Top 5 Boxers of All Time
#5 – Rocky Marciano
Yes, Marciano waited to fight Joe Louis far past Louis' prime. But 49-0 is 49-0. You can only find so much fault in an unblemished record. He defended his crown more often than any other boxer in history. For fans of the knockout, he was the most prolific knockout artist to ever wear a pair of gloves. In 49 professional bouts, Marciano knocked out 87 percent of his opponents.
#4 – Joe Louis
#3 – "Sugar" Ray Robinson
#2 – Muhammad Ali
Many will struggle to comprehend a Top 5 list where Ali is not at the head of the pack. Fans of Ali are often unable to separate Ali the person and revolutionary from Ali the boxer. Ali the boxer had the fastest hands in the heavyweight division for several years even after he left the sport. He had the smoothest feet and the most thoughtful approach to out maneuvering his opponent. But he was beaten. Not just in the literal sense, but in addition to his losses, Ali suffered immense physical beatings during his fights with Frazier, Foreman, Holmes, and Norton (who broke Ali's jaw). The lack of tact in these battles disqualifies him as the greatest.
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#1 – Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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Boxing is a rare art that few people have mastered. Mayweather is easily the most intelligent boxer to ever step in the ring. His defensive wizardry allowed him to amass a 49-0 record in an era with Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley, and Miguel Cotto all breathing down his neck. Mayweather may not have accumulated the number of title defenses of Marciano, but he certainly fought the best of the best throughout his entire career. His opponents are often ridiculed as being overrated after Mayweather fights them. This label is inaccurate and unfair. Boxers earn a number one ranking with victories and performance. Being outclassed by the greatest of all time doesn't make them overrated, it makes them human. If you dislike Floyd because of his bravado, criminal history or arrogance, that's natural, but don't allow that personality conflict to blind you to what he accomplished in the ring. No boxer in the history of the sport eluded more punches than Mayweather. And this defensive magic and offensive dominance for two decades is why "Pretty Boy" Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. is the greatest Boxer of All Time!
Honorable Mentions:
• "Sugar" Ray Leonard
• Jack Johnson
• Julio Cesar Chavez
*Note: Mike Tyson does not make the list nor does he receive an honorable mention due to his many flaws as a boxer and competitor. In his prime Tyson possessed lightening hand speed and unearthly power. But after the death of his trainer/mentor, he lacked the discipline and vision to ever be a consistent boxer. Tyson was immune to jabbing (which is a boxers most important weapon) and his below average reach stifled any legitimate chance he had against larger, more skilled boxers. If this list were the: Top 5 Most Underachieving Boxers of All Time, "Iron" Mike Tyson would finish atop the list at #1
