Which Fighter had the strongest resume , before becoming champion?

Ezzard Charles

 

According to GPT.

Top 10 Boxers by Resume (All-Time)

1. Sugar Ray Robinson

Record: 174–19–6 (109 KOs)
Why: Universally considered the greatest résumé ever. Beat Jake LaMotta, Kid Gavilan, Henry Armstrong, Carmen Basilio, Randy Turpin, and dozens of top contenders. Dominant at welterweight and middleweight.


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2. Henry Armstrong

Record: 151–21–9
Why: Held three world titles simultaneously (FW, LW, WW) when only 8 divisions existed. Beat Barney Ross, Lou Ambers, Baby Arizmendi, and Fritzie Zivic. Fought an absurd schedule against killers.


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3. Muhammad Ali

Record: 56–5
Why: Best heavyweight résumé ever: Liston (x2), Frazier (x2), Foreman, Norton, Lyle, Quarry, Patterson. Faced the toughest HW era and repeatedly won under adversity.


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4. Ezzard Charles

Record: 93–25–1
Why: Insanely deep résumé: wins over Archie Moore (x3), Charley Burley (x2), Joey Maxim, Jersey Joe Walcott, Jimmy Bivins. One of the most proven fighters ever at light heavyweight and heavyweight.


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5. Sam Langford

Record: 180–29–39 (approx.)
Why: Terrifying multiweight destroyer who fought heavyweights despite being a natural welter/middle. Beat Harry Wills (multiple times), Joe Gans, Joe Walcott, and Stanley Ketchel. Ducking by champions weakened his title record but not his résumé.


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6. Roberto Durán

Record: 103–16
Why: Elite opposition for decades: Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Esteban De Jesús (x2), Ken Buchanan, Iran Barkley. Legendary longevity and victories across weights.


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7. Willie Pep

Record: 229–11–1
Why: Arguably the greatest defensive fighter ever. Beat Sandy Saddler (once)—Saddler was his kryptonite—but also Chalky Wright, Jackie Wilson, and dozens of top featherweights.


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8. Archie Moore

Record: 186–23–10
Why: Fought forever and against everyone: beat Harold Johnson (x3), Jimmy Bivins, Joey Maxim, Holman Williams, and Nino Valdés. Fought Marciano and Ali as well.


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9. Manny Pacquiao

Record: 62–8–2
Why: Deepest modern-era résumé. Only 8-division champion ever. Beat Marco Antonio Barrera (x2), Morales (x2), Márquez, De La Hoya, Hatton, Cotto, Thurman, Bradley.


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10. Ray Leonard

Record: 36–3–1
Why: Short career but ultra-high-level wins: Duran, Hearns, Hagler, Wilfred Benítez. Faced four all-time greats and beat each at least once.


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Honorable Mentions (Any could be argued into the Top 10)

Joe Louis – long reign, beat the "Bum of the Month" but also Walcott, Conn, Schmeling.

Benny Leonard – legendary lightweight résumé.

Tony Canzoneri – absurd depth of opposition.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. – excellent longevity & unbeaten, though fewer prime ATG opponents than others.

Julio César Chávez Sr. – deep résumé with Rosario, Taylor, Haugen, Camacho, Lockridge.

Bernard Hopkins – elite longevity and wins across eras.

 

Harry Greb

It would hurt my fingies to type all the Hall of Famers, ex-champs, future champs and contenders he beat before liberating Johnny Wilson of the Middleweight title in 1923.

 

The ONLY one from this post who NEVER became a champion was Langford.

I'd begin with others who never won a title, like McFarland, the Gibbons brothers, Bivins, Murderer's Row, ect...

 

Harry Greb hands down.

 

My best friend and I just concluded yesterday that Ezzard Charles has the best resume ever...

 

"BEFORE becoming a champ?"

It should have been in the first header instead of inside the thread.

 

Before becoming champ.

 

Hi Guys.
Thinking Archie Moore had a respectful run before the title, but would have Greb as No1.
Johnson
Bivins
Satterfield
Sheppard
Marshall
and most, if not all Murderers Row.
Stay safe fellow posters, chat soon.
Mike.

 

Langford won was a MW, LHW and 2xHW champ.

 

5-0 against Archie Moore and Charley Burley is bonkers. I'd go for Ezzard Charles
SRR wasn't half bad having beaten Zivic, Angott, Lamotta, Armstrong, Servo by 1946. So many times and only losing once. But Charles shades this one