweat pea but can't forget camacho sr

[Harry]

Joe Calzaghe.

or marcus beyer:good

[Thread Stealer]

Pernell Whitaker.

I won't really argue if someone wants to say Marvin Hagler, and then Pernell Whitaker, but I rank Whitaker ahead.

[Scar]

Pernell Whitaker.

[dangerousity]

Balboa!

Hector Camacho & Flash Elorde both deserve a mention.

[jc]

Whitaker and Hagler seem like good shouts.

today would have to be Calzaghe, Wright and Calderon...

[Pimp C]

Pea and Hagler hands down.

[Theo]

Pernell, by leaps and bounds.

thats a style thing for you right? (meaning i am seeing a patten here, slick boxer types).

just wondering that all ;) i picked marvellious, but PW is right up there i think for everyone he was a GREAT fighter to watch.

[codeman99998]

I NEVER EVER thought of that before. Seriously, I never bothered to wonder who was the greatest southpaw of all time.

The first thought that came to my mind was Hagler. I didn't even think of Sweet Pea, oddly. Both are excellent choices.

On a different subject, oddly, I don't feel success at multiple weight classes is a perfect judge of one's p4p ratings. Certainly it does influence the decision making, however, Bhop is definitely high on the current p4p rankings and he only has 2 fights (one being a loss, the first of his career) at a non-middleweight weight.

A fighter may not be able to fight effectively at a certain weight. The pound for pound ranking of a fighter is not a ranking of who is the most capable of dominating different weight classes, so much as who is the greatest in whatever weight they are fighting in. For instance, certain champions are clearly better fighters at their weight class than other champions are in there weight class. Pretty Boy Floyd isn't the pound for pound best because he has belts in 5 different divisions (though, it most certainly doesn't hurt the argument, it definitely helps it) but rather, he is the pound for pound best because he is the most dominant in the weight class that he fights in (which, in PBFs case, happens to be many, which again, helps his cause.)

The reason there is an argument for Rafael Marquez and Winky Wright and Manny Pacqiaou isn't because they would be better fighting at multiple weight classes, but it is because they are better fighters at their weight than Floyd is at his (which I don't agree with, but that's the argument).

Of course, being the best fighter at your weight class, better than any other fighter in THEIR weight class, lends itself to the ability to fight well in other weight classes.

Hell, I know you know this Sweet Pea, you even said it. I just wanted to post something.

[joito3]

Pernel Whitaker & Prime Hector Camacho sr.

[Luigi1985]

In no order a little selection:


Flash Elorde
Pernell Whitaker
Bruno Arcari
Marvin Hagler
Young Corbett III
Tiger Flowers
Hector Camacho

[brooklyn1550]

Let's not forget about Lew Tendler

[Beebs]

Ok, now that Pernell and Marvelous have been firmly established, who else to you rank? A thread gets kind of pointless when its just the repition of the same 2 names.

In addition to Luigi's list: Winky, Moorer, Kevin Kelly, Pacman all are at least notable.

[Olu G. Rotimi]

Marvelous Marvin for his career and the quality of opposition he faced.
Pernell Whittaker was an all time great as well for the ages. All the skill and talent in the world but Marvin was more spectacular. Watch out for the outstanding contender Ajose Olusegun who is 20-0 and moving towards a world title shot at Light Welterweight. He is a terrific southpaw with bags of skills, speed, power and timing.

Pac Man is great but I think Guzman will do him.

[brooklyn1550]

Other Excellent/Great Southpaws
Boza Edwards
Daniel Zaragoza
Khaosai Galaxy
Freddie Miller
Naseem Hamed
Stevie Johnston
Bazooka Limon
Julio Cesar Vasquez
Mark Johnson
Tim Austin
Tyrone Everett

[See Me Flow]

Sweet Pea!

[sweet_scientist]

1. Marvin Hagler
2. Pernell Whitaker
3. Duilio Loi (if he counts as a southpaw)
4. Tiger Flowers
5. Lew Tendler
6. Vicente Saldivar
7. Flash Elorde
8. Young Corbett III
9. Hiroyuki Ebihara
10. Horacio Accavallo

Honourable mentions:

Winky Wright
Hector Camacho
Bruno Arcari
Manny Pacquaio
Khaosai Galaxy

[joito3]

Other Excellent/Great Southpaws
Boza Edwards
Daniel Zaragoza
Khaosai Galaxy
Freddie Miller
Naseem Hamed
Stevie Johnston
Bazooka Limon
Julio Cesar Vasquez
Mark Johnson
Tim Austin
Tyrone Everett

lol hector camacho whooped boza edwards & bazooka limon buddy

[brooklyn1550]

lol hector camacho whooped boza edwards & bazooka limon buddy

He was already mentioned in some previous posts - I was naming guys who weren't mentioned

[Marcelo]

Pacquiao!! He's way ahead now than anybody!!

[LukeO]

Moorer should get some credit.

First south paw heavyweight champion ever.