Top 20 All Time Fighters List

Heres my 1st effort at compiling such a list. I've been working on a Top 50, but it seemed to have become futile after getting close to 30 or so. Here's my best effort at my Top 20, but for some reason I can't separate the # 1's for either Sugar are Greb.


1a. Ray Robinson
Dominated the Welterweight & Middleweight divisions defeating the likes of Tommy Bell x2, Kid Gavilan x2, Fritzie Zivic x2, Sammy Angott x3, Henry Armstrong, Jake LaMotta x5, Randy Turpin, Bobo Olsen, Rocky Graziano, Gene Fullmer, and Carmen Basillio. Arguably the most complete fighting machine to ever grace the ring, truly ahead of his time. It's tough not putting him at the #1 spot.

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1b. Harry Greb
If its anyone who has a more rightful claim to #1 its this man. Created the greatest resume EVER with Fights from 147 all the way to Heavy with titles at both 160 and 175. The 1st and only man to defeat the great Gene Tunney. Arguably the greatest 160lb'er ever with wins over the likes of Tiger Flowers x2, Maxie Rosenbloom, Mickey Walker, Tommy Loughran x4, Tommy Gibbons x2, multiple wins over Battling Levinskey and Soldier Bartfield.

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2. Sam Langford
The Boston Tar Baby was far more talented than he may have led on. He conviently would carry fighters and sometimes throw them in efforts to receive return bouts. P4P arguably the hardest hitter of all time, being undersized he consistently went up against the giants slaying almost 130 of his 214 opponents. Working his way from 135 to Heavy he gained wins over Sammy McVey, Harry Wills, Kid Norfolk, Gunboat Smith, Philly Jack O'brien, Stanley Ketchel, Joe Jeanette, and Joe Gans.

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3. Henry Armstrong
A juggernaut, a fierce beast, a force of nature....the Hurricane would go on to be arguably the most accomplished boxer in the sports history. The 1st and only boxer to hold 3 titles AT THE SAME TIME (126, 135, 147) and was reportedly robbed for his 4th at 160 with wins over Barney Ross, Lou Ambers, Petey Sarron. He also had a very overlooked Featherweight resume with wins over Baby Arzemendi, Chalkey Wright, Benny Bass, and Lew Massey. He would defend his 147lb title several times after gaining wins over Willie Joyce, Fritzie Zivic, and Sammy Angott.

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4. Bob Fitzsimmons
Arguably the most dominate Middleweight of all time and figure at the point in time in boxing. He would terrorize the sport from 160-Heavyweight. Winning titles at LightHeavy, Heavy, and Middleweight he would gain wins over the likes of James Corbett, Peter Maher, Jack Dempsey, John L Sullivan, and George Gardiner.

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5. Ezzard Charles
As their any other boxer who can be considered an all time great in 3 divisions? Dominating the Middleweight division with wins over Ken Overlin and Charley Burley he would go on to become the greatest light heavyweight of all time gaining wins over Archie Moore, Lloyd Marshall, Jimmy Bivins, and Oakland Billy Smith. Also became a very accomplished Heavyweight with wins over Elmer Ray, Jersey Joe Walcott, Rex Layne, Bob Satterfield, and champion Joe Louis.

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6. Willie Pep
The greatest 'Boxer' of all time. Poetry in motion, Pep seemed to float around the ring bewildering opponents who couldn't seem to lay a hand of Pep. As most of his footage shows him after the plane crash, I shiver at the thought of how he looked in the ring before:shock:. The greatest feather weight of all time, he amassed wins over Spider Armstrong, Chalky Wright x5, Willie Joyce, Manuel Ortiz, Phil Terranova, Eddie Compo, Ray Femechon, and Sandy Saddler.

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7. Benny Leonard
Leonard would become the face of the greatest lightweight era of all time, displaying some of the best boxing skills ever seen in the ring. He would dominate the division in arguably the greatest reign of any champion in history with wins over Johnny Kilbane, Rocky Kansas, Freddie Welsh, Jack Britton, Willie Ritchie, Johnny Dundee, Soldier Bartfield, and Lew Tendler x2.

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8. Roberto Duran
The most fierce fighting machine ever to step foot in the ring. Duran was simply born to be a fighter. Almost unheard for a man to fight on for 3 decades amassing over 100 wins. Arguably the greatest lightweight of all time he dominated the division for almost 7 years after his destruction of the great Ken Buchanon gaining wins over Hiroshi Kobayashi, ernesto marcel, Esteban DeJesus x2, and Ray Lampkin. His greatest achievements however came after his terrific lightweight reign, defeated Carlos Palomino, and Ray Leonard in arguably the greatest fight of all time and what is mostly considered the greatest win of all time. He would continue to shock observers who considered him finished by winning titles at 154 and 160 with incredible wins over Davey Moore and Iran Barkley.

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9. Mickey Walker
The Toy Bulldog would go on to dominate all the way from 147-Heavyweight. Facing some of the most fierce competition over 4 divisons and he go at each opponent head on with wins over Lew Tendler, Mike McTigue, Tiger Flowers, Soldier Bartfield, Leo Lomski, Bearcat Wright, and

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10. Muhammad Ali
THE GREATEST!!! Yes, he was. When Ali bought home the Gold in the Olympics you knew their was something special about the kid. With brash arrogance, bravado, and charm he became the face of Boxing and the Heavyweight division for the next 3 decades. The media didn't know what to make of this loud mouthed braggard, so they gave him the name of the Louisville Lip on his path to meeting Liston for the title. With wins over Archie Moore, Doug Jones, and Henry Cooper he receive his opportunity and from that point on the legend was born. Harassing Liston on several occassions and even being bold enough to predict the rounds Liston and many others simply thought Ali was a loony. But his predictions would prove correct as he would go on to 'Shock the World' forcing Liston to quit on his stool after 7 rounds. Ali would defend the title 9 times against quality opposition of the likes of Floyd Patterson Sonny Liston, Brian London, Karl Mildenberger, Cleveland Williams, Ernie Terrel, and Zora Folley before being stripped of title. Making his comeback he certify his greatness by beating the likes of Quarry, Bonavena, Joe Frazier x2, Mac Foster, Buster Mathis, Ron Lyle, Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, Bob Foster, Leon Spinks,and George Forman.

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11. Barney Ross
Simply a superb fighter, poetry in motion. One of the true great boxer punchers and the best Junior Welterweight/Welterweight of his era. Winning titles at 135, 140, and 147 he gained wins over the likes of Tony Canzoneri x2, Billy Petrolle, Jimmy McLarnin x2, Frankie Klick, Henry Woods, Ceferino Garcia x3, and Chuck Woods x2.

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12. Archie Moore
The most avoided man in boxing history he literally had to beg for title shot for years, but their was no question he was the best. The only man willing to go within a mile of the Murderers Row, he would come up the hard way gaining victories over Shorty Hogue, Lloyd Marshall, Jack Chase, Cocoa Kid, Holman Williams, Bert Lytell, Jimmy Bivins, Bob Satterfileld, Oakland Billy Smith, and Harold Johnson before finally getting his shot against Joey Maxim for the 175lb title. He would fight on and on amassing the most KO's in the sports history and one of it's most impressive records.

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13. Ray Leonard
With a smile and personality that could win over anyone it was apparent from the get go of who would be the replacement of Ali who had been the face of the sport for so long. With blinding speed and devastating combinations he would dominate the Olympics and go on to gain the popularity and respect that hasn't been seen since his time. With arguably the most complete skill set of any boxer ever he would dominate the Welterweight class with memorable fights defeating Wilfred Benitez for the title before losing it and gaining it back against Roberto Duran. He would then unify the titles against the legendary Tommy Hearns before retiring from the sport. He would then make a historical comeback by defeated Marvin Hagler for the undisputed Middleweight crown.

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14. Joe Gans
The Old Master describes him perfectly. Compiled the most impressive record in the divisons history and is also considered one of the sports P4P hardest punchers.

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15. Charley Burley
Arguably the most naturally talented and skilled fighter to ever pick up a pair of gloves and the best the feared Murderer's Row had to offer. Often avoided he would consistently face quality opposition and men bigger than himself. Though he never got an opportunity for a title he would still go to gain one of the best resumes of all time with wins over Fritzie Zivic, Cocoa Kid, Billy Soose, Shorty Hogue, Holman Williams, Jack Chase, Archie Moore, Joe Carter, Bert Lytell, and Oakland Billy Smith.

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16. Pernell Whitaker
One of the most accomplished and polished Amateurs of all time Whitaker would dominate the Olympics with the best team ever assembled. He then would go on to display some of the best boxing skills of the era. Using the "tight rope" technique he would show off the best defensive skills of all time while also displaying incredible offensive efficiency using the jab as his primary weapon to control the distance and rhythm of the fight. He would unify the 135 titles with wins over Greg Haugen, Louie Lomeli, Jose Luis Ramirez, Freddie Pendelton, Azumah Nelson, Jorge Paez and Juan Nazario. He would then go on to win titles in 3 more divisions with wins over Buddy McGirt x2, Harold Brazier, Rafael Pineda, Julio Caesar Vasquez, Wilfredo Rivera, Diosbelys Hurtado, and controversial Draw (WIN) over Julio Caesar Chavez. His performance while past his prime against De la Hoya only solidified his greatness.

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17. Joe Louis
Arguably the greatest Heavyweight of time and the most prominent figure in the sports history in time where African Americans needed it the most. Joe Louis would go on to have what some believe the best reign in title history but unarguably the greatest in it's divsions. With wins over Primo Carnera, Max Baer, Jack Sharkey, and Jim Braddock he would amass 25 defenses with his Tommy Farr, historical rematch against Max Schmeling, Buddy Baer, Billy Conn, and Jersey Joe Walcott.

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18. Gene Tunney
Gene Tunney forged a style built for slaying the giants. Displaying a unique safety 1st conservative style that allowed him to defeat the likes of Harry Greb, Jack Dempsey x2, Tommy Gibbons, Tommy Loughran, and Jim Delaney winning titles at both 175 and Heavy.

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19. Tommy Loughran
The Phantom of Philly would become won of the central figures in the Light Heavyweight division with his win over Mike McTigue in 1923. He would go on to gain wins over the likes of Harry Greb, Pete Latzo, Young Stribling, Leo Lomski, Mickey Walker, and Jim Braddock. Also holds wins over Heavy's Jack Sharkey and Max Baer.

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20. Sandy Saddler
Their many who feel Saddler was the greatest 126lb'er of all time, even better than Pep himself who he defeated 3 out of 4 bouts. One of the P4P hardest hitters he dominated the Featherweight divisions giving his opponents nightmares with his rugged spoiling style and even added the 130 lb title to his resume. Wins over Flash Elorde, Ray Femechon, Pep x3, Tommy Collins, Diego Sosa, Charley Riley, Alfedo Esobar, Leroy Willis, and Miguel Acevedo.

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Asero will be here soon.

 

Him and Canzoneri round up the Top 25. Their is definitely a case for him or Canzoneri swapping around with Saddler, which was cause for discussion in the Classic.

 

Well, Top 20 is pretty much 'holy territory' as far is boxing is concerned anyone can't just be put there. Guys like Roy Jones, Marvin Hagler, and Carlos Monzon actually fall within the Top 30 or slightly above which is pretty damn good company. Pac (which I know the comment is based on) is in the mid 30's or so and has a good opportunity to fall within the Top 25 or into the 'holy territory' which so many of you have him (though their is no rational premise of him being there at this particular moment whatsoever.)

 

I posted it there 1st a few days ago, decided to get some feedback from the general.

 

Ali also traveled to pond to both defend his title and also on his trail to regain the title. Bob Fitzsimmons fought bouts in Australia and Mexico.

 

Thanx.