Boxing News : Fischer : The Top 29 Black Fighters of All Time

Doug Fischer

Chief editor

The Top 29 Black Fighters of All Time
Part two of a two-part column by Doug Fischer (Part 1) (Ferbruary 27, 2004)

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Counting today, there are only three days left in Black History Month. If you start reading this column now you MIGHT finish it by this weekend. Twenty-nine fighters make up a very long list, folks, but had to go and include an 'honorable mention' group plus name five current fighters who might make the top 29 one day depending on what they do this year and next.

So here it is, the 29 greatest black fighters, pound for pound, in history. If you want the criteria for these rankings, check out part one, if you're ready to learn about some great fighters then read on:

1. (tie) Henry Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson -

I explained my reasons for ranking "Homicide Hank" up here with Sugar Ray in part one of this column, but most boxing historians believe Robinson is without peer. The consensus choice as the greatest welterweight and middleweight of all time, Robinson tasted defeat only once during his prime, which lasted between 1940 (the year he turned pro) and 1950 (the year he relinquished his welterweight title in order to campaign as a middleweight), and that bout was a close decision to fellow hall of famer Jake LaMotta (in a middleweight contest in which he weighed only 144 pounds to Bronx Bull's 160).

Robinson engaged in 123 bouts during this 10-year period, compiling a sublime record of 120-1-2 (78). During the forties, he defeated future hall of famers Sammy Angott (three times), Fritzie Zivic (twice), LaMotta (four out of five times), Henry Armstrong and Kid Gavilan (twice).

In February of '51, Robinson stopped LaMotta in 13 brutal rounds to win the middleweight title. His record through the rest of the 1950s, beginning with that fight (his sixth and final meeting with LaMotta) was a far from spectacular 23-5 (14), but the fighters and fights he engaged in were truly great. Although he was a natural welterweight, Robinson came close to winning the light heavyweight title (he was stopped by heat exhaustion more than the punches of champ Joey Maxim) and he knocked out LaMotta, Randy Turpin, Bobo Olson (twice), and Gene Fullmer - four of the hardest middleweights of all time. Robinson also beat hall of famers Rocky Graziano and Carmen Basilio during this period.

3. Ezzard Charles - A feared contender at middleweight and light heavyweight, 'the Cincinnati Cobra' was never given an opportunity to fight for a world title at 175 pounds, so he jumped to heavyweight where he won the vacant NBA title by out-pointing Jersey Joe Walcott. He won the "world" title from an aging, comebacking Joe Louis and eventually defended the title eight times (counting three defenses of the NBA belt). But despite his heavyweight accomplishments, Charles is recognized by most historians as the greatest light heavyweight ever. This is due to his three wins over Archie Moore (one of which was by TKO), two wins over Charley Burley, five wins over Joey Maxim, four wins over Jimmy Bivins (he was 4-1 out of five meetings) and two wins over Lloyd Marshall (he was 2-1 out of three meetings). Charles also gave Rocky Marciano two of the Rock's toughest fights in epic heavyweight title encounters.

4. Archie Moore - If not for Charles, Moore, the all-time KO King with either 131 or 141 career knockouts to his credit, would probably be considered the greatest light heavyweight of all time. Unlike Charles, Moore eventually got a title shot at 175 pounds, but he had to wait until he was 39 to get it (so you know he must have been a bad dude in his prime). Still, Moore reigned for more than nine years, making nine defenses of the title while he moonlighted as a top heavyweight contender, despite being his 40s. As a middleweight contender he beat Marshall (twice), Nate Bolden (twice), and the Cocoa Kid. As a light heavyweight he beat Jimmy Bivins (twice, going 2-1 in three meetings), Holman Williams (splitting two fights), Maxim (twice), Bobo Olson and Harold Johnson (four times, going 4-1 in five meetings). At heavyweight he beat Nino Valdes (twice), Bob Baker, Bert Whitehurst (twice), Willi Besmanoff (twice) and Pete Rademacher.

5. Evander Holyfield - The unanimous choice as the best cruiserweight in history defied the odds by becoming one of the best heavyweights of all time. Holyfield unified the three major cruiserweight titles versus Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Rickey Parkey and Carlos DeLeon. He won the undisputed heavyweight title from Buster Douglas. As a heavyweight he beat former title holders Pinklon Thomas and Michael Dokes as he settled into the new weight class. During his first title reign Holyfield defended the world belt against aging hall of famers George Foreman and Larry Holmes. He beat Riddick Bowe (losing twice in a three-fight series), Ray Mercer, Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Moore (split two fights), John Ruiz (once in an even three-fight series) and Hasim Rahman. In 1999, he went 24 rounds with the much bigger and fresher Lennox Lewis, and though he could not beat his massive foe, he was never close to being off his feet, nor did he take a backward step.

6. Sugar Ray Leonard - One of the top five welterweights in history went on to win titles in five weight classes, but he secured his legend during a two-year period, 1979-'81, when he beat fellow future hall of famers Wilfred Benitez, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns (all of whom were at or near their fighting primes, as he was at the time). He also stopped WBA 154-pound champ Ayub Kalule for good measure. Upset decision over Marvin Hagler capped a short but great career.

7. Roy Jones Jr. - Perhaps the most naturally gifted athlete who chose to box of all time, Jones won world titles at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. The consensus choice as the best 168-pound fighter ever, he unified titles at light heavyweight, where he is considered one of the top 10 in history. In a 15-year, 50-fight career, he has defeated 15 title holders (counting the WBO), including future hall of famers Bernard Hopkins and James Toney.

8. Pernell Whitaker - Four-division champion is considered one of the best lightweights and welterweights ever. Using impeccable timing, balance and ring generalship, this slick southpaw dominated some of the best lightweights, 140 pounders, welterweights and junior middleweights of his era, including future hall of famer Julio Cesar Chavez (one-sided fight was deemed a majority draw, but most observers had Sweet Pea winning), Jose Luis Lopez (split two fights, the loss was a robbery), Roger Mayweather, Buddy McGirt (twice), Julio Cesar Vazquez. Even as an aging, undersized welterweight with a well-documented drug problem Whitaker still gave Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad difficult fights.

9. Charley Burley - Archie Moore said Burley was the toughest man he fought in his 234-fight career. Eddie Futch called Burley "the finest all-around fighter" he ever saw. Burley never got a shot a world title at welterweight, middleweight or light heavyweight. He was simply too good and not connected enough to make things happen. What a shame. He beat Fritzie Zivic (in two of their three fights), Archie Moore, Nate Bolden, Cocoa Kid, and Holman Williams (three out of seven times, Williams won three and one bout was a no-contest).

10. Michael Spinks - The first reigning light heavyweight to win the heavyweight title is one of the top five 175-pound fighters in history. Spinks, who retired with a 31-1 (21) record, made 10 defenses of the light heavyweight title and beat Dwight Muhammad Qawi (Braxton at the time), Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Marvin Johnson and Yaqui Lopez. At heavyweight he downed an aging legend in Larry Holmes (twice - the first fight was close, the rematch could have gone to Holmes) and Gerry Cooney. His only loss was a first-round KO to a peaking Mike Tyson.

11. Marvelous Marvin Hagler - One of the best all-around technicians in history is considered by many to be one of the top five middleweights ever. Never stopped in 67 pro fights (62-3-2, with 52 KOs), Hagler beat the best the best of Philly as an up-and-coming contender, including Eugene Hart, Bobby Watts (splitting two fights), Willie Monroe (twice, going 2-1 in three fights) and Bennie Briscoe. He also beat Ray Seals (twice, drawing once in three fights). He beat England's Alan Mintor to win the middleweight title and defended it 12 times, including a competitive 15 rounder with Duran and a career-defining three-round KO of Hearns. Also beat Vito Antuofermo, Fully Obelmejias (twice), Mustafa Hamsho (twice), Juan Roldan and John Mugabi.

12. Thomas Hearns - Former welterweight terror is one of best junior middleweights in history and was tall and powerful enough to be a world-class threat at light heavyweight. The 'Hitman' won titles in five divisions (counting the WBO). He destroyed the destroyers by knocing out Pipino Cuevas and Duran in two rounds a piece, and out-pointed master boxers Wilfred Benitez and Virgil Hill. Provided epic struggles in losses to Leonard and Hagler. "Draw" with Leonard in rematch was a robbery.

13. Sandy Saddler - The featherweight great knocked out 103 fighters in his 144 career wins. Among those victories are three stoppage wins over the great Willie Pep. Saddler, who also won the 130-pound title, also stopped future lightweight king, and fellow hall of famer, Joe Brown and Flash Elorde.

14. Joe Gans - The first African-American to win a world title in boxing reigned as the lightweight champ from 1902 to '08, making 14 defenses. He also challenged Joe Walcott for the welterweight title, earning a 15-round draw. Lauded for his scientific approach to boxing, "The Old Master" finished his career with a 120-8-10 (85) record, including 18 No-Decisions.

15. Ike Williams - A later day Joe Gans, Williams was a scientific lightweight assassin who reigned as the NBA king, then world champ for a total of six years during the mid-to-late '40s. He beat fellow hall of famers Bob Montgomery (they split two fights), Sammy Angott (two out of three), and Beau Jack (three times). Williams also took on the best welterweights of his day, including all-time greats Kid Gavilan (twice) and Carmen Basilio, losing 10 rounders to the bigger men.

16. Bob Foster - This top five all-time light heavyweight reigned as champ for seven years during the late '60s and early '70s, making 14 title defenses. Foster crushed hall of famer Dick Tiger to win the title, then stopped title holder Vicente Rondon and contender Mike Quarry in chilling fashion during his reign. The lanky boxer-puncher also fought Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in losing efforts.

17. Aaron Pryor - This 140-pound terror fought like a modern day Henry Armstrong. 'The Hawk' makes this list on the strength of his KO wins over Antonio Cervantes and Alexis Arguello. The first fight with Arguello is an all-time classic. Reigned as the WBA and IBF champ from '80 to '85, making 10 title defenses.

18. Tiger Flowers - The first black middleweight champ beat all-time great Harry Greb twice. Greb only suffered eight losses in 299 pro fights, and only Gene Tunney equaled Flower's feat of beating him twice in sanctioned fights that were not 'no-decision' bouts. Flowers, who died on the operating table just like his rival Greb also held Maxie Rosenbloom, a light heavyweight hall of famer, to a draw twice.

19. (tie) Bernard Hopkins - The Executioner holds the all-time record for 160-pound title defenses (17 and counting). He's reigned since '95 and has gone unbeaten for more than 10 years (last loss was to Roy Jones). Became the first undisputed middleweight champ since Marvin Hagler when he stopped future hall of famer Felix Trinidad in 12 rounds. Has defended his belt against former title holders John David Jackson, Keith Holmes and William Joppy.

James Toney - The crafty three-division champ (middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight) is currently campaigning as a heavyweight. Two wins over hall of famer Mike McCallum and recent stoppage of HOF lock Evander Holyfield secure his place on this list, but victories over Michael Nunn, Iran Barkley, Prince Charles Williams and Vassiliy Jirov are also impressive.

21. Lloyd Marshall - Old pros like Marshall, Burley, Jimmy Bivins, Holman Williams and Nate Bolden are the reason I had to do this list. They were as talented and skilled as any of the all-time great fighters, from middleweight to heavyweight, that emerged from boxing's 'Golden Age' but they never got the title shots they deserved. After Burley, Marshall was the best of this group. In fact, Marshall, who was a big middleweight/light heavyweight, out-pointed a prime (but much lighter) Burley in 1942. He knocked out a prime Ezzard Charles (KO 8) in '43 (the first of their three fights, Ez won the other two). He outpointed Jake LaMotta over 10 rounds in '44 (unlike a lot of top white fighters of the day, 'the Bronx Bull' didn't duck the better black fighters). Marshall out-pointed Joey Maxim that same year.

22. Jimmy Bivins - A natural light heavyweight, who also fought at heavyweight, Bivins beat a prime Burley in '40 (W 10), a young Maxim in '42 (W 10), a prime Charles in '43 (W 10), and his crowning achievement was knocking out a prime Archie Moore in '45 (KO 6).

23. Holman Williams - Like Marshall, Williams was a big middleweight, who could give any light heavyweight a tough time. He beat a prime Burley over 15 rounds in 1939 and a prime Archie Moore in '45 (W 10).

24. Harold Johnson - Had Johnson come around a decade earlier, he too would have been locked out of the title picture like the men I list ahead of him. But he peaked in the early '60s, a time of sweeping change in the U.S. thanks to the sacrifices made during the Civil Rights movement. Johnson held the NBA light heavyweight title from '61 to '62 before he beat Doug Jones (a tough light heavy/heavyweight who gave Cassius Clay hell and beat Bob Foster) for the world title. Owns wins over Moore (one out of four meetings), Eddie Machen, an aging Ez Charles, Paul Andrews and Eddie Jones.

25. Bob Montgomery - Part of a trio of fantastic lightweights (Ike Williams and Beau Jack) who did battle and thrilled fans during the '40s. 'Bobcat' beat Beau Jack to win recognition as the lightweight champ in New York in 1943. Also beat Fritzie Zivic and Williams (by KO).

26. Beau Jack - One of the most popular fighters ever to grace Madison Square Garden, Jack had a crowd-pleasing brawling style that was enough to best an aging Henry Armstrong, Montgomery, Zivic, and Sammy Angott (TKO 7).

27. John Henry Lewis - The first African-American to win the light heavyweight title beat Maxie Rosenbloom (in two out of five meetings), James J. Braddock (split two fights) and Bob Olin (three times, one of which gave him the title). Lewis made five title defenses from 1935 to '38. Best known for his one-round KO loss to friend Joe Louis, it should be noted that Lewis was blind in one eye by then, and it was the only KO loss in his 117-bout career. He retired with a 103-8-6 (60) record.

28. Terry Norris - His shaky chin and hot temper mark an otherwise fantastic seven-year championship run over three reigns as a 154-pound title holder (WBC/IBF). Norris made 15 title defenses including dominant victories over fading former champs Sugar Ray Leonard (near shutout decision) and Donald Curry (KO 8), future middleweight titlist Jorge Castro (near shutout decision), future jr. middle titlist Carl Daniels (TKO 9), two-division champ Meldrick Taylor (TKO 4) and two-time welterweight titlist Maurice Blocker (TKO 2), all of which came during his first reign as WBC champ. Norris defeated 16 current, former or future world title holders from '88 to '96.

29. Matthew Saad Muhammad - Every time this Philly light heavyweight warrior got in the ring fans were in store for fight-of-the-year caliber scraps. Muhammad defended his WBC title eight times between '79 and '81, which included wins over three-time titlist Marvin Johnson, former champ John Conteh, four-time title challenger Yaqui Lopez and future titlist Lottie Mwale.

HONORABLE MENTION - ANOTHER 29

From light heavyweight (Nate Bolden, Elmer Ray, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Marvin Johnson, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Prince Charles Williams) to middleweight (Bennie Briscoe, Michael Nunn, Iran Barkley, Gerald McClellan, Reggie Johnson, John David Jackson) to welterweight, where there is a veritable parade of talent, skill and heart, there are so many. so, so many fighters worthy of mention.

At welterweight: Johnny Bratton, Johnny Saxton, Virgil Akins, Don Jordan, Curtis Cokes, Hedgemon Lewis, Marlon Starling, Meldrick Taylor and Buddy McGirt.

In the lighter weights: Jeff Chandler, Eddie Perkins, Roger Mayweather, Kennedy McKinney, Davey Moore, Jimmy Carter, Rocky Lockridge, and Frankie Randall.

FIVE WHO COULD MAKE THE LIST

Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Pretty Boy is already my no. 5 junior lightweight of all time. His reign at lightweight was good, but he is looking to make a name at 140, 147, and even 154 pounds over the next two years. If he does what he sets out to do, he'll make this list before he retires. Fighters he should target: Kostya Tszyu (at 140), the winner of Cory Spinks-Zab Judah, Ricardo Mayorga or Antonio Margarito (at 147) and any solid top-10 contender at 154.

Shane Mosley - Sugar Shane has earned a place in the hall of fame by being the only man to beat Oscar De La Hoya twice and winning titles in three divisions. If he beats Winky Wright on March 13, he'll take on Felix Trinidad. A solid win over the Puerto Rican legend will secure his place among the all-time greats.

Winky Wright - If he beats Mosley next month, and that's not out of the realm of possibility, his minor upset could set up a rematch vs. rival Fernando Vargas. A revenge win there might earn the Winkster enough recognition to net a big-time fight with De La Hoya, Vernon Forrest or a rematch with Mosley. A win in that mega-match would get him into the top 29.

Vernon Forrest - Two wins over Mosley put Viper into good position. Many observers thought he did enough to win his rematch with Ricardo Mayorga, so he's far from done. A solid win over a Margarito or Raul Marquez could earn him a shot at the Mosley-Wright winner (or better yet a shot at the winner of Mosley-Trinidad if that fight happens). A win over Wright, Mosley or Trinidad is enough to get him in the top 29. A revenge win over bitter rival Mayorga would seal the deal.

Mark Johnson - The former flyweight champ and two-time 115-pound titlist is one of the best all-around boxers to grace a prize ring in the past 20 years, but a lack of recognizable names in his often overlooked divisions have hurt his recognition and standing in all-time lists like this one. But there are name fighters for him to take on these days. Nearly a decade removed from the days when he owned the Inglewood Forum, the young guns of the 115-pound division are willing to fight him and that gives him a shot at making this list. Victories over Jose Navarro, Eric Morel and the winner of the Alex Munoz-Martin Castillo fight would be more than enough to make this list. (Part 1)