Readers Respond: What Do You Think of ESPN's Ranking of the 50 Greatest Boxers of All-Time?

Responses: 437

By Andrew Eisele, About.com Guide

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I bet if you polled Anthony Mundine, he would put himself very high on that list after all he is " THE MAN ", well that'd be his public opinion at least. I AM NOT TELLING ANTHONY My address though.
—Guest DARCY L

How do you make a list for the top 59 Boxers of ALL TIME. First make a list for each of the last 13 decades with the 3 Greatest and most highly regarded fighters from each decade {lets take the 1910-19 period- J Johnson, L Darcy, J. Wilde}. Make sure you study their Records, then once you've done that you have 39 names, then once you have done that you only need 11 more so you can pick them by going to the strongest decades and pick a couple more. Almost done, now you can pick your personal favorite if he's not already on your list. One important thing, blokes like Dempsey who brought thousands in to the fights and enriched boxing MUST be there as without them there wouldn't be any more boxing. Think of what Joe Louis did for African-Americans, He was their all-time hero, even Memphis Minnie did 2 Blues about him. Anyway I would have Benny Leonard and Willie Pep in my Top 5 and Wilde was a Freak so he's at least top 10. Final Note, The Old Timers Twice as good as Moderns EXCEPT PAC.
—Guest DARCY L

Tyson, Tyson, Tyson,.. are you kidding me, he could'nt beat Holyfield, Lewis and Douglas so he ranks below all of them, BUT to not have Rocky Marciano up on there and way ahead of all the above is proof that this was done without making a short list of say 500 of the best and most famous in the ENTIRE History of gloved fights. Major Criterion's, How were they thought of by those saw them, Lots of fights (at least 40) with the very cream available, were they feared and highly rated by opponents (were they dodged by many like Les Darcy for instance), and most importantly,.. are they at least in the top 5 and have AWESOME records. Well Rocky fits all those criteria plus other facts, Rocky was incredibly brave And tough, his punching power was No. 1 for such a small heavyweight indeed he was at least as savage as the much heavier Tyson, and his chin top 5 ever like SRR. Darcy and Jake. Rocky was thought by some as Skilless but he knew what he was doing and always delivered destruction. RMF
—Guest DARCY L

Approximate (off the top of my head) TOP 25 in no particular order - Sugar Ray Robinson-Benny Leonard-Jimmy Wilde-Willie Pep-Muhammad Ali-Manny Pacquiao-Jack Dempsey-Rocky Marciano-Ray Leonard-Les Darcy-Roberto Duran-Joe Louis-Archie Moore-Mickey Walker-Jack Johnson-Sam Langford-Carmen Basilio-Felix Trinidad-Roy Jones Jr-Joe Gans-Henry Armstrong-Sandy Saddler-Ted Kid Lewis-Tommy Loughran-Jack Britton...... Message to Floyd,... if Mr. Mayweather wants to be in the top 100 he must beat Pac-Man. If history sees that the big fight never occurs, I think Floyd knows that Manny has him over the barrel, you see if the much, much natural bigger man beats the ex-flyweight it would only be because of the weight but if manny knocked him out or won a decision it would be akin to Jimmy Wilde knocking out Sugar Ray Robinson. But, even that possibility must be forgotten, let's face it Manny is in another league, he belongs with all the above in Boxer's Valhalla where they fight each other in 20 rd bts
—Guest DARCY L

What about that great middleweight Les Darcy? Why has he been forgotten? when he died (age 21) he was regarded by ALL as the greatest fighter in any weight on the planet, one legendary American scribe said he was the best he'd seen except for J.J. Jeffries. As late as 1975 Ring magazine said he was in top 10 all time middleweights. In time I suppose that Roy Jones Jr will be left off lists, after all who talks about JEM MACE these days.
—Guest DARCY L

Pacman has been fighting boxers that have been on their way out already. this list is good the way it is, period!!!
—Guest Steveo

Everybody forgets the greatest mexican boxer of all time, Mr. Salvador Sanchez. He should be on that list way before Barrera and Chavez. He's top 5 of all time in my eyes.
—Guest C'mon man really

1.Ali, 2. Marciano, 3.Robinson, 4.Tyson, 5. Frazier, 6. Lennox Lewis, 7.Jack Johnson, 8. Dempsey, 9. Holyfield, 10. PacMan
—Guest Mr X

Mainstream appeal has nothing to do with a boxer's talent and therefore has no place amongst the criteria. The list is entitled "Greatest Boxers of All-Time" which implies a recognition of skill and prowess. If mainstream appeal is to be such a large part of the selection process, why not just call it "Most popular boxers of all-time?" or something else more reflective of people's attraction to the sport? No wonder you have so many people complaining about Tyson being ranked #50. Many of those inside the sport have noted that he was one of, if not the, most talented boxer to have lived. Muhammad Ali himself was in awe of Tyson's skill and power, and in an interview with Tyson expressed his belief that Tyson would have knocked him flat. Ali wasn't a modest man notwithstanding his talents, so that says a lot. The criteria should be revised and the list should reflect talent to the exclusion of appeal/aesthetics or popularity.
—Guest Boxing fan

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