Who Do YOU Think The GREATEST Boxer Of All-Time Is?

[BoxBuzz]

Ezzard Charles, at 160 lbs., may have been the finest fighter pound-for-pound, of any age, as he fought and defeated fighters whom no one wanted any part of, such as Archie Moore, Charley Burley, Jimmy Bivens, and the much-feared Lloyd Marshall, whom Charles defeated in two of their three bouts.

Burley was so good that he couldn't get fights, and quit boxing to take a job on a garbage truck in Pittsburgh so that he could make a living. Moore was a great middleweight, but never got a title shot until he was far past his prime, and had put on weight. He took the lightheavy crown from Joey Maxim.

Charles defeated Joey Maxim five times with ease, while Ray Robinson lost to Maxim the only time they met. Robinson's defeat was blamed on the heat, but Maxim had to fight that night in Yankee Stadium under the same miserable conditions.

Ezzard Charles weighed 180 lbs. when he won the heavyweight crown, and later gave Rocky Marciano his two toughest fights before losing by decision, and by 8th round k.o.

I always like to point out that Archie never lost to Lloyd though Ezzard was KO'd by him. Never let an opportunity like that pass if I can help it.

[granberry]

I have a film of Ezzard Charles knocking out Lloyd Marshall.

[yancey]

Does anybody know much about Ezzard Charles' 4th fight with Walcott, in which he was trying to regain the title?

I have heard that he got jobbed on the decision, but have never seen the fight.

[I Feel Fine]

I've heard the same, though I've only seen select rounds of the fight, not the full match, so I couldn't say. Most experts had Charles winning the fourth fight to my understanding.

[Collins2000]

You kill movement with combinations. If the first two miss, the last three hit. Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the greatest combination punchers of all time, along with Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey.

Zac, please don't talk about boxing technique.

Anyone who has seen your youtube videos is aware that, as a sweaty, balding middle-aged woman, you have nothing you could possibly tell us about 5 punch combinations.

Stick to rants about race. You are good at that.

Link please. I haven't seen this.

Here you go.

http://forum.boxrec.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=85025

Has he been banned again? He was posting as Big Bald Jane until a week or two ago.

[alexpaterson]

My top 1
1- Sugar Ray Robinson could do everything had power in both hands, was fast of feet and hand, strong, good defence and good fitness he had everything

[Grimm]

Here you go.

http://forum.boxrec.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=85025

[Controversial]

Sugar Ray Robinson for me.

Undefeated in 85 amateur fights and undefeated in his first 40 pro fights until losing to LaMotta. Then went unbeaten for another 90 fights. Only lost one fight by stoppage and that was at light heavyweight, giving away over a stone to Joey Maxim and even then he had retired on his stool due to heat exhaustion after 13 rounds. Two weight world champion (when that meant something)

Had everything speed, skill, power the complete article. Had more knockouts than most fighters had fights.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I have to go with jack Dempsey. I know it makes no sense, but the way he destroyed most Light Heavyweights was awe inspiring. Plus reading on here how he would destroy prime versions of Frazier & Foreman has shown me the light.

The best fighter i've seen in my lifetime is Roberto Duran. But I doubt he had half the skills of Jack, quite clearly the GOAT.

[I Feel Fine]

Either Robinson, Greb, or possibly Armstrong.

Saying "Mike Tyson" should get a poster banned for life.

[Controversial]

Charles defeated Joey Maxim five times with ease, while Ray Robinson lost to Maxim the only time they met. Robinson's defeat was blamed on the heat, but Maxim had to fight that night in Yankee Stadium under the same miserable conditions.

A bit harsh. Robinson was leading on all scorecards by quite a margin, Maxim outweighed him by 16 pounds and was a world class light heavyweight. Robinson collapsed from heat exhaustion in his corner, the ref had to be replaced 3 rounds earlier due to the 104 degree heat. Maxims naturally bigger size was the major factor in him lasting better than Robinson. I have no doubt if the fight wasn't in such extreme conditions Robinson would have won easily.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

Either Robinson, Greb, or possibly Armstrong.

Saying "Mike Tyson" should get a poster banned for life.

- He said the majic words. Git thee to a monkery and sleep on a board and watch the collective board IQ jump 10 points.

I put in for Leon. Least amount of experience of any heavy champ ever, having moved up not only a full division to the open heavy class, but also from ama to pro, yet he became the only one to ever lift The Greatest's unified title in his long storied career.

Leon Greater than the Greatest Spinks!

[granberry]

Im sure there will be many, many different opinions on this one.

But for me it was Iron Mike Tyson, in his prime; before he went to jail.

What do you think?

The word "boxer" has a very specific meaning to those familiar with the subject.

Jim Corbett, Frank Erne, Young Griffo, Jack Root, Philadelphia Jack OBrien, Johnny Kilbane, Johnny Dundee, Jack Britton, Sammy Mandell, Jack Delaney,Tommy Loughran, Gene Tunney, Jimmy Slattery, Young Stribling, Kid Chocolate, Billy Conn, Billy Soose, Teddy Yarosz, Maxie Rosenbloom, Harry Jeffra, Billy Graham, Joey Maxim, Wille Pep, were boxers.

Almost all of the names posted on this thread were very definitely not 'boxers.'

[Martin Sosa Cameron]

Henry Armstrong

[alexpaterson]

Armstrong is great very good career. 1 of my faviorites is Jose Napoles he was special was a top class boxer and was tough also the 4 kings were all very good

[elmersalsa]

I got the great Henry Armstrong as the greatest fighter ever

My top 5 ever is:

1. Henry Armstrong
2. Sugar Ray Robinson
3. Sam Langford
4. Roberto Duran
5. Willie Pep

[Martin Sosa Cameron]

When we mentioned those fighters, and others, all they may be the number one of all times, of course

[elmersalsa]

When we mentioned those fighters, and others, all they may be the number one of all times, of course

I agree with you....100%

[Martin Sosa Cameron]

Dear Elmer,

Thanks you very much...!
And you put too, like me, Henry Armstrong as the greatest...
It's near of 50 boys who may be the number one...

[Rocky Balboa]

For me, P4P number one & two are on lockdown, bolted shut. Those places belong to Ray Robinson & Henry Armstrong respectively!

[jimglen]

personally for me it's Greb, Louis, SRR...

great arguments can be made for the Langfords and Burley's of the sport, the great feared and avoided fighters.

general consensus like SRR, Armstrong, Pep's and Ali's and the like, these will always be more or less agreed upon.

and arguments could be made for the Tyson's, Ezzard Charles, Jesey Joe Walcott's and the countless dozens of great fighting men, because as has been mentioned already; when your continuiosly at the Top, among the Top, there is little to no difference among these great fighters and the sport is littered with them!!!

[Rocky Balboa]

Either Robinson, Greb, or possibly Armstrong.

Saying "Mike Tyson" should get a poster banned for life.

I agree with you, but for I also think those who say Ali is the best P4P fighter should be banned for life aswell! I think Ali was a great figther, but no way was he the best P4P in history! Its debatable whether he's the best HW ever, let alone P4P The Greatest.

[Rossman]

I usually respond to this type of question with Ali, but the best I've ever seen was a prime RJJ . . .

[boogieeck]

In their prime, Hank Armstrong proved it, the color bar prevented Sam Langford from proving it.