My personal choices would have to include the 5 fighters that had the greatest influence on me as a fan of this sport , in order ; Ali - the man the legend , the enigma , the personailty the fighter , what is not frighteningly interesting about man like Ali ??? De La Hoya - the era of DLH , Mosley , Winky , Tito , Forrest , and the sub players of that era / weight class is what re kindled my love for this sport , it always seemed that De La Hoya was involved in classic after classic and was just so watchable as a fighter !!! Hatton - he gave us Brits a lot of great nights , his action packed style and guts will have him stand alone in the folklore of British boxing as the most popular world champion we have ever had . Barrera - Enough said Calzaghe - Coming in at #5 of my all time most inspirational fighters in my history of being a boxing fan , i loved Calzaghe's confidence and style , at times ugly but very frenetic , unbeleivable output , and just not quite polished technically , which for me like Hatton is what i liked about him , he was the man who was never supposed to beat the very best in the world but eventually did , ****in miss them all !!!!! :|
Muhammad Ali - for transcending the sport Ray Robinson - for being the best of all time Joe Louis - For being the first widely popular black athlete, for being a great champ Alexis Arguello (or someone else who can encompass being the quintessential 'gentleman boxer') For the fifth, I'm not sure. Maybe someone like Tyson or another huge but bankrupt fighter.
1. Manny Pacquiao - Today's "Great" 2. Muhammad Ali - ''The Greatest'' 3. Sugar Ray Robinson - Best p4p ever 4. Jack Dempsey - Golden Era 5. Mike Tyson - the baddest man
Jack Dempsey-The first truly modern heavyweight, and first superstar of the sport. Before him guys were fighting at a very moderate, bareknuckle style, pace. The world was addicted to the man and his savagry, his fights were front page news on the New York Times. He fit his era perfectly. Joe Louis-America had a greater association with him than with any other fighter, even more than Ali. He was a the most dominate champion in the history of the sport. Sugar Ray Robbinson-No question about it, far and away, the greatest fighter ever. His accomplishments are so rediculous the stats along could write his story. Muhammad Ali-A given Roberto Duran-The greatest hispanic fighter of all-time, was crucial in the post-Ali era of boxing. I know a lot people would want to put Ray Leonard in this spot, but Duran had a far more extensive career, and was a foreshadow of what was to come from Latin America.
1. Joe Louis- second black HW champion, quiet, longest reign, exciting era of great fighters 2. Sugar Ray Robinson- arguable the best P4P ever, his "entourage" and flashy lifestyle, decline after boxing 3. Muhammad Ali- Mr boxing basically. 4. Roberto Duran- Fiery side of boxing and great comebacks 5. Manny Pacquiao- current best fighter in the world
I would start with John L Sullivan , discuss how being Heavyweight Champion of the world at one time was everything in sport.
Manny Pacquiao - Current P4P Number 1 Rocky Marciano - Undefeated Heavyweight Champion Ray Robinson - The Best Ever Mohammed Ali - Entertainment/Popularity Gerald McClellan/Meldrick Taylor - Tragic
Joe Louis- The influence of social and political events in boxing Roberto Duran- What fight fans want to see Sugar Ray Leonard- The marketing side of boxing Kirino Garcia- Ultimate beating the odds/comeback story. Arturo Gatti- Blood and guts warrior, showed the brutal side of boxing