Top 5 lightweights of all times? Who's your number 1?

[LacedUp]

The below 5 probably rank as my top 5 greatest lightweights of all times - But I have a hard time ranking them and often change my mind.

The lightweight division is probably one of the hardest divisions to rank because the quality of the champions is incredible.

Here's a go at my top 5:

#1: Benny Leonard
#2: Roberto Duran
#3: Joe Gans
#4: Ike Williams
#5: Tony Canzoneri

Guys that I could have included:

- Carlos Ortiz, Pernell Whitaker, Barney Ross, Freddie Welsh.

Who's in your top 5?

[Sugar Adam Ali]

1. duran
2. pernell
3. ortiz
4. leonard
5. Gans


My order of ranking could be off, but no doubt those are the 5 guys that are the best..
Im basing my ranking on h2h, how would beat who in a lightweight fight..

benny clearly has the best lightweight resume, with ortiz and duran right behind him

[SBleeder]

I think Gans, Leonard, and Duran are basically interchangeable, but I have it:

1. Gans
2. Leonard
3. Duran
4. Whitaker
5. Canzoneri

I realize there isn't a whole lot of film of Gans, but what there is shows that he was frighteningly good.

[BattlingNelson]

Boxings most stacked division.

I'd go with:

1: Joe Gans
2: Roberto Duran
3: Benny Leonard
4: Ike Williams
5: Tony Canzoneri

Top 3 I reckon is a given although the placings might change.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

I cant see how carlos ortiz isnt a top 5 lock on all lists...


Can someone explain to me how ike and cazoneri are ahead of him.. What am i missing, not trying to discredit those guys, but i think without question ortiz is top 5

[IronDanHamza]

1. B.Leonard
2. Ortiz
3. Gans
4. Duran
5. Whitaker

[Ray Corso]

My favorites are;
Ike Williams
Joe Gans
Benny Leonard
Roberto Duran
Carlos Ortiz

...............there are men who are 1a 2a 3a etc....Joe Brown, Beau Jack, Bob Montgomery, lou Ambers, Bud Smith, Canzanera, B. Ross ........................

I must admit Pete at lightweight was a handful. I liked him better there than at welter only because he had more power in that division than at welter.
Whats great about the greats is when they fought each other and the loss just didn't mean much unless they were stopped dramatically.

Today we have so-called great fighters because their undefeated that would be knockout by the real greats.

Can you imagine Calzaghe in with Mike Spinks?
How about lil Floyd in with Sugar Ray Robinson?

Evaluating a fighters talent and skills using his record alone is not the complete or correct way to form an opinion. There is right and wrong when considering Methods & Techniques. There are exceptions like an Ali but their rare in history.
Ray.

[rightsideup]

duran
leonard
gans
whittaker
Williams

Ortiz and chavez are right up there as well

[soul_survivor]

The below 5 probably rank as my top 5 greatest lightweights of all times - But I have a hard time ranking them and often change my mind.

The lightweight division is probably one of the hardest divisions to rank because the quality of the champions is incredible.

Here's a go at my top 5:

#1: Benny Leonard
#2: Roberto Duran
#3: Joe Gans
#4: Ike Williams
#5: Tony Canzoneri

Guys that I could have included:

- Carlos Ortiz, Pernell Whitaker, Barney Ross, Freddie Welsh.

Who's in your top 5?

how many joe gans fights have u seen?

[#1Assassin]

Duran
Gans
Leonard
Williams
Whitaker

edit: does anyone have any complete fights of ike williams? the man fought in the 40's and 50's, how can there not be more footage of him than those damn HLs? i cant watch HLs, man. have to see the whole picture, so much of the true greatness lies in the little things and subtle adjustments.

anyways.. if someone has a complete fight (other than the one on youtube that doesnt last a round) i would be forever grateful.