Who in your opinion is the greatest boxer in the history of boxing?

True. Guess point of thread is goat, not almost goaty

 

Nah you were right. I was going to go on a rant about Monzon having an argument. And being underrated and sold short all the time in general.

 

Manny Pacquiao.

 

Its a shame going to a posh boarding school didn't teach you some manners.

 

Pacquiao has a good case.

Keep in mind the topic's title says "greatest", not "best", and there is a difference. Pacquiao isn't the most skilled fighter of all time, and doesn't have a perfect record, but he's accomplished more than just about any fighter ever.

• First ever 7 weight world champion
• First ever 8 weight world champion
• Oldest welterweight boxing world champion in history
• First ever fighter to win a world title in 4 different decades

 

Muhammad Ali. The amount of people who watched him. His inspirational nature. He made some huge fights.

There's never been a more complete boxer. Could take a puncher from heavy hitter and survive. Only man to knock out foreman. Insane speed, offense and defence.

Amazing entertainer and boxer.

 

For me the sweet science reached its zenith in the 70s/80s/early 90s. This is when truly gifted athletes started to get into the game and you can see this from the physiques; outrageously big welterweights like Tommy Hearns and carved from stone Haglers. Weight management was using science to fit quarts into pint pots and rehydrating became an art.

It is also when the big money came in and when no stone was left unturned in creating properly conditioned fighters - there was simply too much TV money at stake to get things wrong.

So for me it is always about the greats from those eras. An in shape Duran is a truly fearsome sight and the wondrous punching volume, speed and accuracy of SRL has never been bettered.

Top athletes these days usually choose other sports to make their money and to be honest I find it difficult to blame them.

 

I like how you asked our opinion and then poo all over them if you dont agree.

 

Sugar Ray Robinson was confirmed by much bigger boxing experts than me, and I have nothing to add. His score after his first retirement is impressive. Boxing idol Muhammad Ali.

 

1986-1989 Mike Tyson

 

I think Floyd Mayweather would have a good argument in being rated the greatest boxer

 

For ability? Sure
But I don't think he took enough chances to be the GOAT

He did beat more world champs than anyone, but with the alphabet titles today, that is to be expected for him and Manny

Great fighter though