The ten most important fighters; based on their impact on the game. (Not a list for boxing fans.)
1. Jack Dempsey
2. Joe Louis
3. Muhammad Ali
4. John L. Sullivan
5. James J. Corbett
7. Jack Johnson
7. Sugar Ray Leonard
8. Mike Tyson
9. Lennox Lewis
10. Rocky Marciano
A very short explanation:
1. Dempsey: A new explosive style created the first million dollar gate; ushered in the Golden Age of Sport.
2. Louis: Taught 'white society' to embrace the athletic prowess of the Black man.
3. Ali: The triumph of the individual over the system.
4. Sullivan: America's first sports hero; they legitimized the fight game around him.
5. Corbett: Learn the martial art of boxing or don't expect to participate.
6. Johnson: Made (for better or worst) prize fighting part of the national consciousness.
7. Leonard: Brought about economic parity for the little guys.
8. Tyson: There is no such thing as bad press.
9. Lewis: Taught America to embrace a new international domination of the game.
10. Marciano: The definitive white hope; for the television generation he kept white audiences interested in the game.
1. Jack Dempsey
2. Joe Louis
3. Muhammad Ali
4. John L. Sullivan
5. James J. Corbett
7. Jack Johnson
7. Sugar Ray Leonard
8. Mike Tyson
9. Lennox Lewis
10. Rocky Marciano
A very short explanation:
1. Dempsey: A new explosive style created the first million dollar gate; ushered in the Golden Age of Sport.
2. Louis: Taught 'white society' to embrace the athletic prowess of the Black man.
3. Ali: The triumph of the individual over the system.
4. Sullivan: America's first sports hero; they legitimized the fight game around him.
5. Corbett: Learn the martial art of boxing or don't expect to participate.
6. Johnson: Made (for better or worst) prize fighting part of the national consciousness.
7. Leonard: Brought about economic parity for the little guys.
8. Tyson: There is no such thing as bad press.
9. Lewis: Taught America to embrace a new international domination of the game.
10. Marciano: The definitive white hope; for the television generation he kept white audiences interested in the game.
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