Who is you Favorite boxer in history?

I just love the sport itself.
Especially what we saw from
the mid 70's until the late 90's
Ginuwine greatness at so many
different weight classes. All times greats
actually fighting each other while they were
young and at their best.
Fights were on network tv.
Names like Chacon, "Little Red Lopez,
Limon, Boza Edwards, Jimmy Paul
Bramble, Fletcher, fighters that were
not great, but fought like they were.
A whole gamut of different styles.
Devastating punchers, brawlers, boxer-punchers
pure stylist , defensive geniuses ,classic counter
punchers.
Those were great times for boxing.

 

Roberto Duran

 

Unfortunately the 90s and everything prior was before my time, though I was vaguely aware of Holyfield and Tyson back then.
In the 2000s I watched some fights here and there but it's not until the 2nd half of the noughties that I really understood what I was watching and could score and explain to my friends who was winning and why. For some reason I never really liked Floyd or Manny that much, but I've grown to appreciate Floyd a lot more in hindsight.
With that out of the way, my favorite fighter in real time is Chocolatito. From the first time I watched him against Estrada (first fight), he became my favorite current boxer - he was picture perfect and his technique is basically flawless. His first loss nearly had me quitting watching the sport altogether.
So, of active/recent/my era fighters - Chocolatito.

Over the years I lurked in this forum and started to watch fighters of old based on the discussions here. Sugar Ray Robinson then became my favorite ATG - I still believe he represents the highest level one can reach in boxing and I've watched some of his fights an unhealthy amount of times. I grew to like Joe Louis, Henry Armstrong, Alexis Arguello & Pernell Whittaker as well the 4 Kings but the man that gives SRR his closest run for me is Jose Napoles. As a fan of offense-first fighters, he is a real joy to watch and he has one of the most nuanced and layered styles.
Long story short lol - Chocolatito amongst those whose careers I've experienced properly and a draw between SRR and Jose Napoles amongst those I've gone back and researched on.

 

Charley Burley
Not only for him being part of the murderers' row and arguably being the best of the group, but also his timid personality. Lot of people talk up boxers for their work inside the ring, but most have little knowledge of them outside of it. Burley was this sort of mysterious, slow-burn guy who was quiet and always had this idgaf poker face. Also read what he had to say about SRR, something along the lines of "when God asked the two of us who wanted to be a Sugar Ray, I guess I just didn't raise my hand fast enough, but I'm ok with that."

 

Salvador Sanchez. Convenient thing, given my screen name.

 

Hi Mike. I've always believed that had John fulfilled his potential,he would be rated right up there with the great 175lb men such as Moore,Foster,Spinks and Charles. I've met Conteh and he's great to talk to and will be seeing him again this coming Saturday.

 

Muhammad Ali will always be my number one. All sorts of reasons.

 

This is such a difficult question. Probably Holyfield for me. Bravery, durability, skill, grit, and was willing to spit in the face of the devil when the chips were down. That's a bad man. I don't think I've seen another fighter mentally drown so many other all time greats.

Joe Frazier was my first childhood "historical" (before my time) favorite with the leaping left of Ali stuck in my head on repeat every time I've thrown a left hook on the bag since. What a fighter and man.

Bobby Chacon is my personal California hero. You can't get better for the quality of fights. Qawi, Arguello, Toney. This thread is like pulling teeth, but fun. I'm going to edit and re-edit this post 100 more times than I usually do, I'm sure.

 

Not gonna lie I expected you to say Norton.

 

My pick as well. With Liston a very close second.

 

Probably Billy Papke honestly, such a violent guy, he’s awesome to read about, close seconds would be Greb, Ketchal and Walker

 

Evander Holyfield. I rooted for him every time and loved his style of fighting. I also liked watching Tyson, Leonard, Benn and Mosley.

 

I have two tied. One from my lifetime & one from before. Eder Jofre & Tito Trinidad.

Tito was the fighter who was probably the first I “idolized.” I’d gotten into boxing, enjoyed Holyfield but Tito was the one where I was like “that’s my fighter!” Loved his style, his charisma and no run captivated me in my lifetime like his match to greatness from 1999-2001. I'd always loved how he connected with the fans too & I witnessed that in person attending the Mayorga fight. I was just 19. Got to meet him after the fight and he was thanking ME for being by a fan of his and coming from far to see him fight. It was an amazing experience at that age to see a superstar as humble as him. Fast forward 20 years, I’m blessed to have spent time with him and visit him in Puerto Rico and be friends and he’s still THE MAN there and still always smiling and happy. He’s without doubt the nicest and most humble superstar/public figure/whatever you want to call it, that I’ve ever met.

The other, of course, is Eder Jofre. I researched the hell out of his career and then life. I must’ve been 13 when I saw him for the first time and started this mission. Again, fast forward years later, got in touch with he & family and shared moments that are among my fondest in life. So, while both are my favorite fighters to watch and who I must admire, I also have a personal touch that means so much to me. They say never meet your idols, well, I’d consider myself very, very lucky.

Juan Manuel Marquez another that I absolutely love to and watched his entire career and got behind. Attended more of his fights (11) than that of any other fighter. He's another who’s always pure class with the fans. Treats everyone with courtesy and just oozes class.

 

Had a few favorites over the years but ultimately it's SRR for me. So tough, so much style and great footwork.

 

Michael Spinks for me. For all the USA Olympic boxers that I followed, I enjoyed his career the most. He achieved so much, took it to the limit and went out on his shield. I really like that Evander Holyfield has so many votes. He is super high on my all time list as well.