Rating Pernell Whitaker Above Ray Leonard?

[Perfect Plex]

Can it be justified?

Rating Sweet Pea higher on a ATG list that Ray?

[BigStereotype]

I certainly wouldn't.

[SBleeder]

I rank him slightly higher, but I tend to rank fighter primarily on skill and not resume.

[crold1]

Can it be justified?

Rating Sweet Pea higher on a ATG list that Ray?

Not really. Similar number of fights; Leonard with the better foes; better speed; Leonard just with the more complete package. Leonard could be defensively brilliant (watch he and Benitez just make each other miss at high speed) in the pocket or at distance as a compliment to underrated power. No shame in being behind there.

[sonnyboyx2]

Leonard was a boxing superstar

[wmute]

I have Leonard ahead, because he is one of the most complete and smart fighters I can think of, and that's what I look for in a fighter, but I have absolutely no problem with someone having Pea ahead.

Pea reigned 2 different divisions. That makes about 8 years of domination on all comers. I typically rank that higher than jumping across division to catch belts like Leonard and most modern fighters do.

[Sugarj]

I have Leonard ahead, but I do rate Pea slightly better defensively........(although Leonard was no goalkeeper himself!).

[bojangles1987]

Not really, but Whitaker would have given Leonard all he could handle in the ring. Whitaker is great, but Leonard's resume, short as his career was, is outstanding.