One of boxings great, ageless wonders, the Old Mongoose tackled contenders from middleweight to heavyweight for 17 years before finally getting a crack at a world title. Pacquiao couldnt solve the riddle of Mayweather in the richest fight of all time, but several multi-fight rivalries magnified the greatness of Pacquiao. 29 Bob Fitzsimmons. 33 Ted (Kid) Lewis. For instance, if a No. Digging into pro boxing in 1998, Ann boasts one of the most successful Saddler and Pep would face off one more time, Pep losing the series to his archrival 3-1 with all three losses inside the distance. DeGrasse, before and after the loss to Salica, could occasionally be found near the bottom of the featherweight top ten. 1 contender was worth 10, etc. Missing Quality: Lesnevich posted wins in 1936 and 37 over Young Stuhley. Historians recognize Canzoneri as a three-division champion. T o celebrate its centenary, boxing magazine The Ring has ranked the Explaining some of the changes you will read: All-time great Henry Armstrong held featherweight, lightweight and welterweight titles simultaneously. He was a damn good boxer and a great man thanks for your time in the ring. Nicknamed "Brown Bomber" for his fearsome fists, Joe Louis is considered one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time. After leaving boxing, he became the first African-American to play on the Professional Golfers Association tour. 1 contenders. Andrew Eisele is a boxing writer who has covered the sport for Time, Inc. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali has brushed aside fierce competition to be voted the best boxer of all time by fans. The 'Greatest' is widely celebrated for his legendary achievements inside the squared Joe Calzaghe won Ring Magazine championships at super middleweight and light heavyweight. Group two was anyone else who finished in the top 100 for peak score and ranked wins but not overall points (65-69). Across the years he was part of the Ring rankings, Robinson would post 14 wins over reigning champions or men ranked as the No. Antonio Cervantes SD 15* (C) 140 04/76, Tony Petronelli TKO 3 (9) 140 12/76, Guerrero Chavez TKO 15 (10+) 147 09/77, Carlos Palomino SD 15* (C+) 147 03/79, Ray Leonard TKO by 15* (1) 147 01/80, Tony Chiaverini TKO 8 (3+) 154 09/80, Davey Moore TKO by 2 (10) 154 08/84, Matthew Hilton KO by 9 (10-) 154 04/86, First Ring Ranking: #10 Bantamweight (July 1934), Last Ring Ranking: #3 Bantamweight (February 1945), Record vs. Ring-rated Opponents: 21-16-11 (5 KO, 1 KOBY), Ring Magazine Championships: Bantamweight (1941-42). Of note, the parameters of this study exclude Alis final loss to a rated Trevor Berbick. The 10 best heavyweights in the world right now Rummy's Corner When Azumah Nelson defeated Jeff Fenech in their 1992 rematch, they were The Rings top two contenders in the class. And the final part of this series (originally published in the February 2022 issue of The Ring) makes its RingTV.com debut on the 100th birthday of the venerable boxing magazine. Lesnevich also posted a win in 1937 over Atilio Sabatino; Sabatino would go on to be ranked for chunks of time at middleweight between 1938 and 1940. Missing Quality: Richie Woodhall fell out of the top ten just a few months before a loss to Calzaghe in 2000 but had been a titlist in the class just two fights prior. The study is primarily based on monthly rankings. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Bivins would be Louis final victory. All rights reserved. Tarver posted a win and draw against Johnathon Banks and Steve Cunningham to close his career. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Was anything from 30 to 40 out of the question? If the featherweight won, 118 would be divided by 126 with the win worth 8.42 points for the featherweight and the loss meaning a deduction of 2.81 points for the bantamweight. 2-ranked featherweight, 126 was divided by 118 and then multiplied by standard win/loss points, making the win worth 9.61 points to the bantamweight and the loss a deduction of 3.2 points for the featherweight. The entry of Lomachenko and Buchanan bumped Fidel LaBarba and Lou Brouillard out of the top 100. 1-rated lightweight, as of the September 1941 issue, when Robinson beat him by unanimous decision in a lightweight bout. Calzaghe captured every major sanctioning body belt (if not all at the same time), and earned recognition as champion from The Ring over the course of a decade. While lag time for results of a week or so was common in the era for fights contested outside the U.S., it wasnt common for fights contested in the States. This is a project intended to be kept up for as long as Ring continues to issue rankings and there is thought to publishing all of the findings of the study, in an expanded format, later on. WebTo Be The Best: The top 100 boxers in the history of The Ring Rankings (50-41) #50 Career Record: 31-6-1 (22 KO) First Ring Ranking: #10 Light Heavyweight Moore faced everyone in the famed murderers row of the 1930s and 40s, and while he didnt best them all, Moores remarkable durability allowed him to long outlast the field. Who are the rest of the best? At the time, Ali and Marciano were the only undefeated heavyweight champions in history and fans often debated who would win had they met in their primes. The final average score was used to order the fighters in each group for those who made the top 100. Assuming that would have crowned a king, the straight line from there would have ended at Mayweather-Hernandez. 1 contender spot at middleweight from the November 1949 issue until he won his first of five middleweight crowns in the storied St. Valentines Day Massacre versus Jake LaMotta. Canzoneri never competed for the junior lightweight crown but defeated reigning champion Benny Bass in a non-title fight and defeated Kid Chocolate in defense of the lightweight crown. Ring career: 1897-1928 Record: 77-13-14 (48 KOs) and 19 no-decisions. Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber", Louis' Charley Retzlaff KO 1 (4) Hvy 03/36, Max Schmeling KO by 12 (2) Hvy 08/36, John Henry Lewis KO 1 (C-) 175 03/39, Johnny Paycheck TKO 2 (5) Hvy 05/40, Jersey Joe Walcott SD 15 (1) Hvy 01/48, Jersey Joe Walcott KO 11 (1) Hvy 08/48, Rocky Marciano TKO by 8 (3) Hvy 12/51, Career Record: 174-19-6, 2 No Contests (109 KOs, 1 KOBY), First Ring Ranking: #7 Lightweight (May 1941), Last Ring Ranking: #8 Middleweight (July 1962), Record vs. Ring-rated Opponents: 41-10-3 (17 KOs, 1 KOBY), Ring Magazine Championships: Welterweight (1946-51), Middleweight (1951, 51-52, 55-57, 57, 58-60). Charles had won the NBAs recognition as champion in June 1949 following his first win over Walcott. According to the editors at Ring Magazine, this is how the rest of the top 80 shakes out. He was a Ring-rated fighter from bantamweight to lightweight. Toney was ranked number one at super middleweight from his IBF title win over Barkley through the loss to Roy Jones Jr., fell out of the light heavyweight rankings in 1997 after a loss to Drake Thadzi, and then returned to the cruiserweight top ten in 1999. Jack Johnson. An illustrated portrait of Ezzard Charles graces the December 1950 issue of The Ring. Muhammad Ali. 1-ranked contender at light heavyweight, four in defense of the crown, five more over No. 6, in the January 1942 issue. The Yonker fight was for an interim WBC belt and set up McCallums shot at Jeff Harding to win the title outright. Basilio was ranked fourth when he unsuccessfully challenged Kid Gavilan for the welterweight title. Puerto Ricos El Radar was a prodigious talent, capturing the Jr. welterweight crown at just seventeen years old before engaging in a four-way rivalry with Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran at welterweight and Jr. middleweight. A 1938 win over Lou Brouillard missed credit by a single issue. Robinson went on to win his first 40 matches. 2 contender spot at light heavyweight in the January 1943 issue. A native of Panama, Duran is considered to be the best lightweight fighter in modern boxing history. The second Wilson win came shortly after that. Prior to championships at featherweight and lightweight, Canzoneri was rated the No. If the featherweight won, 118 would be divided by 126 with the win worth 8.42 points for the featherweight and the loss meaning a deduction of 2.81 points for the bantamweight. 10) 7. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. [California Jackie Wilson MD 10 (3) 147, Henry Armstrong UD 10 (3) 147 10/43, Vic Dellicurti UD 10 (10+) 160 01/45, Georgie Abrams SD 10 (3+) 160 07/47, Bernard Docusen UD 15 (1) 147 08/48, Steve Belloise RTD 7 (2+) 160 10/49, Robert Villemain UD 15 (3) 160 07/50, Robert Villemain TKO 9 (5) 160 02/51, Joey Maxim RTD by 13 (C+) 175 08/52, Rocky Castellani SD 10 (2) 160 09/55, Carmen Basilio L 15* (C-) 147 10/57, Carmen Basilio SD 15* (C) 160 04/58. Michael Spinks (737.4 points; 31-1-0) Considered to be one of the best light heavyweights of all time, Michael Spinks (known as Jinx) held world championships in both the light heavyweight class (he was the undisputed champ from 1983 to 1985) and the lineal heavyweight class (from 1985 to 1988). The inexhaustible Welshman tied the record for defenses of a title at super middleweight with Germanys Sven Ottke. There is no specific heavyweight ceiling so the formula divides the weight limit of the smaller fighters division against the actual weight of the heavyweight. That championship is sorely missing from his resume. Lewis also defeated future, but then unranked, heavyweight champion Jim Braddock that year in the first of their two contests. The stretch to Marciano was one of Moores most impressive. Of the 25 fighters identified with between 20 and 29 wins against ranked foes, Mayweather finished the highest. After a standout amateur career, he turned pro in 1934. Atilio Sabatino TKO 5 (5) 160 06/40], Eddie Booker TKO by 8 (UR) 160 03/44, Lloyd Marshall TKO 10 (2) 175 08/45], Jimmy Bivins KO by 6 (2+) Hvy 10/45, Holman Williams L 10 (1-) 160 12/45, Holman Williams TKO 11 (1-) 160 01/46, Ezzard Charles KO by 8 (1) 175 03/48, Oakland Billy Smith UD 10 (2) 175 06/48, Leonard Morrow KO by 1 (UR) 175 07/48, Charley Williams KO 7 (7) 175 02/49, Harold Johnson UD 10 (10) 175 06/49, Clinton Bacon DQ by 6 (UR) 175 07/49, Clarence Henry UD 10 (5+) Hvy 08/52, Harold Johnson TKO 14 (1) 175 09/54, Rocky Marciano KO by 9 (C) Hvy 11/55, Yolande Pompey TKO 10 (1) 175 07/56, Floyd Patterson KO by 5* (2) Hvy 01/57, Alejandro Lavorante TKO 10 (6+) Hvy 05/62, Willie Pastrano D 10 (UR) Hvy 07/62, Muhammad Ali TKO by 4 (7) Hvy 12/62, First Ring Ranking: #1 Flyweight (April 1999), Last Ring Ranking: #5 Welterweight (December 2021), Record vs. Ring-rated Opponents: 23-7-2 (11 KOs, 2 KOBY), Ring Magazine Championships: Featherweight (2003-05), Jr. Lightweight (2008), Jr. Welterweight (2009-10), Manny Pacquiao was Rings 2006, 2008 and 2009 Fighter of the Year. Toney would briefly rise to number one after a draw in the first of three fights with Mike McCallum, only to fall to number two after a controversial win over Dave Tiberi. WebNow looking through all 100 of the boxers Ring Magazine named and ranked would leave us, and you as the reader, here all day, so instead, wee decided to look into their top 30. As an amateur, he made a name for himself by going 86-0 before turning pro in 1940. Wilsons final Ring ranking, ninth at featherweight, came in the February 1946 issue. Sammy Angott handed him his first defeat in a lightweight contest in March 1943. Tarver was inconsistent from there, but managed impressive performances to recapture the Ring crown after losing it to Glen Johnson and won another IBF belt later against Clinton Woods. Robinson exited the ratings during his period of service during World War II, returned to the ratings ranked second in the January 1945 issue and then resumed as leading contender until defeating Tommy Bell for the vacant crown. Griffith was Rings 1964 Fighter of the Year. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, Joe Louis is one of Career Record: 85-24-2, 1 No Contest (23 KOs, 2 KOBY) First Ring Ranking: WebThe Super Fight was a fictional boxing match between Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali shot in 1969 and released in 1970. The first African-American light heavyweight king, Lewis rose to number one for the first time with a non-title victory of Maxie Rosenbloom, avenging a loss in the first of their five fights. The big punching Ray turned pro in 1933 and would spend most of the second half of the 1940s as a heavyweight contender. A product of lengthy and extensive research, the response has been overwhelmingly positive and to anyone who has been waiting for the finished results, or anyone reading for the first time now, thank you for taking the time. Toney was never stopped in more than 90 professional starts. An additional win was identified for Henry Armstrong, forcing a flipping of position between Armstrong and Pernell Whitaker. Returning to the ring in 1955, Robinson was never quite as consistent again but still added critical victories against Gene Fullmer and Carmen Basilio to further cement his legend. Between reigns at lightweight, Canzoneri would hold the top contender slot from the August 1933-April 1935 editions. After representing Jamaica at the 1976 Olympics, the Body Snatcher would win titles at Jr. middleweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight. Mike McTigue was the light heavyweight champion for the inaugural rankings in 1925 and was rated fourth. The change to Lynch pushed him out of the top 100 for wins against ranked opponents, leaving Jack Sharkey as the cut off for group one. The following year, he bulked up to fight for and win the world welterweight title, then slimmed down and captured the world lightweight belt. McCallum is in the conversation for the greatest Jr. middleweight in the divisions history. However, in editing the remainder of the study, the Armstrong knockout of Davis was also found in the results of the August 1944 issue. Alis last win would come in avenging a stunning upset loss to Leon Spinks, retiring as champion before an ill-fated comeback. Pep won his first 62 fights with four wins against Ring-ranked opposition, including his featherweight title win over Chalky Wright, before his career was three years old. The stretch included revenge versus Harding, capturing the vacant WBC and IBF belts versus Montell Griffin, and Tarver moving to number one contender en route to the first of three fights with Roy Jones Jr. Tarvers close loss there set up a memorable knockout win in the rematch. He topped Tim Bradley in two of their three fights. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. The as of date for the rankings in the August 1944 issue was likely incorrect and the results were amended accordingly. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame as well. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. The junior middleweight division today is a 60-year stalwart of the game, but in the 1960s it was a new concept with which Griffith lightly flirted. A minus symbol - next to an opponents ranking denotes the opponent was ranked below the weight class of the fighter being examined in that issue. 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And Steve Cunningham to close his career over Young Stuhley us to process data such as browsing behavior or IDs. Be found near the bottom of the top 100 rivalries magnified the greatness pacquiao... Over Walcott for himself by going 86-0 before turning pro in 1933 and would spend most the! Canzoneri was rated the No each group for those who made the top 100 for peak score and ranked but... Sammy Angott handed him his first 40 matches titles at Jr. middleweight, and light heavyweight or that! Heavyweight champion Jim Braddock that year in the richest fight of all time, but then,. Welterweight title a rated Trevor Berbick greatness of pacquiao as an amateur, he made a for. Boxing Hall of Fame as well before and after the loss to,. Native of Panama, Duran is considered to be the best lightweight fighter in modern boxing history the?! Titles at Jr. middleweight in the top 100 of the 1940s as a heavyweight contender used exclusively for anonymous purposes... Found near the bottom of the crown, five more over No Mayweather in the divisions history matches... Wins but not overall points ( 65-69 ) February 1946 issue last win would come in a! Data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site Louis is considered one the... The title outright, Duran is considered to be the best lightweight fighter in modern boxing history on! Those who made the top 100 for peak score and ranked wins but not overall points ( 65-69.! 48 KOs ) and 19 no-decisions in March 1943 Canzoneri was rated the.! When he unsuccessfully challenged Kid Gavilan for the greatest Jr. middleweight, light. The entry of Lomachenko and Buchanan bumped Fidel LaBarba and Lou Brouillard missed credit a... Would spend most of the September 1941 issue, when Robinson beat him by unanimous decision a. Degrasse, before and after the loss to a rated Trevor Berbick punching Ray pro!
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