The Ipswich Express Top 100 Fighters of All Time List

7.


Muhammad Ali 56-5 (37)

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Best Wins: W15 Leon Spinks, W15 Earnie Shavers, W15 & W12 Ken Norton, W12 & TKO14 Joe Frazier, W12 & W15 Joe Bugner, TKO11 Ron Lyle, KO8 George Foreman, TKO3 & TKO7 Jerry Quarry, W12 & W15 George Chuvalo, TKO15 Oscar Bonavena, KO1 & TKO7 Sonny Liston.

Good Losses: L12 Norton, L15 Frazier.

The self proclaimed "Greatest", Ali certainly lived up to the boast. His resume speaks for itself. He dominated the Heavyweight division during its strongest years. Ali had speed and footwork unlike any Heavyweight. He also possessed a tremendous chin, taking bombs from the divisions biggest hitters in Liston, Frazier, Foreman and Shavers.

First claimed the title when he shocked the world by beating Sonny Liston. His exile eventually lead to "The Fight of the Century" with Joe Frazier, in which Joe took a 15 round decision. He regained the title by again shocking the world by stopping the unbeaten Foreman in Zaire.

His rubber match with Frazier, "The Thrilla in Manila" is possibly the greatest Heavyweight fight of all time. It is simply 14 rounds of unbridled fury, with both fighters raining hell on each other.

Ali went on to become the only fighter at that point in time to win the title 3 times, when he beat Leon Spinks in a rematch.

 

6.


Ezzard Charles 92-25-1 (51)

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Best Wins: W10 x 3 & KO4 Jimmy Bivins, W10 x 2, W12, W15 x 2 Joey Maxim, W15 x 2 Jersey Joe Walcott, W15 Joe Louis, KO9 Elmer Ray, KO8 & W10 x 2 Archie Moore, KO2 & KO6 Lloyd Marshall, KO5 Jose Basora, W10 x 2 Charley Burley, W10 Teddy Yarosz.

Good Losses: KO8 & L15 Rocky Marciano, L10 Harold Johnson, L15 & KO7 Jersey Joe Walcott, L10 Elmer Ray, L10 Jimmy Bivins,KO8 Lloyd Marshall, D10 Ken Overlin.

Recognised by many as the great Light Heavyweight of all time, "The Cincinnati Cobra" never actually held the 175lbs crown. He began his career at Middleweight, defeating Burley and Yarosz. He was unable to gain a shot at the title, moving north to Lt Heavy where he beat Hall of Famers Moore, Marshall, Maxim and Bivens.

After serving in World War II, Charles moved to Heavyweight, beating Joe Walcott for the vacant title. He then defeated Joe Louis for universal recognition. He made 8 defenses before losing it to Walcott. He ran Marciano close twice, despite being well past his best.

It should be noted that 20 of his 25 losses were after he lost his title, with 13 of those 25 when he fought on despite suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease.

He had speed, agility, fast hands and excellent footwork. Charles possessed a masterful jab and was a superb combination puncher.

 

Hey Pops, I honestly don't think I've underestimated it, but I can't rate him on something that might have happened. Ali had a size advantage in nearly every big fight he fought, with the exception of Liston and Foreman. Certainly an incredible fighter, I just think there's be a couple better.

 

Ha ha, tell me about it! I'm working on it now. Should bowl them all over.

 

5.


Sam Langford 203-46-52 (129) (ncludes Newspaper Decisions)

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Best Wins: KO2 Tiger Flowers, KO1 & KO2 George Godfrey, KO2 Kid Norfolk, KO7, W10, W12 x 2, W15 x 2, W20 Joe Jeanette, W 10 x 2, KO13, TKO11 & W20 x 2 Sam McVey, W15 Joe Gans, KO19 & KO14 Harry Wills, KO5 Jack O'Brien, W6 Stanley Ketchel, W20 & W15 x 3 Peter Jackson.

Good Losses: TKO7, KO6, L8 x 2, L10 x 5, L12, L15 x 2, L20, D6 & D10 Harry Wills, D10 George Godfrey, L12, L20, D10 x 2, D12 & D20 x 4 Sam McVey, TKO8, L10, L12, D6, D10, D12 x 2 Joe Jeanette, L15 Jack Johnson, D15 Joe Walcott.

Known as "The Boston Tar Baby," "The Boston Bonecrusher," and "The Boston Terror," Langford is probably the greatest fighter to never win a world title. He fought the best from Lightweight up to Heavyweight, he weighed 185lbs (84kg) in his prime, often giving up a lot of weight to his opponents.

Jack Johnson refused to defend his Heavyweight title against Langford, citing that he couldn't raise a $30,000 guarantee. Langford was however considered the most dangerous contender for the crown. Langford was forced to fight other black fighters of his day, including facing Harry Wills on 17 seperate occasions.

Films exist of Langford fighting Fireman Jim Flynn and Bill Lang. One story characterizing his career involved Langford walking out for the 8th round and touching gloves with his opponent. "What's the matter, Sam, it ain't the last round!" said his mystified opponent. "Tis for you son," said Langford, who promptly knocked his opponent out.

Heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey said: "The hell I feared no man. There was one man I wouldn't fight because I knew he would flatten me. I was afraid of Sam Langford".

 

4.


Roberto Duran 103-16 (70)

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Best Wins: W10 Jorge Castro, W12 Iran Barkley, TKO8 Davey Moore, TKO4 Pipino Cuevas, W10 Luigi Minchillo, W15 Ray Leonard, W10 Carlos Palomino, TKO12 & KO11 Esteban De Jesus, KO13 Vilomar Fernandez, W10 & W15 Edwin Viruet, W10 Saoul Mamby, KO14 Ray Lampkin, TKO8 Hector Thompson, TKO13 Ken Buchanan, TKO10 Ernesto Marcel.

Good Losses: L12 Hector Camacho, L12 Vinnie Pazienza, L15 Marvin Hagler, L10 Esteban De Jesus.

Without question the best fighter of my lifetime. "Manos de Piedra" or "Hands of Stone" was undefeated when he TKO'd Ken Buchanan in 13 rounds for the Lightweight championship in 1972 at Madison Square Garden.

Twelve successful defenses followed, including wins over the likes of Jimmy Robertson, Guts Ishimatsu, Esteban De Jesus, Ray Lampkin, Lou Bizzarro, and Edwin Viruet. Only De Jesus beat Duran at Lightweight, and Roberto crushed him twice in return.

Duran moved up to Welterweight and defeated the previously unbeaten Leonard in "The Brawl in Montreal". Duran was different to many fighters, he genuinely hated his opponents and Leonard was no exception. Duran was disgusted that he was getting paid one-fifth of Leonard's earnings, despite entering the bout with a 71-1 record. He was not to be denied that night as he brutalised a game Leonard, earning a decision.

Perhaps his greatest feat was his ability to continue to reinvent himself long after people thought he was finished. After the "No Mas" incident, Duran had a couple of insignificant years before bashing Cuevas and Moore, winning his 3rd title in different weight classes.

He battled Marvin Hagler for the Middleweight title, losing the fight but gaining Hagler's respect. He was dismantled by Hearns before winding back the clocks in 1989 to win the Middleweight title against Iran Barkley in a truly remarkable battle.

The nonstop aggression in his youth transformed into the slick defensive counterpuncher of old age. But there were constants. The chin of granite, the disdain for his opponent and a right hand from hell.