The Top 25 Light Heavyweights of All-Time – Top Ten

[crold1]

Great read Cliff. Sorry, boxing newbie ... what is a news verdict? thanks.

Top of the head summary: For a lengthy period in the first two decades of the 20th century, boxing was getting pushed for banning so fights were billed as 'exhibitions' not meant for a decision. A knockout would be the only official verdict. Otherwise, most times, news men would turn their scores in to the papers and betting would center on how the journos covered.

It was totally corrupt and colored a LOT of the reporting, but that's what it was.

[Guest]

Maxie Rosenbloom was very self-deprecating at times about his time as a boxer but the dude got ko'ed 2x in 275 fights.

[shadeyfizzle]

Maxie Rosenbloom was very self-deprecating at times about his time as a boxer but the dude got ko'ed 2x in 275 fights.

But the dude is the epitome of "boxer" 210 wins with only 19 knockouts. With about 12 of them coming within his last 25 fights.

You dont win 150 fights and be able to count your knockouts with your fingers without a tremendous amount of skill.

[tesla_power]

Top of the head summary: For a lengthy period in the first two decades of the 20th century, boxing was getting pushed for banning so fights were billed as 'exhibitions' not meant for a decision. A knockout would be the only official verdict. Otherwise, most times, news men would turn their scores in to the papers and betting would center on how the journos covered.

It was totally corrupt and colored a LOT of the reporting, but that's what it was.

Eh!!! Very weird indeed. But it much better than my original thought about tallying the newpaper reports the day after the fight. hehehe. The waiting would have been suicidal.

Thanks for the piece of history cliff. Very much appreciated. Keep them coming.

[Chase8400]

people saying RJJ should be #1, kill yourselves now.

he's exactly where he should be.

No, if you think Roy should be 12th all time, you go kill yourself.

ANYONE WITH ANY REAL BOXING SENSE KNOWS ROY BEATS ANYONE ON THAT LIST BEST FOR BEST.

He may not be the best resume' wise because of the alphabet titles during his reign, but believe me.......if there were only one title like there was during most of the other fighters in the top tens careers, Roy would have had it and defended it more than any one of them. Only about a hand full of guys on that list should even be mentioned along side Roy Jones as all time great LHW's.

[Guest]

But the dude is the epitome of "boxer" 210 wins with only 19 knockouts. With about 12 of them coming within his last 25 fights.

You dont win 150 fights and be able to count your knockouts with your fingers without a tremendous amount of skill.

Yep, and he was so humble about it really.

[jrosales13]

No, if you think Roy should be 12th all time, you go kill yourself.

ANYONE WITH ANY REAL BOXING SENSE KNOWS ROY BEATS ANYONE ON THAT LIST BEST FOR BEST.

He may not be the best resume' wise because of the alphabet titles during his reign, but believe me.......if there were only one title like there was during most of the other fighters in the top tens careers, Roy would have had it and defended it more than any one of them. Only about a hand full of guys on that list should even be mentioned along side Roy Jones as all time great LHW's.

Well I don't know about since if there was only one belt more than likely Dariusz M would of had. And, Roy reluctance to fight in German and Dariusz not wanting to fight out of Germany. Makes it hard for me to believe Roy would of had the belt.

And, what makes you think that Roy could beat Ezzard Charles? Archie Moore? Sam Langford? Michael Spinks? Bob Foster? Cuz he beat Derrick Harmon? Or cuz he beat Eric Harding? Or was cuz he beat an 80yr old Mike McCallum? Or a passed prime Virgil Hill? Cuz he beat those guys makes you think he Could beat some ATG's? Come on now bro...

Really I thought Cliff was being generous ranking Roy that high. Harold Johnson should be ahead of Roy honestly. Roy should not be so ahead of Virgil Hill. Really 12 is kinda high for Roy.

[Thread Stealer]

Slapsie was a great boxer, based on his resume. You figure with a style like his, and especially the lack of power, to win decisions against the caliber of opposition that he did, he had something special in terms of skills.

at Holyfield being one of the great LHWs ever. He never even FOUGHT at 175 or below as a pro.

[TheGreatA]

No, if you think Roy should be 12th all time, you go kill yourself.

ANYONE WITH ANY REAL BOXING SENSE KNOWS ROY BEATS ANYONE ON THAT LIST BEST FOR BEST.

He may not be the best resume' wise because of the alphabet titles during his reign, but believe me.......if there were only one title like there was during most of the other fighters in the top tens careers, Roy would have had it and defended it more than any one of them. Only about a hand full of guys on that list should even be mentioned along side Roy Jones as all time great LHW's.

If there was just one title, Roy would have never been the champion with Michalczewski being the linear title holder. Jones was lucky to have vacant alphabet belts that he could collect against old men and mediocrities and call himself the unified champ.

Michalczewski was stripped off his titles for not defending them against a mandatory in 30 days after winning it and for displaying his WBO belt alongside the other belts. Ridiculous.

Jones on the other hand collected about 10 tin belts and actually vacated his WBC title, being awarded it back when he changed his mind about going to the HW division even though Graciano Rocchigiani had won the vacant title against Nunn.

There are a lot of question marks about Roy's LHW reign to be honest.

[TheGreatA]

Of course the fact that Jones lost 2 out of 3 to the most competent opponent he ever fought at 175 doesn't help his ranking either. Tarver has a comparable resume at LHW with wins over Jones himself, Montell Griffin, Eric Harding, Reggie Johnson, Glen Johnson, Clinton Woods yet you hardly ever seen him make the top 10 ATG light heavies do you?