By James Stillerman– Here is my list of the top fifty pugilists of all time. When coming up with a list like this it is extremely difficult to do because there are so many great fighters that it is hard to determine which fighter is better than the other, especially when there are only fifty openings. It is also tricky to make this list because it is tough to compare fighters to one another when they fight in different eras and weight classes and putting in current fighters who may increase or decrease their stock as they continue to box.
Nevertheless, after a careful and comprehensive research of hundreds of boxers throughout the last 100 years, I settled upon the men who I though did enough to achieve this lofty standing, among the boxing greats. So, without further ado, let the controversy begin..
1. Sugar Ray Robinson
2. Henry Armstrong
3. Muhammad Ali
4. Joe Louis
5. Roberto Duran
6. Willie Pep
7. Harry Gerb
8. Benny Leonard
9. Sugar Ray Leonard
10. Carlos Monzon
11. Rocky Marciano
12. Bob Fitzsimmons
13. Joe Gans
14. Jack Dempsey
15. Ezzard Charles
16. Archie Moore
17. Gene Tunney
18. Sandy Saddler
19. Marvin Hagler
20. Julio Cesear Chavez
21. Alexis Arguello
22. Kid Chocolate
23. Manny Pacquiao
24. Salvador Scanchez
25. Floyd Mayweather
26. Mickey Walker
27. Jack Johnson
28. Jose Napoles
29. Barney Ross
30. Larry Holmes
31. Kid Gavilian
32. Ruben Olivares
33. Emile Griffith
34. Tony Canzoeri
35. Aaron Pryor
36. Eder Jofre
37. Joe Calzaghe
38. Billy Conn
39. Carlos Zarate
40. Pancha Villa
41. Thomas Hearns
42. Bernard Hopkins
43. Joe Frazier
44. Evander Holyfield
45. Sam Langford
46. Roy Jones Jr.
47. Lennox Lewis
48. Juan Manual Marquez
49. Mike Tyson
50. Pernell Whitaker
Some of the fighters that missed the cut included: Jimmy Wilder, Carmen Basilio, Manuel Ortiz, Miguel Ortiz, Sonny Liston, Felix Trinidad, Oscar de la Hoya, Eric Morales, Macro Antonio Barrera, and Michael Spinks.
Let me know how you would correct this list with your own top 10, 25, or if you feel really ambitious, your top fifty boxers of all time and why.