My Top 50

I think his resume is really underrated. Not as much depth as Langford, but he was much more consistent.

 

No expert here. Just seriously mental defective league material.

 

I'd place Fitz anywhere in the top 6 personally.

PhillyPhan69's suggestions are solid, Tommy Ryan, Abe Attell, and Eder Jofre are some others worth considering, I think Jem Mace deserves consideration, but I know most people exclude bareknuckle fighters. I'd need to give it more thought honestly, I've not done a list of my own, I don't think I could do a top 50 I'd be happy with without help or really doing a lot more research TBH.

 

A few times but not in the past 2 years. Feel free to chime in on these or start a new one for fresh insights

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/aaron-pryor-vs-nicolino-locche-at-140.574867/

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/aaron-pryor-vs-niccolino-locche.557422/

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/nicolino-locche-vs-aaron-pryor.523937/


https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/aaron-pryor-vs-nicolino-locche-at-140.512732/

 

Thanks for taking the time to post this list, mate. Horrible trying to make a top ten, never mind a fifty.

That said, Ted 'Kid' Lewis' placing sticks out like a sore thumb for me, as does Maxie Rosenbloom's. I think Lewis has his work cut out just making number seven on a Welterweight all-time list (off the top of my head, that's roughly where I'd have him)...But number seven across all weights and all eras? Apologies if you've already covered this in previous responses, but I'd be very interested to hear your case for Lewis (or Rosenbloom, for that matter, who would only just get inside my top ten at 175 on a good day).

If they're a little too high, then the ones I'd say are too low are Armstrong (I'd struggle to have him outside the top three, and certainly never out a top five), Tunney, Jones Jr., Fitzsimmons and Chavez.

In terms of names which are missing completely - I think Michael Spinks just has to be in there. Easily a top five all-timer at 175 lb, for my money. Perhaps as high as three. Then becomes the first Light-Heavyweight champion to win the Heavyweight title, beating a guy who I'd rank at number three for the Heavies. I accept that he got a very fortunate verdict against Holmes second time out, and put up a pathetic performance against Tyson, but I think Spinks missing out is very rough justice for him. I'd have him somewhere between 20 and 30, I guess.

Also, how about Tommy Ryan? One of the few men in history to have done the proper, legitimate Welter / Middle double, at a time when there were still only five fully-recognised weight classes. Only three defeats in his entire career - one of them a disqualification, the other two to Kid McCoy, whose own record speaks for itself. After he retired it took until Ketchel before anyone else established full superiority over the 160 lb division.

I think Fighting Harada has a claim to just steal a place at the lower end of a fifty, as well. This guy is arguably the second greatest Asian fighter of them all, behind only Pacquiao. Beat a very good Flyweight champion in Kingpetch, and I had him winning their rematch in Kingpetch's backyard, too. Having dropped that decision, he steps up to Bantam and dethrones the IBRO's (and many other people's) all-time number one 118 pounder in Jofre, the only man to ever beat the Brazilian, in fact. Nothing 'lucky' about either verdict, despite what some Jofre fanatics might say; he had Jofre in big trouble in the fourth round of the first fight, deservedly won it close but well, and then did enough to hold on to his belt in the rematch, albeit that was a very close one (I personally had it a draw, but that's no disgrace against a man of Jofre's calibre). And then was denied history by becoming the first man to complete the Fly, Bantam and Feather treble against Famechon in Sydney in 1969 - Harada clearly won that first fight and was robbed by Willie Pep, referee and sole judge. Chuck in additional wins against classy opposition such as Rudkin, Medel and Caraballo and you've got a genuine all-time great who is scandalously underrated.

But as I said - I appreciate you putting in the time and letting us all take a shot!

 

McGrain's material is some of the best and deepest on the planet.

 

Welcome George .Good to have you on the Forum .

 

I have not read this for about a year, so I can’t remember the order off the top of my head...but worth checking out

http://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-ar...light-heavyweights-of-all-time-part-one-50-41

 

Guess you liked McClarnin then