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

[gilgamesh]

I feel like I could do some "Who ranks higher" threads among some of those names almost to argue with myself a lot of them aren't separated by much, and of course you could argue endlessly that Fighter X belongs over Fighter Z and all that. Which is what we're doing

[oogiebe]

1. Sugar Ray Robinson
2. Sam Langford
3. Harry Greb
4. Ezzard Charles
5. Henry Armstrong
6. Willie Pep
7. Roberto Duran
8. Muhammad Ali
9. Archie Moore
10. Sugar Ray Leonard
11. Joe Louis
12. Benny Leonard
13. Gene Tunney
14. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
15. Mickey Walker
16. Barney Ross
17. Joe Gans
18. Charley Burley
19. Marvin Hagler
20. Manny Pacquiao
21. Sandy Saddler
22. Ike Williams
23. Thomas Hearns
24. Carlos Monzon
25. Tony Canzoneri
26. Bob Fitzsimmons
27. Evander Holyfield
28. Pernell Whitaker
29. Bernard Hopkins
30. Larry Holmes
31. Michael Spinks
32. George Foreman
33. Bob Foster
34. Stanley Ketchel
35. Harold Johnson
36. Alexis Arguello
37. Roy Jones Jr.
38. Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez
39. Jimmy Wilde
40. Julio Cesar Chavez
41. Emile Griffith
42. Lennox Lewis
43. Billy Conn
44. Eder Jofre
45. Mike McCallum
46. Ruben Olivares
47. Kid Gavilan
48. Wilfred Benitez
49. Juan Manuel Marquez
50. Aaron Pryor
51. Carlos Ortiz
52. Jack Johnson
53. Jack Dempsey
54. Jake Lamotta
55. Rocky Marciano
56. Wilfredo Gomez
57. Johnny Dundee
58. Flash Elorde
59. Johnny Kilbane
60. Panama Al Brown
61. Marco Antonio Barrera
62. Abe Attell
63. Erik Morales
64. Ricardo Lopez
65. Lou Ambers
66. Khaosai Galaxy
67. Sammy Angott
68. Miguel Canto
69. Joe Calzaghe
70. Shane Mosley
71. Andre Ward
72. Wladimir Klitschko
73. Felix Trinidad
74. James Toney
75. Oscar De La Hoya
76. Kostya Tszyu
77. Nino Benvenuti
78. Sonny Liston
79. Mike Tyson
80. Julian Jackson


There's a few guys who are active now who will definitely be crashing this party when they retire. Canelo Alvarez, Oleksandr Usyk, Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez, probably Tyson Fury and Naoya Inoue as well. Jury's still out on some others.

Vasyl Lomachenko I'd think would need another major career surge to be in the conversation, and I don't see it happening. I feel like Terence Crawford has done let the window close on him proving himself worthy of Top 100 all time.

Those are the guys from now that could potentially wind up amongst the all time greatest like that.

A guy like Young Stribling probably belongs here as well. A lot of these guys are hard to know where to rank.

One post and good thoughts and we're done!

[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
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry


And at #71, we have the great Packey McFarland!

[elmersalsa]

#71. Packey McFarland:
Record: 70-0-5, 38NC, 50KOs
KO Pct is 71%
Career: 1904-1915
World Titles Held: None.
Highlights: Top Lightweight and Welterweight contender of the 1900s decade. Undefeated throughout his boxing career of 113 total bouts. Won 38 fights in a row from October 1904 to October 1907. (Record: 38-0, 28KOs). Won 10 straight by knockout from March 1905 to February 1906. Did a better feat winning 12 in a row by KO from June 1906 to March 1907. Beat 1 out of 4 hall of fame boxers he faced. (Record vs hall of Famers is 1-0-3, 4NC, 0KOs). Beat 1 out of 3 world champions (Record vs world champions is 1-0-4, 3NDs, with 0KOs).

Historical Impact: Complete, clever, slick and hard-hitting boxer that was one of the best fighters of his era, even though he never received a title shot. Respected and admired by most of his boxing contemporaries in which he fought from Lightweight to Welterweight.

[elmersalsa]

#71. Packey McFarland:
Record: 70-0-5, 38NC, 50KOs
KO Pct is 71%
Career: 1904-1915
World Titles Held: None.
Highlights: Top Lightweight and Welterweight contender of the 1900s decade. Undefeated throughout his boxing career of 113 total bouts. Won 38 fights in a row from October 1904 to October 1907. (Record: 38-0, 28KOs). Won 10 straight by knockout from March 1905 to February 1906. Did a better feat winning 12 in a row by KO from June 1906 to March 1907. Beat 1 out of 4 hall of fame boxers he faced. (Record vs hall of Famers is 1-0-3, 4NC, 0KOs). Beat 1 out of 3 world champions (Record vs world champions is 1-0-4, 3NDs, with 0KOs).

Historical Impact: Complete, clever, slick and hard-hitting boxer that was one of the best fighters of his era, even though he never received a title shot. Respected and admired by most of his boxing contemporaries in which he fought from Lightweight to Welterweight.

Defining Fight: W10 Freddie Welsh....February 21, 1908...." Became top contender by beating one of the all-time great lightweights"

Other Defining Fights: WTKO6 Jimmy Britt, W15 Kid Goodman, D25 Freddie Welsh (II), D8 Jack Britton, W20 Harlem Tommy Murphy (II) and D20 Ray Bronson

Any thoughts about Packey McFarland?

[gilgamesh]

I do got some thoughts on both Packey and Jimmy Barry. You're ranking guys too highly based on unbeaten records when they really don't have any especially big marquee wins on those records.

All the No Decisions also seem awful convenient for a guy like this. Like it was an easy way for Promoters to look out for a popular local attraction back then.

[Ambling Alp II]

Beating Freddie Welsh is a huge win. Not sure why it wouldn't count as a "Marquee" win.

No-Decisions were the law at various times in some states if the fight went the decision.

[Ezzard]

#71. Packey McFarland:
Record: 70-0-5, 38NC, 50KOs
KO Pct is 71%
Career: 1904-1915
World Titles Held: None.
Highlights: Top Lightweight and Welterweight contender of the 1900s decade. Undefeated throughout his boxing career of 113 total bouts. Won 38 fights in a row from October 1904 to October 1907. (Record: 38-0, 28KOs). Won 10 straight by knockout from March 1905 to February 1906. Did a better feat winning 12 in a row by KO from June 1906 to March 1907. Beat 1 out of 4 hall of fame boxers he faced. (Record vs hall of Famers is 1-0-3, 4NC, 0KOs). Beat 1 out of 3 world champions (Record vs world champions is 1-0-4, 3NDs, with 0KOs).

Historical Impact: Complete, clever, slick and hard-hitting boxer that was one of the best fighters of his era, even though he never received a title shot. Respected and admired by most of his boxing contemporaries in which he fought from Lightweight to Welterweight.

Defining Fight: W10 Freddie Welsh....February 21, 1908...." Became top contender by beating one of the all-time great lightweights"

Other Defining Fights: WTKO6 Jimmy Britt, W15 Kid Goodman, D25 Freddie Welsh (II), D8 Jack Britton, W20 Harlem Tommy Murphy (II) and D20 Ray Bronson

Any thoughts about Packey McFarland?

Elmer, I think you should be adding the wins over Owen Moran and Mike Gibbons too. These are truly great wins.

[elmersalsa]

#71. Packey McFarland:
Record: 70-0-5, 38NC, 50KOs
KO Pct is 71%
Career: 1904-1915
World Titles Held: None.
Highlights: Top Lightweight and Welterweight contender of the 1900s decade. Undefeated throughout his boxing career of 113 total bouts. Won 38 fights in a row from October 1904 to October 1907. (Record: 38-0, 28KOs). Won 10 straight by knockout from March 1905 to February 1906. Did a better feat winning 12 in a row by KO from June 1906 to March 1907. Beat 1 out of 4 hall of fame boxers he faced. (Record vs hall of Famers is 1-0-3, 4NC, 0KOs). Beat 1 out of 3 world champions (Record vs world champions is 1-0-4, 3NDs, with 0KOs).

Historical Impact: Complete, clever, slick and hard-hitting boxer that was one of the best fighters of his era, even though he never received a title shot. Respected and admired by most of his boxing contemporaries in which he fought from Lightweight to Welterweight.

Defining Fight: W10 Freddie Welsh....February 21, 1908...." Became top contender by beating one of the all-time great lightweights"

Other Defining Fights: WTKO6 Jimmy Britt, W15 Kid Goodman, D25 Freddie Welsh (II), D8 Jack Britton, W20 Harlem Tommy Murphy (II) and D20 Ray Bronson

Any thoughts about Packey McFarland?

Elmer, I think you should be adding the wins over Owen Moran and Mike Gibbons too. These are truly great wins.

I respect your opinion, Ezzard, but they were Non-Decision affairs.

[Ezzard]

You don't count the Newspaper decisions? Fair enough. Even so, they shared a ring. Worth a mention even if you don't put too much credence in them..

[elmersalsa]

You don't count the Newspaper decisions? Fair enough. Even so, they shared a ring. Worth a mention even if you don't put too much credence in them..

Fair 'nough. Much respect to you my friend. As always, you are a great poster.

[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
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland


And at #70 we have the great boxing master from Mexico, Miguel Canto!

[elmersalsa]

#70. Miguel Canto:
Record: 61-9-4, 15KOs
KO Pct is 24%
Career: 1969-82
World Titles Held: WBC World Flyweight Champion (1975-79)
Highlights:. WBC World Flyweight Champion that made 15 title defenses. Of his 15 title defenses, 13 were won by decision. A world record. Had an undefeated streak of 26 bouts from November 1970 to June 1973. (Record: 25-0-1, with 10KOs). From November 1973 to February 1979, won 24 fights in a row. In all in those 2 time frames, had only 1 loss in 51 contests from November 1970 to February 1979. (Record: 49-1-1, with 13KOs). zBeat 1 out of 4 hall of fame boxers he faced. Beat 6 out of 7world champions (Record vs world champions is 9-3-1, with 1KOs).

Historical Impact: Not a big puncher, was a clever and slick genius. One the greatest boxing masters of his era. Arguably, the greatest flyweight boxer of the 1970s decade and one of the greatest flyweights in boxing history.

Defining Fight: W15 Betulio Gonzalez (II)....May 24, 1975..."Avenged former defeat against one of the greatest flyweight boxers in history"

Other Defining Fights: L15 Betulio Gonzalez, W15 Shoji Oguma, WTKO9 Lupe Madera, W15 Martin Vargas, W15 Susumu Hanagata, and L15 Chan Hee Park

Anybody in this forum has seen this great little man? The flyweights don't get enough love by the public.

[elmersalsa]

#70. Miguel Canto:
Record: 61-9-4, 15KOs
KO Pct is 24%
Career: 1969-82
World Titles Held: WBC World Flyweight Champion (1975-79)

Highlights:. WBC World Flyweight Champion that made 15 title defenses. Of his 15 title defenses, 13 were won by decision. A world record. Had an undefeated streak of 26 bouts from November 1970 to June 1973. (Record: 25-0-1, with 10KOs). From November 1973 to February 1979, won 24 fights in a row. In all in those 2 time frames, had only 1 loss in 51 contests from November 1970 to February 1979. (Record: 49-1-1, with 13KOs). Beat 6 out of 7 world champions (Record vs world champions is 9-3-1, with 1KOs).

Historical Impact: Not a big puncher, was a clever and slick genius. One the greatest boxing masters of his era. Arguably, the greatest flyweight boxer of the 1970s decade and one of the greatest flyweights in boxing history.

Defining Fight: W15 Betulio Gonzalez (II)....May 24, 1975..."Avenged former defeat against one of the greatest flyweight boxers in history"

Other Defining Fights: L15 Betulio Gonzalez, W15 Shoji Oguma, WTKO9 Lupe Madera, W15 Martin Vargas, W15 Susumu Hanagata, and L15 Chan Hee Park

Anybody in this forum has seen this great little man? The flyweights don't get enough love by the public.

[elmersalsa]

Starting on Saturday, August 4, 1973 in Maracaibo, Venezuela, I saw the last 4 rounds that are available on YouTube of the vacant WBA World Flyweight Championship between former champion Betulio Gonzalez fighting in his hometown against the great Miguel Canto.

Of what I have seen, Gonzalez won all the remaining rounds. That probably gave him the title for the second time.

Betulio should be in the hall of fame.

[elmersalsa]

Betulio Gonzalez won by majority decision. It was the great Miguel Canto's first world championship fight.

By this time, Canto had already won the Yucatan and Mexican Flyweight titles.

[elmersalsa]

In one of his most defining fights, the great Miguel Canto of Mexico makes the people of his native Merida proud when he wins the WBC World Flyweight Championship from champion Shoji Oguma of Japan at the Miyagi Center on Wednesday, January 8, 1975.

Canto won by majority decision and finally becomes world champion on his second try. In his first try, he lost to Betulio Gonzalez of Venezuela by Unanimous decision.

Oguma took the crown from Gonzalez by decision.

[elmersalsa]

Now, on Saturday, May 24, 1975 at the Plaza de Toros Monumental, WBC World Flyweight Champion Miguel Canto of Mexico defends his crown against former champ Betulio Gonzalez of Venezuela.

This is their rematch in which Gonzalez won the first fight in Maracaibo, Venezuela by majority decision in 15 rounds.

But, this time, a more decisive Canto turned the tide with his slick boxing techniques, fighting of the back foot and scoring at will. He dominated most of the fight with left hooks and jabs.

Gonzalez had his moments, but, this time wasn't enough. Canto avenged his August 1973 loss to Gonzalez and is still the WBC World Flyweight Champion.

This is Canto's most defining fight.

[elmersalsa]

With the win against Betulio Gonzalez, it was El Maestro's (The Master's) 9th straight win since losing to Gonzalez in August 1973.

In the 70s decade, Canto only lost 3 times in 62 fights! His record for the decade was 57-3-4 with 14 knockout wins. This is very impressive!

[elmersalsa]

With the win against Betulio Gonzalez, it was El Maestro's (The Master's) 9th straight win since losing to Gonzalez in August 1973.

In the 70s decade, Canto only lost 3 times in 62 fights! His record for the decade was 57-3-4 with 14 knockout wins. This is very impressive!

55-3-4, with 14KOs.

[elmersalsa]

Betulio Gonzalez was the great Maestro's greatest rival. He should be in the hall of fame. He was and still is the country of Venezuela greatest boxer.

Ironically, when they fought for the rematch in 1975, Gonzalez and Miguel Canto had the same number of fights. Both had 49 fights each in the rematch.

Canto improves to 42-4-3, with 13KOs.
Gonzalez drops to 41-6-2, with 24KOs.

Both fighters are top 20 great all-time great flyweights.

[elmersalsa]

Next, first the great Miguel Canto was a second title defense of the WBC World Flyweight Crown on Saturday night of August 23, 1975 at the Parque Santa Clara of Merida, Mexico

Canto received $90,000 dollars for his title defense. His challenger was Jiro Takada of Yokohama, Japan, who received $10,000 for the fight.

Takada was at the time, Japan and Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Flyweight Champion (OPBF).

The fight was fast-paced for 11 rounds. In round 11th, Takada received a jolting right from El Maestro and was in bad shape. El Maestro kept attacking with a series of left and rights and wicked uppercuts. The referee stopped the bout and the winner and still WBC World Flyweight Champion is Miguel Canto!

It was the ONLY TITLE DEFENSE that Canto ever won by knock out. All the rest of the successful title defenses were won by decision, which were 13 of them.

[elmersalsa]

This was also the great Maestro Miguel Canto's eleventh straight win since losing to Betulio Gonzalez in August of 1973.

He improved with a record of 44-4-3 with 15KOs. It would be also his final win won by knockout.

[elmersalsa]

It was El Maestro's Miguel Canto 5th title defense of his WBC World Flyweight title on a Sunday night of October 3, 1976 at the Nuevo Circo Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela against his nemesis and former champion Betulio Gonzalez.

It's very rare that a rubber match was made in Betulio's country when the first fight between them, which was a world title fight, was also in the country of Venezuela.

Their rematch was made in Monterrey, Mexico, Canto's country. Also a title bout.

This time, Canto proved that he was the better of the two fighters. In their first fight, in which Gonzalez won, El Maestro lacked offense and ran the last 5 rounds. Maybe it was because it was Canto's first world championship fight and lacked the necessary things to win in the last rounds. Or maybe, he just froze and Gonzalez won outright.

In their rematch, this time, El Maestro was the champion and was much more confident. Maybe it was because he had much more experience and was fighting in front of his countrymen.

In this rubber match, Canto proved that he was better by using lateral movement and making Betulio miss. Canto was even better than Betulio in the inside exchanges. He proved that he was also an inside master. His speed and left jab befuddled the Venezuelan. And in my view, deserved the win.

The referee, Harry Gibbs of England voted for Canto. Venezuelan judge Rafael Cartaya voted for Gonzalez and Mexican judge Jose Manuel Escalante voted for Canto.

Canto retains his WBC World Flyweight Championship by split decision.

From this point onwards, Miguel Canto was known in the boxing world circles as El Maestro (The Master).

Canto fought 45 rounds against his biggest nemesis. He won the rivalry and was the better champion, beating an elite champion in Betulio Gonzalez that should be also in the hall of fame someday.

Canto improved to 48-4-3, with 15KOs. Wins his 12th straight fight after losing to Gonzalez.

Gonzalez drops to 52-7-2, with 34KOs.

[elmersalsa]

It was El Maestro's Miguel Canto 5th title defense of his WBC World Flyweight title on a Sunday night of October 3, 1976 at the Nuevo Circo Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela against his nemesis and former champion Betulio Gonzalez.

It's very rare that a rubber match was made in Betulio's country when the first fight between them, which was a world title fight, was also in the country of Venezuela.

Their rematch was made in Monterrey, Mexico, Canto's country. Also a title bout.

This time, Canto proved that he was the better of the two fighters. In their first fight, in which Gonzalez won, El Maestro lacked offense and ran the last 5 rounds. Maybe it was because it was Canto's first world championship fight and lacked the necessary things to win in the last rounds. Or maybe, he just froze and Gonzalez won outright.

In their rematch, this time, El Maestro was the champion and was much more confident. Maybe it was because he had much more experience and was fighting in front of his countrymen.

In this rubber match, Canto proved that he was better by using lateral movement and making Betulio miss. Canto was even better than Betulio in the inside exchanges. He proved that he was also an inside master. His speed and left jab befuddled the Venezuelan. And in my view, deserved the win.

The referee, Harry Gibbs of England voted for Canto. Venezuelan judge Rafael Cartaya voted for Gonzalez and Mexican judge Jose Manuel Escalante voted for Canto.

Canto retains his WBC World Flyweight Championship by split decision.

From this point onwards, Miguel Canto was known in the boxing world circles as El Maestro (The Master).

Canto fought 45 rounds against his biggest nemesis. He won the rivalry and was the better champion, beating an elite champion in Betulio Gonzalez that should be also in the hall of fame someday.

Canto improved to 48-4-3, with 15KOs. Wins his 12th straight fight after losing to Gonzalez.

Gonzalez drops to 52-7-2, with 34KOs.

Wins his 15th straight bout