The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson versus Carl "The Truth" Williams. Williams was a big solid heavyweight, about 6'4" and 218lbs of pure muscle. Tyson weigh in 219 and a half pounds. It was probably Tyson's last great performance, (if you want to call that great) of his first reign as heavyweight champion. Tyson improved his record to an impressive 37-0, 33KOs, 17 of those KO wins were in the first round! Unbelievable!

By that time in 1989, the boxing writers and experts were considering Tyson as probably one the greatest heavyweight champions or fighters of all time. Some were saying PLAINLY that he was SIMPLY THE GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT. Some were going as far as the greatest fighter pound per pound ever.

There was a song by that time by the rap group DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince called "Nobody Can Beat Mike Tyson". Tyson was THE NEWS in those days in sports, especially in boxing.

A left hook put Williams on the canvas and the referee, to my judgement, stopped the fight too soon. It was Tyson's second win in a row after the departure of his trainer Kevin Rooney.

In the next year, 1990, things were about to go to a different turn.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson vs James "Buster" Douglas.....Was this the beginning of the end for Iron Mike?

Did Buster showed THE BLUEPRINT of how to beat Tyson?

Was Kevin Rooney, Tyson's trainer that got rid off from the corner, a factor?

I think it was a combination of Tyson having AN OFF NIGHT with the motivation that Buster had for the fight.

But, on that nigh in Tokyo, I could see Douglas beating a lot of the top ten heavyweights of all time. He was sharp. He weighed in at 231lbs, and is 6'4" tall with an 83" reach to Tyson's 76".

I noticed also that Buster showed:

1. He wasn't intimidated by Tyson.

2. Speed and quickness of feet and hands. He was not a stationary target. Plus, he gave angles.

3. He used that jab with power. It was off the chain. Crisp, fast and powerful. And threw punches with evil intentions. Something that wasn't seen in the majority of Iron Mike's opponents. It seemed that when getting hit with the jab, stopped Tyson off his tracks. Tyson was very confused every time Douglas hit him constantly with the jab.

4. He used very well his height, reach and weight advantages. When Tyson rushed in, he timed him by smothering and putting his whole 231lbs on top of Tyson.

5. Buster was stronger than Mike on the clinches. Mike was always pushing his opponents around (see the first Frank Bruno fight).

6. Great poise and concentration. Those that are saying that the great Muhammad Ali would have beaten Tyson are probably not seeing what really Buster did to beat him. He bullied the bully. Even on the break, Buster was throwing shots. He didn't had no respect for Tyson.

But, let's say that Tyson was mentally and physically prepared, and had Kevin Rooney on his corner? Does the outcome comes the same?

Because Tyson wasn't moving his head like in the 80s decade. The bobbing and weaving was not present. He was also throwing one shot at a time instead of combinations. Tyson lost because a combination of things. We got to give Buster credit. Even when Buster went down in round 8 and I thought that it was going to be over, Buster got up and whupped Tyson some more in the next two rounds. The uppercut on Mike's chin did it.

Another thing. It wasn't a long count. The referee counted the same way when Tyson got knocked out.

[elmersalsa]

Tyson quickly avenged his loss for the Olympics box offs against Henry Tillmann. What a right hand! You could count until 1000 and he wasn't going to get up.

Alex Stewart was a scared stiff the minute the bell sounded. He had a slugfest with the great Evander Holyfield, but with Tyson, he gets quickly dispatched.

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson vs Razor Ruddock fight #1 was very entertaining. The ending was not good. I believe that Ruddock should have had a chance by the referee to continue. Tyson won by technical knockout in the 8th round in a brutal scrap.

[elmersalsa]

Tyson grants a rematch to the dangerous opponent Razor Ruddock because the referee Richard Steele stopped the contest too soon when Ruddock was hurt by a left hook in round 7.

[elmersalsa]

Tyson vs Ruddock II. The Rematch. It was a foul-fested affair between two of the biggest punchers of the Heavyweight Division at the time. The slugfest was a brutal scrap that I can't believe that both fighters took each one best punch. It went 12 rounds and Tyson won by unanimous decision.

Tyson was in his fourth win in a row since losing to Buster Douglas in Tokyo the year before. He was more motivated than previous fights, but his skills that made him special in ducking by bobbing and weaving were disappearing in each fight. He wasn't throwing combinations like when he was with trainer Kevin Rooney. And he was just fighting in spurts. One thing I noticed that Tyson was never a great inside fighter. It seemed like he had the tendency to be comfortable and complacient being inside the trenches and not throwing punches. It didn't just happened after Rooney, it was there from the beginning.
But, still he was winning his fights by that brutal knockout punching power and intimidation.

After beating Ruddock for the second time, he was slated to fight the great Evander "The Real" Holyfield, the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World on November 8, 1991. It didn't happen then. The fight was postponed because Tyson cracked a rib during training. It was going to be one of the most anticipated heavyweight championship fights of the history of boxing as the same breath as Ali vs Frazier I, Ali vs Foreman, Johnson vs Jeffries and Louis vs Schmeling II.

Then, Tyson was indicted and accused of rape by a 18-year old beauty pageant contestant named Desiree Washington in Indianapolis, IN. Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992 and served 3 years in prison.

[elmersalsa]

Iron Mike comes back and breaks pay per view record for a non title fight in August 18, 1995 against Peter McNeely, the son of former heavyweight contender Tom McNeely. Tyson wins by DQ in the first round. It was his first fight in 4 years.

[elmersalsa]

Tyson dispatches Buster Mathis, Jr in 3 rounds with an uppercut. It was Tyson's second fight of his comeback after being convicted for 3 years of rape in 1992.

Then, former victim, Frank Bruno of England, even though he was this time the WBC World Heavyweight Champion, wasn't a match for Iron Mike. He was dispatched in only 3 rounds with a barrage of 13 unanswered punches of all kinds: left hooks, uppercuts, right hooks and straight tights were enough for Bruno, 34, that didn't give Tyson a sweat for his money, even though he came in at 247lbs this time around.

On his way to unify the Heavyweight crowns, Tyson and his management team, with promoter Don King calling the shots, paid the great Lennox Lewis of England $4 million dollars to step aside so that Tyson could fight WBA World Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon of Atlantic City, NJ. Talking about some fishy politics! Lewis ended up fighting for the WBC crown that Tyson vacated against his former conqueror Oliver McCall of Chicago, IL.

Tyson didn't even sweat in his fight with Seldon. This was a total fix and a dive from the punk Champion. Tyson didn't even touch him and Seldon went to the canvas? Bullshit! When Seldon went down the second time, he faked to the referee Richard Steele in the 88-count that he was hurt. Was he really hurt? I don't think so. Seldon didn't want nothing to do with Iron Mike.

[gilgamesh]

Tyson dispatches Buster Mathis, Jr in 3 rounds with an uppercut. It was Tyson's second fight of his comeback after being convicted for 3 years of rape in 1992.

Then, former victim, Frank Bruno of England, even though he was this time the WBC World Heavyweight Champion, wasn't a match for Iron Mike. He was dispatched in only 3 rounds with a barrage of 13 unanswered punches of all kinds: left hooks, uppercuts, right hooks and straight tights were enough for Bruno, 34, that didn't give Tyson a sweat for his money, even though he came in at 247lbs this time around.

On his way to unify the Heavyweight crowns, Tyson and his management team, with promoter Don King calling the shots, paid the great Lennox Lewis of England $4 million dollars to step aside so that Tyson could fight WBA World Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon of Atlantic City, NJ. Talking about some fishy politics! Lewis ended up fighting for the WBC crown that Tyson vacated against his former conqueror Oliver McCall of Chicago, IL.

Tyson didn't even sweat in his fight with Seldon. This was a total fix and a dive from the punk Champion. Tyson didn't even touch him and Seldon went to the canvas? Bullshit! When Seldon went down the second time, he faked to the referee Richard Steele in the 88-count that he was hurt. Was he really hurt? I don't think so. Seldon didn't want nothing to do with Iron Mike.

Seldon actually supposedly was ridiculed so badly for his performance in that fight he had to move away from his house. People in his neighborhood wouldn't let him live it down.

It's one thing to lose a fight when you've given your best or just got caught. He clearly went down from FEAR, and looked like an absolute yellow coward. Boxing's most unforgivable sin.

All this talk about the ridicule and all that in the aftermath of the Tyson fight was mentioned by the HBO crew in his fight against Gerald Nobles. Also mentioned in his fight with Nobles was this hilarious line from his corner "Come on man, we can't lose this guy. This motherf*cker got titties man"

And he did lose to him....and the guy DID have titties.

[elmersalsa]

The great Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield stuns Iron Mike and the world by winning the Heavyweight title for the third time. Holyfield won by an 11th round TKO.

Tyson got exposed badly. Evander fought a perfect fight like Buster Douglas did 6 years earlier. He even seemed stronger than Tyson in the clinches, and was pushing him all over the ring. He even was faster in the combinations and always was the aggressor. He was always hitting Iron Mike first. People at the time said "He bullied the bully". It was an unforgettable upset in boxing history. Holy was a 25 to 1 underdog before the fight.

In the rematch, Tyson didn't want it and bit a piece of Holyfield's ear. It was one of boxing's most bizarre moments ever.

[elmersalsa]

The beginning of the end

[elmersalsa]

Mike Tyson's second comeback after being suspended for a year and a half for "The Bite of the Century" fiasco two years earlier with the great Evander Holyfield starts with a fight with top contender Frans Botha of South Africa. Nicknamed "The White Buffalo", Botha was out boxing Tyson with the jab and with some right crosses to Tyson's face.

Tyson was rusty indeed, and was holding Botha's left arm in the clinches. Like if he wanted to break the arm with his silly rough tactics. I don't know what went through Botha's mind, but he got careless and a wicked right by Iron Mike puts him on the canvas for good. Mike won by knockout in 5 rounds. In my view to that point, Tyson was losing every round.

Then, Orlin Norris, the former WBA World Cruiserweight Champion and three-time jr middleweight champion Terry Norris' older brother, came to test Tyson. In another bizarre incident, Tyson catches Norris with a left uppercut after the bell in round in a clinching incident and Norris went down backwards. The referee Richard Steele took two points from Tyson because of the late hit after the bell. All of the sudden, Norris didn't want to come out for round two and the disappointing crowd at MGM Grand in Las Vegas got cheated again of their money. Tyson's career was becoming a TOTAL CIRCUS in his second comeback. I believe that it started to be a TOTAL CIRCUS after he got out from prison. The only good fight that he had, he got whupped by Holyfield. It was THE LAST TIME that Iron Mike fought in Las Vegas after 6 straight events at the MGM Grand. MGM Grand and the city of Las Vegas and the city's boxing commission had enough.

Next, Tyson goes to London, England and stops a local journeyman named Julius Francis in 2 one-sided rounds. Francis was dropped 4 times. Three times in round 2. Tyson's skills were clearly eroded. But, at 33 years old, he still believes that he could become Heavyweight Champion of the World again.

[Ambling Alp II]

The beginning of the end

To this thread?

[elmersalsa]

The beginning of the end

To this thread?

Of Mike Tyson's career when he fought The Real Deal the second time. Tyson's career was a TOTAL CIRCUS after coming back from prison.

[elmersalsa]

More CIRCUS for Iron Mike when he fought Andrew Golota. The fight should have been billed "The Nut Cases Showdown ". Two talented boxers with personality crisis and mental breakdowns.

The fight started off well with both fighters throwing leathers at each other with a terrific pace. Golota using well his jab and height weight and reach advantage on Tyson. Tyson was smarming with left hooks like he normally does. All of the sudden, Tyson drops Golota at the closing seconds of round 1.

Golota got up and went to his corner after the 8-count. In round 2,Golota was using his left jab and throwing some good combinations. I think that he won round 2 without a doubt. Next thing I see, Golota doesn't want to come out for the 3rd round. He pushes everybody away. He can't continue? Say what?

Tyson is declared winner by knockout in round 2, but the commission changed the fight to No Contest because Tyson was found with marihuana in his system. The last couple of fights for Tyson has been a BIG CIRCUS. A TOTAL CIRCUS!

It all started ever since he came back from prison. In reality, none of his fights since then have been satisfying, except when the great Evander Holyfield outclassed him and whupped him in their first fight in 1996.

But, Golota??? What was wrong with him???

[elmersalsa]

Iron Mike travels to Copenhagen, Denmark for a fight against local heavyweight contender Brian Nielsen. Nielsen weigh in at 259lbs, meanwhile Tyson weighed in 239, the heaviest of his career so far.

As expected, Tyson stopped the big Dane in 6 rounds. Nielsen didn't answer for round 7. But, Nielsen seemed like he wanted to continue. His corner said that it was enough. Tyson had him like a punching bag for 6 rounds. Tyson won all the rounds. He even dropped the Dane in round 3, but Nielsen was game. At least it was for Iron Mike his most decent fight after the first Evander Holyfield fight.

Tyson hit Nielsen hard and often, but the game Dane was still up and sometimes making fun of Tyson's punches like if it didn't hurt him one bit. Tyson looked sluggish and all he had was the punch. But, that was not going to be enough for his next fight: Champion Lennox Lewis.

On June 8, 2002, Lennox Lewis hot his wish for fighting Tyson. It was a one-sided affair that Tyson got beat down hard and often with the British man jab. Tyson only win the first round. After that, it was all Lewis. He had that jab in Tyson's face all night. And everytime during a clinch, the 6'5", 250lbs Lewis was wearing down Iron Mike by putting his weigh on top of him. It was over in round 8. Tyson was cut in the two eyebrows. He looked a mess. It was THE END of one of boxing's legendary boxers. But, the beginning of the end was when he bit Holyfield's ear in the second fight.

The fight should have been made in the 90s decade, around 1992-97 time frame. At one time, when Tyson was the WBC Heavyweight World Champion, promoter Don King paid Lewis, the number one contender, $5 million to step aside. That was the only time that Tyson had an opportunity to fight The Lion from England. Would the fight be different, then? In my view, yes. At least it would have been much more competitive. Tyson would have been the favorite to win.

[elmersalsa]

The question is, where do I rank the great Mike Tyson in the all time top 20 Heavyweight list?

By observing his career in the past 2 months or so, and his achievements and also about his boxing style, I would rank him at probably:

1. Muhammad Ali
2. Joe Louis
3. Jack Johnson
4. Rocky Marciano
5. Jack Dempsey
6. Evander Holyfield
7. Larry Holmes
8. George Foreman
9. Joe Frazier
10. Lennox Lewis
11. Peter Jackson
12. Mike Tyson.....there. And I think it's the right ranking for him. At the beginning of his championship reign, he was awesome and extraordinary. But, after losing to Buster Douglas in the "Upset of the Century" and not beating a true all time great heavyweight after that, it hurt his standing.

It seemed to me in Iron Mike's career that before jail time, he was top 10 Heavyweight ever. After coming back from jail time, his career was a TOTAL CIRCUS. And worse, when he got suspended for a year after biting the great Evander Holyfield in fight #2 in "The Bite of the Century ". When in big trouble, it seemed that he didn't had an answer to win the fight, and mentally, used to give up.

But, let's not forget that Iron Mike is one of boxing's all time greatest legends. He changed the game of boxing in so many ways. Unfortunately, he could have done much more. But, what he did was enough for him to put him in the list of the top 100 greatest pound per pound fighters of all-time.


Next, at 95, we got another great one. A very underrated and underappreciated even in his own country of Panama. He was surely hated by the American media. He came into the scene when his other countryman, the great Roberto Duran, was getting all the headlines and attention. His name? Eusebio Pedroza. A great fighter by any means.

[elmersalsa]

95. Eusebio Pedroza

Record: 42-6-1, 1NC, 26KOs

KO pct is 62%

Career: 1973-86, 1991-92

Titles Held: WBA World Featherweight Champion (1978-85)

Highlights:
WBA World Featherweight Champion that made a division record of 20 title defenses. Ten of his 20 title defenses were made in his opponents' home turf; an all-time world record.
Unbeaten in 25 straight bouts in 8 years from April 1977 to March 1985, in which he won 19 straight from April 1977 to January 1982.
Beat 6 out of 8 world champions he faced.
Record versus world champions is 7-2, 3KOs
Beat 1 out of 2 hall of fame boxers. Record versus hall of famers is 1-1, 1KO.

Historical Impact: An extremely talented and complete fighter that could do any facet of the boxing game. He was an utterly confident and slick Panamanian that defended his crown in 6 continents all over the world. Although, not well liked and underappreciated by the American press, is still considered one of the greatest top ten featherweight boxers of all-time.

Defining Fight: WTKO13 Ruben Olivares...July 21, 1979....."Solidifies his crown by stopping a legend"
Other Defining Fights: LKO2 Alfonso Zamora,WTKO13 Cecilio Lastra, W15 Rocky Lockridge, WKO13 Patrick Ford, W15 Juan LaPorte andL15 Barry McGuigan

What about this great fighter? Your thoughts.

[elmersalsa]

One of the finest featherweight champions and long time reigns in the sport started on April 15, 1978 in Panama City, Panama.

Eusebio Pedroza, just 25 years old, becomes the WBA World Featherweight Champion by totally outclassing former champion Cecilio "Uco" Lastra of Spain. Pedroza dominated the whole fight, almost with spectacular display of boxing. With a frenzied Panamanian crowd, including the great Roberto Duran at ringside, Pedroza stopped Lastra in 13 one-sided rounds. By the time of the stoppage, Pedroza was leading 119-111 after 12 rounds. Lastra went down twice in round 13th and the American referee, Larry Rozadilla of California, saw enough. Panama has a new world champion.

This was the beginning of the great career of one of boxing's best.

[Ambling Alp II]

whoa, slow it down elmer. You are already on number 95? It only took you 132 days.

I have done the math. At this rate you will already be done with the top 100 in 2026. My 12-year old daughter will only be a sophomore in college.

[elmersalsa]

I have been learning a lot about these fighters one by one.

Tell me, what is your take on the great Eusebio Pedroza?

What is the best fight that you like of his great career?

Where do you rank him at Featherweight and pound per pound?

[Ambling Alp II]

I thought he was good. Don't rate him as high as you. We have talked about a him a million times. Don't feel like talking about him again.

[Onetimeonly]

I thought he was good. Don't rate him as high as you. We have talked about a him a million times. Don't feel like talking about him again.

I bet you didn't know Elmer thinks he was the most complete fighter he's ever seen?

[elmersalsa]

I thought he was good. Don't rate him as high as you. We have talked about a him a million times. Don't feel like talking about him again.

I bet you didn't know Elmer thinks he was the most complete fighter he's ever seen?

And why not? To me he was. Eusebio Pedroza could do it all and well. A great fighter!

[Ambling Alp II]

I thought he was good. Don't rate him as high as you. We have talked about a him a million times. Don't feel like talking about him again.

I bet you didn't know Elmer thinks he was the most complete fighter he's ever seen?

I had no idea. Has he ever mentioned it before?
He is the most complete, and the 95th best. elmer logic at its' best.

It's going to be great hearing about Pedroza's fights for the next two months.