1994 Ring Rates the ATG Top 5

Tough break for Michael Spinks.

Armstrong above Robbie at 147lbs?

Driscoll should be a lock for the top five at 126lbs.

Jofre above Zarate, every time.

No Pancho Villa in the top five at flyweight?

 

Johnson is tricky because he was stopped early in his career several times and often late in his career. In between he had one of the longest dominant runs in HW history. His defeating of the top black contenders on way to title is more impressive than his actual title defenses. Same with Dempsey his run to the title is better than his defenses. I do not rate Johnson as highly but I can understand his placement. Ditto for Dempsey.

LH Langford has to make the list some way
MW I would place Greb at one
WW I would flip Robinson and Armstrong just because I think Robinson has to place one somewhere and he was better ww than mw

 

Ring Magazine likes to use popular names to sell magazines. Most boxing fans who pay for PPV do not know who Langford was, but do know who Dempsey and Johnson were.

Regarding Johnson's wins over the black fighters, its misunderstood. He actually drew with Battling Jim Johnson in a title fight ( Some feel he lost it ). There was no re-match, and Johnson kept his lineal title.

His win over Sam McVey happened when McVey was a teenager 2x and but 20 on the 3rd match. Joe Jeannette was a raw novice with a losing record in some of the matches when he meet Johnson, and Sam Langford was also 20. and just 156 pounds. Not so impressive if you ask me...

Had Johnson fought and beat them when they were in their prime from 1908-1912 it would have been much more impressive.

 

I know Mendoza you are anti Johnson and Mcvey you are pro Johnson I think you both make good arguments. I don't want to hijack this thread with this debate but I would like to know from each of you what you think are Johnson's three best wins. If you want to bump another article or point me in right direction it would be most appreciated.

I also agree with an above poster of jofre over zarate

 

Marciano does not belong in top 10

 

Fitzsimmons, Langford and Spinks all have arguments for being LHW Top-5.

 

The Jack Johnson Publicity Machine in full form.

Inexcusable.

 

With the comeback a few years earlier, Zarate was fresh in the mind, and some were struggling to a name better all time 118lber.

 

Ring's picks at middle

1.SRR
2.Monzon
3.Greb
4.Ketchel
5.Hagler


Listing Greb third is poor. I think Ketchel s very over rated.

 

Yes arguably a bit lower, but there is a case for third.

 

Johnson lost and drew too often. His title run was the weakest of any tenured heavyweight champion. Nothing anyone writes will change that.

As for his three best wins in a pure boxing sense they would have to come vs. opponents in their prime or near prime. I would say Tommy Burns, Denver Ed Martin, and Frank Moran are three names to consider.

Johnson lost to the likes of Hart, Choynski, and Griffin, and drew to the likes of Jim Battling Johnson, and Jack O'Brien. These guys were in their prime or near prime when they beat Johnson, and for my money are very close to even with the names I listed for his best three wins.