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

[elmersalsa]

The end.

For you.

[Jaywheel]

What a witty comeback.

[Wee Tommy]

The end.

For you.

I wish. This threads like 20 years in prison.

[elmersalsa]

The end.

For you.

I wish. This threads like 20 years in prison.

Thanks for your response.

[oogiebe]

[tiny_acres]

It has taken a year on one fighter.
Wait until he gets to an old timer that had 120-150 fights. It will be 2 years or longer on
the career recap

[oogiebe]

It has taken a year on one fighter.
Wait until he gets to an old timer that had 120-150 fights. It will be 2 years or longer on
the career recap

What number is he up to anyway?

EDIT: Last time I asked was 2 months ago. And it's still the same fighter at #75. So I estimate 12 years to go in order to get to #1.

[tiny_acres]

It has taken a year on one fighter.
Wait until he gets to an old timer that had 120-150 fights. It will be 2 years or longer on
the career recap

What number is he up to anyway?

I think he is on #75. But I am not going to waste my time going back through his ramblings to find out for sure

[elmersalsa]

Thanks for your responses.

The Baby Faced Assassin from Mexico City, Marco Antonio Barrera took almost the year 2008 completely off.

No more considered as one of the best fighters pound per pound of the decade, he kept fighting on. He is a warrior. No doubt about it.

Barrera had only 1 fight at the end of the year 2008 in November 7th, stopping Samuel Ventura.

In 2009, Barrera appears again and had another win by disqualification in 3 against Freddie Rojas.

In his next fight, he pushed his luck against a world class opponent. This time is a former silver medalist from the 2004 Olympics, Amir Khan from England.

Khan, 22, is thirteen years Barrera's junior. Plus, had advantages in reach, height, weight, and youth.

With no world titles at stake, they were fighting for Khan's WBA International and WBO Intercontinental Lightweight titles. What kind of crowns are those? We don't know. There are at least ten alphabet titles in every weight class. Boxing is ridiculous, now.

It was Saturday, March 14, 2009. Barrera's last hurrah. The fight was at M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.

The question is, why Barrera chose to fight there? We don't know. Maybe it's the heart of a lion. Maybe the payday was huge. But, in reality, he didn't had to go there. He could still draw crowds on the US. It could have been his farewell tour.

The fight was a TOTAL MISMATCH. Khan was too fast for Barrera. Every time he threw those fast combos, Barrera couldn't do much with Khan's speed.

There was a clash of heads and Barrera took the worse of it. He lost the fight by a 5th round technical decision. Barrera had a big gash in the right Cherokee. It was painful to see that a true all-time great ended up like that. Khan improves to 20-1, with 15 knock

After that Khan's loss, Barrera fought twice more and won . He called it quits at age 37 with a record of 67-7, 1NC and 44KOs.

It was a real pleasure to study and watch one of the true all-time pound per pound great fighters like Marco Antonio Barrera. Too bad it took too long, but it was so worth it.

After this fight, Khan won the WBA World Jr. Welterweight title.

[elmersalsa]

So far, this is the countdown
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera.

And at #74, we have the great Bob Foster!

[elmersalsa]

#74. Bob Foster:
Record: 56-8-1, 46KOs
KO Pct is 82%
Career: 1961-78
World Titles Held: World Light-Heavyweight Champion (1968-74)
Highlights: World Light-Heavyweight Champion that made 14 successful title defenses in 6 years. Retired undefeated champion. Had only 1 loss in 28 contests from November 1964 to June 1970. From December 1966 to June 1970, won 20 straight bouts. Also in that time frame from December 1967 to June 1970, won 13 straight fights by the way of knockout. Ten of his 14 title defenses were also won by knockout. Out of his 8 defeats, 7 of them were against the Big Dogs, the heavyweights. Beat 1 out of 3 hall of fame boxers. (Record vs hofs is 1-2, 1KO). Beat 2 out of 5 world champions. (Record versus world champions is 2-3, 2KOs).

Historical Impact: One of the finest light-heavyweight champions in boxing history, was the best 175-pounder of the 1970s decade. Also, an incredible and extraordinary puncher, is considered by The Ring Magazine's List as one of the 100 Greatest Punchers of All-time.

Defining Fight: WKO4 Dick Tiger....May 24, 1968....."Foster tames the Tiger by knockout"

Other Defining Fights:

[elmersalsa]

#74. Bob Foster:
Record: 56-8-1, 46KOs
KO Pct is 82%
Career: 1961-78
World Titles Held: World Light-Heavyweight Champion (1968-74)
Highlights: World Light-Heavyweight Champion that made 14 successful title defenses in 6 years. Retired undefeated champion. Had only 1 loss in 28 contests from November 1964 to June 1970. From December 1966 to June 1970, won 20 straight bouts. Also in that time frame from December 1967 to June 1970, won 13 straight fights by the way of knockout. Ten of his 14 title defenses were also won by knockout. Out of his 8 defeats, 7 of them were against the Big Dogs, the heavyweights. Beat 1 out of 3 hall of fame boxers. (Record vs hofs is 1-2, 1KO). Beat 2 out of 5 world champions. (Record versus world champions is 2-3, 2KOs).

Historical Impact: One of the finest light-heavyweight champions in boxing history, was the best 175-pounder of the 1970s decade. Also, an incredible and extraordinary puncher, is considered by The Ring Magazine's List as one of the 100 Greatest Punchers of All-time.

Defining Fight: WKO4 Dick Tiger....May 24, 1968....."Foster tames the Tiger by knockout"

Other Defining Fights: WTKO9 Henry Hank,LKO2 Joe Frazier, WTKO2 Vicente Rondon, WKO4 Mike Quarry, LKO8 Muhammad Ali, and WKO14 Chris Finnegan

Your thoughts about this great fighter.

[elmersalsa]

#74. Bob Foster:
Record: 56-8-1, 46KOs
KO Pct is 82%
Career: 1961-78
World Titles Held: World Light-Heavyweight Champion (1968-74)
Highlights: World Light-Heavyweight Champion that made 14 successful title defenses in 6 years. Retired undefeated champion. Had only 1 loss in 28 contests from November 1964 to June 1970. From December 1966 to June 1970, won 20 straight bouts. Also in that time frame from December 1967 to June 1970, won 13 straight fights by the way of knockout. Ten of his 14 title defenses were also won by knockout. Out of his 8 defeats, 7 of them were against the Big Dogs, the heavyweights. Beat 1 out of 3 hall of fame boxers. (Record vs hofs is 1-2, 1KO). Beat 2 out of 5 world champions. (Record versus world champions is 2-3, 2KOs).

Historical Impact: One of the finest light-heavyweight champions in boxing history, was the best 175-pounder of the 1970s decade. Also, an incredible and extraordinary puncher, is considered by The Ring Magazine's List as one of the 100 Greatest Punchers of All-time.

Defining Fight: WKO4 Dick Tiger....May 24, 1968....."Foster tames the Tiger by knockout"

Other Defining Fights: WTKO9 Henry Hank,
LKO2 Joe Frazier, WTKO2 Vicente Rondon, WKO4 Mike Quarry, LKO8 Muhammad Ali, and WKO14 Chris Finnegan

Your thoughts about this great fighter.

[Ezzard]

Foster was a great 175 champion. He didn't have the whiskers to be an offensive fighter at Heavyweight. Maybe if he'd have been a natural mover he would have had more success.

Not many rank above him in his natural weight class.

[elmersalsa]

Bob Foster first appearance in boxing's conciousness was on October 20, 1962 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. He was 24 years old, fighting out of Washington, D.C. But, Foster's hometown was Alburquerque, NM.

With a record of 9-0, with 5KOs, he fights heavyweight contender Doug Jones of New York City. Jones had a respectable record of 19-3-1 with 11KOs. A tough and rough determined slugger, Jones already competed for the vacant World Light-Heavyweight Championship against Harold Johnson, losing to Johnson on points months earlier.

Foster was a substitute for contender Zora Folley who withdrew because of a virus.

The crowd at MSG got their money's worth in this fight. Foster, a lanky 6'3" of a man, was only weighing 174lbs, while Jones was weighing 182lbs.

Jones dropped Foster in the first round. After that, Foster won the second and third rounds, but after round 4, it was all Jones. Jones made it physical as a street fight. He was bigger and stronger than Foster. His upper body strength was putting a toll on Bobby.

In round 7th, Foster staggered by a big right hand from Jones. Foster looked finished in his corner. The fighting doctor and commissioner went over Foster's corner to see if he can continue. They gave Foster one more round.

The 8th round started and another wicked right by Jones staggered Foster. The referee saw it and stopped the fight. Righteously so. Why hurt a career of a future great fighter?

Foster suffers his first ever defeat of his career. But, it was against a heavyweight. Well, 7 of his 8 losses that he had were against heavyweight boxers.

Jones went up for bigger things. His career was again on track. He later beat Zora Folley and had a split decision loss against the man that turned boxing history upside down: Cassius Clay, known later as Muhammad Ali.

[elmersalsa]

Foster was a great 175 champion. He didn't have the whiskers to be an offensive fighter at Heavyweight. Maybe if he'd have been a natural mover he would have had more success.

Not many rank above him in his natural weight class.

You hit on the spot again, Ezzard. Your thoughts and comments are well missed in this forum. Welcome back my friend.

[elmersalsa]

It is evident and proven again one more time that in Bob Foster's next 2 fights the following:

1. When it came to light-heavyweight competition, Foster just destroyed them.

In a light-heavyweight match against contender Allen Thomas of Chicago, IL, Foster made a quick work in dispatching Thomas in one round. The punch that produced the damage was a perfect left hook to Thomas's jaw. Thomas was floored 3 times losing by TKO. Thomas had a respectable record of 20-3-2 with 12KOs. Foster improves to 14-2, with 10KOs.

2. In a heavyweight boxing match, Foster fought heavyweight contender Ernie Terrell of Chicago, IL. Foster was a warrior. He fought any heavyweight that came his way. But, like always, he lost to Terrell by a 7th round knockout.

Terrell, improves to 35-4, with 17KOs. Two fights later, Terrell became the WBA World Heavyweight Champion when he defeated Eddie Machen of San Francisco, CA on points in 1965. The title was vacant by Muhammad Ali.

Terrell weighed in 182lbs and Foster 173lbs. Terrell used his physical and upper body strength on the smaller Foster, wearing Foster down with his body every time they clinched. A combination dropped Foster in the 7th and it was over. Terrell won by knockout.

That was the analysis of Foster's career always. But, when he fought the heavyweight fighters, he gave them his all. He was always determined, but always losing to guys bigger and stronger.

Foster falls to 15-3, with 11KOs

[elmersalsa]

Terrell weighed in 202lbs. Foster weighed in at 183.

[oogiebe]

Top 100 overrated fights by Elmer!

[elmersalsa]

Okay, folks we will go back to Friday, May 24th, 1968 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, when Bob Foster had finally the opportunity for fighting for a world crown.

Foster, at 29, with a record of 29-4, with 23KOs, was challenging all-time great pound per pound champion Dick Tiger of Biafra, now Nigeria. Tiger, at 37, had a record of 57-17-3 with 27 knockouts.

Foster had only one defeat in 16 contests since July 1964 when he lost by knockout to former WBA World Heavyweight Champion Ernie Terrell of Chicago, IL.

Since then, the other only loss was to another heavyweight contender named Zora Folley of Arizona by decision in December of 1965.

Besides that, Foster had anhiliated every top light-heavyweight contender that came his way to become the number one challenger of Tiger's light-heavyweight crown. He beat dangerous Henry Hank twice. He stopped Andres Selpa of Argentina in two, Eddie Cotton in 3, Don Quinn in one and Bobby Rascon in two.

This was Tiger's third world crown in 2 weights. He was formerly twice the World Middleweight Champion. Still strong at 37, he had proven hall of fame credentials by beating the best fighters of his time. He beat the likes of like the great Gene Fullmer, in which he took away the middleweight crown, split with slick Joey Giardello in 4 fights, Jose "Chegui" Torres twice, in which he also took the light-heavyweight crown from, Terry Downes (WTKO5), Pat McAteer (WTKO9 in the rematch), Randy Sandy (W10) in the second fight, Ellsworth "Spider" Webb by knockout in 6 in a rematch, Florentino Fernandez of Cuba by knockout in 5, and decision wins over Henry Hank, Don Fullmer and Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in 10 rounds each. He had lost his middleweight crown to the one and only Emile Griffith on points in 15. Whew! What a resume!

Even with that resume, Tiger was not the favorite to win. But he was the crowd's sentimental favorite. He was giving Foster advantage in weight (173 to 171 pounds), reach (79" to 71"), age (29 to 37) and tremendous height advantage (6'3" to 5'7").

But, like a great champion, Tiger started throwing the fireworks, connecting solidly on Foster's face. But, Foster didn't rattled. He kept his composure and cool with using that long left jab of his, keeping Tiger at bay.

Tiger won the first two rounds in my view. But, on the 3rd round, it began the tide for Foster. He used the long left jab a d was connecting with right uppers and crosses more often. He was measuring Tiger with the long left jab.

In round 4, Foster kept banging Tiger's face with the jab. It had the champion confused. In many occasions, the champion had to try to get in Foster's guard, but Foster's left jags and clinches would not let him in. In an exchange of blows, Foster timed the champ with a right, left hook and another right cross. Timber! Tiger went down, and down he stayed. The referee counted 'till ten. It was over!

Foster jumped up and down with exhilarated joy. He beat one of the greatest boxers, pound per pound of all-time. It was his greatest boxing career achievement. The greatest win of his illustrious career. After years of top fighters ducking him to get a ranking and fighting heavyweights that were way bigger than he, Foster finally reached the pinnacle. It was over in 4 rounds.

The New Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World!: Bob Foster!

[elmersalsa]

It was the only fight that the great Dick Tiger of Nigeria lost by knockout. There's another loss recorded on his record back in 1953 as a technical knockout loss, but it was because Tiger suffered an injury in his thumb and couldn't continue.

But, Bob Foster was THE ONLY ONE that really knocked out Tiger cold in 68 fights.

[elmersalsa]

After taking the title from the great Dick Tiger of Nigeria, Bob Foster fought 3 more non-title fights to close the year 1968 in style. Foster stopped Charlie Polite in 3 rounds. Eddie Vick in 9 and Roger Rouse in 9.

Starting the year 1969, on a Wednesday night of January 22nd at the famous Madison Square Garden of New York City, Foster defends his light-heavyweight crown for the first time against tough and rugged hard-hitting contender Frank De Paula of Jersey City, NJ.

DePaula with a record of 19-6, 14KOs, was also believed to have illegal mob ties connections, a la great Sonny Liston.

Before facing Foster, De Paula had a non-title war affair losing to Tiger by decision in 10 rounds. It was The Ring Magazine Fight of the Year of 1968.

Also, before losing to Tiger, De Paula had a 5 fight win streak, all by knockout!

The bell rings for round one and both men started out feeling each other like its customary. At one exchange, De Paula seemed to hit Foster's guard around the midsection and Foster went down off balanced. The referee, Johnny LoBianco of New York counted as a knockdown. De Paula kept charging at Foster. It was a BIG MISTAKE. Foster was not hurt from the knockdown. Next thing happened that Foster gave a wicked left hook shot to DePaula's jaw and the challenger started stumbling and holding on the champion. A left uppercut to DePaula's jaw and he goes down. DePaula gets up and went down again from a right hand by Foster. In the next exchange, De Paula goes down for the third time in the round by another wicked right by Foster. The Lo Bianco stopped the action by the basis of the three-knockdown rule. However, De Paula did not seemed hurt.

The winner by technical knockout in the first round and still the Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World!: Bob Foster!

Foster improves his record to 34-4, with 27 knockouts!

It was also Foster's 13th straight win since December 1966, winning 12 of them by knockout. And it was his sixth straight KO win since December 1967.

[elmersalsa]

With a record of 26-4-5 with only 12 wins by knockout, Andy Kendall, 30, of Oregon, is the next challenger for Bob Foster's World Light-Heavyweight Championship.

It was May 24th, 1969, exactly a complete year when Foster took the crown from the great Dick Tiger in New York City. It was Foster's second title defense.

The title fight was at the Eastern States Coliseum in West Springfield, MA.

Kendall was taking big shots from the champion Foster. He was tough and rugged, but it seemed like it was just a matter of time before the champion dismantles him.

Foster looked superior all the way for Kendall, which only hope was to rush on Foster and to fight him inside all the way without Foster taking the leverage he needed it.

Foster won easily the first two rounds by using the 10" reach distance with his long left jab and uppercuts.

But, in round 3, Kendall applied pressure. Lots of pressure like he should, scoring with some wicked shots to the jaw and body of Foster by not giving him punching room. At the end of the round, Kendall staggered Foster, shaking him a little bit.

Round 4, Kendall kept pressing until he met Dead on his jaw a terrific left hook from the champion. It became the beginning of the end. Kendall reeled to the ropes and the champion started throwing his wicked shots. At one time, he threw eight straight uppercuts to Kendall's ribs. A thing of beauty. One of the sport's greatest finishers, Foster kept punching and punching until Kendall went down. Another barrage of wicked shots and the referee had to stop the fight. And he should. Kendall was getting seriously hurt.

The winner by technical knockout in the 4th round and still the World Light-Heavyweight Champion: Bob Foster!

[elmersalsa]

Bob Foster improves to 35-4 with 28KOs. It was also his 14th straight win since December 1966, thirteen of them by knockout and his seventh straight win by knockout.

[elmersalsa]

The great Bob Foster kept piling up wins, all by knockout in his next 6 fights.

He demolished Levon Roundtree again in 4 rounds by technical knockout. Chuck Leslie wanted a rematch, and Foster stopped him in 5. Bill Hardney and Roy Wallace suffered the same fate by technical knockout in 4 and 6 rounds, respectively. Contender Roger Rouse didn't do much in the rematch and Foster dismissed him in 3. All of them, non-title fights.

In his third title defense, Foster dispatched challenger Marc Tressman by a ten round knockout. Every thing was done in the years of 1969 and 1970.

With no serious challenge at 175lbs, Foster challenged the great Joe Frazier for the World Heavyweight Championship.

What does The Sheriff has to lose? He is looking for a big payday that he can't get in his own weight class. It looked like there is no competition for him at light-heavyweight at this point. He is destroying them......Bad!