Longest continuous run as a top 10 fighter?

[TBooze]

Forgetting alphabet crap top 10, and just using common sense, who had the longest continuous run as top ten fighter in their division?

Off the top of my head, a modern example would be Evander Holyfield who arguably was a top 10 fighter at either Cruiser or Heavyweight from 1985 to 2003. Louis of course from 1935 to 1951, but then there was his short retirement from 49-50, guess that breaks things up. Probably the King was the ol Mongoose who was top 10 at Middleweight or Light Heavy from 1943 to 1962....

Anyone else come close or indeed beat them numbers?

[TBooze]

Well, Ali from the mid 60s up to the late 70s is quite long too, especially with his opposition.

His longest continuous run though was a mere 7 or 8 years (1970 to 1978.)

[Nemesis]

although not the longest, Johnny Nelson was a top ten cruiser from about 90' to about '06

[NoCoolFool?]

As far as I know it was, and still is, George Chuvalo. He was rated in the Top 10 at heavy longer than any other fighter. I am not sure if that record is just for the Heavyweight division though...?

[brownpimp88]

Pernell Whitaker was a top 10 p4per from 1989-1997.

[MrSmall]

RJJ, 93 to 04?

[Senya13]

RJJ continues to be Top 10 at 175lb even now. He was included into Ring's P4P (not a singular weight) Top 10 in 1992, so that's 15 years.

[TBooze]

...

[D.T]

Bernard Hopkins?

1488 to 2050

[The Mongoose]

Using Ring Annual Rankings as a guide

Archie Moore was a top 10 LHW and at times HW from 1945-1962. 17 straight years!!!!

[hhascup]

Archie Moore was 1st rated in July 1940 as a Middleweight and last rated in February 1964 as a Heavyweight. All toll he was rated for 285 months.

[janitor]

Floyd Patterson deserves a mention.

He was ranked by Ring Magazine every year from 1953-1968 and then from 1971-1972.

This is not an aspect of his career that he is often given credit for.

[hhascup]

Floyd Patterson deserves a mention.

He was ranked by Ring Magazine every year from 1953-1968 and then from 1971-1972.

This is not an aspect of his career that he is often given credit for.

Patterson was 1st rated in August 1953 as a Light Heavyweight and last rated as a Heavyweight in August 1973 for a total of 213 months.

[The Mongoose]

Archie Moore was 1st rated in July 1940 as a Middleweight and last rated in February 1964 as a Heavyweight. All toll he was rated for 285 months.

I was thinking of an unbroken run but this is true.

[lora]

Gift decision Griffith must be up there.

[sportofkings]

Roy jones jr deserves a mention

[Saintpat]

His longest continuous run though was a mere 7 or 8 years (1970 to 1978.)

Ali was without question a top 10 fighter during the time he was forced out of the game due to his refusal to be inducted. He just couldn't get in the ring to prove it.

[TBooze]

Ali was without question a top 10 fighter during the time he was forced out of the game due to his refusal to be inducted. He just couldn't get in the ring to prove it.

I could agree with your argument, until the moment Ali showed real quality and offically retired to thus recognize the winner of Frazier and his good friend Jimmy Ellis as new champion.

[PH|LLA]

Hopkins has been top10 since 1992 probably

going on 20 years


Hopkins probably has one of the longest top5 streak as well, going back to 94

[klompton]

Its a myth that Chuvalo was rated in the top ten continuosly for as long as some people claim. You can check the records of the WBA, WBC, Ring magazine, and Boxing illustrated and during his career he was bumped out of the top ten several times.

[Boilermaker]

Unfortunately, the divisions didnt exist, for most of the time, but the question asked for common sense and judgment. So, i think that the record must go to Bob Fitzsimmons. He has a case of being a top 10 contender from Lightweight to heavyweight from 1881 or 1882 when he won the New Zealand lightweight championship to 1909 when he was knocked out by heavyweight contender Bill Lang. That is 27 years, which is an absolutely enormous performance.

[Boxed Ears]

Forgetting alphabet crap top 10, and just using common sense, who had the longest continuous run as top ten fighter in their division?

Off the top of my head, a modern example would be Evander Holyfield who arguably was a top 10 fighter at either Cruiser or Heavyweight from 1985 to 2003. Louis of course from 1935 to 1951, but then there was his short retirement from 49-50, guess that breaks things up. Probably the King was the ol Mongoose who was top 10 at Middleweight or Light Heavy from 1943 to 1962....

Anyone else come close or indeed beat them numbers?

If you want to go the "arguable" route, you could say till 2008 without being irrational.