Great Thread. This adds perspective on our opinions. I was born when just about every champion was or went on to be an ATG in their respective division.
As per Ring Magazine - Heavy : Rocky Marciano Lt Heavy : Archie Moore Middle : Carl 'Bobo' Olson Welter : Carmen Basilio Lightweight : Wallace Smith Featherweight : Sandy Saddler Flyweight : Pascual Perez Good thread.
HW: None (technically Tyson or Lewis) LHW: Michalczewski MW: None WW: Mosley LW: None FW: Hamed BW: None Fly: Tunacao I used this Ring Magazine image. Check it out. Also, BW apparently had no lineal or Ring Champ for 30 years?! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/All_Boxing_Lineal_Champs.png
This needs to evolve into a “the champs on the day I was born would whip the champs on your birth date” bragging rights thread.
By definition they cannot go on to be ATG, they already are, before they are even born, hence the reason we know the future, there are no more all time greats!
The generally recognised champion of a weight division. Ideally being the fighter who beat the man who was the man etc. But if need be the fighter who gained general recognition when the title was considered vacant.