Teddy Atlas top 10 greatest lightweights of all time

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mandela2039, May 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM.


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  1. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Philippians 2:10-11 Full Member

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    1. Benny Leonard
    2. Roberto Duran
    3. Tony Canzoneri
    4. Sweet P
    5. Henry Armstrong
    6. Barney Ross
    7. Ike Williams
    8. Julio Cesar Chavez
    9. Joe Gans
    10. Lou Ambers

    What do you guys think?
     
    Mandela2039, May 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
    Mandela2039, May 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
    #1
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  2. Ioakeim Tzortzakis

    Ioakeim Tzortzakis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Benny Leonard at #1 is correct imo.

    Canzoneri in the top 3 is a hot take that should not be a hot take. Not sure I have him top 3 myself due to some of his losses, but his winning resume at the weight is absolute bonkers. Arguably the best at the poundage.

    Sweet Pea just does not have the resume to be above Gans or Williams

    Chavez in the list at all is a disaster, he was at his peak H2H at 135 but only had like 3 meaningful fights there.

    Gans at 9 is way too low.
     
    Ioakeim Tzortzakis, May 30, 2025 at 9:52 AM
    Ioakeim Tzortzakis, May 30, 2025 at 9:52 AM
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  3. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Philippians 2:10-11 Full Member

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    good to see you again ioakeim
     
    Mandela2039, May 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
    Mandela2039, May 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
    #3
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  4. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Personally for me Duran is #1 as I doubt Benny could discourage him ,but 2 spots stick out for me as wrong'
    Sweet Pea is waaay too high and Joe Gans is too low
     
    Reinhardt, May 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
    Reinhardt, May 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
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  5. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Teddy's list includes 7 of my top 10. I have McFarland, Welsh and Ortiz and don't have Armstrong, Ross and JCC, who all spread their careers over other weights.

    Atlas has Gans too low.
     
    Greg Price99, May 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
    Greg Price99, May 30, 2025 at 10:20 AM
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  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I knew Carlos Ortiz would get ****ed as soon as I saw the thread title, so I was prepared for that. But Joe Gans at number 9 is a disgrace.
     
    McGrain, May 30, 2025 at 10:22 AM
    McGrain, May 30, 2025 at 10:22 AM
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  7. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Seconded. Gans is an absolute boxing genius. Top 3 for me and quite easily top 3.
     
    dmt, May 30, 2025 at 10:27 AM
    dmt, May 30, 2025 at 10:27 AM
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  8. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Teddy's lists are interesting. Although i think super knowledgable fans on this forum can do better. Gans is too low but i am fine with the rest of this.
     
    dmt, May 30, 2025 at 11:19 AM
    dmt, May 30, 2025 at 11:19 AM
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  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Top One for me, I’d say with a bullet, but Leonard so great.
     
    McGrain, May 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
    McGrain, May 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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  10. Lonsdale81

    Lonsdale81 New Member Full Member

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    Freddie Welsh would be in mine
     
    Lonsdale81, May 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM
    Lonsdale81, May 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM
    #10
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  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    It hurts me to say that Julio is questionable, though I do believe it was his peak weight and that head to head he would have beaten almost the entire list at 135.

    Joe Gans is #3 for me, right behind Duran and Leonard.
     
    Seamus, May 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
    Seamus, May 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
    #11
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  12. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Carlos Ortiz is an obvious miss. Gans way too low as everyone has already pointed out.

    Leonard at number 1 is correct in my view. Duran at 2 is absolutely fine with me.

    Chavez was brilliant at lightweight but I think is lucky to get into the top 10, particularly when Ortiz is not there nor Welsh and McFarland.

    Other than that, it’s not too bad.
     
    Jel, May 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM
    Jel, May 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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  13. FThabxinfan

    FThabxinfan Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Duran anywhere from 1 to 7,because I kind of agreed with @Ioakeim Tzortzakis that his resume is a bit poor,but still very good and ATG material,plus p4p he clapped prime Leonard.

    Gans definitely too low,and Chavez is too forced to be there.

    I agree with @Jel too,Ortiz should've entered.
     
    FThabxinfan, May 30, 2025 at 3:18 PM
    FThabxinfan, May 30, 2025 at 3:18 PM
    #13
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  14. Grouch 2

    Grouch 2 New Member banned Full Member

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    Grouch 2, May 30, 2025 at 8:36 PM
    Grouch 2, May 30, 2025 at 8:36 PM
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  15. Grouch 2

    Grouch 2 New Member banned Full Member

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    Agree . Duran # 1. I am not sure why Sweet P is on the list. Personally, I think that Floyd jr, Arguello, and Dejsus beats “Sweet P”.
     
    Grouch 2, May 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
    Grouch 2, May 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
    #15
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