The Ipswich Express Top 100 Fighters of All Time List

Over the past few days I've been trying to formulate a list of the greatest 100 boxers of all time. I've tried to eliminate as much bias as I can. I've also tried to ignore the alphabet soup boys and focus on wins over quality opposition and decent losses/draws against top level fighters.

No list is perfect and no doubt many, if not all, will disagree at some point. That's the beauty of these things, they're so subjective. Hopefully nobody has slipped my mind, though that's a distinct possibility as well. With luck, the list will cause some discussion and also educate, something I certainly have been while sifting through records and other people's lists etc. Anyway, without further ado...




100. Mike Tyson 50-6-1 (44)

Best Wins: Thomas TKO6, Ruddock TKO7 & UD12, Spinks KO1, Tucker W12, Bruno TKO5 & TKO3

Good Losses: KO 11 Holyfield

One of the most notable fighters of all time, and often not for all the right reasons. Tyson was dominant for an extended period of time. His resume is not as glossy as some of the other legendary Heavyweights, but that is not necessarily his fault. Had frightening power, top chin and great head movement in his prime.



99. Sonny Liston 50-4 (39)

Best Wins: Patterson KO1 & KO2, Machen UD12, Folley KO3, Cleveland Williams TKO2 & TKO3

Good Losses: Leotis Martin KO9

Like the man listed one spot below him, Liston is one of the most intimidating fighters of all time. He possessed bone crunching power that was set up by one of the greatest jabs the sport has even seen. Avoided by the top fighters in the division for a long time. If it wasn't for some guy named Clay, he would've reigned for longer.


98. Tiger Flowers 119-15-7 (55)

Best Wins: W12 Panama Joe Gans, W10 x 3 & W12 Lou Bogash, W15 Harry Greb x 2

Good Losses: L10 Harry Greb, L10 Mike McTigue, L10 Mickey Walker, D10 x 2 Maxie Rosenbloom.

The Georgia Deacon fought anybody and everybody from Sam Langford through to Mickey Walker. After losing a hotly disputed decision to world Light Heavy champ McTigue, Tiger dethroned Middlweight champion Harry Greb, a feat he would repeat a few months later. A great southpaw fighter from an era when coloured boxers didn't get a fair shake.



97. Panama Al Brown 132-18-13 (62)

Best Wins: W15 Gregorio Vidal, KO12 Teddy Baldock, W15 Pete Stansol, W15 & W12 Kid Francis, W15 Johnny King.

Good Losses: L10 Freddie Miller, L15 Baltazar Sangchili, L10 Pete Stansol.

One of the tallest Bantamweights of all time, Brown was Latin America's first world champion. Brown campaigned in the US and later Europe, where he was immensely popular, basing himself in Paris. Recognised as the World Bantamweight champion for a period of approximately 6 years, Brown defended against the best Bantams and Feathers of his day.


96. Joe Calzaghe 46-0 (32)

Best Wins: Hopkins W12, Kessler W12, Bika W12, Lacy W12, Brewer W12, Reid W12, Eubank W12.

No doubt this selection will cause a riot by many on here. Possessed great handspeed and ring generalship which is often overlooked by boxing fans. His win over Hopkins wasn't pretty, but nobody beats a top version of The Executioner convincingly. Undoubtedly the greatest Super Middle of all time. He always found a way to win.

95. Aaron Pryor 39-1 (35)

Best Wins: KO4 Antonio Cervantes, KO14 & KO10 Alexis Arguello,

The Hawk is recognised as one of, if not the, greatest fighter in the history of the Jnr Welter division. His first battle with Arguello is an epic victory, later recognised as the Fight of the Decade by The Ring. The fact that Pryor could never land a fight with Ray Leonard or Tommy Hearns (whom he defeated in the singlets) speaks volumes of his ability and holds him back from being placed higher up the list.

 

Joe's resume is greater than Tyson's. Mike was pretty lucky to make the list to be honest. I considered Packy McFarland amongst others to replace him. Regardless, as I said, it's all about opinions.

 

Youngest ever belt holder. Youngest ever champion is Floyd Patterson Anyway, hopefully it encourages some healthy debate on here. I'll do up the next 5 either tonight or tomorrow, depending on how many beers I get through!