Top Five All-Time Greatest Boxers

[bxr2004]

I've been in the process of changing my top 50 ATGs list overt he last 2 years or so but my top 5 has almost always been consistent:

1. "Sugar" Ray Robinson

Just can't argue with how great SRR really was, welterweight champion, multiple time mw champion and almost the lhw champion of the world. Between 1940 and 1950, Ray had everything a fighter needs, immense power, exceptional speed, quick feet and cat like reflexes. he was a league above almost everyone he faced and in that decade, he faced just about everyone who mattered. The fact that he beat top ranked contenders and HOF champions post-prime just goes to show you how good he really was.

2. Muhammad "The Louisville Lip" Ali

The only fighter who comes close to SRR in terms of all round skill, at his best, from 1964-67 Ali was as unbeatable as any fighter has ever been. The heavyweight homage to Robinson Ali had it all, a great jab, a terrific right hand, reflexes never before seen in a heavyweight and instinctive, perfectly tuned footwork. Ali of the 70s was not quite as good but he added toughness, grit and a never say die attitude to his work, along with the scalps of Foreman, Frazier, Norton, Shavers and co, the greatest resume in the division's history.

3. Willie "Will O' the Wisp" Pep

The single greatest defensive wizard in the sport, he'd make the likes of Whitaker and Mayweather look ordinary. Fleet footed and always exceptionally well conditioned, he danced rings around the featherweight division better than anyone else before or since. After his plane crash, he wasn't quite the same fighter, he was a tad slower, a little less of a dancer but just like Ali, he had to learn to go to war and he did, many, many times.

4. Henry "Homicide Hank" Armstrong

Armstrong was whirring machine of destruction, a man who never seemed to stop punching, no matter if he was fighting featherweights or middleweights. He had a great engine, exceptional power and the ability to adjust to his opponents. At his very best he almost held half the world titles on offer in the sport, a feat that would now seem impossible. He may not have been defensively savvy as Pep or as pretty to watch as Ali but he was equally as effective.

5. Benny Leonard "****** Wizard" Leonard

The greatest lightweight ever? Probably. In his prime...which seemed to go on forever, Leonard seemed to be unbeatable, he has it all, sped of foot and hand as well as the ability to fight off the front and back foot. He retired as an undefeated champion but sadly, like most fighters, he couldn't stay away and returned. If you catch footage of that version of Benny, it's a sad sight, not in the same supreme condition and never again as quick as he had been in his best years. One of the top 5 best fighters ever.

Now, I can easily see Ray Leonard, Charles, Moore or Duran being in people's top 5, so I won't argue with that. But no one post the Fab Four can really be a legitimate argument for top 5 ATG.

I really can't argue with the Top 3 (although my list is different); But your #4 and #5 are questionable. Armstrong lost 3 of his first 4 fights and at least 10 during his prime. He had a nice run from 1936-1940 but I have a hard time considering him an ATG.

I have to admit, I had to do some research on Benny Leonard. First thought was too many Leonard of his fights were unsanctioned or prize fights. The next thing problem I have with his resume is the fact that he fought many of the same opponents 3-6 times which create familiarity and tendencies. His resume is impressive but I can't rate him Top 5.

[soul_survivor]

I really can't argue with the Top 3 (although my list is different); But your #4 and #5 are questionable. Armstrong lost 3 of his first 4 fights and at least 10 during his prime. He had a nice run from 1936-1940 but I have a hard time considering him an ATG.

I have to admit, I had to do some research on Benny Leonard. First thought was too many Leonard of his fights were unsanctioned or prize fights. The next thing problem I have with his resume is the fact that he fought many of the same opponents 3-6 times which create familiarity and tendencies. His resume is impressive but I can't rate him Top 5.

Do you mean you can't have Armstrong as top 5 ATG or an ATG overall?

With regards to Leonard, sadly he did fight in an era of rampant no contests, newspapers decisions and so on. For part of his career, boxing didn't even have round limits but he was lw champ for the better part of a decade, he would never lose as champ, apart from when moving up to fight for the welterweight title.

this doens't even begin to mention his immense level of skill and resilience, there is very rare footage of Leonard fighting back then, a lot of it is from his come back but when you do manage to find earlier footage, Leonard looks magnificent in full flight. BUt largely the ranking is due to reputation, achievements and what was written about him at the time.

Like I said, I can see SRL or Duran or Charles etc being ranked above him but I can't see too many more. He is most definitely a top 10 ATG, it just depends on where he falls within that top 10.