Top 5 favourite boxers

[Esquire]

Salvador Sanchez
Julio Cesar Chavez
Alexis Arguello
Azumah Nelson
Mike MCCallum

The top three in no particular order. The last two behind the top three.

[hagler81]

Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem got me genuinely interested,
Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton turned me into a proper fan
As a Scotsman Ricky Burns has been the only home grown world champion I've been able to witness in the flesh

I'm going to add a bit to this, these are my favourite fighters as a fan of British boxing, the ones that brought me into the sport and made a fan of me.
But since spending more and more time on here and generally reading into the history of the sport I have developed a fondness for a few fighters who wrapped it up long before I paid the sport a blind bit of attention, some that I have seen very little of (or Greb who I have seen nothing of) yet captivate me through the simple analysis of their records and stories of their lives

1. Muhammad Ali - How could you not, he was the first historical figure (he retired when I was 1 year old) that really drew my attention, I took a keen interest in him long before my boxrec days and he still holds my attention, a man that truly trancends the sport. The greatest!
2. Archie Moore - I can't quite put my finger on why, but I've took a liking to this old fellow since posting on here. The Old Mongoose was a greta fighter, his longevity and story fascinate me and his relaxed style was so easy on the eye, I wish I could watch so much more of him. eff Ezzard!
3. Sam Langford - I don't think I'm alone in marveling at this mans astounding career and wondering what could have been under different circumstance, he could very well have gone down as the very best. Just finished his book last night and my admiration has grown with each chapter, a real gent and thoroughly avoided and respected individual
4. Roberto Duran - Whats not to like, the guy was a machine. The fabulous 4 represent arguably the finest era in boxing and he was the finest of them IMHO
5. Charlie Burley - The murderers row era is one that has only really caught my attention in the past couple of years and he is the most prominent member, it's an area of boxing history that is not only rich with story but full of so many "what ifs?", the questions that keep us coming back here. Could this have been the most technically gifted fighter the sport has ever seen? We'll never know!

Interesting stories everywhere in boxing. I like that Davie how you support your local boxers and British fighters but give much research and respect to fighters from bygone eras. BTW what is the book on Langford you're reading? I read a lot on boxing, just ordered night train, a book on fearless Freddie mills and one on Greb. Got to agree with Ali, he generally transcends the sport and is as recognisable as any. Not to mention his boxing skills he was a funny genuine character. Langford needs more research from me as does Charlie Burley. Duran was a monster.

I will chuck in my 10 pence worth. What got me into boxing or who? well I was born in 81 and my granddad and grandmother loved boxing and would tell me stories of the brown bomber and tommy farr. My dad is a boxing fan as is most of the family. Barry Mcguigan always has a place in my top five, he was on ITV a lot and I remember him fighting I think it was Pedroza. Nigel Benn was a terrific fighter and remember him well against the likes of Eubank. Mike Tyson scared me as did Riddick Bowe. They were scary men to me who happened to be very good heavies. Then as my obsession with boxing developed I watched more and more fights from modern era to old classics. Top five favourites?

1. Marvin Hagler
2. Mike Tyson
3. Nigel Benn
4. Barry Mcguigan
5. Evander Holyfield

[Tony1244]

George Foreman
Muhammad Ali
Jerry Quarry
Sonny Liston
SR Leonard-Roberto Duran (tied)

[Ossyrules]

Mike Tyson
Thomas Hearns
Kell Brook
George Groves
Nigel Benn