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3…Rocky Marciano--Rocky Marciano, the "Brockton Blockbuster" is the only boxing champ to retire undefeated. Considered the best knockout puncher ever, Rocky won 49 fights without a defeat, knocking out 43 in his career which spanned 12 years from 1947 to 1955. He was a popular champion and was greeted with a ticker-tape parade in his home town of Brockton, MA. When he won the heavyweight title from Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952, over 100,000 welcomed "the champ."
4…Gene Tunney -- Bright, handsome, popular Gene Tunney was a smart boxer in the early 20s. He won 61 fights and lost only once while knocking out 45 in a 12-year career (1919-1927). His claim to boxing fame was defeating the popular and better-known Jack Dempsey twice. His only loss was to Harry Greb in 1922.
5…Muhammad Ali --In all boxing history, Muhammad Ali stands alone. He called himself "The Greatest," and many believed him. He was the best-known athlete in the world during his career that lasted from 1960 to 1981. He won 56 fights, lost 5 and knocked out 37. He won the heavyweight title from rugged Sonny Liston, outsmarting Sonny with his quick punches, defence and fast feet. His three bouts with Joe Frazier and his knockout win over George Foreman are boxing classics.
6…Carlos Monzon -- Carlos Monzon from Argentina is considered by some boxing people in the know as the greatest middleweight champion ever. He was top middleweight in world when he held the crown from 1970 to 1977 defending it successfully 16 times, retiring as an undefeated champion. Carlos lost 3 times in this first 22 fights, then ran a string of 65 straight wins. A tall middleweight, he was a jabbing artist because of his long reach. He ended his career with a record of 87-3 with 50 knockouts.
7…Willie Pep -- Featherweight Willie Pep fought 242 times from 1940 to 1966 winning 231, losing 11 and knocking out 65. He was featherweight champion from 1942 1950. His three fights with Sandy Saddler are memorable -- winning one and losing two. His style of fighting has been likened to tap dancing with gloves, keeping his opponents off-balance. He and Rocky Marciano were the best of friends.
8…Marvin Hagler--"Marvelous Marv" Hagler from Brockton, ruled the middleweight division from 1980-87. One of boxing's few southpaw champions, he was a devastating puncher and an elegant boxer. He fought the best, winning 62 and losing 2 with 52 knockouts. He felt nobody could beat him and when Sugar Ray Leonard defeated in his last fight, he quit boxing, went to Italy and became a move star.
9…Lennox Lewis -- Lennox Lewis of Great Britain retired as heavyweight champion in 2003 after beating most of the contenders in the paper-thin division that is dominated by three so-called champions from Russia. He also revenged his two losses to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman by knockouts, Among his victims are Vitali Klitschko, former champs Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield (twice) and Frank Bruno, Shnnon Briggs, Andrew Golota and Tommy Morrison. He ended his career with 41 wins. two losses and 32 KO's.
10…Henry Armstrong --At a time when boxing had eight divisions, "Hammering Henry" Armstrong held championship belts: featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. He was a knockout artist with a killer punch and a killer attitude in the ring. He won 151 fights with 9 draws and 102 KO's in his career which spanned 14 years from 1934 to 1945.
You might say what about Jack Dempsey, Archie Moore, Jack Johnson, Larry Holmes, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jim Corbett, Carmen Basilio, Oscar de la Hoya, Sandy Saddler and dozens more--all great champions. I chose my all-time 10. What about yours? E-mail me your top 10 at kaymike64@aol.com and I'll publish your list.
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