Who was closest to being 'unknockoutable'?

In fact, bugger it: I don't like him, but James Toney is the closest thing to unknockoutable, at least from 160-200 lbs. At heavyweight, I can see people who would knock out the latter-day Toney that we've seen since early 2006, but we're talking ATG finishers like Louis and Lewis.

 

Micky Walker is other imo. The beatings he took when he jump in the heavyweights was impressive.

 

He was also knocked down by Zab Judah.

 

Hmm, well, staying in line with what's being asked for, I think Whitaker needs to be looked at further.

Even years and years past his best and heavily on drugs the man went 12 with Trinidad, who's an elite punch himself.

He could always be floored, and was was more than once... But like Greb he was only stopped once in his career and that was because of a broken bone.

He just had an amazing ability to get himself together and his arrogance helped keep him going too, I believe.

Joe Frazier needs to be mentioned here too, I think.

Ali, in, what, fifty something rounds never had him off his feet. His face was beaten to the point where he had some of the worst damage to his eye I've ever seen and he still wouldn't stop.

Bonavena had him down, Ramos almost had him on the mat, even Quarry backed him up and looked like he almost had him down... But Joe always got up. Even against a prime Foreman he just would not... stop... getting... up.

 

If your added Fraizer in this regard, Marciano needs a mention here. He was other that would aways get up when knockdown.

 

Yeah, Joe was definitely tested against better punchers than Marciano though.

And we never saw single shots like the ones Moore or Walcott threw at Marciano down Frazier.

 

All good points. Whitaker may be a joint number one alongside Toney.

He was nearly knocked out by Bonavena in their first fight. I don't think anyone could put Whitaker or Toney into Queersville like that.

He was wobbling like a 1980s Soviet statesman by the time Mercante stopped the madness against Foreman. He was resigned to giving up in the second fight with Foreman.

 

Thanks, Kurgan.

I do agree with you. I just think Frazier probably deserves to be in the top ten or so here. Not number one or anything.

 

Possibly. Certainly in the heavyweight top 10.

 

Think Mickey Ward might rank somewhere among the Light Welterweights and what not, Kurgan?

 

Well they caught Rocky when he was a little off footing. Moore nail the Rock when he was standed on ONE foot.

 

Ali, Robinson and Chuvalo come to mind.

:yep

 

Ali must have been a ripe old age vs Bert. As far as Marciano, yeah sure, Shavers, Foreman, Frazier and Liston were pillow fisted.

Personally i think Ali and SRR definitely fit well whether hurt or not.

Haglier is an obvious mention, and i might put Monzon even further forward.

Toney with that great chin and cunning defence and rolling is mentionable.

Gavilan for sure.

Julio Chavez in his prime undoubtably.

Duran in his prime, re above.

If we stick to peaks and peak weights i believe we can add plenty in here. A Chavez and a Duran for instance went to places a Hagler never did, both in weight variance and in way past prime fighting. If either retired at a similar time to Marv they would be held high here. Lets say Duran for instance retires after the Benitez fight and Chavez after Whitaker.

 

I remember that one clear as day. Mugabi spread his legs and planted his feet and just teed off and Hagler ate that hook flush... and won the exchange.

 

James Toney was actually legitmately knocked down and hurt by Reggie Johnson, a flush right hand I think it was put him down and he had wobbly legs afterwards.