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What do you guys think about this ATG list?
This is from a poster at a rival site. The list looks pretty good. However, I'm no boxing aficionado.
Heres my 1st effort at compiling such a list. I've been working on a Top 50, but it seemed to have become futile after getting close to 30 or so. Here's my best effort at my Top 20, but for some reason I can't separate the # 1's for either Sugar are Greb.
1a. Ray Robinson
Dominated the Welterweight & Middleweight divisions defeating the likes of Tommy Bell x2, Kid Gavilan x2, Fritzie Zivic x2, Sammy Angott x3, Henry Armstrong, Jake LaMotta x5, Randy Turpin, Bobo Olsen, Rocky Graziano, Gene Fullmer, and Carmen Basillio. Arguably the most complete fighting machine to ever grace the ring, truly ahead of his time. It's tough not putting him at the #1 spot.
1b. Harry Greb
If its anyone who has a more rightful claim to #1 its this man. Created the greatest resume EVER with Fights from 147 all the way to Heavy with titles at both 160 and 175. The 1st and only man to defeat the great Gene Tunney. Arguably the greatest 160lb'er ever with wins over the likes of Tiger Flowers x2, Maxie Rosenbloom, Mickey Walker, Tommy Loughran x4, Tommy Gibbons x2, multiple wins over Battling Levinskey and Soldier Bartfield.
2. Sam Langford
The Boston Tar Baby was far more talented than he may have led on. He conviently would carry fighters and sometimes throw them in efforts to receive return bouts. P4P arguably the hardest hitter of all time, being undersized he consistently went up against the giants slaying almost 130 of his 214 opponents. Working his way from 135 to Heavy he gained wins over Sammy McVey, Harry Wills, Kid Norfolk, Gunboat Smith, Philly Jack O'brien, Stanley Ketchel, Joe Jeanette, and Joe Gans.
3. Henry Armstrong
A juggernaut, a fierce beast, a force of nature....the Hurricane would go on to be arguably the most accomplished boxer in the sports history. The 1st and only boxer to hold 3 titles AT THE SAME TIME (126, 135, 147) and was reportedly robbed for his 4th at 160 with wins over Barney Ross, Lou Ambers, Petey Sarron. He also had a very overlooked Featherweight resume with wins over Baby Arzemendi, Chalkey Wright, Benny Bass, and Lew Massey. He would defend his 147lb title several times after gaining wins over Willie Joyce, Fritzie Zivic, and Sammy Angott.
4. Bob Fitzsimmons
Arguably the most dominate Middleweight of all time and figure at the point in time in boxing. He would terrorize the sport from 160-Heavyweight. Winning titles at LightHeavy, Heavy, and Middleweight he would gain wins over the likes of James Corbett, Peter Maher, Jack Dempsey, John L Sullivan, and George Gardiner.
5. Ezzard Charles
As their any other boxer who can be considered an all time great in 3 divisions? Dominating the Middleweight division with wins over Ken Overlin and Charley Burley he would go on to become the greatest light heavyweight of all time gaining wins over Archie Moore, Lloyd Marshall, Jimmy Bivins, and Oakland Billy Smith. Also became a very accomplished Heavyweight with wins over Elmer Ray, Jersey Joe Walcott, Rex Layne, Bob Satterfield, and champion Joe Louis.
6. Willie Pep
The greatest 'Boxer' of all time. Poetry in motion, Pep seemed to float around the ring bewildering opponents who couldn't seem to lay a hand of Pep. As most of his footage shows him after the plane crash, I shiver at the thought of how he looked in the ring before. The greatest feather weight of all time, he amassed wins over Spider Armstrong, Chalky Wright x5, Willie Joyce, Manuel Ortiz, Phil Terranova, Eddie Compo, Ray Femechon, and Sandy Saddler.
7. Benny Leonard
Leonard would become the face of the greatest lightweight era of all time, displaying some of the best boxing skills ever seen in the ring. He would dominate the division in arguably the greatest reign of any champion in history with wins over Johnny Kilbane, Rocky Kansas, Freddie Welsh, Jack Britton, Willie Ritchie, Johnny Dundee, Soldier Bartfield, and Lew Tendler x2.
8. Roberto Duran
The most fierce fighting machine ever to step foot in the ring. Duran was simply born to be a fighter. Almost unheard for a man to fight on for 3 decades amassing over 100 wins. Arguably the greatest lightweight of all time he dominated the division for almost 7 years after his destruction of the great Ken Buchanon gaining wins over Hiroshi Kobayashi, ernesto marcel, Esteban DeJesus x2, and Ray Lampkin. His greatest achievements however came after his terrific lightweight reign, defeated Carlos Palomino, and Ray Leonard in arguably the greatest fight of all time and what is mostly considered the greatest win of all time. He would continue to shock observers who considered him finished by winning titles at 154 and 160 with incredible wins over Davey Moore and Iran Barkley.
9. Mickey Walker
The Toy Bulldog would go on to dominate all the way from 147-Heavyweight. Facing some of the most fierce competition over 4 divisons and he go at each opponent head on with wins over Lew Tendler, Mike McTigue, Tiger Flowers, Soldier Bartfield, Leo Lomski, Bearcat Wright, and
10. Muhammad Ali
THE GREATEST!!! Yes, he was. When Ali bought home the Gold in the Olympics you knew their was something special about the kid. With brash arrogance, bravado, and charm he became the face of Boxing and the Heavyweight division for the next 3 decades. The media didn't know what to make of this loud mouthed braggard, so they gave him the name of the Louisville Lip on his path to meeting Liston for the title. With wins over Archie Moore, Doug Jones, and Henry Cooper he receive his opportunity and from that point on the legend was born. Harassing Liston on several occassions and even being bold enough to predict the rounds Liston and many others simply thought Ali was a loony. But his predictions would prove correct as he would go on to 'Shock the World' forcing Liston to quit on his stool after 7 rounds. Ali would defend the title 9 times against quality opposition of the likes of Floyd Patterson Sonny Liston, Brian London, Karl Mildenberger, Cleveland Williams, Ernie Terrel, and Zora Folley before being stripped of title. Making his comeback he certify his greatness by beating the likes of Quarry, Bonavena, Joe Frazier x2, Mac Foster, Buster Mathis, Ron Lyle, Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, Bob Foster, Leon Spinks,and George Forman.
1a. Ray Robinson
Dominated the Welterweight & Middleweight divisions defeating the likes of Tommy Bell x2, Kid Gavilan x2, Fritzie Zivic x2, Sammy Angott x3, Henry Armstrong, Jake LaMotta x5, Randy Turpin, Bobo Olsen, Rocky Graziano, Gene Fullmer, and Carmen Basillio. Arguably the most complete fighting machine to ever grace the ring, truly ahead of his time. It's tough not putting him at the #1 spot.
1b. Harry Greb
If its anyone who has a more rightful claim to #1 its this man. Created the greatest resume EVER with Fights from 147 all the way to Heavy with titles at both 160 and 175. The 1st and only man to defeat the great Gene Tunney. Arguably the greatest 160lb'er ever with wins over the likes of Tiger Flowers x2, Maxie Rosenbloom, Mickey Walker, Tommy Loughran x4, Tommy Gibbons x2, multiple wins over Battling Levinskey and Soldier Bartfield.
2. Sam Langford
The Boston Tar Baby was far more talented than he may have led on. He conviently would carry fighters and sometimes throw them in efforts to receive return bouts. P4P arguably the hardest hitter of all time, being undersized he consistently went up against the giants slaying almost 130 of his 214 opponents. Working his way from 135 to Heavy he gained wins over Sammy McVey, Harry Wills, Kid Norfolk, Gunboat Smith, Philly Jack O'brien, Stanley Ketchel, Joe Jeanette, and Joe Gans.
3. Henry Armstrong
A juggernaut, a fierce beast, a force of nature....the Hurricane would go on to be arguably the most accomplished boxer in the sports history. The 1st and only boxer to hold 3 titles AT THE SAME TIME (126, 135, 147) and was reportedly robbed for his 4th at 160 with wins over Barney Ross, Lou Ambers, Petey Sarron. He also had a very overlooked Featherweight resume with wins over Baby Arzemendi, Chalkey Wright, Benny Bass, and Lew Massey. He would defend his 147lb title several times after gaining wins over Willie Joyce, Fritzie Zivic, and Sammy Angott.
4. Bob Fitzsimmons
Arguably the most dominate Middleweight of all time and figure at the point in time in boxing. He would terrorize the sport from 160-Heavyweight. Winning titles at LightHeavy, Heavy, and Middleweight he would gain wins over the likes of James Corbett, Peter Maher, Jack Dempsey, John L Sullivan, and George Gardiner.
5. Ezzard Charles
As their any other boxer who can be considered an all time great in 3 divisions? Dominating the Middleweight division with wins over Ken Overlin and Charley Burley he would go on to become the greatest light heavyweight of all time gaining wins over Archie Moore, Lloyd Marshall, Jimmy Bivins, and Oakland Billy Smith. Also became a very accomplished Heavyweight with wins over Elmer Ray, Jersey Joe Walcott, Rex Layne, Bob Satterfield, and champion Joe Louis.
6. Willie Pep
The greatest 'Boxer' of all time. Poetry in motion, Pep seemed to float around the ring bewildering opponents who couldn't seem to lay a hand of Pep. As most of his footage shows him after the plane crash, I shiver at the thought of how he looked in the ring before. The greatest feather weight of all time, he amassed wins over Spider Armstrong, Chalky Wright x5, Willie Joyce, Manuel Ortiz, Phil Terranova, Eddie Compo, Ray Femechon, and Sandy Saddler.
7. Benny Leonard
Leonard would become the face of the greatest lightweight era of all time, displaying some of the best boxing skills ever seen in the ring. He would dominate the division in arguably the greatest reign of any champion in history with wins over Johnny Kilbane, Rocky Kansas, Freddie Welsh, Jack Britton, Willie Ritchie, Johnny Dundee, Soldier Bartfield, and Lew Tendler x2.
8. Roberto Duran
The most fierce fighting machine ever to step foot in the ring. Duran was simply born to be a fighter. Almost unheard for a man to fight on for 3 decades amassing over 100 wins. Arguably the greatest lightweight of all time he dominated the division for almost 7 years after his destruction of the great Ken Buchanon gaining wins over Hiroshi Kobayashi, ernesto marcel, Esteban DeJesus x2, and Ray Lampkin. His greatest achievements however came after his terrific lightweight reign, defeated Carlos Palomino, and Ray Leonard in arguably the greatest fight of all time and what is mostly considered the greatest win of all time. He would continue to shock observers who considered him finished by winning titles at 154 and 160 with incredible wins over Davey Moore and Iran Barkley.
9. Mickey Walker
The Toy Bulldog would go on to dominate all the way from 147-Heavyweight. Facing some of the most fierce competition over 4 divisons and he go at each opponent head on with wins over Lew Tendler, Mike McTigue, Tiger Flowers, Soldier Bartfield, Leo Lomski, Bearcat Wright, and
10. Muhammad Ali
THE GREATEST!!! Yes, he was. When Ali bought home the Gold in the Olympics you knew their was something special about the kid. With brash arrogance, bravado, and charm he became the face of Boxing and the Heavyweight division for the next 3 decades. The media didn't know what to make of this loud mouthed braggard, so they gave him the name of the Louisville Lip on his path to meeting Liston for the title. With wins over Archie Moore, Doug Jones, and Henry Cooper he receive his opportunity and from that point on the legend was born. Harassing Liston on several occassions and even being bold enough to predict the rounds Liston and many others simply thought Ali was a loony. But his predictions would prove correct as he would go on to 'Shock the World' forcing Liston to quit on his stool after 7 rounds. Ali would defend the title 9 times against quality opposition of the likes of Floyd Patterson Sonny Liston, Brian London, Karl Mildenberger, Cleveland Williams, Ernie Terrel, and Zora Folley before being stripped of title. Making his comeback he certify his greatness by beating the likes of Quarry, Bonavena, Joe Frazier x2, Mac Foster, Buster Mathis, Ron Lyle, Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, Bob Foster, Leon Spinks,and George Forman.
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