Muhammad Ali Sugar Ray Robinson Joe Louis Henry Armstrong Roberto Duran Sugar Ray Leanord Mike Tyson Marvin Hagler Joe Frazier Rocky Marciano George Foreman Tommy Hearns Jack Dempsey Julio Cesar Chavez Ezzard Charles
P4P? Not necessarly in order Muhammad Ali Sugar Ray Robinson Joe Louis Henry Armstrong Roberto Duran Sugar Ray Leanord Lennox Lewis Marvin Hagler Larry Holmes Rocky Marciano Sonny Liston Tommy Hearns Archie Moore Julio Cesar Chavez Ezzard Charles
Greb Ali Foreman Duran Pep SRR Archie Moore Armstrong Dempsey Holyfield Paq-man Walker EZ Charles JC Chavez Tyson
Harry Greb, Henry Armstrong, Sam Langford, Ray Robinson, Bob Fitzsimmons. These are the five I'd say that did things that were genuinely insane.
Well- ones you cannot help take a second look at are Greb, Langford and Sugar Ray Robinson the weight jumps and sheer volume of ATG wins is baffling.
Hector Camancho Jr. Went from 126 to 168. Never stopped. Vinny Paz. Came back to win a world title after breaking his spinal in a car accident.
Interestingly, probably only Robinson was best all-time in a weight class. Which doesn’t mean I dispute their legend status. Just interesting.
I've gone for a dozen, one for each round under today's rules. In more or less chronological order, based on a mix of achievements, impact on the sport and its legacy, enduring appeal etc. 1) John L. Sullivan 2) Jack Johnson 3) Jack Dempsey 4) Henry Armstrong 5) Joe Louis 6) Ray Robinson 7) Rocky Marciano 8) Muhammad Ali 9) Roberto Duran 10) Ray Leonard 11) Mike Tyson 12) Julio Cesar Chavez Obviously a little over-saturated with Heavyweights, but again I'll stress I'm thinking largely of which fighters have become cultural icons, been responsible for seismic shifts in the popularity or perception of the sport etc. Chavez's inclusion might surprise some, but given the absolutely enormous contribution his country has made to the sport, it wouldn't quite feel right having no Mexicans in there. If it was purely on achievements and records, then it would end up simply being a pound for pound list and a few of these Heavyweights would make way for the likes of Greb, Charles, Benny Leonard or whatever. But legend status has a bit more to it than that and I'm thinking about the guys who have transcended the sport itself.
