Top 25 All-Time Bantamweights

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I just wish that Jeff Chandler would have clashed with WBC counterpart Lupe Pintor of Mexico in an unification match. It would have been a hell of a match.

The wba/wbc feud cost a lot of great fights in the early 80's. That's where people who think the best not fighting the best is boxings current problem. It doesn't help, but there simply isn't enough 'best' anymore.

[Cutman Scabbers]

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi and Hozumi Hasegawa are strong candidates!

Tatsuyoshi for his wins over Greg Richardson, Sirimongkol and Paulie Ayala (really Sirimongkol -- the way
he won after everyone had written him off).

Hasegawa on paper is even stronger: he beat Veeraphol twice, defended the bantam title ten times (7 KOs)
then won the featherweight title and now the super bantam title!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHPRqt0DbEI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXIVSnTLlDM

[keithmoonhangover]

Wilt Chamberlain would have made a great bantamweight

[Cutman Scabbers]

Wilt Chamberlain would have made a great bantamweight

Slight correction: Wilt Chamberlain would have made TWO great bantamweights!

[Seamus]

I'd drop Manuel Ortiz at least a few places. Some of his title defenses were pretty soft.

[elmersalsa]

I'd drop Manuel Ortiz at least a few places. Some of his title defenses were pretty soft.

Maybe they were soft on paper. But the great Manuel Ortiz took all comers even in non-title bouts. He made 16 title defenses in first reign that was 6 years. He could only fight what was in front of him. A top 100 all time great pound per pound in my estimation.

[elmersalsa]

In my view, the great Manuel Ortiz was the greatest Chicano boxer of all time.

[elmersalsa]

I saw some of the great Ruben Olivares fights at bantamweight. His title winning match against Lionel Rose was a textbook to all young bucks in how you give left hooks to the liver. He gave Rose the ass whupping of his life in 5 rounds. But, there was no quitting in that Australian aborigine. No way. But, El Puas was superior.

The first fight with countryman Chucho Castillo was an all time Mexican Civil War. These two went toe to toe like real macho men. It was a classic textbook for all these young cats on how you suppose to fight inside. A beautiful fight to see what these two were hooking each other to the liver, but most punches were blocked by the arms. There was no holding and clutching. It was pure incredible infighting! Castillo dropped Ruben in the third round. But, he got up like nothing happened. It was a fight of two real professional boxers at the highest level. A must see fight. The Mexican-dominated bantamweight division of the late 60s and early 70s, was the best era in that division history, no doubt. I imagine the fans in Southern California how blessed were they watching those little men fight. It must've a golden time. A very classic time!

[elmersalsa]

Sixto Escobar was the first world champion ever from Puerto Rico. He was a three-time bantamweight world champion.

Raul "El Jibaro" Perez was also a tall champion from Mexico. He had over 60 fights at 118lbs. At 5'10", he was tall for a bantamweight that could fight well in the inside. A fantastic boxer. He should be in the HOF.

Lupe Pintor, a Mexican Indian, was a very underrated champion.

[Counter-puncher]

I
The first fight with countryman Chucho Castillo was an all time Mexican Civil War. These two went toe to toe like real macho men. It was a classic textbook for all these young cats on how you suppose to fight inside. A beautiful fight to see what these two were hooking each other to the liver, but most punches were blocked by the arms. There was no holding and clutching. It was pure incredible infighting! Castillo dropped Ruben in the third round. But, he got up like nothing happened. It was a fight of two real professional boxers at the highest level. A must see fight. The Mexican-dominated bantamweight division of the late 60s and early 70s, was the best era in that division history, no doubt. I imagine the fans in Southern California how blessed were they watching those little men fight. It must've a golden time. A very classic time!

[elmersalsa]

Ruben Olivares vs Chucho Castillo fight #2 was another remarkable scrap. They were throwing leather big time! Olivares, El Puas, suffered a cut in round one. He claimed that it was done by a headbutt by Chucho, but, really, I didn't see any headbutts. And I didn't see what punch did the cut on Olivares eyelid. But, Olivares like a warrior that he was, kept on fighting. This time, Chucho took advantage of the cut and started tatooing him with straight right leads. Castillo was busier this time around. He became the first man to beat Olivares. A great win. Castillo finally becomes world bantamweight champion after the undeserving verdict with Australian Lionel Rose two years earlier at the Forum in Los Angeles. What a fight!

I am glad of my picks of the 25 best bantamweight boxers ever. Of what I have seen of Chucho Castillo, he deserves to be among the top 25.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

Ruben Olivares vs Chucho Castillo fight #2 was another remarkable scrap. They were throwing leather big time! Olivares, El Puas, suffered a cut in round one. He claimed that it was done by a headbutt by Chucho, but, really, I didn't see any headbutts. And I didn't see what punch did the cut on Olivares eyelid. But, Olivares like a warrior that he was, kept on fighting. This time, Chucho took advantage of the cut and started tatooing him with straight right leads. Castillo was busier this time around. He became the first man to beat Olivares. A great win. Castillo finally becomes world bantamweight champion after the undeserving verdict with Australian Lionel Rose two years earlier at the Forum in Los Angeles. What a fight!

I am glad of my picks of the 25 best bantamweight boxers ever. Of what I have seen of Chucho Castillo, he deserves to be among the top 25.

[Keko]

Very good category but probably Jofre everyone No. 1.

[elmersalsa]

Very good category but probably Jofre everyone No. 1.

I imagine Eder Jofre vs Ruben Olivares fight. I'll pick Jofre. He was a more complete boxer and a better accurate puncher.

The first Latin American boxer to win a world crown was a bantamweight. The great Panama Al Brown made 11 title defenses in 7 years. He was a true world champion fighting in 18 different countries all over the world. He has the record of most official fights without being ever knocked out. A true top 50 p4p great all time fighter.

[elmersalsa]

Japan's Fighting Harada was a sensational scrapper. His name said it all. And boy! Can he fight? He had unbelievable stamina and terrific pace. He was always in shape in all his fights. He had a great chin, but not packed wallop punch, though. He only scored 22 KOs in 55 wins. He fought the last championship rounds like if they were the first rounds. To me, the best ever Far East boxer after the great Manny Pacquiao. Japan's best, indeed!