Greatest Boxers of All Time? Here’s Mine, What About Yours?
I’ve always felt quite hard done by when someone asks me to name my top ten greatest boxers of all time. I usually smile and use that old chestnut “Well, there are just so many it would be difficult to ….” It is actually a cruel question to ask a keen boxing fan. Bit like asking a parent to pick which one of their kids is their favourite, you feel a similar level of guilt leaving out names that by anyone’s standards should be in a top ten. When I mention some of the names that I’ve considered and then left out, many of you are going to want me ‘run out of town.’ I almost want to run myself out of town!
I mean, what sensible criteria do you use to create a list of the top ten greatest boxers of all time? Number of titles and defences? Longevity? Dominance over contemporaries? How they represent the sport? How they capture the imagination of the wider public? Well, in selecting my top ten greatest boxers, I’ve decided that I am not going to constrain myself with consistent criteria. I’m picking my top ten based upon one pure and simple consideration; right at this moment in time, I just really, really like watching them fight! This time next week, this list might well be different. This is an inconsistency that I for one am happy to live with.
Before I pin up my list of top ten greatest boxers of all time, I want to tell you why I want to know your top ten. You’ll know if you’ve visited the site before that I post articles on fighters, specifically the boxing style of those fighters. Check out the articles on the Roberto Duran Boxing Style and the Amir Khan and Freddie Roach article and you’ll see what I mean. Well, if I know your top ten greatest boxers of all time, then I can write articles and review fight videos of fighters that you like. See, every cloud has a silver lining!
Oh, one final thing. I mentioned the degree of angst that I went through in leaving out some fighters from my list. I’ll name a few of the ‘excluded’ now and you can gather the posse ready to run me out of town at sundown. To my shame, Floyd Mayweather, Sandy Saddler, Julio Cesar Chavez, Thomas Hearns, Salvador Sanchez, Joe Louis. Honestly, it really hurt leaving this lot out, and there were more! 🙁
What I want you to do (after rounding up the posse), is post a comment with a) the country you live in and b) your top ten greatest fighters of all time. I’ll be forever in your debt!
The Top Ten (not in ranking order of merit I hasten to add):
- Marvin Hagler
- Sugar Ray Leonard
- Oscar De La Hoya
- Jack Dempsey
- Alexis Arguello
- Roberto Duran
- Muhammad Ali
- Mike Tyson
- Sugar Ray Robinson
- Henry Armstrong.
This has been difficult! I know I’m asking a lot by putting this cruel question to you, but if you respond I will do my best to pay you back in the fullness of time! After you’ve added your Top Ten to the comments at the bottom of this post, you may want to check out some of the carefully selected Amazon Products below:
DVD’s
Books:
By the way, the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and subsequently make a purchase, then I get paid a small commission. You need to be aware of this.
Cheers
Fran
by 
I’ll limit my list to the heavyweights. (Not in any order)
Rocky Marciano
Jack Dempsey
Floyd Patterson
Muhammad Ali
Mike Tyson
Jack Johnson
John Sullivan
Joe Frazier
Joe Louis
Gene Tunney
Very difficult to put a list like that in order of preference Tim isn’t it. I often find myself going through phases where I can’t get enough of watching a particular boxer and appreciating them at that time. Probably the ever-evolving understanding that you have when working with something like boxing – always learning. Thanks Tim.
Hello Fran! A bit late to the party, but I live your insights and site and this looks like a good place to make an initial contribution to the banter.
(I’m from the USA, btw)
I tend to believe that great boxers can find ways to win against a variety of opponents and so I never like to commit to declaring anyone as a p4p all-time king…so much could happen on any theoretical night! Here are my favorite 10 of all time…you may notice a few consistencies…
In no particular order:
Larry Holmes
Pernell Whitaker
Ken Buchanan
Wlad Klitschko
Gene Tunney
Mike McCallum
Joe Louis
Hector Camacho
George Foreman
Thomas Hearns
Thanks for all you do!
Jeff
Hi Jeff
What a brilliant Top 10, some real insightful selections there. Very nice. And I agree by the way, finding ways to win regardless of the situation. Great contribution Jeff, thank you for taking the time.
Sugar Ray Robinson
Willie Pep
Roy Jones Jr
Pernell Whitaker
Archie Moore
Sugar Ray Leonard
Sam Langford
Floyd Mayweather Jr
Teofilo Stevenson
Muhammed Ali/Joe Louis
Willie Pep
Joe Louis
sugar Ray Robinson
sugar Ray Leonard
Archie Moore
Muhammad Ali
Julio Cesar Chavez
Roy Jones jr.
Henry Armstrong
Teo Stephenson
Jack Johnson
Why Julio ?
these are my favorite boxers, so maybe not the “best” but they moved me….
1. Muhammad Ali (for being amazing)
2. Marvelous Marvin Hagler (probably my #1 but MA takes it)
3. Tony Sibson (just for getting in the ring with #2)
4. Tommy Hearns (for durability)
5. Sugar Ray Leonard (I still reckon Hagler won)
6. Michael Watson (for beauty and grace)
7. Roberto Duran (for toughness)
8. Nigel Benn (for mongrel)
9. Jim Watt (for his boxing and very funny after dinner speeches)
10. Larry Holmes (I reckon tends to be under rated but he was in charge for a fair while when there were very good heavyweights around)
That’s a nice angle, I like that list. Thanks Gareth
Love the article Fran but I do have a problem with any list that ranks de la hoya as the 3rd best fighter of all time. de la hoya was an inferior fighter to shane moseley from lightweight to welterweight and his most notable wins came against fighters who were a decade past their best like chavez & whittaker – or those who had just come off massive ko losses, like vargas. de la hoys lost all the level fights when he had advantages in size or speed such as the trinidad, moseley, mayweather & pacquiao fights. de la hoya deserves credit for fighting other great fighters but his record against them was so-so. even carl froch has fought as many HoF bound fighters as de la hoya and had a higher level of success.
my list would go
sugar ray robinson – as a welter he was unbeatable and his style, record and resume is still unparalleled
willie pep – look at the record, 230 wins against 11 losses. those losses came long after the plane crash that was eant to have ended his career went 63 fights unbeaten, then after losing to much bigger lightweight champ angott, went another 72 fights unbeaten
harry greb – 296 fights and 6 defeats, most of these fights happened whilst blind in one eye. despite a short career, only 4 fighters ever had more fights than him
benny leonard – unbeatable at lightweight, 8 years as undisputed champ
ted kid lewis – fought from bantam to heavyweight, usually giving up weight, home advantage and reach. won titles from feather to light heavyweight fought jack britton 20 times. a modern equivalent would be prime sugar ray leaonard fighting a prime tommy hearns 20 times over a 5 year period.
henry armstrong – undisputed champ from feather to welter at the same time and fought a draw with the middleweight champ too. still holds record for most welter defences
sam langford – never a champ due to his colour, but from lightweight to heavy, this natural welter fought them all, fought his last few fights whilst blind
jimmy wilde – the greatest flyweight, undisputed champ for 8 years 130 odd wins and 99 ko’s. he was so small he had to concede weight even at flyweight
sugar ray leonard – this guy had everything but his dominance was only marginal against the best fighters of his time (such as duran, hearns, benetiz & hagler) compared to others on this list.
jack johnson – invented modern boxing technique, broke more barriers than ali, best heavyweight on the planet for over a decade in which he arguably never lost a round
modern fighters did not make an impression on my list and for that i would point people in this direction
http://www.myboxingcoach.com/greatest-boxers/
Hi. I live in the U.S.
I based my top 10 on the boxer’s contribution to the sport as a whole. Obviously, everybody’s top 10 will be skilled and dominant boxers. I figured I’d focus on wider contributions to the sport, or to society as a whole.
My top 10, in no particular order:
1. Joe Louis (Longevity, Influence, Grace as the Champion)
2. Muhammad Ali (Longevity, Influence, appeal to the wider audience)
3. Mike Tyson (Sheer skill and power)
4. Rocky Marciano (Longevity, incredible punching power, appeal to the wider audience)
5. Jack Dempsey (Appeal to the wider audience {boxing’s first million dollar purse, for instance}, Influence {who HASN’T read “Championship Fighting, Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense”?})
6. Sugar Ray Leonard (Influence, appeal to a wider audience)
7. Oscar De La Hoya (Influence, appeal to a wider audience, growing the sport {in an age of competition for audience focus with MMA, for instance})
8. John L. Sullivan (Appeal to a wider audience, growing the sport)
9. Jack Johnson (Influence {he was, in many ways, Boxing’s Jackie Robinson; fifty years before Jackie Robinson})
10. George Foreman (Appeal to a wider audience {Who can forget “Down goes Frazier, Down goes Frazier”, or his poise and grace as he held aloft the American Flag during the ’68 Olympics-all while his contemporaries were holding aloft fisted black-gloved hands, or the then-record-setting comeback victory over Michael Moorer late in life, or the George Foreman Grill-ha ha ha.})
Thoughts?
Hey David
I’m not saying that’s the best list, but it’s definitely my favourite list 🙂
Some great criteria that shows you have a very keen appreciation of your boxing history. Thanks mate, excellent contribution.
Hi Fran ! My List, directly from Brasil.
The order is not THAT important… I don’t think I’d be able to list them precisely, so I will list them in the order they come to mind.
1. Sugar Ray Robinson
2. XXXXXXXX Leonard
3. Roy Jones Jr.
4. Mike Tyson
5. Eder Jofre
6. Jake la Mota
7. Roberto Duran
8. Julio César Chavez
9. Oscar de la Hoya
10. Floyd Patterson
Very nice Carlos. With all that Sugar at the top of the list you have a sweet tooth 🙂
Thanks for the contribution Carlos. Happy New Year
Fran, Im a fan of Rocky Marciano as was Ali. Ill admit I think he was more of a brawler than a boxer.Ali stated he hit so hard your ancestors could feel it. I wonder about your opinion of him,as he did fight many aging s like the Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcot. Thanks.
Great question actually Fity. I love watching Marciano fights. OK, some of the guys he fought were old but to be fair he destroyed everything that was put in front of him. That’s the best you can do as a fighter. He had shocking footwork really, but his style was actually quite clever. He always had his bodyweight laying back and off centre as he moved forward. This meant when shots hit him (and plenty did), he was taking the sting out of them. But a guy like that is just so exciting. Joe Louis had taken such a beating on the arms from Marciano that he couldn’t lift his arms for a week. I can’t imagine the stress of trying to keep a wrecking machine like Marciano off you. He has a place in the history of the sport for the right reasons.
Thanks Fity.
Willie Pep has to get honorable mention by me. I’ve heard his name many times over the years but had no idea how much of an Iron Man he was – A ring record that read like this: 229–11–1, says it all, imo!
True Paul. I should do an analysis on one or two of the old time guys, there were some truly giant boxers and Willie makes it into the Top 10 of some of the smartest boxing brains around.
My personal P4P list
1 Mike Tyson (the greatest fighter that ever lived in his prime)
2 Sugar Ray robinson (the greatest puncher in boxing history)
3 Jersey Joe Walcott (perfect timing & defensive skills)
4 Joe Louis (Nobody parry jabs like him, and he’s 1 of the fastest boxers of all the time)
5 Archie Moore (defensive skills)
6 Gene Tunney (he created the style used by mohammad alì defeating jack dempsey)
7 Mohammad Alì
8 Willie Pep (no words needed)
9 Pernell Whittaker
10 George Foreman
i don’t list floyd mayweather because he never fought good boxers that were in their prime i believe his defense would be broken with powerfull blows
Brilliant top 10 David. Looks like you’re a student of the game with that selection. Walcott at #3 is a nice touch, he was a fine man as well as a superb boxer.
As for Floyd, well, he keeps on winning and I must admit I do love watching him.
Thanks David
As per the comment above I’ve come late to this thread but couldn’t resist putting my top 10 in.
1) Ali
2) Sugar Ray Robinson
3) Marvin Hagler
4) Mike Tyson
5) Teofilo Stephenson
6) Sugar Ray Leonard
7) Tommy Hearns
8) Chavez
9) Lennox Lewis
10) Jake La Motta
Ps Couldn’t put Duran in as he fought too dirty for my liking, just seen a YouTube replay of his fight with Ken Buchanan and lost count of the head butts and of course he won the title on a low blow. He did the same against DeJesus. Hands of stone but he would have been disqualified outside of Panama!
Hey Chris
Haha. Yes, Duran had a very direct way of fighting early on in his career. He became much more cultured as he developed though.
Great list by the way. Like that Teofilo made it, well-deserved. Marvin, Tommy and Ray seem to be very popular. As for Chavez, well, enough said!
Cheers Chris
I’ve come a bit late to this party, Fran. I was directed here by your latest article regarding the criteria for deciding greatness. Anyway, a bit late but here’s my top ten:
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Sugar Ray Robinson
3. Harry Greb
4. Sugar Ray Leonard
5. Henry Armstrong
6. Willie Pep
7. Margin Hagler
8. Julie Cesar Chavez
9. Benny Leonard
10. Jimmy Wilde
Carlos Monzon and Roberto Duran are both close contenders for a top ten place and it would only take a couple of beers and to watch a few old fights to shoe horn them in……just don’t know who would slip outside my top ten table, though.
Great list Dave, but that last paragraph tells the story. As fans we talk, exchange views, open up different ways of looking at fighters and change our stance, so to speak. Always works well over a few beers for me too 🙂
By the way, got Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis’s book to read, so I’m sure my Top 10 may change in the next month or so.
My favorite boxer has changed several times over the years, but picking 10 best ones should not be hard. Here is my list:
1. Teofilo Stevenson
2. Sugar Ray Robinson
3. Cassius Clay/Muhamad Ali
4. Sugar Ray Leonard
5. Laszlo Papp
6. Marcel Cerdan
7. Roberto Duran
8. George Foreman
9. Joe Louis
10. Vitali Klitschko
Ahhh, the Master Stevenson. I need to write an article on him. Watched the video of him destroy Biggs a few weeks ago, just an amazing fighter. And with Laszlo Papp, a real advocate of the amateur superstars.
Great list Ivan, some really nice variations from the norm.
What a great article! I only came across this after reading your post on 6 components of greatest fighters. I’d have to say, again in no particular order:
1) Sugar Ray Robinson
2) Willie Pep (greatest defensive fighter of all time imo)
3) Roberto Duran
4) Mike Tyson
5) Muhammad Ali
6) Pernell Whitaker (better defensively than Mayweather & dominated Chavez)
7) Floyd Mayweather
8) Sugar Ray Leonard
9) Henry Armstrong
10) Joe Calzaghe (only as the greatest European fighter of all time, but a representative of Europe should be on the list)
Great list Matt. Fully agree on Joe. Best European fighter I ever saw in my time, top class even with terrible hand problems.
Greetings from Canada Fran.
Here is my list, in order of ranking and the reasons why they are on the list.
1. A Draw: Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali.
Jack Johnson. The original world class Heavyweight Champion of the World. A black man and skilled boxer who lived with the courage of his convictions, at a time when to be such a man, of such convictions, was very dangerous. He ‘walked the talk’ and I can’t say that about too many other so-called ‘great’ fighters, past or present.
1. Muhammad Ali.
See above.
2. Joe Gans.
The First African American World Boxing Champion. Gans was rated as the greatest lightweight boxer of all time by boxing historian and Ring Magazine founder, Nat Fleischer and was known as the “Old Master”. He fought from 1891 to 1909 and was highly regarded by all his boxing peers from all weight classes.
This link will provide proof of the respect for Joe Gans:
http://coxscorner.tripod.com/gans.html
3. Sugar Ray Robinson.
The work ethic and professional record of this champion boxer was quite admirable. His multiple championships and boxing career speak for themselves and he conducted his life in and out of the ring with grace and style.
4. Julio Cesar Chavez.
Very similar to SRR, a real ‘fighter’s’ fighter.
5. Aaron Pryor.
A highly energetic boxer who showcased all the skills of the ‘sweet science’. Due to his defeats of Thomas Hearns when both were amateurs; his stoppage of the ‘killer’ Gaetan Hart during his first title defence as Junior Welterweight champion; the two defeats of Alexis Arguello and the fact that both Leonard and Duran ducked him, make him a truly great boxer, imo.
On a more personal note, Pryor’s fight against Gaetan Hart was most memorable and impressed me greatly, as it made me really appreciate and understand that good boxing is a ‘skill’.
Here is a link to that most rare fight footage:
http://sosoboxing.com/boxing-video-watch-online/aaron-pryor-vs-gaetan-hart/
6. ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed.
An extraordinarily unorthodox champion and fighter. He ‘performed’ like no other — in and out of the ring. Naturally gifted and always a surprise, he was one of my favourite boxers. I was not very impressed with his attitude towards Brandon Ingle, the trainer who taught him though.
7. ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.
When he was ‘Iron’ Mike and became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. The times when he was a disciplined and respectful fighter because of the skills he learned from his trainers and used to such great effect. Tyson made a huge impression on everyone in the fight game, simply because he had great speed and fundamental skills, as well as dynamite in his fists.
8. James “Lights Out” Toney.
One of the best fighters and champions of his time (and it’s been a long time). A ‘natural’ smart boxer with great defences, combined with excellent counter punching and offensive skills. He makes boxing look easy when he is in the ring.
9. A Draw: Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Very similar fighter and skills to James Toney.
9. Manny Pacquiao.
The ‘hybrid’ boxer of my list. His boxing skill is impressive and he is tough, often fighting with relentless energy. He is a great boxer, but it doesn’t look easy. Manny reminds me of the proverbial saying -‘Hard Work Will Beat Talent, If Talent Won’t Work Hard’.
10. Oscar De la Hoya.
The ‘Golden Boy’ was a great boxer and multiple champion and is a great promoter, of this there is no doubt. He makes my list for his accomplishments in and out of the ring (cross dressing excluded), due to the fact he beat some very good fighters in the ring and also beat Bob Arum out of it, in a court of law.
This is my list of ‘The Greatest Boxers of All Time’ and I’m certain many will be surprised not to see some other ‘champs’, but I chose to pick originals, not bigots, copycats or opportunists that avoided genuine fighters.
Cheers.
What a fantastic list Paul, with sound rationale for each choice. Great stuff.
I like your reasons for Jack Johnson and Ali, I can tell that you have a belief that ‘Greatness’ is about moral integrity and inner strength. Great links for Pryor – search for his amateur bout against Tommy Hearns, wonderful stuff.
And Oscar, I’m a really big fan. Like his style and attitude, especially in how he meets your criteria for not ducking anyone. Read his book a while ago. Some great insights, advice and back-stories.
By the way, if you’re a fan of ‘Lights Out’, read the book Dark Trade by Donald McRae. You’ll not be disappointed.
Thanks Paul
Thanks for the compliment Fran. There really are so many great fighters that have come, gone and yet to come I guess, but your criteria for a Top Ten made me think reral hard, yet still I know that I have left out many greats. Marvin Hagler comes to mind, as well as Sam Langford, Joe Calzhage, Rocky Marciano, etc. etc. etc.
Plus, talk about synchronicity Fran…..I ordered the book Dark Trade a little over a week ago!
I’m currently reading one of the books listed above in the Amazon links, it’s titled ‘In This Corner’, a sensational oral archive of 41 former champions recalling the sentiments of their time in the fight game. I also started on ‘In The Corner’, another great book, but this one is about great trainers describing their ‘art’ and their most memorable experiences and fighters. I think you would love it!
p.s…..I noticed that I misspelled Brendan Ingle’s name as Brandon, please forgive my error and would you be so kind as to share your thoughts on his training fighters in that distinctly unorthodox style. What are your views of the ‘Ingle lines’ and foot work drills? I really like his style of fighters and have plenty of admiration for him.
Thanks Fran
Hey Paul
You can’t argue with what Brendan has achieved in terms of successful fighters, and he has done for many decades now. For me his most standout was Johnny Nelson. A real unsung hero as he really did rattle off the wins as world champ.
The main problem I have with that style is the risk. Both Hamed and before him Herol Graham came very much unstuck when nearing the pinnacle of the game (Herol particularly brutally). But hey, it’s personal preference and just because I don’t particularly enjoy that style of fighting doesn’t mean that I don’t have a massive amount of respect for the Wincobank Boxing CLub.
Great question amte, enjoyed that.
Great minds think alike. I’ve had a dopy of ‘In This Corner’ since I was a child, given to me by my lovely Uncle. Cherished it ever since, a great book.
You’ll enjoy Dark Trade. As well as having lots of insights about Lights Out, it covers some of the darkest events in modern British boxing history but does so in such a evocative and sensitive way. Enjoy, I’m sure you will.
Hey Fran,
I read Johnny Nelson’s bio – ‘Hard Road to Glory’ and can certainly appreciate his experiences, skills and determination. He attributed his championship success to a love of physical fitness conditioning and the footwork line drills he learned at Wincobank, saying that Brendan Ingle’s unorthodox style training methods did more for british boxers than any other trainer. Johnny said the ‘lines’ improved his concentration and focus. He also said the years he spent as a sparring partner for eastern european fighters during the lean years when he was no longer in favour with british promoters definitely made him tougher.
Cheers
Never knew about that book Paul. That’s ordered!
Great. I got Dark Trade and can hardly put it down….Fantastic!
It’s great isn’t it. Gonna write a review, the author’s done top job, proper boxing book!
1. manny pacquiao
2.muhammad ali
3.sugar ray leonard
4.mike tyson
5.marvin hagler
6.roberto duran
7.oscar de la hoya
8.sugar ray robinson
9.roy jones jr
10.floyd mayweather jr.
1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Sugar Ray Robinson
3. Muhammad Ali
4. Roberto Duran
5. Sugar Ray Leonard
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Rocky Marciano
8. Marvin Hagler
9. Mike Tyson
10. Oscar de la Hoya
Nice list Gerald! Manny sure is getting a major ranking, maybe I need to reconsider my list…
1.PACMAN
2.ALI
3.ROBINSON
^^^
THAT’S THE REAL TOP 3 LIST OF THE GREATEST BOXER OF ALL TIME!!
Short and Sweet! Thanks czych.
🙂
BTW ur site PWNS
1.Mike tyson
2. Muhammed Ali
3 Roy jones JR
4. Roberto duran
5. Floyd Mayweather or Manny paquiao (depends on the one who wins)
6. Micky ward /Arturo Gatti
7.Tomas Hearns
8. Marvin Hagler
9. Sugar Ray Leonard
10. Me
That’s a cool list Frederic. BTW, i love confidence in a boxer, and sticking yourself at number 10 certainly demonstrates confidence! Even better, you have given yourself something to aim at by working your way up the list!!!!!
Cheers mate.
1. Sugar Ray Robinson
2. Sugar Ray Leonard
3. Marvin Hagler
4. Muhammed Ali
5. Jack Dempsey
6. Henry Armstrong
7. Floyd Mayweather
8. Archie Moore
9. Charles Burley
10. ???
I like it Lawrence, that’s a very persuasive list!
Hmmm..I’ll have to get back to you when I have watched more boxing..
But for now, in no particular order:
-Mike Tyson
-Anyone who fought back when boxers did more grappling (Dempsey).
-Floyd Mayweather (Though I’m pretty disgusted by his recent conduct in his personal life)
-some guy on the internet.
That’s a start..Maybe you should compile a giant list of boxers worth watching with a one or two sentence blurb on what to pay attention to for each name? Or maybe someone has already done that: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest4150
Looks like a certain Mr Tyson will get a bit of attention! And I sympathise on the Mayweather dilemma, but I like you often put the moral judgements to one side for the purposes of boxing skill (that’s very different from condoning his actions.) The ESPN link is a nice touch, although a little high level for our purposes! As always, I’m very thankful for your input mate.