Best middleweights past and present

[ccrr]

I don't really follow the amateurs so I have no idea, who are they?

[Scypion]

Just off the top of my head: I would say Floyd Patterson, Ezzard Charles, Michael Spinks, Marvin Hagler, Laslo Papp, and Wilbert McClure.

Jimmy Ellis was pretty good, but was the same time as McClure, and Wilbert was the best amateur middle division boxer of his time and was named outstanding amateur boxer in 1959. McClure won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic Games. Jimmy Ellis lost to McClure by decision in the finals of the 1960 Olympic Trials in the light middleweight division.

[DrDuke]

The current Ukrainian Olympic competitor really should be in the list. Oleksandr Khyzhniak hasn't lost in 5 years and has already beaten a huge part of the current Olympic MWs. The Ukrainian Tank will crush anybody at this weight and he'll start tomorrow.

[Scypion]

The current Ukrainian Olympic competitor really should be in the list. Oleksandr Khyzhniak hasn't lost in 5 years and has already beaten a huge part of the current Olympic MWs. The Ukrainian Tank will crush anybody at this weight and he'll start tomorrow.

I was just naming some from the top of my head from memory, but I am sure that there are others that could be named, including the Ukrainian Tank.

[JamesPhilips]

Just off the top of my head: I would say Floyd Patterson, Ezzard Charles, Michael Spinks, Marvin Hagler, Laslo Papp, and Wilbert McClure.

Jimmy Ellis was pretty good, but was the same time as McClure, and Wilbert was the best amateur middle division boxer of his time and was named outstanding amateur boxer in 1959. McClure won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic Games. Jimmy Ellis lost to McClure by decision in the finals of the 1960 Olympic Trials in the light middleweight division.

Wow. Forgotten Spinks was a middle. Lazlo Papp won middle weight gold but I think won most titles at light middleweight. I may be wrong but certainly later in his career he boxed at light middle. Maybe the light middle division didn’t exist in his early career? Papp was only 5ft5 amazingly. He also won a pro Euro title and was unbeaten (2 draws) as a pro in the twilight of his career.

Talent wise for me it’s Lazlo Papp. BUT you could argue a lot of his achievements were at light middleweight.

There is one boxer you missed of your list. Harry Mallin a British boxer and dual Olympic gold medalists. He’s rarely talked about and allegedly went unbeaten in between 300 and 350 bouts. Most say 300 but one article said 350. Either way it’s pretty amazing. Not sure if any film exists and what the quality was like in those days but he has to be in the mix and many could argue number 1.

[Scypion]

Amateur middleweight was 165 lbs. and light middleweight was 156 lbs. I just lumped them together for this thread.

I think Mallin can be added to the list.

[JamesPhilips]

Amateur middleweight was 165 lbs. and light middleweight was 156 lbs. I just lumped them together for this thread.

I think Mallin can be added to the list.

Oh ok. Then for me Papp except I just added to post above a guy called Harry Mallin. 2 golds and unbeaten in 300 or more fights. He has to be considered. As I said above not sure if film exits. I will search.

[JamesPhilips]

Ain’t nobody never heard of Harry Mallin?

[Scypion]

This thread is about the best amateur middleweights and not about who was the very best, or at least that is how I understand it. Of course, if anyone wants to give an opinion on who was the GOAT, then that is fine with me. I just named those who I know about who I believe were among the best.

I guess that Jimmy Ellis could be on a list like that though some may disagree. I would never say that Ellis was the GOAT, but he may be among the best dozen or so.