Top Ten Middleweights All Time

I would say that for every genuinely great heavyweight, there are two or even three great middleweights.

 

Champions only.
1.Greb
2.Robinson
3. Monzon
4.Hagler
5.Ketchel
6.Walker
7.Lamotta
8.Tiger
9.Cerdan
10.Hopkins

 

Good list Mc, but it is possible that the MW edition of Bob Fitszimmons
that destroyed Nonpareil Jack Dempsey would have beaten everyone on your list not named Harry Greb. We forget today that Bob Fitz was already 28 years old when he eviscerated the highly rated Dempsey in 1891.
Ruby Robert was described by John L Sullivan as a "fighting machine on stilts"...
I believe he certainly belongs in the top 10 when in his prime...

 

1.Monzon
2.Robinson
3.Hagler
4.Griffith
5.Greb
6.Hopkins
7.Mickey Walker
8.Lamotta
9.Zale
10.Ketchel

Monzon going out as a Winner - Robinson losing too many.

 

Well let's not forget Rodrigo Valdez.
Much has been said about Monzon's two victories against him but Valdez 'dumped' him in the second scrap. Not to mention Rodrigo turned pro in 1962 at the ripe age of 16 so he was just as much 'war torn' as Carlos when they finally fought in 76.
He put Bennie Briscoe's lights out! No one ever did that.
IMHO Valdez would have been pure hell against any ATG middle.
My $0.02.

 

Most people rate Sugar Ray Robinson right near the top. I think he is overated as a middleweight. What does everyone think the lowest he can reasonably be rated?

Is it possible he might not be a top 10 middleweight?

 

Marvelous Marvin Hagler
Sugar Ray Robinson
Stanley Ketchel
Mel Greb
Charley Burley(P.F.P. Greatest Uncrowned World Middleweight Champion)
Carlos Monzon
Bernard Hopkins
Emile Griffith
Dick Tiger
Jake LaMotta

 

I dont think he can be lower than 4 or 5. Beating LaMotta 5 out of 6 alone is uncommon on the resume not to mention the other scalps he collected.

 

1) Harry Greb
2) Sugar Ray Robinson
3) Carlos Monzon
4) Stanley Ketchel
5) Jake LaMotta
6) Mickey Walker
7) Marvin Hagler
8) Freddie Steele
9) Bob Fitzsimons
10) Charley Burley

Close to top 10 but not in order...Zale,Hopkins ( his best wins over welterweights & good light heavy resume but great fighter,Tiger Flowers,Dick Tiger, Joey Giardello, Emile Griffith, Cerdan,Joey Archer ( he beat Tiger, Hurricane Carter, & I thought he beat Griffith for title in fight 1) Rodrigo Valdez was a very good one unfortunately had to fight Monzon

 

Hopkins over Hagler. Higher skilled operator imo.

Hagler was giving up loses and going the distance with guys from lower weights while Hop was getting them out of there.
Hopkins eary loss was to ATG Roy Jones. Hagler lost to two unknowns and struggled later with Marcos Geraldo.
Also clearly head butted Vito terrible in the rematch.

 

1. Marvin Hagler- 12 successful defenses not to mention an impressive list of wins pre title. It`s fair to say Hagler was the best Middleweight a couple of years before he officially won the Crown. Over 65 pro bouts and only one clear loss. His skillset, chin, underated footwork, good power not to mention the ability to switch sides of the plate. Just a great slugger/boxer.

2. Carlos Monzon- Consistent. Clearly the best of his day. Beat good middleweight contenders like Valdez, Briscoe not mention the exceptional smaller boxers moving up to challenge {Griffith} {Napoles}. Cold, ruthless and a winner. Took the title from an underated fighter in Nino Benvenuti.

3. Harry Greb- Can`t put him #1 because I don`t have any film to review. At the same time I can`t ignore the resume and the opinions of those who did see him fight. Looking at his opponents whether it be Tunney or Walker is telling. Those guys could really fight and Greb beat them.

4. Sugar Ray Robinson- Robinson was fighting and beating Middleweights long before he officially moved up. LaMotta, Levine, Olson, Villeaman etc. Many folks remember the mid late 50s when he was taking on Basillio, Fullmer and Tiger Jones. The night Ray beat Randy Turpin in NY I would put him up against any fighter that ever lived and be comfortable about it. Knocking out Rocky Graziano inside 3 rounds isn`t anything to sneeze at as well.

5. Stanley Ketchell- An intriguing figure in the history of the greatest division. A force of nature with frightening power and speed. Lost the title one night and was able to comeback and beat the man who took it {Papke}. Died much too early.

6. Bernard Hopkins- Okay so he didn`t have 20 undisputed defenses but those of us who followed his caeer knew he was the best title holder by 1997. Just a great pure boxer. Not the most talented but lived and breathed the sport of boxing. BHOP gives anyone in history a tough night at his best.

7. Jake LaMotta- Took on Robinson 5 times and took him to the wire most nights.The only fighter to really beat a prime Sugar Ray. Beat the likes of Holman Williams, Tommy Bell, Tony Janiro among others pretitle. He even took on Lightheavy Bob Satterfield and Knocked him out. Took the title from a good champion in Cerdan {Jake doesn`t get enough respect for his win}. Iron Chin, underated skills inside. Good Ring IQ

8. Tony Zale- Can`t overlook the fact that Tony Zale was able to keep his title through the war and comeback and still be a great champion. It was his disicipline and dedication that made it possible. It was uncommon. Great bodypuncher can`t dispute those who tell me he was something special pre war.

9. Dick Tiger- Took the crown from a good champion in Gene Fullmer and beat him again in the reture bout. Strong as hell with a will to win that was scary. A class champion in and out of the ring.

10. James Toney- Some people may dismiss him but he was a fine middleweight {couldve done more} remember James took the title in spectacular fashion from a tough champion Micheal Nunn by knockout. He went on IMO to beat Mike McCallum twice not to mention solid contenders like Tony Thornton and Glenn Wolfe.