All-Time Greats Lists

[JCFLA]

I have a copy of the May 1994 Ring which has a division-by-division list of the greatest fighters of all-time. The editors chose the five best in each weight class, added a couple more names in "a notch below" column, then under- and over-rated as well. I am using it to sim a few bouts and learn a little more about some fighters I don't know very well.

Since this magazine is almost 11 years old now and we've had a few greats come and go since then, I'm wondering if there are any similar lists floating around on any internet sites. There seem to be plenty pound-for-pound lists and a couple others,(mainly heavies), but I'm hoping somebody here could steer me to a more recent list of the best boxers in each division.

Thanks guys.

[bear]

JCFLA
Check out the IBRO website at:
http://www.ibroresearch.com/All%20Time%20Rankings.htm

IBRO members are currently being polled on the original eight weight classes. Results for Heavy-weight and Lightheavy-weights were sent in last March and have been posted. Middle-weight and welter-weight ballots are due in mid-June.

Cox's Corner used to have a number of lists. They may have been archived:
http://coxscorner.tripod.com/index.html

Philly Boxing History has some interesting lists
http://www.phillyboxinghistory.com/

Bear

Originally Posted by JCFLA

I have a copy of the July 1994 Ring which has a division-by-division list of the greatest fighters of all-time. The editors chose the five best in each weight class, added a couple more names in "a notch below" column, then under- and over-rated as well. I am using it to sim a few bouts and learn a little more about some fighters I don't know very well.

Since this magazine is almost 11 years old now and we've had a few greats come and go since then, I'm wondering if there are any similar lists floating around on any internet sites. There seem to be plenty pound-for-pound lists and a couple others,(mainly heavies), but I'm hoping somebody here could steer me to a more recent list of the best boxers in each division.

Thanks guys.

[JCFLA]

Thanks Bear. The IBRO site was exactly what I was looking for. It will be interesting to see the results of the rest of the polls over the next few months. Would like to see the "junior" and "super" classes rated too, but I'm not gonna complain.

I checked Cox's Corner but haven't found any specific lists. Good site that I haven't visited in a long time and I'll continue to dig deeper. The Philly site didn't have the lists I was looking for either but there's enough other interesting stuff there to keep me busy.

While searching this afternoon I did come upon a reference, (on HBO boxing site, I think), to another "Ring" ranking article. It mentioned Shane Mosley being rated as #13 all-time lightweight. No link or any further info but it's gotta be fairly recent. If anyone knows of this or any other lists, please share the info.

[jofre]

I believe The Ring had a more recent list on lightweights which included Mosley. I'll dig through what I have.

[Cap]

Originally Posted by bear

JCFLA
Check out the IBRO website at:
http://www.ibroresearch.com/All%20Time%20Rankings.htm

IBRO members are currently being polled on the original eight weight classes. Results for Heavy-weight and Lightheavy-weights were sent in last March and have been posted. Middle-weight and welter-weight ballots are due in mid-June.

Cox's Corner used to have a number of lists. They may have been archived:
http://coxscorner.tripod.com/index.html

Philly Boxing History has some interesting lists
http://www.phillyboxinghistory.com/Bear

By now everybody knows I'm a fan of old time boxer Tommy Burns. I took a look at the IBRO's lists and was surprised to see Phila. Jack O'Brien, but not Burns who beat him twice (The draw decision was a farce), once when both were below 175 and O'Brien was light heavyweight champ. I stopped looking there, realizing this was just a popularity contest not worth paying attention to.

Cap

[jofre]

Originally Posted by JCFLA

Thanks Bear. The IBRO site was exactly what I was looking for. It will be interesting to see the results of the rest of the polls over the next few months. Would like to see the "junior" and "super" classes rated too, but I'm not gonna complain.

I checked Cox's Corner but haven't found any specific lists. Good site that I haven't visited in a long time and I'll continue to dig deeper. The Philly site didn't have the lists I was looking for either but there's enough other interesting stuff there to keep me busy.

While searching this afternoon I did come upon a reference, (on HBO boxing site, I think), to another "Ring" ranking article. It mentioned Shane Mosley being rated as #13 all-time lightweight. No link or any further info but it's gotta be fairly recent. If anyone knows of this or any other lists, please share the info.

The 20 Greatest Lightweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, September 2001

1. ROBERTO DURAN
2. BENNY LEONARD
3. PERNELL WHITAKER
4. JOE GANS
5. IKE WILLIAMS
6. JOE BROWN
7. CARLOS ORTIZ
8. TONY CANZONERI
9. BOB MONTGOMERY
10. BEAU JACK
11. LOU AMBERS
12. FREDDIE WELSH
13. SHANE MOSLEY
14. HENRY ARMSTRONG
15. ESTEBAN DeJESUS
16. KEN BUCHANAN
17. JACK McAULIFFE
18. ISMAEL LAGUNA
19. AD WOLGAST
20. OSCAR DE LA HOYA

[jofre]

The 20 Greatest Light Heavyweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, September 2002

1. EZZARD CHARLES
2. ARCHIE MOORE
3. MICHAEL SPINKS
4. TOMMY LOUGHRAN
5. BOB FOSTER
6. JIMMY BIVINS
7. HAROLD JOHNSON
8. MAXIE ROSENBLOOM
9. BILLY CONN
10. MATTHEW SAAD MUHAMMAD
11. VICTOR GALINDEZ
12. JACK DILLON
13. BATTLING LEVINSKY
14. JOEY MAXIM
15. DWIGHT MUHAMMAD QAWI
16. JOHN HENRY LEWIS
17. BOB FITZSIMMONS
18. GENE TUNNEY
19. VIRGIL HILL
20. MARVIN JOHNSON

[jofre]

The 50 Greatest Heavyweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, Holiday 1998

1. MUHAMMAD ALI
2. JOE LOUIS
3. EVANDER HOLYFIELD
4. GEORGE FOREMAN
5. LARRY HOLMES
6. ROCKY MARCIANO
7. SONNY LISTON
8. JOE FRAZIER
9. JACK JOHNSON
10. JACK DEMPSEY
11. EZZARD CHARLES
12. JAMES J. JEFFRIES
13. JERSEY JOE WALCOTT
14. MIKE TYSON
15. GENE TUNNEY
16. HARRY WILLS
17. SAM LANGFORD
18. JOHN L. SULLIVAN
19. MAX SCHMELING
20. MAX BAER
21. FLOYD PATTERSON
22. KEN NORTON
23. RIDDICK BOWE
24. BOB FITZSIMMONS
25. JOE JEANNETTE
26. JIMMY BIVINS
27. JERRY QUARRY
28. JACK SHARKEY
29. ARCHIE MOORE
30. SAM McVEY
31. CLEVELAND WILLIAMS
32. LENNOX LEWIS
33. EARNIE SHAVERS
34. JIM CORBETT
35. ERNIE TERRELL
36. MICHAEL SPINKS
37. JIMMY YOUNG
38. ZORA FOLLEY
39. INGEMAR JOHANSSON
40. RON LYLE
41. TIM WITHERSPOON
42. JIMMY ELLIS
43. MIKE WEAVER
44. MICHAEL MOORER
45. JAMES J. BRADDOCK
46. TOMMY FARR
47. TOMMY BURNS
48. TOMMY GIBBONS
49. PINKLON THOMAS
50. MICHAEL DOKES

[jofre]

This list is now nine years old.

The 50 Best Fighters of the Last 50 Years
Source: The Ring, June 1996

1. SUGAR RAY ROBINSON
2. MUHAMMAD ALI
3. ROBERTO DURAN
4. WILLIE PEP
5. SUGAR RAY LEONARD
6. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ
7. CARLOS MONZON
8. ALEXIS ARGUELLO
9. EDER JOFRE
10. IKE WILLIAMS
11. CARLOS ZARATE
12. ROCKY MARXIANO
13. SANDY SADDLER
14. EZZARD CHARLES
15. JOSE NAPOLES
16. ARCHIE MOORE
17. LARRY HOLMES
18. RUBEN OLIVARES
19. MIKE TYSON
20. MARVIN HAGLER
21. PERNELL WHITAKER
22. WILFREDO GOMEZ
23. BOB FOSTER
24. MICHAEL SPINKS
25. THOMAS HEARNS
26. SALVADOR SANCHEZ
27. FIGHTING HARADA
28. JAKE LaMOTTA
29. EMILE GRIFFITH
30. WILFRED BENITEZ
31. CARLOS ORTIZ
32. EUSEBIO PEDROZA
33. DICK TIGER
34. MIGUEL CANTO
35. AARON PRYOR
36. PASCUAL PEREZ
37. KID GAVILAN
38. GEORGE FOREMAN
39. CARMEN BASILIO
40. JOE FRAZIER
41. AZUMAH NELSON
42. GENE FULLMER
43. ROY JONES
44. EVANDER HOLYFIELD
45. NINO BENVENUTI
46. ANTONIO CERVANTES
47. FLASH ELORDE
48. SONNY LISTON
49. MIKE McCALLUM
50. VICENTE SALDIVAR

[JCFLA]

Thanks for the lists, Jofre. Some interesting choices and, as always, fuel for more debate.

Originally Posted by jofre

The 20 Greatest Lightweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, September 2001

Nice list but I would put Julio Cesar Chavez somewhere in the top 10.

Originally Posted by jofre

The 20 Greatest Light Heavyweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, September 2002
13. BATTLING LEVINSKY??

Gene Tunney should be in the top 5, and Roy Jones should be in the second 5.
Why is Battling Levinsky on the list and not Harry Greb?

Originally Posted by jofre

The 50 Greatest Heavyweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, Holiday 1998

3. EVANDER HOLYFIELD
11. EZZARD CHARLES
29. ARCHIE MOORE
31. CLEVELAND WILLIAMS
37. JIMMY YOUNG
43. MIKE WEAVER
46. TOMMY FARR
49. PINKLON THOMAS
50. MICHAEL DOKES

Holyfield # 3, Charles # 11? These were good fighters but not that good.
As for Michael Dokes, Pinklon Thomas, Tommy Farr, Mike Weaver, Cleveland Williams, Jimmy Young, Archie Moore, they have no business being on the list (Archie was a great light heavy but a poor heavyweight).

[IceTea]

Originally Posted by 60'sfan

Gene Tunney should be in the top 5, and Roy Jones should be in the second 5.
Why is Battling Levinsky on the list and not Harry Greb?

I disagree about Jones. The only two time he faced a tough time in the ring, he folded like a cheap tent. He is not one of the top 20 LHWs of all time.

MJ

[jofre]

Originally Posted by 60'sfan

Holyfield # 3, Charles # 11? These were good fighters but not that good.
As for Michael Dokes, Pinklon Thomas, Tommy Farr, Mike Weaver, Cleveland Williams, Jimmy Young, Archie Moore, they have no business being on the list (Archie was a great light heavy but a poor heavyweight).

Remember, The Ring's list is quite old now! I bet if they did a more recent poll it would look different. I have to agree, there are some strange choices though!

[bear]

Herb Goldman did a list for the 1986-87 Ring Record book. He updated it in the mid-nineties. I'll try to locate my copy.

If the files I mentioned can't be found on Cox's corner, you might try emailing him. I don't imagine that he jetisoned them even though they may not be currently posted on the site.

Bear

Originally Posted by jofre

Remember, The Ring's list is quite old now! I bet if they did a more recent poll it would look different. I have to agree, there are some strange choices though!

[bear]

Jofre
Thanks for the lists. 'm pretty sure I've got them somewhere but it saves me the trouble of looking.

Bear

Originally Posted by jofre

This list is now nine years old.

The 50 Best Fighters of the Last 50 Years
Source: The Ring, June 1996

1. SUGAR RAY ROBINSON
2. MUHAMMAD ALI
3. ROBERTO DURAN
4. WILLIE PEP
5. SUGAR RAY LEONARD
6. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ
7. CARLOS MONZON
8. ALEXIS ARGUELLO
9. EDER JOFRE
10. IKE WILLIAMS
11. CARLOS ZARATE
12. ROCKY MARXIANO
13. SANDY SADDLER
14. EZZARD CHARLES
15. JOSE NAPOLES
16. ARCHIE MOORE
17. LARRY HOLMES
18. RUBEN OLIVARES
19. MIKE TYSON
20. MARVIN HAGLER
21. PERNELL WHITAKER
22. WILFREDO GOMEZ
23. BOB FOSTER
24. MICHAEL SPINKS
25. THOMAS HEARNS
26. SALVADOR SANCHEZ
27. FIGHTING HARADA
28. JAKE LaMOTTA
29. EMILE GRIFFITH
30. WILFRED BENITEZ
31. CARLOS ORTIZ
32. EUSEBIO PEDROZA
33. DICK TIGER
34. MIGUEL CANTO
35. AARON PRYOR
36. PASCUAL PEREZ
37. KID GAVILAN
38. GEORGE FOREMAN
39. CARMEN BASILIO
40. JOE FRAZIER
41. AZUMAH NELSON
42. GENE FULLMER
43. ROY JONES
44. EVANDER HOLYFIELD
45. NINO BENVENUTI
46. ANTONIO CERVANTES
47. FLASH ELORDE
48. SONNY LISTON
49. MIKE McCALLUM
50. VICENTE SALDIVAR

[jofre]

Originally Posted by bear

Herb Goldman did a list for the 1986-87 Ring Record book. He updated it in the mid-nineties. I'll try to locate my copy.

If the files I mentioned can't be found on Cox's corner, you might try emailing him. I don't imagine that he jetisoned them even though they may not be currently posted on the site.

Bear

If you can't locate it I have it. He did it for Boxing Illustrated.

[jofre]

The 20 Greatest Featherweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, January 2002

1. WILLIE PEP
2. HENRY ARMSTRONG
3. SANDY SADDLER
4. FREDDIE MILLER
5. KID CHOCOLATE
6. JOHNNY KILBANE
7. SALVADOR SANCHEZ
8. ALEXIS ARGUELLO
9. EUSEBIO PEDROZA
10. JOHNNY DUNDEE
11. TERRY McGOVERN
12. GEORGE DIXON
13. VICENTE SALDIVAR
14. CHALKY WRIGHT
15. AZUMAH NELSON
16. PETEY SARRON
17. BATTLING BATTALINO
18. JIM DRISCOLL
19. ABE ATTEELL
20. BABY ARIZMENDI

Originally Posted by jofre

The 20 Greatest Featherweights of All-Time
Source: The Ring, January 2002

Pep is probably a consensus #1 but I always wondered how people could take him over Saddler who proved his superiority in their four fights.

Freddie Miller is an odd choice for # 4. He wouldn't last long with Pep, Saddler, Armstrong and most of the others in the top 10. He should be somewhere between 11 and 20.

I don't think Wright or Sarron belong on the list.

Driscoll and Attell should be in the top 10, in my opinion.