TOP TEN GREATS OF BOXING
Migzmigz wrote:very nice list and well researched, although it is missing a lot of greats like (charles, leonard and so on and son) but it doesnt make it a mad list. WELL DONE but i have a question and i agree without your inclusion of him why is ezzard charles rated in a lot of people top ten? sure he was a top light heavy who never was given a chance at the title but it about what they have done not what they could of done!!! my list so far consits of SR ROBINSONelmersalsa wrote:My top 10:
1. Sugar Ray Robinson: Nickname: “Sugar”…The man was so sweet in the ring that you had to call him “Sugar”. He is considered as the greatest welterweight fighter of all time. He is the standard in which all fighters are measured… Won his first 40 bouts. After losing his first bout, went undefeated in 91 bouts from 1943 to 1951…The best fighter of the 1950s…Beat 14 world champions and 11 Hall of Famers…Won the middleweight crown - a record 5 times- … The Ring Fighter of the Year in 1942 and 1951
Titles held: World Welterweight 1946-51. World Middleweight 1951, 1951-52, 1955-57, 1957-58, 1958-59.
Record: 175-19-6, 108 KOs. Years Active: 1940-65
Defining Fight: February 14, 1951… TKO13 Jake LaMotta…In their 6th and final encounter, the most brutal fight of their rivalry known as “The St Valentine’s Massacre”
Other Great Fights: LaMotta I (W10), LaMotta II (L10), Sammy Angott (W10), Henry Armstrong (W10), Tommy Bell (W15), George Costner (KO1), Marty Servo (W10), Kid Gavilan II (W15), Randy Turpin (L15), Turpin II (TKO10), Bobo Olson II (TKO2), Rocky Graziano (TKO3), Joey Maxim (L15), Gene Fullmer (L15), Fullmer II (KO5), Carmen Basilio (L15), Basilio II (W15)
2. Henry Armstrong: Nickname: “Homicide Hank”…First boxer in history to hold 3 world titles of 3 weight classes simultaneously…The best fighter of the 1930s…Beat a total of 15 world champions and 8 Hall of Famers…The Ring Fighter of the Year in 1937…From January 1937 to May 1939, won 57 fights in a row, stopping 27 straight from May 1937 to February 1938. Made 19 title defenses of the welter crown…11 of them in 1939… Beat 15 world champions and 12 Hall of Famers.
Titles held: World Featherweight 1937-38, World Lightweight 1938-39 and World Welterweight 1938-40.
Record: 151-21-10, 100KOs Years Active: 1931-45
Defining Fight: May 31, 1938…W15 Barney Ross…Wins his second world crown vs. fellow Hall of Famer
Other Great Fights: Petey Sarron (KO6), Lou Ambers (W15), Ambers II (L15), Chalky Wright (KO3), Lew Feldman (KO4), Pedro Montanez (TKO9), Ceferino Garcia II (D10), Lew Jenkins (TKO6), Baby Arizmendi (L10), Arizmendi V (W10), Fritzie Zivic (L15), Zivic II (LTKO12), and Sammy Angott (W10)
3. Muhammad Ali: Nickname: “The Greatest”…Love him or hate him, you must come to see him fight…The most recognizable and charismatic athlete in the world of all time…The greatest heavyweight fighter of all time…The best fighter and symbol of the 1960s…Beat a total of 10 world champions and 8 Hall of Famers…First heavyweight in history to win the crown 3 times…The Ring Fighter of the Year in 1963, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1978…Made 20 title defenses of the heavy crown, 11 of them in his second reign.
Titles held: World Heavyweight 1964-67, 1974-78 and 1978.
Record: 56-5, 37KOs. Years Active: 1960-81
Defining Fight: October 30, 1974…KO8 George Foreman…At 32, does the unthinkable by beating an undefeated and invincible young champion with a strategy called “The Rope-a-Dope”
Other Great Fights: Sonny Liston (TKO7), Liston II (KO1), Henry Cooper (TKO5), Archie Moore (KO4), Floyd Patterson (TKO12), Jerry Quarry (TKO3), Joe Frazier (L15), Frazier II (W12), Frazier III (TKO14), Ken Norton (L12), Bob Foster (TKO8), Ernie Terrell (W15), Cleveland Williams (TKO3), Leon Spinks (L15), Spinks II (W15), and Larry Holmes (LTKO10)
4. Joe Louis: Nickname: “The Brown Bomber”…Considered by many, as the Greatest Knockout Artist of All Time…Holds records of most world title defenses (25), regardless of any weight class…Has more consecutive KOs in the first round in world title fights (3)…Held the Heavyweight Crown for almost 12 years (world record)…The Ring Fighter of the Year in 1936, 1938, 1939 and 1941… Introduced with his fists “The Bum of the Month Club”…The best fighter of the 1940s. Beat 8 world champions and 8 Hall of Famers
Titles held: World Heavyweight 1937-49.
Record: 68-3, 54KOs. Years Active: 1934-51
Defining Fight: June 22, 1938…KO1 Max Schmeling…In one of the most important and anticipated fights in history, the German surrenders in the rematch at the bombs of the American Hero
Other Great Fights: James J. Braddock (KO8), Billy Conn (KO13), Conn II (KO8), Max Baer (KO4), Schmeling I (LKO12), Primo Carnera (TKO6), Jersey Joe Walcott (W15), Walcott II (KO11), Jack Sharkey (KO3), Ezzard Charles (L15), and Rocky Marciano (LKO8)
5. Roberto Duran: Nickname: “The Hands of Stone”…Held the Lightweight Crown for 6 years and made 12 title defenses; 10 of them in a row by KO… His ferocity and machismo persona captivated millions, making his mark as the greatest lightweight fighter of all time. Won 4 titles in 4 different weight classes; the last two of those titles were won when he was considered washed up… Has 21 KOs in the first round…The best fighter of his generation (the 1970s)…Arguably, The Greatest Latin Fighter in History…In the modern era, is the only fighter in history to register knockouts in every round (1 to 15) and is three of the only men to fight in 5 different decades. Beat 12 world champions and 7 Hall of Famers…Only Lightweight king to win a piece of the middle crown…Also fought in 22 world title bouts.
Titles held: World Lightweight 1972-79, WBC Welterweight 1980, WBA Jr. Middleweight 1983-84 and WBC Middleweight 1989-90.
Record: 105-16, 69KOs. Years Active: 1967-2001
Defining Fight: June 20, 1980…W15 Sugar Ray Leonard…In his most satisfying victory, “Hands of Stone” takes the crown from the Sugar Man in a grueling historical battle called “The Brawl in Montreal”
Other Great Fights: Ken Buchanan (TKO13), Ernesto Marcel (TKO9), Hiroshi Kobayashi (KO7), Ishimatsu Suzuki (TKO10), Esteban DeJesus (L10), Ray Lampkin (KO14), DeJesus II (KO11), DeJesus III (TKO12), Carlos Palomino (W10), Leonard II (LTKO8), Wilfred Benitez (L15), Pipino Cuevas (TKO4), Davey Moore (TKO8), Marvin Hagler (L15), Thomas Hearns (LKO2) and Iran Barkley (W12)
6. Joe Gans: Nickname: “The Old Master”…First Black American fighter in history to win a world title…Sensational master with electrifying punching power…Considered by many, as the best fighter of his time (the 1900s)… Held Lightweight Crown for 6 years and made 8 title defenses…Unbeaten in first 32 fights…Repeated another unbeaten streak of 31 bouts from Feb 1901 to July 1903. Beat 6 world champions and 2 Hall of Famers. Many of his defeats and draws were questionable.
Titles held: World Lightweight 1902-08
Record: 120-8-10, 87KOs. Years Active: 1891-1909
Defining Fight: May 12, 1902…KO1 Frank Erne… Avenges his previous defeat against the Canadian and starts a reign of 6 years of mastery
Other Great Fights: Mike “Twin” Sullivan II (KO15), Eddie Connolly (TKO5), Young Griffo III (TKO8), Dal Hawkins (L15), Hawkins II (KO2), Sam Langford (L15), Gus Gardner (KO5), Jimmy Britt II (TKO6), George “Elbows” McFadden (LKO23), McFadden II (TKO3), Jack Blackburn (W15), Battling Nelson (WDQ42), Nelson II (LKO17), Nelson III (LKO21), and Joe Walcott (D15)
7. Willie Pep: Nickname: “Will O’ the Wisp”… Defensive genius considered as the greatest defensive fighter of all time…One time won a single round making his opponent miss and without throwing back at his foe, a single punch…Considered by many, as the greatest featherweight fighter of all time…Has the record of most wins than any fighter in history with 230…Made 6 successful title defenses of feather crown…Undefeated in first 62 bouts…From Mar 1943 to Oct 1948, went in 73 bouts without a loss. The Ring Fighter of the Year in 1945…Fought 5 Hall of Famers, beating 3 of them…Also, beat a total of 9 world champions.
Titles Held: World Featherweight 1942-48, 1949-50.
Record: 230-11-1, 65KOs. Years Active: 1940-59; 1965-66
Defining Fight: February 11, 1949…W15 Sandy Saddler…In their second time around and best fight of their rivalry, Pep recaptures the crown and his legendary status by an extraordinary performance
Other Great Fights: Manuel Ortiz (W10), Chalky Wright I (W15), Sal Bartolo II (W15), Sammy Angott (L10), Phil Terranova (W15), Paddy DeMarco (W10), Humberto Sierra II (W15), Saddler I (LTKO4), Saddler III (LTKO8), Teddy “Red Top” Davis (W10), Willie Joyce (W10) and Saddler IV (LTKO9)
8. Jack Johnson: Nickname: “The Galveston Giant”…He is the first Black American boxer ever to win the World Heavyweight Crown…Fought in 5 different decades; first man ever to do so…Dominated the heavyweight division with 9 title defenses in 7 years…Between Dec 1901 to January 1915, lost only 2 fights in 65 contests…Fought 10 Hall of Famers, beating 7 of them. Beat a total of 4 out of 6 world champions he faced.
Titles Held: World Heavyweight 1908-15
Record: 91-14-12, 52KOs Years Active: 1894-1938
Defining Fight: July 4, 1910…TKO15 Jim J. Jeffries…In the turn of the century most anticipated fight and one of the most significant fights in history, Johnson humiliates “The Great White Hope”
Other Great Fights: Sam Langford (W15), Tommy Burns (WTKO14), Stanley Ketchel (KO12), Jess Willard (LKO26), Joe Jeannette VI (W15), Sam McVeay III (KO20), McVeay I (W20), McVeay II (W20), Marvin Hart (L20), and Bob Fitzsimmons (KO2).
9. Sam Langford: Nickname: “The Boston Tar Baby”… Phenomenal Black knockout artist who is considered as the greatest fighter that never won or received a title shot…A natural welterweight warrior that fought middleweights, light heavyweights and even heavyweights…Fought the greatest Black American fighters of his time, beating 4 world champions and 9 Hall of Famers…Had an unbeaten streak of 42 bouts from Nov 1906 to Oct 1911. Had 13 straight KO wins from Dec 1922 to June 1923…16 of his 135 KO victims were in the first round…Fought over 319 bouts in a 24-year ring career.
Titles Held: None
Record: 184-34-33 (68 NDs), 135KOs Years Active: 1902-26
Defining Fight: December 8, 1903…W15 Joe Gans…Langford beats “The Old Master”, the greatest fighter of his generation
Other Great Fights: Joe Walcott (W15), “Fireman” Jim Flynn (KO1), Jack Johnson (L15), Dixie Kid (TKO5), Joe Jeannette (LTKO8), Jeannette II (W15), Jeannette VI (W20), Philadelphia Jack O’Brien (KO5), Harry Wills (KO14), Wills II (L20), Wills III (KO9), Sam McVeay (L20), McVeay III (W20), McVeay V (TKO11), Wills IV (LKO6), Wills V (LTKO7) and Tiger Flowers (KO2)
10. Harry Greb: Nickname: “The Human Windmill”…Phenomenal all out in-your-face middleweight that fought welterweights, light heavyweights and even heavyweights. Fought over 300 bouts in a 13-year ring career ended by death, losing only 8 times… Made 6 title defenses of the World Middleweight Crown…Also won the American Light Heavyweight Crown…Beat 5 Hall of Famers and 5 world champions…Had an unbeaten streak of 34 bouts from May 1924 to February 1926…He was the best fighter of the 1920s…The Ring Fighter of the Year in 1922 and 1924.
Titles Held: World Middleweight 1923-26
Record: 106-8-3 (183 NDs), 69KOs
Years Active: 1913-26
Defining Fight: May 23, 1925…W15 Gene Tunney…Handed the great Tunney his first and only pro loss
Other Great Fights: Johnny Wilson (W15), Mickey Walker (W15), Tommy Loughran (W10), Tommy Gibbons (W15), Tunney II (L15), Tunney III (L15), Ed “Gunboat” Smith (KO1), Tiger Flowers (L15), and Flowers II (L15)
Muhammad Ali
joe louis
henry armstrong
sr leonard
roberto duran
willie pep
carlos monzon
harry greb
and so far my 10 is ezzard charles but i would like to know who would be a better position!!
Charles inclusion is based on what he did. Look his record up on BoxRec and you'll see a list of names that will make you realise just what the man achieved. If Super Middle and Crusierweigth were around back then and the whole alphabet soup boys Charles would have won numerous belts. BUT they aren't achievements in themselves. Beating Archie Moore (considered by many to be the greatest LH champ of all-time) 3 times on its own is worth more than most of the achievements of so called multi title holders.
hey this is a boxing forum not a boxing ring, you can take your crap somere else decagon!! people can express their own opinions about boxing and nothing else if you dont like oscar in a top ten list fine dont put him in yours but i bet not every1 will agree with ur ten list or my ten list or anyones so you wanna start a fight take up boxing!!!! or PhUcK OfFDecagon wrote:Excuse me, but even thinking of ranking Oscar de la Hoya in the top ten of all time, pound-for-pound, is "hero crap." Go away. We all hate you and your nuthugger kind.
Don't let this good topic get locked. I think there has been some good give and take here. I think any name is fair game for the top ten, including Butterbean if you happen to see it that way. But keep it civil folks.
The moderators at boxrec have come to an agreement that we need some rules to keep this forum pleasant and under control. Here are the rules:
1. No Excessive profanity
2. No Racism
3. No trolling
4. DO NOT POST UNDER MULTIPLE USERNAMES
5. No name calling
Learn to love them...they're not complicated
The moderators at boxrec have come to an agreement that we need some rules to keep this forum pleasant and under control. Here are the rules:
1. No Excessive profanity
2. No Racism
3. No trolling
4. DO NOT POST UNDER MULTIPLE USERNAMES
5. No name calling
Learn to love them...they're not complicated
Migzmigz wrote:lets just talk boxing here people!!!
Ezzard
i see what your saying he beat the great names like moore n maxim n there worth more than the title itself (well that the way i understood it) thanks i got a better understanding of Charles' achievments and he has defintely made my top ten!!
The title is a great achievement. It certainly used to be but I'm not blinded by the pick-any-3-letters-you-like belts being given out these days.
Glad you've discovered the man's greatness.
BoxBuzz wrote:Don't let this good topic get locked. I think there has been some good give and take here. I think any name is fair game for the top ten, including Butterbean if you happen to see it that way. But keep it civil folks.
The moderators at boxrec have come to an agreement that we need some rules to keep this forum pleasant and under control. Here are the rules:
1. No Excessive profanity
2. No Racism
3. No trolling
4. DO NOT POST UNDER MULTIPLE USERNAMES
5. No name calling
Learn to love them...they're not complicated
Any name is fair game for top 10?? I disagree.....
Nero....you just made my point....we call can disagree.....nowhere in the rules does it say you can not disagree.......Did you think I was nominating Butterbean to top 10 status?
Let me think about that.......time passes.........after careful thoughtful analysis I will pull his name from consideration........I'm thinking skills vs weight he just might come up short.
Let me think about that.......time passes.........after careful thoughtful analysis I will pull his name from consideration........I'm thinking skills vs weight he just might come up short.
But one must have some evidence to support your claim. Otherwise one opens oneself up to ridicule, scorn, etc.BoxBuzz wrote:Nero....you just made my point....we call can disagree.....nowhere in the rules does it say you can not disagree.......Did you think I was nominating Butterbean to top 10 status?
Let me think about that.......time passes.........after careful thoughtful analysis I will pull his name from consideration........I'm thinking skills vs weight he just might come up short.
We can all disagree, but we can also call it when someone is just being plain stupid. If you say Ezzard Charles isn't the fighter Archie Moore was, you are disagreeing with me. If you say Butterbean belongs in the top 10 greatest HWs of all-time, you are being stupid(BTW, I know you don't think he belongs there. I'm just illustrating a point).
more examples of stupid:
Jimmy Wilde would have beaten Ray Robinson
George Chuvalo would have been KO'd by Chris Byrd
Tex Cobb would have outboxed Ezzard Charles
Marvin Hagler had a shakey chin
Tommy Hearns had a granite chin
Roy Jones had slow hands.
Lennox Lewis had blazing speed.
Andrew Golota was a thinking-man's fighter.
you get my point.
Jimmy Wilde would have beaten Ray Robinson
George Chuvalo would have been KO'd by Chris Byrd
Tex Cobb would have outboxed Ezzard Charles
Marvin Hagler had a shakey chin
Tommy Hearns had a granite chin
Roy Jones had slow hands.
Lennox Lewis had blazing speed.
Andrew Golota was a thinking-man's fighter.
you get my point.
I do indeed and I ask for patience and civil language when being faced with either a boxing fan who is enthusiastic and clumsy in his thinking OR a plain old fashioned troll.
Disagree...don't break the rules. It's more interesing (and entertaining) to make your point in a civil way than to start with expletives and 'ism's that really serve no purpose.
Disagree...don't break the rules. It's more interesing (and entertaining) to make your point in a civil way than to start with expletives and 'ism's that really serve no purpose.
I agree wholeheartedly. Be nice. But I will let you know if you're being a troll...*s*BoxBuzz wrote:I do indeed and I ask for patience and civil language when being faced with either a boxing fan who is enthusiastic and clumsy in his thinking OR a plain old fashioned troll.
Disagree...don't break the rules. It's more interesing (and entertaining) to make your point in a civil way than to start with expletives and 'ism's that really serve no purpose.
Well when someone exhibits above average... boxing knowledge and gets carried away I think moderators should be more patient, as opposed to flamers who just drop by to raise hell.
Last edited by BoxBuzz on 09 Apr 2006, 00:00, edited 1 time in total.