I'm sure it has been asked over the years a few times, but the great thing about boxing (and all sport) is there are always new fighters arriving on the scene and new fans getting into the sport. There's a tendency to look back and view fighters from different eras with rose tinted spectacles. Many call Ali "The Greatest", but would he be able to live with a modern super-heavyweight? Would his natural ability allow him to nullify that size advantage? Marciano, who was my favourite fighter growing up, and was the greatest heavyweight in my eyes, would be more like a cruiserweight in todays sport. This isn't necessarily relevant to personal preference, but it does show how history can flatter fighters or withhold credit they might deserve. Anyway, my favourites are; Marciano: Only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated, though some will question the quality of his opposition. He was humble, from a tough background, and he hit like a freight train. His tear ups with Jersey Joe Walcott were great entertainment, and I was always impressed by his courage. Hagler: Another brawler, loved to get into the pocket and trade, had a cast iron will, and had some classic tear ups, in particular with Tommy Hearns. Nigel Benn: Very similar in some ways to Hagler, in the sense he was willing to trade with anyone. Nigel was wild, with that nasty swinging hook that started down low, almost like a crouch, and saw him come up and forward to try connect...when it landed it was effective. He also seemed to have limitless courage and desire. His first fight with Eubank was a classic. I could sit here all day naming other fighters, people like Tunney, LaMotta, Mayweather etc...but hopefully you guys can give some examples and maybe even link some videos (if that's allowed?). They can be any weight class, any time period...the more obscure the better. It's a great chance for someone like me to learn from people more educated in boxing history.
I will only speak on fighters whose careers took place during my lifetime: 1. Mike Tyson:. this one is easy. I was an 80s kid, and Mike Tyson was synonymous with growing up during that time period. I was 6 years old when Tyson fought Tubbs. It was the first boxing fight I ever seen, and i been watching ever since 2. Ricardo Mayorga: I absolutely love this guy. The bravado, the disrespect of his opponents, the mid fight theatrics.... Had the privilege of seeing him fight at the MGM in Vegas 3. George Foreman: I never saw his first career, except on youtube, but i lived through his second career. At that time it was unheard of for a 40+ year old guy to be fighting, let alone KOing people 4. Pretty Boy/Money May: Love this guy, love watching his style, watching him.time guys and take their hearts and souls with such a low punch output. Love how he makes the haters go crazy with jealously and rage 5. Ray Leanord: Love the blazing hand speed, love that he was a contemporary of my early childhood, and has many entertaining fights against top rated competition to choose from
Iron Mike was a once in a lifetime freak of nature. I remember watching him as a teenager and he was just ridiculous. He was the first boxer I'd ever seen that looked like he might actually kill someone in the ring. The way he dispatched Trevor Berbick showed he easy he found it in those early days. I forgot all about Sugar Ray Leonard, though I personally preferred Sugar Ray Robinson.
My list probably betrays my filthy casualness but here we go: 1.) Roberto Duran - Loved his come-forward style, his underappreciated defense, his aggression and disrespect towards his opponents, his ability to mount a comeback and resurrect his career, and humbling SRL (my dad was a big Marvin Hagler fan, so I grew up with an irrational hatred for all things Leonard ). Plus, it's a bit of a mouthful, but is there a single more bad-ass name in all of boxing then "Hands of Stone"? 2.) Manny Pacquiao - style-wise, a lot of the same reasons I love Duran, though a lot less on the disrespect. Fast, flashy, and constantly in exciting fights. In the midst of making a Duran-style comeback himself. 3.) 90's George Foreman - What can you say? Loveable man, underrated commentator, and was in perhaps the most memorable moment in boxing history. 4.) Arturo Gatti - The ultimate fan-friendly fighter. Turned every battle into 'Rock 'em, Sock 'em Robots' and I loved the absolute nutter for it. 5.) Evander Holyfield - Skills, power, and excitement all rolled into one amazing package. To me, he was the real cornerstone of the 90's heavyweight era. Plus, the man elevated cheating to an art-form long before B-Hop did
All first rate operators. The thing is that the biggest, most impressive fighters are always the ones that are known by everyone, as they kept on winning. You can't call it casual to admire those legends. Of course, there are less well known fighters that some will like. But, with a few exceptions, they are less well known because they didn't win as much or have as many big fights.
Jack Demspey- Does it even need an explanation? One of the fathers of modern day boxing. He took the fight to his opponents and was relentless. I even named my youngest son after him. Roberto Duran- One of the most skilled and toughest fighters I've ever witnessed. Watching him fight is a thing of art, especially in his lightweight days. Oscar De la Hoya- I got into boxing during his era He was always willing to face the best, and never backed down from a challenge. His move up to welter weight was amazing. You had THREE champions, Whitaker/Trinidad/Quartey, and for years they all avoided each other. ODLH moves up and fights all of them. A true warrior. Julio Cesar Chavez- Also not much explanation needed. Definition of a true warrior. Always found a way to win. Roy Jones Jr.- I actually used to dislike RJJ very much and was a critic that he stood at SMW too long. I just went with the hate hype, but after he was KTFO by Tarver I started appreciated him, and started watching all his fights, rented some DVDs with a bunch of his fights, watched every single fight on those DVDs and became a lifelong fan. Fernando Vargas- Extremely eye pleasing boxing style, couple with his willingness to fight anyone and everyone. He loved to entertain the fans by going to war even when he was skilled enough where he didn't have too.
Marquez - think it'll take something special to dethrone him tbh... A brilliant fighter... Best combination puncher I've ever seen, sublime technique, fantastic timing, solid power and just a crazy combination of heart, determination and balls.. Used to love watchin his fights... Love how he changed his style to be more fan friendly and still be successful, never seen a fighter hit the deck so much and refuse to stay down. So many great fights... Absolute warrior! Roberto Duran - just an absolute atg... To be so skilled and fight like an animal, brutal puncher, defensively underrated.... Holds one of the best wins ever, and his fight with barkley when he was past it... ****in magnificent Nonito donaire - athletically gifted, absolutely devastating power.... H2H nightmare at the lower weights for most fighters in history.... Great ambassador for the sport... Makes no excuses hugely respectful of his opponents... Doesn't seem to give a **** if he loses, just wants to fight the best.... Cannot speak highly enough of him.... And watchin him today in a magnificent passing of the torch fight... Fighting basically himself from 6 years ago and no quit in him... Atg! Honourable mentions to manny, barrera,morales, tszyu, pernell, rjjj, ggg, Benn, tua and loma Prob missed some but I'm knackered
No one beats The Greatest Muhammad Ali When you consider we lost 3 1/2 years of his prime for solely political reasons. Just imagine what he could accomplish in those years
When I was younger I was in absolute awe of his power.... Because its a punch I'm dog**** at throwing I've got alot of appreciation for someone who can throw it with absolute 'night night' power watchin him hang up David izon on the ropes is one of my favourite koes... And obviously the ruiz one... Wrecking ball!
Roberto Duran Larry Holmes Lennox Lewis Salvador Sanchez Alexis Arguello Aaron Pryor Juan Manuel Marquez Manny Pacquiao Thomas Hearns James Toney
Mike Tyson. Grew up during his era. He became a synonym for boxing/fighting in the balkans. Gypsies were naming kids after him (spelling it Tajson, of course) and every other pitbull was named tyson also i remember the day he got released from prison, my neighbour was ringing the bells of every building and screaming while furiously riding his bike through the street: "mike tyson is out of prison". The hype was mad. When he beat buster mathis jr. I went out and beat the crap outta some snowman younger kids built, using the same move. I know adults who cried when he lost to holyfield. From a boxing standpoint, i loved how a short guy, with tiny reach was able to destroy bigger men and even outjab them (tucker fight for example). I always found it crazy how some of his detractors were using the intimitation/bully card, when he was a short guy at every natural disatvantage. Manny Pacquiao: love watching him fight. Crazy wars with many other greats. I have a Manny marathon every few months and rewatch his battles with marquez, morales, barrera, the cotto fight. I get fired up watching those fights. Holyfield - a ton of heart and skill. Hated him in the beginning (because he beat tyson) but i learned to appreciate the man. The bowe fights were my favourite hw triology. Yeah, he used dirty tactics but that just showed me how hard he wanted to win. He was a beast. Whitaker: my fav defensive fighter. He was so smooth, it's unbelievable. Also the way he threw punches. Just a beauty to watch. GGG crushing power, the skill and the will. He is past it but he digs deep and fights to win even when he is diminished and beaten on. True champion. JC Chavez: Same as above but greater.
Tito Trinidad - incredibly talented, KO power in both hands Evander Holyfield - no prouder and more talented warrior, indomitable spirit GGG - class act, destructive power, modest JCC - legendary power, compelling viewing Jimmy Young - an artistic counterpuncher RJJ - unparalleled magic in the ring in his prime Loma - brilliance in motion, can do it all Emanuel Burton/Augustus - for his sheer creativity and unorthodox style Big George - crushing, deadly power, no harder puncher, pinpoint accuracy Tua - yeah, I have to add Tua, I forgot about him, if you went solely by height, no one in the world would have ever beaten him, only size and reach kept him at bay