ESPN's 50 Greatest Fighters of All-Time!!!

[Club Fighter]

50. Mike Tyson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
49. Erik Morales
48. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
47. Bernard Hopkins
46. Roy Jones Jr. Bonus video: Brian Kenny on Jones' place on the list ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
45. Carlos Monzon
44. Pernell Whitaker Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
43. Marco Antonio Barrera
42. Alexis Arguello
41. Ted "Kid" Lewis
40. Evander Holyfield
39. Oscar De La Hoya
38. Larry Holmes Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
37. Thomas Hearns
36. Eder Jofre
35. Marvin Hagler
34. Emile Griffith
33. Ruben Olivares
32. Jose Napoles
31. Billy Conn Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
30. Terry McGovern
29. Sandy Saddler
28. Jake LaMotta Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
27. Ezzard Charles
26. Joe Frazier Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
25. Marcel Cerdan
24. Julio Cesar Chavez Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
23. Jimmy McLarnin
22. Barney Ross Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
21. Tony Canzoneri
20. George Foreman Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
19. Stanley Ketchel
18. Archie Moore Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
17. Mickey Walker Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
16. Gene Tunney Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
15. Jimmy Wilde
14. Rocky Marciano Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
13. Harry Greb
12. Sugar Ray Leonard Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
11. Joe Gans
10. Sam Langford
9. Jack Dempsey Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
8. Jack Johnson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
7. Benny Leonard
6. Roberto Duran Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
5. Willie Pep Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
4. Joe Louis Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
3. Henry Armstrong Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
2. Muhammad Ali Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
1. Sugar Ray Robinson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links] Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas on the list ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]


I know I don't necessarily agree with this here list . . .

Omissions that one can make an argument for: Lennox Lewis, Aaron Pryor, Jersey Joe Walcott, Hactor Camacho.

Suspicious rankings: Duran at #6!!!!!!! You'va gotta be kiddin' me. :huh I like Manos de Piedra as much as any other but #6, fuhgeddaboutit! Ray Leonard #12, yet Hagler #35??? . . . and Tommy Hearns #37??? :-( Whitaker #44, behind Marco Antonio Barrera! C'mon, man. Disgraceful. :patsch Roy Jones, #46, he should be at least around #25. Mayweather #48, he's gotta rank better than that, and Erik Morales even on the list??? . . . he's a top one hundred guy.

I'd love to hear some opinions.

[robert ungurean]

This is the old list.
You need the revised version that came out about a week later.

[Sizzle]

It's OK, but some of the rankings are laughable.

Carlos Monzon was the most dominant middleweight ever, how on earth he could be ranked behind Jake LaMotta is anyones guess.

I'm not sure about Barrera being ranked ahead of Hopkins, Jones Jr, and Mayweather either.

The Dempsey ranking is a complete joke also, he shouldn't be top100.

How Foreman weasled in at No.20 on an all-time P4P list is anyones guess.

[sweet_scientist]

Terrible list, but better than average for ESPN.

[boxingcar]

Souldn't this be "ESPN's 50 Greatest "boxers" of All-Time" ?

[Smith]

Monzon is far, far to low. He is without a doubt top 20

[heerko koois]

:patsch :rofl hORROR LIST...........HAGLER AT 35 !!!!!!!!!!!!

CHAVEZ AT 24 ........EVEN WORSE.........

[sandwichsurgeon]

The funny thing is this is actually his job

[Club Fighter]

ESPN never revised the list, independent critics revised it. As far as ESPN is concerned this list still stands. I'm just interested in others' takes on ESPN's list.

[Club Fighter]

It's OK, but some of the rankings are laughable.

Carlos Monzon was the most dominant middleweight ever, how on earth he could be ranked behind Jake LaMotta is anyones guess.

I'm not sure about Barrera being ranked ahead of Hopkins, Jones Jr, and Mayweather either.

The Dempsey ranking is a complete joke also, he shouldn't be top100.

How Foreman weasled in at No.20 on an all-time P4P list is anyones guess.

Do you honestly dispute Foreman's ranking? Granted, he was basicly a brawler during his first incarnation. If someone took the time to hone his talents he probably could have been #1 all-time. He lost to Ali in a fight that he could have and should have won had he had a better corner. He thoroughly dominated a P4P great in Frazier and destroyed Ken Norton, won an Olympic Gold Medal and also became the oldest Heavyweight Champ ever (eclipsing Jersey joe Walcott's record) while only being knocked down twice in his career. During his reincarnation he didn't even bother to sit in between rounds no matter the circustances. Big George is definitely desrving of #20.

[heerko koois]

There Are Way Too Many Oldtimers On That List.......greb Is Number 13 ....where Is That Based On ? There Are No Footages Of Any Of His Fights ...saw Him On You Tube Training....looked Like A Skinny And Limited Boxer .....

[DonPrestige]

I think most people agree that this is a terrible list overall with some rankings making no sense.

One thing, while I will admit I am biased because he's my favourite boxer, Why cant people look past the troubles in his life and concentrate on the talent in his prime. I refer to Mike Tyson, one of the most exciting fighters, hardest punches, biggest draws, olympic gold medalist and more importantly youngest ever heavyweight champion of all time. His later career is obviously well documented but in his prime doesnt he deserve to be moved up. I say this because people know he was a great fighter but due to the image and lifestyle they choose to drop him a few places. However I guess its the same with all these lists people give favourable rankings to the fighters they liked such as Leonard in this list.

[quintonjacksonfan]

ESPN lists are always a little to biased towards the Heavyweights
When did Tyson win a Gold Medal?
SRL deserves to be that high on this list. I don't think Mab or Morales should be on that list at
all. In his prime Mab got blown out twice by Junior Jones

[Heavyrighthand]

The first thing I noticed is that Lennie Lewis needs to be on that list, and he should be high on that list.

[heerko koois]

The first thing I noticed is that Lennie Lewis needs to be on that list, and he should be high on that list.

THEY ALL LOVE GREB........DESPITE THE FACT THAT NO ONE ALIVE HAS EVER SEEN HIM FIGHT..........OFCOURSE LEWIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN LISTED..........

[quintonjacksonfan]

Hagler Jones and Hearns should all be higher on the list
Spinks and Lewis should replace Barrera and Morales on the list
How can you put MAB ahead Spinks. Spinks only loss was to a much heavier Mike Tyson.

[MoneyPunch]

George Foreman at 20!!!!!
Thats gotta be a joke, and Barrera ahead of Mayweather, please!!

[dangerousity]

50. Mike Tyson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
49. Erik Morales
48. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
47. Bernard Hopkins
46. Roy Jones Jr. Bonus video: Brian Kenny on Jones' place on the list ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
45. Carlos Monzon
44. Pernell Whitaker Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
43. Marco Antonio Barrera
42. Alexis Arguello
41. Ted "Kid" Lewis
40. Evander Holyfield
39. Oscar De La Hoya
38. Larry Holmes Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
37. Thomas Hearns
36. Eder Jofre
35. Marvin Hagler
34. Emile Griffith
33. Ruben Olivares
32. Jose Napoles
31. Billy Conn Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
30. Terry McGovern
29. Sandy Saddler
28. Jake LaMotta Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
27. Ezzard Charles
26. Joe Frazier Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
25. Marcel Cerdan
24. Julio Cesar Chavez Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
23. Jimmy McLarnin
22. Barney Ross Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
21. Tony Canzoneri
20. George Foreman Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
19. Stanley Ketchel
18. Archie Moore Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
17. Mickey Walker Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
16. Gene Tunney Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
15. Jimmy Wilde
14. Rocky Marciano Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
13. Harry Greb
12. Sugar Ray Leonard Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
11. Joe Gans
10. Sam Langford
9. Jack Dempsey Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
8. Jack Johnson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
7. Benny Leonard
6. Roberto Duran Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
5. Willie Pep Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
4. Joe Louis Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
3. Henry Armstrong Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
2. Muhammad Ali Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
1. Sugar Ray Robinson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links] Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas on the list ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]


I know I don't necessarily agree with this here list . . .

Omissions that one can make an argument for: Lennox Lewis, Aaron Pryor, Jersey Joe Walcott, Hactor Camacho.

Suspicious rankings: Duran at #6!!!!!!! You'va gotta be kiddin' me. :huh I like Manos de Piedra as much as any other but #6, fuhgeddaboutit! Ray Leonard #12, yet Hagler #35??? . . . and Tommy Hearns #37??? :-( Whitaker #44, behind Marco Antonio Barrera! C'mon, man. Disgraceful. :patsch Roy Jones, #46, he should be at least around #25. Mayweather #48, he's gotta rank better than that, and Erik Morales even on the list??? . . . he's a top one hundred guy.

I'd love to hear some opinions.

Most people have Duran top 5 at least, arguably top 3.

[dangerousity]

Larry Holmes needs to be in the top 10, and Wheres Trinidad and PBF and Sugar, all better than Oscar?

There's 10 weight classes or so, Larry Holmes is a top 10 HW, arguably top 5. Lets be generous and make him top 3rd greatest HW of all time. Now if were to pick out 3 from each weight division that would make 30...its still hard to put him in the top 10. That is unless you were biased towards HW's. Alot of HW's are ranked high on ATG lists yet their accomplishments pale in comparison to some of the guys at lower weight classes. Hopkins for example has achieved more than Holmes yet would probably be ranked lower than Holmes in most ATG list.

[ajohnfp]

I don't see how you can justify putting Larry Holmes on the list and leaving off Michael Spinks.

[PATSYS]

50. Mike Tyson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
49. Erik Morales
48. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
47. Bernard Hopkins
46. Roy Jones Jr. Bonus video: Brian Kenny on Jones' place on the list ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
45. Carlos Monzon
44. Pernell Whitaker Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
43. Marco Antonio Barrera
42. Alexis Arguello
41. Ted "Kid" Lewis
40. Evander Holyfield
39. Oscar De La Hoya
38. Larry Holmes Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
37. Thomas Hearns
36. Eder Jofre
35. Marvin Hagler
34. Emile Griffith
33. Ruben Olivares
32. Jose Napoles
31. Billy Conn Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
30. Terry McGovern
29. Sandy Saddler
28. Jake LaMotta Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
27. Ezzard Charles
26. Joe Frazier Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
25. Marcel Cerdan
24. Julio Cesar Chavez Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
23. Jimmy McLarnin
22. Barney Ross Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
21. Tony Canzoneri
20. George Foreman Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
19. Stanley Ketchel
18. Archie Moore Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
17. Mickey Walker Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
16. Gene Tunney Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
15. Jimmy Wilde
14. Rocky Marciano Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
13. Harry Greb
12. Sugar Ray Leonard Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
11. Joe Gans
10. Sam Langford
9. Jack Dempsey Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
8. Jack Johnson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
7. Benny Leonard
6. Roberto Duran Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
5. Willie Pep Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
4. Joe Louis Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
3. Henry Armstrong Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
2. Muhammad Ali Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]
1. Sugar Ray Robinson Video ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links] Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas on the list ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) [Only registered and activated users can see links]


I know I don't necessarily agree with this here list . . .

Omissions that one can make an argument for: Lennox Lewis, Aaron Pryor, Jersey Joe Walcott, Hactor Camacho.

Suspicious rankings: Duran at #6!!!!!!! You'va gotta be kiddin' me. :huh I like Manos de Piedra as much as any other but #6, fuhgeddaboutit! Ray Leonard #12, yet Hagler #35??? . . . and Tommy Hearns #37??? :-( Whitaker #44, behind Marco Antonio Barrera! C'mon, man. Disgraceful. :patsch Roy Jones, #46, he should be at least around #25. Mayweather #48, he's gotta rank better than that, and Erik Morales even on the list??? . . . he's a top one hundred guy.

I'd love to hear some opinions.

I agree with your comments. Also James Toney has to be there somewhere.

[Tencount85]

I have some issues with this list, the biggest being some of the fighters on it are still active. Active fighters should not be on it until they retire because they can either go up and down depending on future fight(s) they have. You may say "You can just update it" and while that maybe true, that wouldn't make it the "Greatest Fighters of All time".

[robert ungurean]

ESPN never revised the list, independent critics revised it. As far as ESPN is concerned this list still stands. I'm just interested in others' takes on ESPN's list. They did revise the list. look a little harder and you'll see.
The new list has Greb at 3 & also includes Fitzsimmons.

[Club Fighter]

They did revise the list. look a little harder and you'll see.
The new list has Greb at 3 & also includes Fitzsimmons.

The list you speak of is an independent critic's revision of the ESPN list which is exactly what I said earlier. If I were to post the list that you speak of it wouldn't be true to the thread's title. Instead the thread would have to be renamed "An Independent Critic's (namely, Monte Cox's) Revision of the ESPN 50 Greatest Fighters of All-Time" which is not what I set out to do. So please stop erroneously stating that they revised the list because they didn't. So you can either agree or disagree with ESPN's rankings (which is the purpose of this thread), but the one thing you can't do is disagree that this is their list, because it is.

[Lostmykeys]

Jack Johnson at 8 almost made me blow my brains out.

[justaboxingfan]

You can almost tell for certain that this list was written by some old guy. Notice as you get closer to the #1 spot, the fighters seem to come from previous eras? Who is the author by the way, this list sucks.

[heerko koois]

this list sux!
were is finito lopez, sal sanchez,nelson, gomez?
48. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Video
47. Bernard Hopkins
46. Roy Jones Jr. Bonus video: Brian Kenny on Jones' place on the list
45. Carlos Monzon
44. Pernell Whitaker??

were is vicious boxer? he should at least be in da top 20!!

You are so right .....vicious Boxer should be listed first .......

[o_money]

how erik morales makes this list is crazy.

LL should be in the top 25-20. The fact that he's off the list is rediculous.

Dempsy shouldn't be in the top two hundred.

and sweat pea should be way higher then he is.

[Club Fighter]

You can almost tell for certain that this list was written by some old guy. Notice as you get closer to the #1 spot, the fighters seem to come from previous eras? Who is the author by the way, this list sucks.

Kieran Mulvaney - ESPN

this list sux!
were is finito lopez, sal sanchez,nelson, gomez?
48. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Video
47. Bernard Hopkins
46. Roy Jones Jr. Bonus video: Brian Kenny on Jones' place on the list
45. Carlos Monzon
44. Pernell Whitaker??

were is vicious boxer? he should at least be in da top 20!!

I would wanna say Sal Sanchez, too, but you can make a legitimate claim that his boxing career was cut too short. Azumah Nelson is a very accomplished champion, with the majority of his losses coming in the tail end of his career, the 1 notable exception being angainst Sal Sanchez. So if Azumah is on there, then I guess they would have to put Sal as well. The same applies with Wilfredo Gomez. Ricardo Lopez had an outstanding record but strawweight fighters really get any recognition. It sucks, but it's true. But he would have been a good additon. . . A very tough list to compile, indeed.

[Dempsey1238]

Were the HELL is Ruby Red?? He should be in the top ten EASY. Perhaps top 3. But Fitz is NO were on that list.

[fightking12]

Why is Tyson last:yikes

[The Whaler]

Incredible. What a genuinely awful list.

[brooklyn1550]

Not a great list

[The Whaler]

It's the kind of list you would expect from a 14 year old who has just started browsing the Classic forum.

You would think ESPN could afford a much more reputable and well-informed boxing writer.

[brooklyn1550]

It's the kind of list you would expect from a 14 year old who has just started browsing the Classic forum.

You would think ESPN could afford a much more reputable and well-informed boxing writer.

They should have just made a thread on ESB and there would be an abundance of more knowledgable boxing fans to chose from.

[digiram]

I think Jones should be a lil bit higher, and where's the guy that KO both MAB and Erick Moralles?

[SUNOF7]

Why is Tyson last:yikes



Tyson is lucky to have made the list. He is as overrated and as hyped as they come. He beat not a top skilled heavyweight in their prime- not one... he lost to all the RECENT great ones he faced BY kO and was KO'd by Buster Douglas--- as MATTER OF FACT HE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE LIST

[robert ungurean]

Greb needs to be top 4
Bob Fitzsimmons needs to be top 15
Jeffries needs to be here too.

[Boxerdog]

Pryor is a turd burglar but his ommision renders the list useless.

[dmt]

The Dempsey ranking is a complete joke also, he shouldn't be top100.
.:nut :nut

[brooklyn1550]

I Barrera and Morales made the list, Sanchez needs to
De La Hoya should be lower, if not off the list completely
Lennox Lewis accomplished more than Tyson in his career
Harry Greb needs to be top 10 at least...probably top 4 or 5
Jack Dempsey could be lower, but I never argued with anybody who put him top 10
Whitaker needs to be higher
Hagler needs to be higer
Bob Fitzsimmons...
Monzon is way too low

[PATSYS]

Why is Tyson last:yikes

Are you suggesting he should be higher?

I personally think he is lucky to be even in that list.