Opinions on the "GOAT" (Boxing)

[Arazi4442]

So I consider myself a big boxing fan, but maybe not a die-hard. I wanted to start a collection of the top 10 boxers of all-time. How do you decide? Being me, I decided to try to take a mathematical approach. I googled "Greatest Boxer of All-Time" and made a spreadsheet. (EXCEL!!) Interesting results, no Rocky Marciano, no Mayweather? (I didn't check the dates these lists were made) What are everyone's thoughts?

[Arazi4442]

Better Res.

[PowderedH2O]

Boxing is so subjective, that it is just impossible to be accurate. I think not including Marciano is fair. He retired undefeated, but the competition for him was just not to the level of many others. Robinson fought everyone, and many times fought them multiple times. He beat so many guys that are in the Boxing HOF it is silly. He lost a lot of fights, but most of them were near the end of his career. When he was in his prime, he was nearly unstoppable.

Mayweather might be great, but it is hard to know. Guys like Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley were fantastic, but they just don't have the same name recognition as Jake Lamotta, Kid Gavilan, and Gene Fullmer. I'm just not sure where to place him, but I think the top 10 might be fair. But, who do you drop off? I've read some old timers say that Stanley Ketchel was better than anyone. Who knows?

[Peter_Spaeth]

My goal is to collect about 10 boxers, not a higher priority, but I am very skewed towards heavyweights and iconic status. So far I have Ali, Frazier, Liston, Holmes, and Ray Leonard. On my list are Louis, Marciano, Jack Johnson, Foreman, and Robinson. WIth the dual complications of comparing across time periods and across weight classes, any top 10 list IMO is, after a consensus few, going to be somewhat arbitrary.

[D. Bergin]

Top 10 Boxers from a Lb for Lb standpoint and Top 10 Boxers from a Collectible standpoint, would be two almost completely different lists.

.....and you'd probably have a hard time agreeing with anybody on either list.

[BearBailey]

While I certainly don't agree on that list, for you it is probably better to collect the 10 you want as opposed to who some people consider the top 10. When it comes to collecting I have always found it more enjoyable to collect what you like?