MaxBoxing's March Madness All-Time Welterweight Tournament Biographies
by Jason Probst (March 24, 2003)
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Since it's inception in 1888, the welterweight division has been one of the most popular and perhaps the most talented weight classes in boxing. After great fighters like the Dixie Kid, "Barbados" Joe Walcott, Mickey Walker, Barney Ross, Jimmy McLarnin, Henry Armstrong and Fritzie Zivic helped establish the division as one of the best, Sugar Ray Robinson set the standard for excellence in the '40s.
The tradition has been carried on by the likes of Gavilan, Basilio, Griffith, Rodriguez, Napoles, Palomino, Benitez, Hearns, Leonard, Curry, Brown, Whitaker, Trinidad, De La Hoya, Mosley, and Mayorga. Read the bios of the "players" in MaxBoxing's All-Time Welterweight Tournament.
Henry Armstrong
Barely a lightweight for many of his bouts in the division, Armstrong registered 19 straight during a two-year tear, including 11 defenses in 1939. At 5-foot-6 and blessed with an abnormally slow heartbeat, Armstrong simply out hustled and out punched his opponents, with good power to boot. A triple-crown champion and one of the best all-time at any weight.
Carmen Basilio
Rugged and willing, Basilio was the quintessential '50s fighter. Not pretty or blessed with the stylist's skills of a Robinson, Graham, or Gavilan, Basilio simply wore people down with an excellent body attack, determination, and conditioning. A smart slugger, Basilio knew how to make the boxers work to keep him off. Fought the best of his era, often multiple times and was so troublesome that Robinson never sought a third bout with him to settle their bitter rivalry. Was only stopped by Gene Fullmer, who was essentially a bigger version of himself.
Wilfred Benitez
Blessed with consummate skills and fantastic reflexes, things may have simply come too easily for Benitez. Ruled by a tyrannical father and a world champion at 17, he was a living legend by the age of 20. Not a big puncher, Benitez, when at his best, was as defensively brilliant as any fighter of the '70s. Despite a week's training, still gave Sugar Ray Leonard a tough scrap before succumbing his WBC belt in 1979, and later knocked out Maurice Hope to win a portion of the 154-pound crown.
Jack Britton
Fought Ted "Kid" Lewis 20 times, and held welter crown for three reigns from the span of 1915-1922 (his series with Lewis stood at 5-2-1 with the rest as no-decision bouts). A consummate boxer with skill, grace, and a well-rounded game, Britton finally lost the title to a prime Mickey Walker in '22 after a magnificent career which saw him besting Lewis, as well as taking a draw and three no-decision matches against Packey McFarland. Britton fought 344 times, compiling a final ledger of 104-27-21 (28 KO), with 190 no-decisions, and two no-contests. The ultimate example of a boxer that didn't need to train in the traditional sense, because he was too busy fighting.
Curtis Cokes
A solid boxer-puncher who reigned in workmanlike fashion between the tenures of Griffith and Napoles. Won vacant crown after Griffith moved up the middle, and made four defenses before being beaten by Napoles.
Donald Curry
In the wake of the Ray Leonard departure of 1982, the soft-spoken, hard-hitting classy boxer from Fort Worth, Texas emerged as the division's heir apparent. Crushed Milton McCrory to unify the title, and seemed destined to join the Hearns-Hagler-Duran circuit. Quick hands and snap-bang counterpunching power were Curry's trademark. But lack of focus and weight problems brought about his end along with some help from the fiery Lloyd Honeyghan. Curry's career had some promising resurgences after that, and accompanying pitfalls, but at time he was regarded as one heck of a good welterweight.
Oscar de la Hoya
"The Golden Boy" may be to modern times what Sugar Ray Leonard was to his -- the pretty fighter who lives up to the hype and leaves his critics smarting. Fought all the top names in the lightweight and welter divisions, owning wins over Fernando Vargas, Ike Quartey, and losing close decisions to Shane Mosley and Tito Trinidad. Physically overwhelming at 130-140 pounds, has fallen back on solid boxing skills with rise in weight. After beating Fernando Vargas last September, is back enjoying the view from the top of the mountain. Future challenges from Mosley and Co. should prove mighty interesting, but match with Bernard Hopkins should prove his ultimate test if their timelines can mesh.
Kid Gavilan
Best known for his spirited efforts in two defeats vs. Robinson, and as the inventor of the "Bolo" punch. A talented boxer with a tendency to trade when tested, Gavilan had a granite chin and was only floored once, by Basilio, in over 140 professional bouts.
Emile Griffith
A classic boxer with an all-world physique, Griffith fought and beat the best of two divisions and reigned as welterweight king three times. Took three of four versus Luis Rodriguez, and held wins over an unsurpassed list of contenders and champions, including among them Denny Moyer (2 of 3), Paret (2 of 3), Joey Archer (twice), Dick Tiger (twice); lost two of three decisions in close battle with Nino Benvenuti, and gave two gallant efforts well past his prime against all-time middleweight great Carlos Monzon. Resilient and astute, Griffith used a scientific approach backed up with a battler's mentality when he needed it.
Tommy Hearns
At 6í-foot-1, "The Hit Man" struck an imposing figure against the welters of his day. Using his often-overlooked boxing ability along with a dynamite right hand, Hearns tore through the division before destroying Pipino Cuevas in two rounds in 1980. Later rose in weight and won titles in the 154-, 160- and 175-pound classes, but was at his best at welterweight. Tough loss to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1981 super bout was partially avenged by controversial draw with Leonard in 1989.
Lloyd Honeyghan
A hustling action fighter, Honeyghan scored a shocking upset of Donald Curry in 1986 and defended the crown
Don Jordan
Fought in the Golden Era of welters in the late '50s and early '60s, and possessed a gritty toughness and good boxing skills. After being disqualified in the Olympics for holding his hands too low (Roy Jones, take heart... you're not alone), Jordan decisioned Virgil Akins in 1958 to win the title, defended against Denny Moyer before losing to Benny Paret in 1960. Retired in 1962 at age 28, as his career was adversely affected by mobsters who controlled his career.
Pete Latzo
Decisioned Mickey Walker in 1926 to take crown, and made two defenses before losing to Joe Dundee. With wins over "Bombardier" Billy Wells and Phil "KO" Kaplan, Latzo was one of the rare Slavic-American boxers in an era where Italians, Jews, and Irish dominated the game.
Sugar Ray Leonard
The fighter whose career transcended dauntingly high expectations, Leonard proved his guts were equal to his glitz after stopping Wilfred Benitez for the WBC belt in 1979, and followed it with his gallant stand in losing the first fight to Roberto Duran. Smart in the rematch, he clowned Duran into the infamous "No Mas," rallied from behind to stop Tommy Hearns, and realized the impossible dream by beating Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1987. Ignonimous bouts against Terry Norris and Hector Camacho should not hurt him among the historians; easily a top ten selection and arguably a top five. One of the all-time greats. Leonard had mojo, and could turn it on in those times when it was desperately needed. Whether it's flurrying off the ropes to steal the late rounds from Hagler, or roaring back against Hearns, his image is indelible and he set the standard for how to capitalize on a gold medal.
Ted "Kid" Lewis
Though he's perpetually remembered along with Jack Britton for their endless series of bouts, Lewis stands out as one of England's greatest pre-war fighters. Cut from the mold common to the times, he was a forward-thinking battler that utilized combination punches in an era where crude swings were the rule.
Ricardo Mayorga
A free-swinging puncher, Mayorga gets entry here simply because he's so damned fun to watch. May prove to be a boom or bust given the transitory nature of the division since Trinidad left, but finding out will surely provide ample fireworks.
Jimmy McClarnin
Though he turned pro at flyweight at the tender age of 16, "Baby Face" won acclaim by taking the welter title by stopping out durable Young Corbett in one round. He lost, won, and then lost the title again to Barney Ross in a legendary series of fights, and owned a TKO win over an aging Benny Leonard, in addition to winning two of three versus Sammy Mandell, going 1-1-1 versus flyweight great Fidel LaBarba while McClarnin was still a prospect, and splitting a pair of bouts against Lou Ambers. Excellent gas tank and frenetic pace of punches made McClarnin a capable foe.
Sugar Shane Mosley
Beating De La Hoya may or may not prove the highlight of his career, but was an overwhelming lightweight and seemed to carry pop and style into division, at least against everyone thus far but Vernon Forrest. Athletically gifted and blindingly quick.
Jose Napoles
As smooth as they came, with a beautiful left hook and a phantom's reflexes. His sole weakness was a tendency to swell, which played a role in many of his losses. However, at his best, ruled division and gave Carlos Monzon an excellent challenge before his eyes betrayed him.
Carlos Palomino
Workmanlike fighter, Palomino lifter the crown from John H. Stracey and had a respectable reign of seven defenses, including wins over Armando Muniz (twice) and Dave "Boy" Green. Lost crown to a still-special Benitez, but was blessed with solid all-around skills and was never stopped in his career.
Ike Quartey
At his peak in 1996, Quartey was a machine. Blessed with jab that would've made Sonny Liston smile, "Bazooka" lifted the crown from tough Crisanto Espana and defended it seven times before losing a close decision to Oscar de la Hoya. Was largely inactive after 1997, with the De La Hoya showing followed by a similar loss to Fernando Vargas in 2000 where Quartey faded down the stretch. Biggest setbacks were bouts that fell through — Whitaker in April '98, and Trinidad later that year.
Sugar Ray Robinson
The greatest fighter that ever lived, and regrettably, none of pre-middleweight fights are on tape (if you have any, please notify us... and name your price). Won middleweight title five times, but physical prime was at 147 pounds, where advanced age and size deficit did not leave him susceptible to being out hustled and outmuscled. An unmatched combination of power, technical precision, and imagination, Robinson carried many foes and still logged a staggering total of 109 KOs. At 157 pounds, would've won the light heavyweight title against Joey Maxim if the heat hadn't KO'd him. It was the only time he was ever stopped in a career of 202 bouts, sort of akin to Wilt Chamberlain never fouling out. Perfect left hook thrown in destruction of Gene Fullmer is as pretty a punch ever seen. Beat Jake La Motta in five of six despite giving away serious weight, too.
Luis Rodriquez
Came along at same time as Emile Griffith, winning one of four razor-thin decisions. Blessed with physical gifts of speed, grace, and style, Rodriquez was a classy boxer who fought the best of the welter and middleweight divisions. Luis fought a deep pool of contenders, including Joey Giambra, Denny Moyer, Virgil Akins, Hurricane Carter (twice), and Fraser Scott, while dropping two of three versus Curtis Cokes
Barney Ross
Equipped with a non-stop style and excellent technical skills, Ross had an all-time chin, too. A triple-crown champion whose three-fight series with Jimmy McClarnin ranks as a classic, Ross had incredible stamina which compensated for his lack of a big punch.
Tommy Ryan
Ryan was a scientific boxer with a refined approach. Though middleweight champion in addition to holding title at welter, Ryan's best years at this weight saw him best Mysterious Billy Smith in 1894 before defending the crown six times. One of his defenses included a stoppage over an aging Jack Dempsey ("The Nonpareil", not the future heavyweight champ); held middleweight crown for a decade before retiring with it intact in 1907. Along with Mike Gibbons, was one of the classiest pure boxers of his era.
Simon Brown
A left-hooking slugger with a forward-charging style, Brown unified vs. Maurice Blocker and brought a sense of stability to the division during one of its most chaotic periods in the late '80s. Never got chance to avenge early career points loss to Marlon Starling, and lost title to Buddy McGirt in 1991. But at his best was a fan favorite. Who can forget his vicious slugfests with Tyrone Trice? Not a lot of defense, but when he connected he didn't need it.
Mysterious Billy Smith
Known for being one of the dirtiest fighters ever, Smith's penchant for fouls overshadowed an underrated career. Took welter title in 1892, lost to Tommy Ryan, regained it from William Matthews, and finally lost it for good to Matthews in 1900. Best win? Went 2-1-3 versus Joe Walcott, but in six fights versus Tommy Ryan went 0-3-2 with two no-contests.
Felix Trinidad
Won the title at 20, and plowed through 14 challengers before finally defeating Oscar de la Hoya in the "Fight of The Millennium". A calculating stalker with lethal power in both hands, Trinidad's chin problem proved to be more of a weight related issue, as he was even tougher when moving up in pounds. Flash knockdowns were a common occurrence in his tenure as welterweight champion, but almost always followed with a brutal Trinidad counterstroke. Less effective against movers (who isn't?), but at welter was simply too strong for most foes. His tear through the top names from 1999-2001 was an impressive run.
Joe Walcott
Standing only 5-foot-1 but with an exceptionally long 70-inch reach, Walcott was one of the original great black fighters. Tangling with Sam Langford, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Joe Choynski, and other bigger foes, Walcott was a rough customer and fearless to boot. Despite his diminutive stature, was a good puncher and tough to discourage. Lost title to Dixie Kid but good showings against numerous larger foes place him solidly here.
Mickey Walker
"The Toy Bulldog" was just that, a fierce competitor and an all-time great. Walker was better known as a middleweight, but at welter he was at his best. Fought all the top names from welter to light heavy, and even took a draw versus Jack Sharkey while trying out the heavies. Beat Jack Britton for crown in 1922, and defended against Pete Latzo and Lew Tendler before moving to middle.
After losing a tough match to Harry Greb in 1925, Walker took the 160-pound title the following year by decisioning the tricky Tiger Flowers. Sandwiched in between two defenses against the tough Ace Hudkins, Walker fought a losing effort for the 175-pound crown against Tommy Loughran. Mickey also fought heavyweight Jack Sharkey to a draw; lost by kayo to Max Schmeling; split a pair of bouts with Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom; won the welterweight title by beating the excellent Jack Britton; decisioned Paul Berlenbach, stopped Mike McTigue in one round; he also held wins over fringe heavyweight contenders Paulino Uzcudan and King Levinsky. After retiring in 1935, Walker took up primitive paintings as a hobby, earning critical acclaim for his works.
Pernell Whitaker
Moved up to welter largely due to lack of challenges at 135, and his long-awaited match with Chavez was the peak of his career, despite getting robbed with a draw. As he settled down on his punches, Whitaker was nearly as dominant at welterweight as he was at lightweight. Always a beat ahead, possessed an underrated body attack and a deep bag of tricks to frustrate opponents. Defeated Buddy McGirt twice, and made eight defenses before losing disputed decision to Oscar de la Hoya. Comeback attempt vs. Trinidad resulted in the first clear-cut defeat of his career, but like Ali, showed how tough he'd always been despite being a matador in his prime.
Fritzie Zivic
Could show Bernard Hopkins a thing or two about rough tactics. Whether it was lacing the eyes, backhanding, elbows, or weird things that defy description, Zivic incorporated it all into a rough and tumble style in 233 bouts. Was never disqualified, either. Zivic's smarts and savvy allowed him to defeat Armstrong twice, ending his reign. Lost it to Freddie Cochrane in his first defense, but owned wins over Charley Burley, Sammy Angott, and Jake LaMotta. Only stopped 4 times in his career, and registered 80 himself.
Note on records: In a descending hierarchy, records were obtained from "Boxing Register", Cyber Boxing Zone, and boxrec.com. In every case stats were cross-checked for accuracy among these, and if matching numbers were not obtained from at least two of these sources, I have used those found in "Boxing Register". Regrettably, many pre-war boxers had hundreds of no-decision, bootleg and unlogged bouts that make an agreeable count virtually impossible among historians — edification regarding any glaring discrepancies is welcomed, and please accept my contrite apologies in advance for omissions which may exist herein.
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E-Mail Jason Probst at jasonprobst@hotmail.com
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