08.12.06 – By James Slater: Though I would love, like practically every other boxing fan, for the old days of only eight weight divisions with only one champion in each to return, I realise that this is never going to happen. There are now seventeen weight classes, of course, with as many as four title holders in each – even more should we consider other alphabet organisations aside from the more established ones. Oh, sure, it’s a mess alright. Still, this is not to say there haven’t been many fine champions in weight divisions other than the old and traditional eight of yesteryear.
With the arrival of weight groups such as super middleweight, junior lightweight, cruiserweight and the like, some fine champions have been crowned. Indeed, men like Joe Calzaghe, for example, have certainly benefited from the invention of new divisions. Joe, too big to be a middleweight and probably too small to compete effectively as a light heavyweight (though he has said more than a few times he will one day more than likely go up there) finds himself right at home at 168 pounds. It is lucky for him, therefore, that the weight class exists.
This is not to diminish him, or any other modern day weight division’s champion though. In fact, in this article I give my opinion as to the absolute best rulers in the history of each and every weight class. Saluting every single of the following champions, I give my choices for the best from all seventeen divisions here.
1. Heavyweight:
– Muhammad Ali
A no-brainer if ever there was one. Ali, not only the greatest ever heavyweight in boxing history, is also a candidate for the best ever fighter, pound-4-pound. Who else other than Ali could possibly top the list for finest ever heavyweight? Answer, no-one.
2. Cruiserweight:
– Evander Holyfield
An even easier choice to make than the one at heavyweight. “The real Deal” both ruled and brought respect to his division, a division that inspired much negativity from the boxing media upon its introduction. Evander though, due to his great ability and class brought integrity to the weight class. He also thoroughly cleaned it out!
3. Light heavyweight:
– Archie Moore
“The Ol’ Mongoose” certainly earns the distinction as the finest ever world champion his weight division has ever had. Ducking no-one, Archie reigned for almost ten years. Defeating a quality of fighter that was readily available in the 1940’s, 1950’s and early 60’s, Moore scored more KO’s than any other pro fighter in history. He remains a huge inspiration to many of
today’s top boxers.
4. Super middleweight:
– Roy Jones Jr.
A relatively tough one. Jones, though awesome at 168, is competing with the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard. If Ray had actually had more fights here, and at a time when he was at his peak, he would have certainly emerged as the division’s best ever. As it is, he still comes close. Jones tops him though.
5. Middleweight:
– Marvellous Marvin Hagler
Another hard thought decision. Though many will no doubt cry Harry Greb, I think Hagler, with his more polished technique, should be ranked higher. Marvellous had it all, a great chin, stunning power, craftiness and superb stamina and fitness. In short, he was the greatest middleweight champion in history.
6. Light middleweight:
– Thomas Hearns
“The Hitman” never lost at this weight. He also scored what was arguably his finest ever win here when he starched the great Roberto Duran in a mere two rounds. Tommy also out-boxed the supremely gifted Wilfred Benitez at 154 pounds. These two wins alone go a long way towards earning Tommy the distinction as the best ever in the division. Good wins over the likes of
Fred Hutchins and Mark Medal don’t hurt either. Imagine a Hearns-Leonard rematch at 154!
7. Welterweight:
– Sugar Ray Robinson
Another no-brainer. Robinson was simply incomparable at 147, his peak weight. Ray had to move up a division so as to get some competition he was so all-conquering at welterweight. Unquestionably the finest ever.
8. Light welterweight:
– Julio Cesar Chavez
Another tough one. Both Barney Ross and Aaron Pryor give Chavez extremely close runs, but I think “J.C Superstar” just deserves the nod. His incredible wins over the likes of the superb Meldrick Taylor and Roger Mayweather, along with his pounding of the durable Hector Camacho, more than give Julio the top spot for me.
9. Lightweight:
– Roberto Duran
“Hands Of Stone” has just been inducted into The Hall of Fame, and with good reason. Though some fans would place Benny Leonard above him as the finest ever at 135 pounds, I have to go for Roberto. Light weight was his peak weight and he was simply an unstoppable force while fighting there. Duran’s unquenchable fighting desire was something to behold at 135 pounds.
10. Super featherweight:
– Alexis Arguello
Though it was somewhat tempting to put Manny Pacquaio at the top, he hasn’t been around at the weight long enough yet. Arguello, however, reigned here more than long enough to have made his mark. A born fighter, Arguello defeated some fine fighters. Men like Rafael “Bazooka” Limon fell to him, as did Bobby Chacon and Ruben Castillo. Though Alexis is probably best
remembered for his two losing efforts with Pryor at a higher weight, he was at his most formidable at super feather.
11. Featherweight:
– Willie Pep
The recently deceased Pep is an obvious choice for the finest 126 pound champion ever. Supremely gifted in many departments, not least defence, Willie reigned from 1942 to 1950. His fights with men named Wright, Bartolo and Saddler are the stuff of legend.
12. Light featherweight:
– Wilfredo Gomez
The great Puerto Rican fighter is my number one choice for the best ever at light feather. Ruling the weigh class from 1977 to 1982, when he relinquished his belt so as to campaign up a few pounds, Gomez met and defeated many fine boxers. Carlos Zarate and Jose Cervantes were excellent wins for Wilfredo, it was his awesome winning effort against Lupe Pintor that made him a legend though.
13. Bantamweight:
– Eder Jofre
A truly incredible fighter. Never KO’d in his life, Jofre, from Brazil, reigned from 1960 to ‘65, when he was out pointed in a split decision by Fighting Harada. A boxing master, Jofre did some amazing things in the ring. His wins over Johnny Caldwell, Katsutoshi Aoki and Bernardo Caraballo prove his ability. Jofre only ever lost twice.
14. Light bantamweight:
– Kaosai Galaxy
Thai fighter Galaxy really is one of the least known greats of boxing. This is a shame as he was one formidable and dominant champion. As close to unbeatable as any fighter in memory, Kaosai retired, having only lost once ( a points loss early in his career) in 1991. He defended his world title an incredible nineteen times. Quite simply, no-one could touch him.
15. Flyweight:
– Pascual Perez
Argentine Perez may have stood at less than five feet tall, but he was one fierce puncher. Scoring an amazing fifty-seven KO’s in his eighty-four wins, Pascual reigned as world champion from 1954 to 1960. He made nine defences of his title.
16. Light flyweight:
– Jung-Koo Chang
“The Korean Hawk” was world ruler from 1983 to 1988. A fairly big puncher for such a small man, Chang KO’d seven of his seventeen world title opponents. A well kept secret to many, due to the fact that only one of his bouts was staged outside of his home country, Jung-Koo was nevertheless one fine fighter.
17. Minimumweight:
– Ricardo Lopez
An easy choice. Mexican great Lopez actually gives the legendary Chavez a run for his money as Mexico’s finest. In a word, unbeatable. Lopez retired without a single defeat on his amazing record in 2001(one draw). Actually a two weight champ, Ricardo was without doubt the finest ever minimum weight boxer of all-time.