The Best 1980-2015

[The Big Dunn]

reaction to adversity is too subjective. If you dominate everyone you face, you likely haven't reacted to adversity at all. domination shouldn't be a negative.

entertainment value is based on what? for example you will score floyd low on this yet he sells out fights (with the highest ticket prices) and sells more PPV's than anyone, indicating most people find him entertaining.

quality of opponents is too subjective as well. Are you going to arbitrarily decide if someone is shot or not? is it just name value?

[DeadLikeMe]

We already know the only reason you'd make this illustrated list

[TheUptownKid]

I like your intentions, but a little more research needs to be done.

[soul_survivor]

I like your intentions, but a little more research needs to be done.

You would not have these names in your own list? Who would you have?

reaction to adversity is too subjective. If you dominate everyone you face, you likely haven't reacted to adversity at all. domination shouldn't be a negative.

entertainment value is based on what? for example you will score floyd low on this yet he sells out fights (with the highest ticket prices) and sells more PPV's than anyone, indicating most people find him entertaining.

quality of opponents is too subjective as well. Are you going to arbitrarily decide if someone is shot or not? is it just name value?

We all know boxing doesn't just revolve around your hard on for Floyd Mayweather.

[soul_survivor]

Now, to kick off the top 20, I will have a short piece for each of the fighters but some of it may be uploaded later.

No. 20 Wladimir Klitschko

64-4(3)-0

Wladimir Klitschko was groomed to be the heir apparent to the heavyweight throne. Much like his brother, he was a big, rangy fighter with power in both hands. The problem is, unlike his older sibling, he seemed to lack grit, toughness and a genuine 12 round engine. His chin and lack of stamina had betrayed him. Yet a year after his last stoppage loss, he would survive 3 knockdowns against Samuel Peter and never look back.

In the post Tyson/Holyfield/Lewis era, the heavyweight division has been largely devoid of true skill, temperament and greatness. Wlad changed all that and for many years, his right hand was possibly the most dangerous weapon in boxing. As a defensive practitioner, he was second only to Mayweather and possibly Hopkins. His IBF title reign would last 9 years, 6 of which would include the lineal heavyweight crown.

No. 19 Michael Spinks

31-1(1)-0

If you can claim to have held the true championship in two divisions and have lost only once, that against a young, prime, Mike Tyson, then you must be something special. Michael Spinks was definitely a special fighter. He was the first man to hold all three belts in a division, winning the WBA, WBC and the newly formed IBF titles all by his 28th year. Add to that a long string of world level stoppage victories and Spinks has one of the premier legacies in the division.

However, the great fighter did not stop there, he would move up to heavyweight to fight THE heavyweight champion of his era. Twice. Winning both times. The victories may be regarded as controversial but they were close, competitive bouts. For a man giving up so much in size, often 20+lbs, it is a remarkable achievement. That Tyson loss is what many remember but Spinks legacy was set long before that night.

No. 18 Mike Tyson

50-6(5)-0

In the 21st century, Mike Tyson has become a parody of his vicious, 80s counterpart but at one stage, he was most definitely the most feared man in boxing. Brutal combinations, speed, athleticism, unrivaled head movement and hooks that rivaled Joe Frazier, Tyson was the perfect fighting machine. He spent close to 4 years knocking out the cream of the division. In the process, he would hold every relevant boxing title the division had to offer.

Subsequent time in jail and a fading of skill didn't stop Tyson, as his come back featured yet more highlight reel worthy knock outs. He would go on to hold 2 more heavyweight titles and carve out victories over some top level heavyweights. he has the 3rd highest KO percentage of any heavyweight champion...ever.

No. 17 Erik Morales

52-9(3)-0

El Terrible, the nightmare from Tijuana is a fighters fighter. He loved to mix it up but he could also box smart with the best of them. His cerebral yet brutal approach would best Pacquiao, Barrera, McCullough and Jones. His ascent to the top was one of the fastest the sport has ever seen, winning his first world title aged just 21.

Morales was tall and rangy for his size but he wasn't an outside boxer. He loved to get in close and lay leather on his opponents. He practically laughed at it, smiling in the face of inferior foes who couldn't hurt him. At his absolute best, Morales was probably the most well rounded super bantamweight we have ever seen. There were frailties and he aged pretty quickly in the ring but that only meant he had to box smarter, as he showed in a thrilling, twilight showdown with Marcos Maidana. Mexican Legend.

[hhs661]

Pretty good list and names thus far. I wouldn't put entertainment value, impact and world titles won(5 or so divisions have been added since 1980) as a big component in my rankings, but so far your list seems pretty good. Keep up the good work

[Razcal26]

Really a lot of great names in there.

Just looking at all these guys reminds me of how many fighters I enjoyed watching.

[soul_survivor]

Really a lot of great names in there.

Just looking at all these guys reminds me of how many fighters I enjoyed watching.

I know, I didn't fully comprehend how many truly great fighters had fought in the last 35 years. It's ridiculous that a significant number of the greatest welterweights, heavyweights and lower division guys all fought around our lifetime.

Pretty good list and names thus far. I wouldn't put entertainment value, impact and world titles won(5 or so divisions have been added since 1980) as a big component in my rankings, but so far your list seems pretty good. Keep up the good work

Entertainment value is important because sport is meant to be entertainment. But I understand it may not be as important as other factors. In terms of title wins, of course that has to be important, even in today's world but it does not exist in a vacuum. I also have a category for quality of opposition faced, which links in to who they beat for those titles.

[daggum]

vitali kllitschko and sanchez are next to each other....something is wrong here! vitali didn't beat anyone good and lost to his 2 best opponents. ggg has a better resume than him already without any embarrassing losses. the overrating continues. domination against bums!

[soul_survivor]

vitali kllitschko and sanchez are next to each other....something is wrong here! vitali didn't beat anyone good and lost to his 2 best opponents. ggg has a better resume than him already without any embarrassing losses. the overrating continues. domination against bums!

Sanchez had a short bright run whereas Vitali dominated his division for an extended period and looked head and shoulders above everyone he faced apart from Lewis, then again Lewis is an ATG. And let's be honest, Byrd did not beat Vitali.