Potential Mayweather-McGregor numbers.

[ViperSniper]

(08-15-2017 03:36 AM)blackbelt2003 Wrote:  The thing is though, Viper, you rank a fighter's greatness based on how great they were at their best times (and how long those best times went on for) not how shitty they were at their worst times.

If a fighter is genuinely great, and that greatness continues for a long period of time (as it did with Floyd), then nothing after the fact can alter that.

If it does, then our entire ATG rankings are based on how 'perfect ' their career was and if they managed to retire at the right time. Someone like Roberto Duran is screwed as he got beat up by William Joppy in his 40's, but Calzaghe and Floyd are top dogs as they 'got out' before they suffered a loss after their primes.


Therefore, for me, it's about what you achieved rather than what you fucked up on.



Black

I feel you rate a fighters greatness throughout their career and not just when they were at their best. Once they're shot or a shell, that's when losses start to become irrelevant.

Someone like Ali or Hopkins managed to archive their greatest work after their best..which is what made them so great (these are exceptions).

That's why fighters like Tyson or Jones may not be considered greater than what they already are had they beaten Holyfield or Tarver. They were still all time greats before those fights and after however..just like Floyd would be with Conor.

Roberto Duran is a good example as he fought well past his prime & fighting weight in his 40's but no one will put too much stock into those late loses. Like Butterbean beating Larry Holmes. Not a great look but Holmes was very old and wayy past it..which is why it doesn't effect his place amongst the rest.

Despite turning 40 recently and being out of the ring 20+ months..Mayweather isn't at that stage where he is faded or shot like some of the fighters mentioned. And they weren't against an opponent making their boxing debut. Mayweather is still considered amongst the best in the world.

Mayweather has already achieved what he has and that can't change but his reputation, legacy and where he is placed amongst past greats can IF he were to lose against an 0-0 fighter.