The Ipswich Express Top 100 Fighters of All Time List

Well safe to say to what the top 3 are but cant wait to see what order they are in.

Great stuff again Ippy.

 

I knew it, Eric Crumble makes #1!

 

Great work.

Go get a bloody big beer Ippy!

 

Couldn't believe how much I enjoyed this.

Some of the blokes you mentioned I thought were lost forever.



This is not a request, but if you ever get the urge, you might consider the champs of an era that were filmed in colour (For want of a better criteria)for the benefit of the current fans.

Say from 1960 to now.
That 50 years might seem a long time, but it's the period when film & video became abundant. Relating to them would generate great debate I think.

Great work mate.

 

Also a top 100 bearded fighters. Thats one I'd like to see.

 

Here in one easy to access spot is Ippys top hundred.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. Masahiko Harada 55-7 (22)

Best Wins: KO11 Pone Kingpetch, W15 Eder Jofre x 2, W15 Alan Rudkin.

Good Losses: L15 Pone Kingpetch, L15 Lionel Rose, L15 John Famechon.

An absolute beast of a fighter that captured the World Flyweight crown before bowling over the legendary Jofre not once, but twice. Was beaten by a fantastic young Australian in Rose and was desperately unlucky in his first attempt with Famechon.

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. Jack Berg 157-26-9 (61)

Best Wins: Kid Chocolate W15 & W10, Billy Petrolle W10, Canzoneri W10

Good Losses: Canzoneri L15, Petrolle D10, Sammy Fuller D12

I've never seen footage of Kid Berg, AKA the Whitechapel Windmill, but 2 defeats of Kid Chocolate as well as edging Canzoneri speaks volumes. One of Britain's finest, yet most overlooked fighters.

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Vincente Saldivar 37-3 (26)

Best Wins: W10 Ismael Laguna, W12 Sugar Ramos, W15 Howard Winstone x 2, TKO12 Winstone, W10 Jose Legra, W15 Johnny Famechon.

Southpaw Mexican Featherweight who's record stands up to many in the sport. His body shots were often brutal, in fact I would say few have been better. He also possessed exceptional strength in the later rounds.

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. Tony Zale 67-18-2 (45)

Best Wins: W10 Al Hostack, KO13 Hostack, KO6 Rocky Graziano, KO3 Graziano.

Good Losses: L12 Billy Conn, KO6 Graziano, TKO11 Marcel Cerdan.

The question must be asked, has there ever been anyone tougher than "The Man of Steel"? Forget Ward v Gatti newcomers, his trilogy with Graziano is probably boxing's best. Tough as nails and always in a fight as long as he was breathing.

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. Oscar De La Hoya 39-6 (30)

Best Wins: Vargas KO11, Carr KO11, Quartey W12, Camacho W12, Whitaker W12, Leija KO2, Molina W12.

Good Losses: Mayweather L12, Mosley L12 & L12, Trinidad L12.

De La Hoya makes the list for the standard of his opposition alone. He is a fighter that left as many questions as answers, with hotly disputes decisions over Pernell and Quartey, while losing fights just as close with Tito and Mosley. Excellent jab and left hook, he carried boxing through the last decade.

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. Ricardo Lopez 51-0-1 ( 38 )

Best Wins: KO2 Saman Sorjaturong, KO12 Andy Tabanas, KO5 Alex Sanchez, W12 Rosendo Alvarez.

Good Losses: D8 Alvarez.

It's hard to ignore the undisputed greatest Strawweight fighter of all time. "Finito" defended his strap 21 times, a division record. He could crack for a little guy and contested 26 world title fights without tasting defeat, a record he shares with Joe Louis.

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. Jung Koo Chang 38-4 (17)

Best Wins: TKO3 Hilario Zapata, W12 Sot Chitalada, W12 x 3 German Torres.

Good Losses: L15 Zapata, L12 Chitalada.

"The Korean Hawk" was an all-action fighter that wore his opponents down. He made a then division record 16 successful title defences. He has four losses on his ledger and many of you may ask how he can be ranked higher than Lopez, but in my opinion his standard of opposition is superior. Chitalada and Zapata were about as good as it got and Chang beat both.

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. Kid Chocolate 136-10-6 (51)

Best Wins: W15 Tommy Watson, W12 & W15 Fidel LaBarba, W10 Eddie Shea, TKO7 Benny Bass, W12 Al Singer.

Good Losses: L10 & L15 Jack Berg, L15 Canzoneri, L15 Battalino, L10 LaBarba.

Footage of Cuba's first boxing champion is extremely hard to come by. "The Cuban Bon Bon" fought some outstanding opposition at Feather and Jnr Lightweight. Perhaps held back by his party boy lifestyle.

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. Eusebio Pedroza 41-6-1 (25)

Best Wins: W15 x 2 Rocky Lockridge , W15 Juan Laporte, TKO12 Ruben Olivares, TKO13 Royal Kobayashi, TKO13 Cecillio Lastra.

Good Losses: L15 Barry McGuigan.

"El Alacran" or "The Scorpion is the longest reigning Featherweight in history, both in terms of sucessful defences (19) and years (7). A lanky Feather at 5'7 he utilisied a great jab to great effect.

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. Kid Gavilan 108-30-5 (28 )

Best Wins: W10 x 2 Ike Williams, W10 Beau Jack, W10 Laurent Dauthuille, W10 & W15 Billy Graham, W15 Bobby Dykes, W15 Carmen Basilio.

Good Losses: L10 Ike Williams, L10 Ray Robinson, L15 Robinson, L10 Billy Graham, L15 Bobo Olsen.

"The Cuban Hawk" will forever be remembered for his bolo punch. It was a blow that came naturally for Kid, as he developed it cutting tobacco in his native Cuba. His record is littered with great names and he beat them more often than not.

 

Thread of the year Ippy....well done mate clap:

 

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. Duilio Loi 115-3-8 (26)

Best Wins: W15 x 2 Carlos Ortiz, W15 Eddie Perkins, W10 Orlando Zulueta, W10 Ray Famechon.

Good Losses: L15 Carlos Ortiz, D15 Eddie Perkins, L15 Perkins


A somewhat contentious decision. Loi was 2 time world Junior Welter champion who possessed little power but was a master boxer. Fought almost exclusively in his native Italy, but made a 3 fight pit-stop to Australia and is one of the best to grace our shores. During his loss to Perkins, he still managed to dump him on the canvas twice.

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. Tommy Gibbons 57-4-1 (48 )


Best Wins: KO6 Kid Norfolk, W10 Georges Carpentier, W10 x 3 Billy Miske, W10 x 2 Harry Greb, W10 Battling Levinsky

Good Losses: KO12 Gene Tunney, L15 Jack Dempsey, L15 & L10 Greb, D10Miske.

Funnily enough, Gibbons is not rated by some as the best fighter in his family. That honour falls to his brother Mike. However I'm of the belief that Tommy's has the better record. He was an exceptional boxer, who despite sporting 13lbs to Jack Dempsey, managed to extend him the distance. "Nailing him was like trying to thread a needle in a high wind," said Dempsey.

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. Mike McCallum 49-5-1 (36)


Best Wins: W12 Jeff Harding, W12 Sumbu Kalambay, KO11 Michael Watson, W12 Steve Collins, W12 Herol Graham, KO5 Donald Curry, TKO10 Milton McCrory, KO2 Julian Jackson, TKO13 Luigi Minchillo, TKO7 Ayub Kalule.

Good Losses: L12 x 2, D12 James Toney, L12 Kalambay.

The Bodysnatcher seemed to be the yardstick for greatness during the 80s and 90s. He was never able to land that big fight with one of the "Fab 4", but his demolitions of Curry and Julian Jackson speak volumes. His left hook that ended Curry's night is a thing of perfection. Look it up on youtube.

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. James J Jeffries 18-1-2 (15)

Best Wins: KO3 Peter Jackson, W20 & W25 Tom Sharkey, KO11 & KO8 Bob Fitzsimmons, KO23 & TKO10 James J Corbett.

Good Losses: D20 Joe Choynski, L15 Jack Johnson.

One of the most overlooked Heavyweights of all time, "The Boilermaker" was probably the most feared man on the planet at the beginning of the 1900s. He fought 9 Hall of Fame fighters. Sam Langford famously advertised that he would "fight any man in the world, except James Jeffries" in newspapers across the US. Jeffries fought out of a crouch and possessed a leathal left hook. He became America's "Great White Hope" when taking on Jack Johnson, after 6 years of retirement.

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. Jack Dempsey 66-6-11 (51)

Best Wins: KO7 Jack Sharkey, KO2 Luis Firpo, W15 Tommy Gibbons, TKO6 & KO12 Bill Brennan, KO3 & W6 Billy Miske, KO3 Jess Willard.

Good Losses: Tunney 2 UD10, Miske D10

A man who transcended the boundaries of sport. He was a wrecking ball inside the ring, with punching power that should not be humanly possible for a man that would be a small Cruiserweight by today's standards. His 3 round demolition of Jess Willard is perhaps the most brutal beating a champion has received from a challenger. Dempsey sported Williard 58lbs!

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. Felix Trinidad 42-3 (35)

Best Wins: TKO 12 Vargas, TKO5 Joppy, W12 Reid, W12 De La Hoya, TKO8 Carr, KO2 Blocker, TKO4 Campas, W12 Camacho.

Good Losses: TKO12 Hopkins

Trinidad is a fighter who I feel has become somewhat underrated over the years. As a young Welterweight, he was simply awesome. He ran over some great contenders, handing a few their first "L" on the way. He was a ballsy fighter who never left anything in the change rooms. His slow footwork was a downfall, but his bone crunching power made up for it, more often than not.

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. Bob Foster 56-8-1 (46)


Best Wins: W15 x 2 Pierre Fourie, KO14 Chris Finnegan, KO4 Dick Tiger, TKO9 & W12 Henry Hank, KO4 Mike Quarry.

After starching legendary Dick Tiger in 4, Foster made 14 successful defences of his 175lbs title. He made a number of ventures up to Heavyweight, getting blasted by Joe Frazier for the title and famously causing Muhammad Ali damage to his face. Ranked as the 8th greatest puncher by The Ring and 3rd as their Greatest Lt Heavy in 1994.

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. Myung-Woo Yuh 38-1 (14)

Best Wins: W15 Joey Olivo, W15 & W 12 Jose De Jesus, W 12 x 2 Leo Gamez, W 12 Hiroki Ioka.

Good Losses: Ioka SD12

Appropriately nicknamed "Sonagi" or "Downpour" Yuh possessed little pop in his punches, but boy did he throw plenty of them. Yuh made a record 17 sucessful defences of his Lt Flyweight titles, a record. He avenged his only loss in Ioka's backyard. The fact that he is not in the IBHOF is an absolute travesty.

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. Khaosai Galaxy 49-1 (43)

Best Wins: TKO10 Alberto Castro, TKO14 Ellyas Pical, KO5 Israel Contreras, TKO5 Rafael Orono, TKO8 Chang Ho Choi, KO6 Yong Kang Kim.

There's every chance "The Thai Tyson" should be ranked higher than I have him. An absolute beast of Super Flyweight, he was originally a Muay Thai fighter who developed into probably the best Thai boxer that ever lived. Defended his title 19 times over 7 years, with 16 punishing KOs. Listed at #19 in The Ring's Top 100 Punchers of all time. Enough said.

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. Rocky Marciano 49-0 (43)

Best Wins: KO13 & KO1 Joe Walcott, W15 & TKO8 Ezzard Charles, KO9 Archie Moore KO9, W10 & TKO11 Roland LaStarza, KO2 Harry Matthews.

Boxing's most famous undefeated fighter. Always in shape and always trying to take his opponents' head off with every punch. Had difficulty with Charles and and Walcott despite being past their best, but so would anyone. Tough as nails and as exciting as they come.

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. Ted Lewis 232-44-24 (80) (Record includes "Newspaper decisions")

Best Wins: W6, W20, W10 x 2, W12 x 2 Jack Britton, W20 Roland Todd, W10 x 2 Mike O'Dowd.

Good Losses: L15, L8, KO9, L10 x 6, L12 x 2, L20, L6 & D12 Britton, Benny Leonard D8, Mike Gibbons L10.

Do you think it's fair to say that "Kid" Lewis and Jack Britton had a bit of a rivalry going? These two legends fought each other no less than 20 times, often for the World Welterweight title. His style went from a pure boxer using his let hand to a pressure fighter, during his stay in the US.

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. Lloyd Marshall 71-24-4 (36)

Best Wins: W10 Jack Chase, W10 Joey Maxim, W10 Holman Williams, W10 Jake LaMotta, KO8 Ezzard Charles, W10 Charley Burley, W10 Teddy Yaroscz, W10 Ken Overlin

Good Losses: KO6 Ezzard Charles, L10 & TKO10 Archie Moore, L10 x 2 Williams, D 15 Jack Chase.

This is a guy that I'm not too familiar with. His name is littered with some of boxing's best ever fighters. Wins over La Motta, Burley and Charles speak volumes. Much of his career was fought during the Second World War. He will be inducted into the IBHOF this year.

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. Nino Benvenutti 82-7-1 (35)

Best Wins: KO11 Luis Rodriguez, W15 x 2 Emile Griffith, W15 & KO6 Sandro Mazzinghi.

Good Losses: TKO 12 Carlos Monzon, L10 Dick Tiger, L15 Emile Griffith.

Considered by many to be Italy's greatest ever boxer. Has a 2-1 record in his trilogy with Emile Griffith. Won his first 65 fights, including capturing the world Lt Middle title. Dusted Griffith for the 160lbs title, and defended it a few times before running into Carlos Monzon.

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. Gene Fullmer 55-6-3 (24)

Best Wins: KO10 Benny Paret, W15 x 2 Florentino Fernandez, W15 x 2 Ray Robinson, TKO 12 & TKO14 Carmen Basilio, W10 Charley Humez, W10 Paul Pender.

Good Losses: D15 & L15 Dick Tiger, D15 & KO5 Ray Robinson, D15 Joey Giardello.

A fighter who is the epitome of toughness. Fullmer doesn't get enough credit for mine. Has a 2-1-1 record against Ray Robinson. His wars with Carmen Basilio are still rated MA15+ to this day. They're on youtube, do yourself a favour.

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. Joe Frazier 32-4-1 (27)

Best Wins: W15 Muhammad Ali, KO5 Jimmy Ellis, TKO7 & TKO5 Jerry Quarry, W12 Joe Bugner, W15 & 10 Oscar Bonavena, TKO4 George Chuvalo, KO6 Doug Jones, TKO10 Eddie Machen.

Good Losses: L12 & TKO14 Ali, TKO2 Foreman.

An absolute wrecking-ball of a fighter. Pressure personified from the first bell until the last. His victory of Ali in the Fight of the Century will forever enshire him in the boxing annals. Had a devestating left hook and the heart the size of an ox. Name another fighter that gets bounced like a basketball 6 times by Foreman and still needed a "Technical" knock out. At his best, he was one of the greatest Heavyweights of all time.

 

Once Ippy get's through with the Top 100 bearded boxers it'll be time for the bearded female Top 100 boxers.

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