SunSport’s top ten greatest boxers of all time: Muhammad Ali fans may not be happy but Floyd Mayweather is head and shoulders about the rest
FLOYD MAYWEATHER was controversially named the greatest boxer of all time by BoxRec in their official list.
Muhammad Ali was only named in fourth spot, while there was no place for British duo Lennox Lewis and Joe Calzaghe
Here is SunSport's list of the top ten greatest boxers in history.
1: FLOYD MAYWEATHER
IT’S impossible not to put Floyd Mayweather at the top of the list as his unbeaten record of 50-0 sets him head and shoulders above who ever you want to place second.
What puts ‘Money’ so far ahead is not only accurate power but his defensive ability that no one was able to crack in 21 years in the paid ranks.
2: MIKE TYSON
Before Iron Mike was swallowed by drug and mental health issues, there was no one on the planet who could cope with his savagery or intimidation unless you got lucky like Buster Douglas.
The mind games heavyweight Tyson played in the build up to fights shocked, inflamed and for those who like their boxing extremely raw, entertained until he simply got bored and drifted away after some humiliating defeats.
3: MANNY PACQUIAO
The Fillipino is the only fighter to win titles in EIGHT different weights and has achieved his status with a smile on his face and around £120million in his pocket.
He has an impish sense of humour and once conned reporters into believing his dad ate the family dog because there was nothing else.
4: MUHAMMAD ALI
YOU can expect to annoy some fight fans when Ali is not named at the top of the list but the ‘The Greatest’ took boxing to a new level of entertainment with his sharp mind and biting wit.
Ali made as big an impact outside the ring as he did inside the ropes. He refused to fight the war in Vietnam as was suspended from boxing for three years. Arguments still rage whether Ali was as good a boxer after his refusal as before.
5: MARVELOUS MARVIN HAGLER
Marvelous was world middleweight champion for seven years from 1980 to 1987.
Hagler’s bout against bitter rival Tommy Hearns is legendary and when they fought in April 1985, the crowd gave a standing ovation at the end of the FIRST round.
Hacker retired in 1987 after losing an epic showdown with Sugar Ray Leonard on points.
6: JOE CALZAGHE
This is an unashamed ‘Brit pick’. The supermiddleweight finished his career with 46 fights 46 wins and 32 KO’s yet the Wales warrior barely gets a mention in the same breath as Floyd Mayweather’s achievements.
Calzaghe is the longest reigning supermiddleweight world champion. He held the WBO crown for over ten years making 21 successful defences before moving up to light heavyweight. He was the first to unify three of the four supermiddleweight world titles, the WBC, WBA and WBO.
7: JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ
CHAVEZ spent 25 years earning his living from the hardest sport on earth, making his debut in 1980 before hanging up his gloves in September 2005 with 107 wins - 86 by knock out, six losses and two draws
Mike Tyson no less rates Chavez as one of the all time greats of the ring, his swarming style overpowering opponents who felt his power with explosive lefts.
8: OSCAR DE LA HOYA
He won a sensational TEN world titles in six different divisions to become boxing’s Golden Boy until that image was tarnished by accusations of drug use.
De La Hoya’s biggest battle was beating his demons and he is now a successful fight promoter.
9: ROCKY MARCIANO
He is the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated, holding the heavyweight title for four years.
His ferocious punching power and granite chin saw him record 49 wins from 49 fight with 43 KO victories. Marciano’s record stood the test of time until along came Floyd Mayweather.
10: LENNOX LEWIS
LEWIS squeezes in for being a three time world heavyweight champion who is the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed title.
Lewis was a classic ‘upright’ fighter who used his 80 inch plus reach to dominate from the outside. He rarely took chances, avenging his two defeats against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman before eventually knocking out Mike Tyson in Memphis.