The 20 Greatest Fighters of All Time

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mteslamiller, May 8, 2022.


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  1. White Bomber

    White Bomber Boxing Addict Full Member

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    1. Sugar Ray Robinson - undisputed GOAT !!!
    2 to 10 (in no order): Armstrong, Greb, Duran, Langford, Charles, Pep, Moore, Mayweather, Pacquiao
    11 ro 20 (in no order): Hearns, Ali, Louis, Jofre, RJJ, Tunney, Whitaker, Monzon, Hagler, Chavez
     
    White Bomber, May 9, 2022
    White Bomber, May 9, 2022
    #31
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  2. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    It’s a solid list. But I see that you have neither Leonard, Benny or Sugar Ray, in your top 20. It’s good that you include Eder Jofre and Marvin Hagler. And Roy Jones. I love Tommy Hearns, but I don’t quite see him being in the all time top twenty. And I still feel that Ali should be near the top of any list. The same goes for Armstrong, Greb, Langford, and Charles , all great warriors. And your list includes the boxing artistry of Floyd Mayweather and Wlillie Pep, beautiful technicians in the ring. And I see that you agree with me that Ray Robinson is hands down the greatest fighter of all time. There is no close second as far as I’m concerned. He compiled an extraordinary record as a welterweight , competing against strong competition. He was still great as a middleweight, though less consistent as age began to diminish him. He was both a great boxer and a deadly puncher, and should be the standard by which all other boxers are measured. White Bomber, thank you for sharing your list with us. No one’s going to agree on everything, but it’s always cool to share our views. I appreciate that you’ve shared yours.—-Mark
     
    Mteslamiller, May 9, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 9, 2022
    #32
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  3. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Classy post too. I like your style, Mark.

    I agree that we're not all going to agree on everything but, like you, having Tommy Hearns at 11 jumped out at me when the man who beat him is not there. I also cannot make a strong case for Floyd being top ten. Talentwise maybe, but his achievements don't support that.

    But an interesting list from @White Bomber . Not as modern as I expected and real breadth across eras and divisions. Good work.
     
    Eddie Ezzard, May 9, 2022
    Eddie Ezzard, May 9, 2022
    #33
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  4. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    OK... in roughly chronological order

    Bob Fitzsimmons
    Joe Gans
    Sam Langford
    Harry Greb
    Benny Leonard
    Joe Louis
    Henry Armstrong
    Sugar Ray Robinson
    Ezzard Charles
    Muhammad Ali
    Eder Jofre
    Roberto Duran
    Carlos Monzon
    Sugar Ray Leonard
    Salvador Sanchez
    Marvelous Marvin Hagler
    Julio Cesar Chavez
    Pernell Whitaker
    Roy Jones, Jr.
    Floyd Mayweather, Jr
     
    Seamus, May 9, 2022
    Seamus, May 9, 2022
    #34
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  5. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Seamus, that’s a good list. I have always loved the way Salvador Sanchez moved in the ring. The constant bouncing and mesmerizing footwork, He seemed to move so effortlessly . And he never changed expression, regardless of what was happening in the ring. And Bob “Ruby Robert” Fitzsimmons, the first triple champion, was quite a physical specimen. He had a well developed upper body, but skinny legs. It was as if the upper and lower halves of his body belonged to two different people. I have Mayweather and Chavez at no.s 21 and 22 respectively. Two fantastic fighters with different styles who were a great pleasure to watch. It is difficult to leave men such as these out of my top twenty. Take care.—Mark
     
    Mteslamiller, May 9, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 9, 2022
    #35
  6. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Thanks for the compliment, Eddie. I enjoy talking about boxing, and I try to keep things cordial.I know boxing lists can be contentious.We should try to remember that we’re here because we love boxing and enjoy discussing it, hopefully in a respectful manner.—Mark
     
    Mteslamiller, May 9, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 9, 2022
    #36
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  7. Ted Spoon

    Ted Spoon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    And yet, a disservice!
     
    Ted Spoon, May 9, 2022
    Ted Spoon, May 9, 2022
    #37
  8. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The original list is good. We should have two lists- one based on fighters we have extensive film of and one list where we don't
     
    ThatOne, May 9, 2022
    ThatOne, May 9, 2022
    #38
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  9. quest00

    quest00 Member Full Member

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    Im a fan of all the fighters on the list. But I'm floored that no one has put Pacman on their list. What he did will most likely never be duplicated. I don't know if we'll ever see another 8 division champion. Just imagine a fighter turning pro at 135lbs and winning titles from 140 all the way upto Heavy weight, then thrashing heavyweights. THEN competing and beating top heavy weights in their 40's. Thats just crazy.
     
    quest00, May 9, 2022
    quest00, May 9, 2022
    #39
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  10. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He was on White bombers list I believe
     
    Gazelle Punch, May 9, 2022
    Gazelle Punch, May 9, 2022
    #40
  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Bob FItzsimmons is a Top 5 fighter of all-time, there with Greb, Langford and Robinson.

    If you don't realize this, I can't help you.
     
    Seamus, May 9, 2022
    Seamus, May 9, 2022
    #41
  12. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It’s very hard to do these lists due to the time span and lack of film but luckily boxing was extremely well covered in the newspapers so we do have plenty of info of the days of Greb, Walker, Langford etc;

    My list is:

    1. Sugar Ray Robinson
    2. Harry Greb
    3. Sam Langford
    4. Henry Armstrong
    5. Ezzard Charles
    6. Roberto Duran
    7. Eder Jofre
    8. Benny Leonard
    9. Willie Pep
    10. Archie Moore
    11. Mickey Walker
    12. Muhammad Ali
    13. Joe Gans
    14. Joe Louis
    15. Sugar Ray Leonard
    16. Packey McFarland
    17. Jimmy Wilde
    18. Bob Fitzsimmons
    19. Barney Ross
    20. Tony Canzoneri

    On the cusp: Jimmy McLarnin, Marvin Hagler, Carlos Monzon, Sandy Saddler, Ike Williams, Jose Napoles.
     
    ChrisJS, May 9, 2022
    ChrisJS, May 9, 2022
    #42
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  13. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Nice list, ChrisJS. You’re familiar with the great Eder Jofre I see. And Packey McFarland. But Ali not in the top 10? We agree on 4 of our top 5 fighters. Tell me , where would you rank Floyd Mayweather and Julio Cesar Chavez? Top 30?Would Mike Tyson be in your top 40?—-Mark
     
    Mteslamiller, May 10, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 10, 2022
    #43
  14. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Mayweather and Chavez I think between 30-40, same for Pacquaio. Tyson? No. I like him and everything but I don’t think he has a case for top 100.

    Yes, I wrote the book on Jofre which came out last year.
     
    ChrisJS, May 10, 2022
    ChrisJS, May 10, 2022
    #44
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  15. Mteslamiller

    Mteslamiller Member Full Member

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    Eder Jofre: Brazil’s First Boxing World Champion

    I am certainly going to acquire that book. How long did you work on it, from research to completion?—Mark
     
    Mteslamiller, May 10, 2022
    Mteslamiller, May 10, 2022
    #45
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