Most gifted fighter of all time
Most gifted fighter of all time
This is world wide
mine
1 Sugar Ray Leonard
2 Duran
3 Tyson
what are yours, dont forget Stujones and beenie, i have hardly seen Monzon and Ray Robinson but i am sure they are up there
mine
1 Sugar Ray Leonard
2 Duran
3 Tyson
what are yours, dont forget Stujones and beenie, i have hardly seen Monzon and Ray Robinson but i am sure they are up there
1. Sugar Ray Robinson - licked more Hall of Famers than any fighter in history (Gavilan and Henry Armstrong for two quick examples) and beat 175 opponents in all, 109 of them by knockout. Unbeatable in his prime, he was only beatable when he reached his mid-30s and moved up to middleweight. Proved brilliant in rematches. Held the world middleweight title five times and also trounced Jake LaMotta, the first man to beat him, five times in return.
That setback to the heavier LaMotta, proved his only loss in his first 131 fights.
2. Henry Armstrong - amazing athlete with unending stamina and the ability to throw punches in frightening bunches upstairs and down. Think of Aaron Pryor, and you get just a semblance of the workrate of 'Hammering Hank'. Held world featherweight, lightweight and welterweight titles simultaneously, and drew in a crack at the middleweight crown during that same heady period.
Made 19 defences of his world welterweight title in two years.
3. Joe Louis - the greatest heavyweight of all-time. Holds the record for the most world title defences (25) and for the longest unbroken reign as world champion (11-and-half-years). A lethal puncher, he knocked out 22 of his 25 challengers and stopped Eddie Simms in just 18 seconds in a non-title fight in 1936. A left hook dumped Simms on his back and when he clambered up and was asked if he could continue, replied: "Sure. Let's take a walk. Anywhere. Up on the roof."
Louis only enhanced that mind-altering power by throwing his punches in brilliant combinations and off a jab that rivalled anything later delivered by Ali or Larry Holmes.
Lost only to Max Schmeling in his prime. We all know what happened in the rematch.
4. Muhammad Ali - the greatest showman the boxing world has ever seen, but there was also steel behind the smile. He ducked no-one, and dominated his division in the greatest era for heavyweight boxing. Victims included Frazier, Foreman, Liston and Norton. With his incredible speed, reflexes, intelligence and personality, he revolutionized the sport.
5. Willie Pep - the purest boxer of all-time and the best defensive fighter boxing has seen. Possesses an astonishing 229-11-1 record, and once won a round without throwing a single punch against an opponent, Jackie Graves, ranked in the world top ten featherweights. Bert Randolph Sugar said of the audacious feat: "Pep tipped off a few friendly sportswriters that he would not throw a punch in anger in the third round. Pep moved, Pep switched to southpaw, Pep danced, Pep weaved, Pep spun Graves around, Pep gave head feints, shoulder feints, foot feints and feint feints. But Pep never landed a punch."
He looked like he was dominating by his sheer artistry.
Pep went on to floor Graves NINE times en route to an eighth round stoppage, but it wasn't the victory the ringside press were excited about, it was the scorecards of the judges. When the cards were presented, there it was in black and white. Willie Pep had won the third round, the punchless round, on all three cards.
6. Archie Moore - Already an old man when he got a crack at the world light-heavyweight title in 1952 (he was 39), Archie won and held on to the title for an astonishing 10 years. Dumped Rocky Marciano on the canvas in a crack at the heavyweight title and scored more knockouts than any man in history (145).
Not bad for a man regarded as a crafty boxer.
7. Benny Leonard - The ghetto wizard was a superb boxer with a brilliant fighting brain - and could bang a bit too. Held the lightweight title for six years, and in 212 bouts, beat the greatest left-hooker the world had ever seen in Charley White, as well as the original Rocky, Rocky Kansas. Died where he would have wanted to...in a boxing ring.
8. Roy Jones Junior - His dad lost to Marvin Hagler, but Roy now keeps Hagler out of the top ten thanks to his total dominance of the modern scene. Dazzling boxer-puncher, he has won world titles at middle, super-middle, light-heavy and, incredibly, at heavyweight. Word on the grapevine is that Mike Tyson looms in his sights.
9. Jimmy Wilde - flyweight with a lightweight punch, they called him the ghost with a hammer in his hand. The greatest flyweight ever, he may also have been the greatest pound for pound puncher of all-time. And you thought Tyson punched hard!
10. Sugar Ray Leonard - Struck Olympic Gold with two bad hands and showed similar grit in wars with with Geraldo, Duran, Hearns and Benitez. A natural from the moment he stepped into a boxing ring, Leonard's grit, power and finishing only added to his God-given boxing skills. And his comeback win over Marvin Hagler in 1987 still defies belief.
That setback to the heavier LaMotta, proved his only loss in his first 131 fights.
2. Henry Armstrong - amazing athlete with unending stamina and the ability to throw punches in frightening bunches upstairs and down. Think of Aaron Pryor, and you get just a semblance of the workrate of 'Hammering Hank'. Held world featherweight, lightweight and welterweight titles simultaneously, and drew in a crack at the middleweight crown during that same heady period.
Made 19 defences of his world welterweight title in two years.
3. Joe Louis - the greatest heavyweight of all-time. Holds the record for the most world title defences (25) and for the longest unbroken reign as world champion (11-and-half-years). A lethal puncher, he knocked out 22 of his 25 challengers and stopped Eddie Simms in just 18 seconds in a non-title fight in 1936. A left hook dumped Simms on his back and when he clambered up and was asked if he could continue, replied: "Sure. Let's take a walk. Anywhere. Up on the roof."
Louis only enhanced that mind-altering power by throwing his punches in brilliant combinations and off a jab that rivalled anything later delivered by Ali or Larry Holmes.
Lost only to Max Schmeling in his prime. We all know what happened in the rematch.
4. Muhammad Ali - the greatest showman the boxing world has ever seen, but there was also steel behind the smile. He ducked no-one, and dominated his division in the greatest era for heavyweight boxing. Victims included Frazier, Foreman, Liston and Norton. With his incredible speed, reflexes, intelligence and personality, he revolutionized the sport.
5. Willie Pep - the purest boxer of all-time and the best defensive fighter boxing has seen. Possesses an astonishing 229-11-1 record, and once won a round without throwing a single punch against an opponent, Jackie Graves, ranked in the world top ten featherweights. Bert Randolph Sugar said of the audacious feat: "Pep tipped off a few friendly sportswriters that he would not throw a punch in anger in the third round. Pep moved, Pep switched to southpaw, Pep danced, Pep weaved, Pep spun Graves around, Pep gave head feints, shoulder feints, foot feints and feint feints. But Pep never landed a punch."
He looked like he was dominating by his sheer artistry.
Pep went on to floor Graves NINE times en route to an eighth round stoppage, but it wasn't the victory the ringside press were excited about, it was the scorecards of the judges. When the cards were presented, there it was in black and white. Willie Pep had won the third round, the punchless round, on all three cards.
6. Archie Moore - Already an old man when he got a crack at the world light-heavyweight title in 1952 (he was 39), Archie won and held on to the title for an astonishing 10 years. Dumped Rocky Marciano on the canvas in a crack at the heavyweight title and scored more knockouts than any man in history (145).
Not bad for a man regarded as a crafty boxer.
7. Benny Leonard - The ghetto wizard was a superb boxer with a brilliant fighting brain - and could bang a bit too. Held the lightweight title for six years, and in 212 bouts, beat the greatest left-hooker the world had ever seen in Charley White, as well as the original Rocky, Rocky Kansas. Died where he would have wanted to...in a boxing ring.
8. Roy Jones Junior - His dad lost to Marvin Hagler, but Roy now keeps Hagler out of the top ten thanks to his total dominance of the modern scene. Dazzling boxer-puncher, he has won world titles at middle, super-middle, light-heavy and, incredibly, at heavyweight. Word on the grapevine is that Mike Tyson looms in his sights.
9. Jimmy Wilde - flyweight with a lightweight punch, they called him the ghost with a hammer in his hand. The greatest flyweight ever, he may also have been the greatest pound for pound puncher of all-time. And you thought Tyson punched hard!
10. Sugar Ray Leonard - Struck Olympic Gold with two bad hands and showed similar grit in wars with with Geraldo, Duran, Hearns and Benitez. A natural from the moment he stepped into a boxing ring, Leonard's grit, power and finishing only added to his God-given boxing skills. And his comeback win over Marvin Hagler in 1987 still defies belief.
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hitman_hatton1
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 6150
- Joined: 26 Nov 2003, 20:57
Tyson is probably my favourite ever fighter, but a heavyweight who's 5'9 1/2 is probably not the nmost natrually gifted fighter ever.The_Power wrote:Sugar Ray Robinson is as close to perfection as a fighter i have ever seen.
Mike tyson was also extremely naturally gifted.
I agree with Ray Robinson though
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knockout artist
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1482
- Joined: 03 Sep 2003, 13:18
IMO the top 20 with the most God given talent are:
1. Charley Burley
2. Ray Robinson
3. Henry Armstrong
4. Ricardo Lopez
5. Harry Greb
6. Willie Pep
7. Tony Ayala jr
8. Joe Gans
9. Roberto Duran
10. Kid Gavilan
11. Jimmy Wilde
12. Harold Johnson
13. Ezzard Charles
14. Ray Leonard
15. Tony Janeiro
16. Joe Louis
17. Roy Jones
18. Muhammad Ali
19. Benny Leonard
20. Eder Jofre
1. Charley Burley
2. Ray Robinson
3. Henry Armstrong
4. Ricardo Lopez
5. Harry Greb
6. Willie Pep
7. Tony Ayala jr
8. Joe Gans
9. Roberto Duran
10. Kid Gavilan
11. Jimmy Wilde
12. Harold Johnson
13. Ezzard Charles
14. Ray Leonard
15. Tony Janeiro
16. Joe Louis
17. Roy Jones
18. Muhammad Ali
19. Benny Leonard
20. Eder Jofre
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 13284
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
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Hardhitters11
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 942
- Joined: 02 Sep 2003, 13:20
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DIRT SUGAR
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1200
- Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 11:48
Find things like this a waste of time but I'll put in no particular order a number of fighters who have captured my attention throughout the years:
1) Ali - just had to put him in. Transcended boxing and fought in the best-ever era the heavyweight decision has seen and more than often was victorious. Great speed, jab, good power, tough as hell, a true warrior and great character.
2) Leonard - just so fast and had a bit of everything
3) Thomas Hearns – so powerful, great technique, punched like a mule.
4) Roy Jones - amazing athlete, recent Ruiz v Rahman fight showed how good he is. Yes they're not great fighters but so much bigger than Roy, yet he bossed Ruiz, who then came back and bossed Rahman.
5) Marvin Hagler - the hardest fighter I've seen. Not seen one fight where you can say 'he's really hurt'. Great southpaw.
6) Azumah Nelson - so talented, great puncher, came out of nowhere to give Salvador Sanchez a real scare in the great Mexican's last fight, then was a prominent factor in the 9st and 9st4lb divisions for what seemed like forever.
7) Roberto Duran - amazing natural fighting instincts and another guy who fought the best for years. Performance against Iran Barkley was amazing for a 36-year-old fighting best part of two stone above his best fighting weight.
8) Up until the Spinks fight he was amazing. Haven't had a prospect who has knocked out guys the way Tyson did since.
9) Julio Cesar Chavez. Relentless punching machine, so comfortable in the ring. Ruthless at superfeatherweight and lightweight, gave one of the great come-from-behind performances to stop Meldrick Taylor.
10) James Toney - can't stand him personally but he is an amazing boxer who uses skills you don't see that often nowadays.
11) Donald Curry - shame his career went downhill so quickly but at his peak he had bags of natural ability. Precision puncher, his two-round blowout of Milton McCrory is one of the most complete performances I've ever seen. His accuracy was amazing.
1) Ali - just had to put him in. Transcended boxing and fought in the best-ever era the heavyweight decision has seen and more than often was victorious. Great speed, jab, good power, tough as hell, a true warrior and great character.
2) Leonard - just so fast and had a bit of everything
3) Thomas Hearns – so powerful, great technique, punched like a mule.
4) Roy Jones - amazing athlete, recent Ruiz v Rahman fight showed how good he is. Yes they're not great fighters but so much bigger than Roy, yet he bossed Ruiz, who then came back and bossed Rahman.
5) Marvin Hagler - the hardest fighter I've seen. Not seen one fight where you can say 'he's really hurt'. Great southpaw.
6) Azumah Nelson - so talented, great puncher, came out of nowhere to give Salvador Sanchez a real scare in the great Mexican's last fight, then was a prominent factor in the 9st and 9st4lb divisions for what seemed like forever.
7) Roberto Duran - amazing natural fighting instincts and another guy who fought the best for years. Performance against Iran Barkley was amazing for a 36-year-old fighting best part of two stone above his best fighting weight.
8) Up until the Spinks fight he was amazing. Haven't had a prospect who has knocked out guys the way Tyson did since.
9) Julio Cesar Chavez. Relentless punching machine, so comfortable in the ring. Ruthless at superfeatherweight and lightweight, gave one of the great come-from-behind performances to stop Meldrick Taylor.
10) James Toney - can't stand him personally but he is an amazing boxer who uses skills you don't see that often nowadays.
11) Donald Curry - shame his career went downhill so quickly but at his peak he had bags of natural ability. Precision puncher, his two-round blowout of Milton McCrory is one of the most complete performances I've ever seen. His accuracy was amazing.
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Southpaw Stylist
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1484
- Joined: 19 Jul 2003, 04:50
Good list.knockout artist wrote:IMO the top 20 with the most God given talent are:
1. Charley Burley
2. Ray Robinson
3. Henry Armstrong
4. Ricardo Lopez
5. Harry Greb
6. Willie Pep
7. Tony Ayala jr
8. Joe Gans
9. Roberto Duran
10. Kid Gavilan
11. Jimmy Wilde
12. Harold Johnson
13. Ezzard Charles
14. Ray Leonard
15. Tony Janeiro
16. Joe Louis
17. Roy Jones
18. Muhammad Ali
19. Benny Leonard
20. Eder Jofre
Most of these list's so far are just plain STUPID!
I'm only picking guys that I've seen alot of rather than picking guys from over 50 years ago based on their reputations and grainy b+w film.
I've put alot of thought into this and I hope alot of people agree with my top 5
1) MIKE TYSON - Just because of those years from 1986 to 1990
2) BABY JOE MESI - Laugh as you may, you'll understand how spot on I was 5 years from now
3) Muhamad Ali - Fought and beat Great Heavyweights at their Peaks
4) Sugar Ray Leonard - Beautiful to watch and the most skilled technician I've seen in the modern era
5) Roberto Duran - The ultimate Warrior!
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2004 WILL BE THE YEAR OF MIKE TYSON
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Parodies/Mike_Tyson.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Britsh World Heavyweight Champion
http://www.audleyharrison.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Great Heavyweight Champion of the world
http://www.babyjoemesi.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELP SAVE AMERICA FROM G.W.BUSH AND THE ZIONIST'S
VOTE GOV. HOWARD DEAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004
http://www.deanforamerica.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm only picking guys that I've seen alot of rather than picking guys from over 50 years ago based on their reputations and grainy b+w film.
I've put alot of thought into this and I hope alot of people agree with my top 5
1) MIKE TYSON - Just because of those years from 1986 to 1990
2) BABY JOE MESI - Laugh as you may, you'll understand how spot on I was 5 years from now
3) Muhamad Ali - Fought and beat Great Heavyweights at their Peaks
4) Sugar Ray Leonard - Beautiful to watch and the most skilled technician I've seen in the modern era
5) Roberto Duran - The ultimate Warrior!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR OF MIKE TYSON
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Parodies/Mike_Tyson.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Britsh World Heavyweight Champion
http://www.audleyharrison.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Great Heavyweight Champion of the world
http://www.babyjoemesi.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELP SAVE AMERICA FROM G.W.BUSH AND THE ZIONIST'S
VOTE GOV. HOWARD DEAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004
http://www.deanforamerica.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last edited by nasty on 24 Dec 2003, 11:36, edited 1 time in total.
nasty wrote:Most of these list's so far are just plain STUPID!
I'm only picking guys that I've seen alot of rather than picking guys from over 50 years ago based on their reputations and grainy b+w film.
I've put alot of thought into this and I hope alot of people agree with my top 5
1) MIKE TYSON - Just because of those years from 1986 to 1990
2) BABY JOE MESI - Laugh as you may, you'll understand how spot on I was 5 years from now
3) Muhamad Ali - Fought and beat Great Heavyweights at their Peaks
4) Sugar Ray Leonard - Beautiful to watch and the most skilled technician I've seen in the modern era
5) Roberto Duran - The ultimate Warrior!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR OF MIKE TYSON
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Parodies/Mike_Tyson.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Britsh World Heavyweight Champion
http://www.audleyharrison.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Great Heavyweight Champion of the world
http://www.babyjoemesi.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELP SAVE AMERICA FROM G.W.BUSH AND THE ZIONIST'S
VOTE GOV. HOWARD DEAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004
http://www.deanforamerica.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasty, you're beautiful...
Thanks Bennie
Is anyone as bored with Christmas as me?
I wish Boxing day really was BOXING DAY!
Anyway
Have a happy Holiday to everyone out there!
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR MIKE GERALD TYSON STORMS THROUGH THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION AND CAPTURES THE HEAVYWEIGHT CROWN AGAIN!
Eaither Get on the TYSON bus or get Left Behind!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR OF MIKE TYSON
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Parodies/Mike_Tyson.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Britsh World Heavyweight Champion
http://www.audleyharrison.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Great Heavyweight Champion of the world
http://www.babyjoemesi.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELP SAVE AMERICA FROM G.W.BUSH AND THE ZIONIST'S
VOTE GOV. HOWARD DEAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004
http://www.deanforamerica.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is anyone as bored with Christmas as me?
I wish Boxing day really was BOXING DAY!
Anyway
Have a happy Holiday to everyone out there!
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR MIKE GERALD TYSON STORMS THROUGH THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION AND CAPTURES THE HEAVYWEIGHT CROWN AGAIN!
Eaither Get on the TYSON bus or get Left Behind!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 WILL BE THE YEAR OF MIKE TYSON
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Parodies/Mike_Tyson.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Britsh World Heavyweight Champion
http://www.audleyharrison.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Next Great Heavyweight Champion of the world
http://www.babyjoemesi.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HELP SAVE AMERICA FROM G.W.BUSH AND THE ZIONIST'S
VOTE GOV. HOWARD DEAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004
http://www.deanforamerica.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not in terms of physic i agree.Hut*Hut wrote:Tyson is probably my favourite ever fighter, but a heavyweight who's 5'9 1/2 is probably not the nmost natrually gifted fighter ever.The_Power wrote:Sugar Ray Robinson is as close to perfection as a fighter i have ever seen.
Mike tyson was also extremely naturally gifted.
But i have never seen a heavyweight who combined speed and power so well, even Dempsy.
Added an amazing ability to dodge punchs, with sublime head movement, and natural power, i would conclude that he was given a good set of talents.
Its a shame he wasted them.
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Southpaw Stylist
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1484
- Joined: 19 Jul 2003, 04:50
I'm disgusted that Pernell Whitaker's name isn't mentioned among these all time lists. He was the BEST lightweight eve IMO. He would've beaten Duran too. When you look at his style, that's what true boxing is all about. A small guy beating all of the big guys with pure skill and talent. Hitting and not being hit. He personified this. Forget that he ended up taking a walk down Charlie Lane, just remember what he did in the ring. He didn't dodge anyone either. In fact, I believe he only REALLY lost 1 fight in his whole career and that was against Tito Trinidad when he was coked up and well past his prime.
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hitman_hatton1
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 6150
- Joined: 26 Nov 2003, 20:57
here here as they say in the house of commonsSouthpaw Stylist wrote:I'm disgusted that Pernell Whitaker's name isn't mentioned among these all time lists. He was the BEST lightweight eve IMO. He would've beaten Duran too. When you look at his style, that's what true boxing is all about. A small guy beating all of the big guys with pure skill and talent. Hitting and not being hit. He personified this. Forget that he ended up taking a walk down Charlie Lane, just remember what he did in the ring. He didn't dodge anyone either. In fact, I believe he only REALLY lost 1 fight in his whole career and that was against Tito Trinidad when he was coked up and well past his prime.