How do you compare the records of modern day boxers with those of past pugilists?
In the days of “Homicide Hank” – Henry Armstrong, and the “Brown Bomber” – Joe Louis, there were only eight divisions, with just one world champion in each division. During the last few decades the professional boxing world has metamorphosed: there are now dozens of world titles littered throughout seventeen weight divisions.
Assessing and comparing the quality of opposition boxers from different eras have defeated is therefore a tricky task.