Favorite 5 Boxers in the Last 20 Years

[millcitymauler]

Floyd
Barerra
Maidana
Mayorga
Toney

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

I wish I hadve dropped some coin on it but didnt I had Khan up 4-1 after 5 too he lasted longer than I figured he would

Yeah I thought it was a 3 round job max. Khan despite getting KTFO boxed pretty well.

[Grange_27]

Lomachenko
RJJ
Calzaghe
AJ
Nigel Benn

My all time favourite is Hearns but he is probably just too old.

[Citizen Koba]

Very interesting list!!! I like it, a lot actually. I LOVE talking boxing especially when you bring boxers up that aren't discussed daily? What are your thoughts on Bivol? Looking at some other names you have on this list I have to ask your thoughts on Usyk, asking because he was one of the few losses that Beterbiev had as an amateur. I think Beterbiev only loss 5 or 7 fights as an amateur (don't quote me on that). Also did you ever see Evgeny Makarendo? He fought Beterviev (twice) as an amateur also and loss to Ward in 2004 at the Olympics

Bivol in terms of pure technical skill maybe the best of the LHWs, but he's just not got Beterbievs raw physicality and destructive power, this is also reflected in his perfectly believable claims that he can do 168 if necessary. Kid's got great range control and mobility, more of a precision sharpshooter, but not afraid to mix it up a bit where necessary. Just a few possible questions about his resilience if he gets hit, but honestly ain't a severe worry to me against anyone cept Beterbiev (he got hit flush by Smith with his guard embarrassingly down just at the bell and his knees went for a moment, but Smith can **** some). Only thing is I've seen pictures of him smoking, which for me is abad sign in terms of longevity, hope he's knocked that **** on the head.

Usyk is phenomenal - you could make a strong case for him being the greatest Cruiserweight in the 40something year history of the division. He's not a small dude, 6'3" or something yet he's light on his feet, more like a bouncy LHW or even a MW. What he achieved in his cruiserweight run, beating 3 champions to become undisputed including 1 unified on the road in their own countires ain't something I recall ever having been done before (though likely some historian will prove me wrong), and certainly not in the modern era. But... Heavyweight? Well we'll see, firstly he is getting older, which isn't usually an issue so much with the heavies, but his style relies more on his speed and reflexes than usual for a guy his size, and that's what goes first, so he might have some adapting to do. Secondly, quick and skilled though he is, he does still get hit. Now he could ride that at 200Lbs and some but only time will show how he comes with the power of a full fledged Heavy. The key will be whether he can stay out of harms way for the full 12 and I'm far from sure he can. Wish him luck though... dude showed unshakeable confidence during his cruiser run, let's hope despite the slow start he brings the same commitment to his heavyweight campaign.


Makarenko I was aware of from loosely following the ams at Olympic and world level, but I wasn't into boxing back then they way I've become since.. I'll give the footage a look over though I think he's retired now, gotta be in his 40s I think. The one that has slipped between the cracks though is Egor Mekhontsev, beat Usyk, Gvodyk, Browne in the ams though apparewntly lost to Beterbiev... the pair of em bounced between HW and LHW as I recall so there was room for both on the Russian am team despite them being roughly the same size (in Milan Egor was the LHW and Artur the Heavy at London the roles reversed). Then he turned pro with Arum, looked great for a fight or two, OK for a few more and then just stopped...

There were some rumours of legal problems or feuding or something back in Russia but I don't recall how it panned out. Damn shame though one of those great talent who just didn't make it.

Another Russian maybe worth having an eye on is Alexi Egorov at Cruiserweight... been following his progress through the ams from about 2012 or so and he turned pro back in 16. Had a real good ammy run beating Russo three times and winning various smaller competitons but always losing on on places on the biggest stage to Tischenko. So far he's looking solid rather than exceptional in the pro ranks, but there's time yet.

Who else... oh yeah, the slew of talent coming out of central Asia, especially Uzbekistan, pick of the bunch being being Akhmadaliev, Madrimov (one to keep a close eye on, could be special) and Melikuziev.

[Quicksilver*]

Provodnikov
Wlad
Manny
Choclatiito
Diego corrales

[JK1700]

1. TBE
2. JMM
3. Andre Ward
4. Miguel Cotto
5. Canelo

[bojangles1987]

1. Roy Jones Jr.
2. Manny Pacquiao
3. Shane Mosley
4. Carl Froch
5. Floyd Mayweather

[gethitfitness]

Lomachenko
RJJ
Calzaghe
AJ
Nigel Benn

My all time favourite is Hearns but he is probably just too old.

Hearns is a helluva fighter!!! One of my ALL-TIME favorite! Tommy fought A LOT longer than people realize and obviously A LOT longer than he should have, actually had a fight in 2006, he's prime was late 70s and 80s. I wish he would have retired well before that but IMHO his last fight no doubt should have been after beating Virgil Hill in '91, he lost his next fight and LHW Belt to Iran Barkley the next fight he should have left after the Barkley SD.

[lemuel27]

Fave to watch in the last 20 yrs

1. Pacquiao
2. Cotto
3. Donaire
4. De La Hoya
5. RJJ

[Gamer30168]

1. Oscar De La Hoya
2. Shane Mosley
3. Bernard Hopkins
4. Roy Jones Jr
5. Manny Pacquio