Opinions on the "GOAT" (Boxing)

[Arazi4442]

Originally Posted by 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?

That's a good point. And I did end up just making a list of my own choices. Just thought the results of some pretty well known boxing experts was interesting.

[samosa4u]

What kind of collection are you looking to build? I mostly like to collect rookies and going after boxing cards can be a really frustrating experience because majority of the greats don't have one. Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey - none of them have a true rookie.

And yes, boxing is very subjective. This is why you just have to go after the ones that you like. For example, a lot of people don't like Mayweather, but I think he is probably the greatest defensive boxer that ever lived. No matter how big and strong his opponent is, Pretty Boy Floyd will make him look like a fool in the ring. Furthermore, unlike the others, Mayweather does have a true rookie card (1997 Brown's Boxing).

[bobbyw8469]

How is Mike Tyson not even on the list?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

How is Mike Tyson not even on the list?

If it was a most collectible list he would likely be on it.

A best boxer list, he doesn't necessarily belong. Admittedly there's several names on there that are kind of reaches.

[Writehooks]

Instead of merely downloading other people's opinions, you might find it more rewarding to do your own research, watch some old video ... and then compile your own "Top 10" list. I've earned my living writing about boxing for the past 30 years and have been a collector of ring memorabilia even longer, and while my choices are no more or less valid than anyone else, at least they're MINE.
You might also want to consider simply collecting 10 fighters who mean the most to you -- not necessarily the best, but guys whose styles/stories/accomplishments strike a chord. From that perspective, my "heavyweight heavy" Top 10 are:

1) George Chuvalo
2) Muhammad Ali
3) Joe Louis
4) Sonny Liston
5) Luther McCarty
6) Roberto Duran
7) George Foreman
8) Henry Armstrong
9) Young Stribling
10) Jimmy McLarnin

[Exhibitman]

The OP list is pretty much consistent with what I've seen over the years. I might quibble here and there, perhaps add Sugar Ray Leonard to the top ten and drop Willie Pep out of there, but it is pretty strong.

SRR is definitely the GOAT. No one else has the breadth of accomplishments and length of highest level achievements.

Homicide Hank at one point held the lightweight (135) and welterweight (147) championships at the same time. And he started as a featherweight...Just remarkable.

I rank Louis a hair better than Ali so I'd change their places, but I wouldn't quibble.

Harry Greb I hadda look it up: he had 298 fights...yup, 298. He fought 46 bouts against HOFers.

The guy I'm surprised not to see anywhere on the list: Emile Griffith. 339 championship rounds fought.

As for rookie cards, sam, you just have to do your homework, make a choice, and be ready for a new discovery that moves the date back. Definitely not as clear cut as modern baseball, but we've always had debates, even in baseball, as to older players. 1925 Exhibit Gehrig or later card from a different set? And so on.

[Arazi4442]

Thanks, Adam.

Like I said earlier, I ended up making my own list of top 10 fighters to collect since there were so many I wasn't familiar with and obviously hadn't seen. I just thought it was interesting who was ranked and who wasn't. Looked like a pretty good list of boxing experts/historians.

Did the same list for my other sport collections but I thought boxing contained the only real surprises.

[profholt82]

Pound for pound, I've always considered Sugar Ray Robinson the greatest.

[Dpeck100]

I am not a boxing aficionado but I will never understand how Tyson is not in the running. He had most opponents beat before the bout and his sheer knockout force was simply unmatchable.

I have a neighbor Burch who is 70 and a good friend and he knows boxing and insists Casuius Clay is the best ever. I say Tyson would have knocked him out. We will never know.

Tyson just demolishing dudes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHvMqAgcmc

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

I am not a boxing aficionado but I will never understand how Tyson is not in the running. He had most opponents beat before the bout and his sheer knockout force was simply unmatchable.

I have a neighbor Burch who is 70 and a good friend and he knows boxing and insists Casuius Clay is the best ever. I say Tyson would have knocked him out. We will never know.

Tyson just demolishing dudes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOHvMqAgcmc

Tyson could be intimidating and scary, but he was mentally weak and a frontrunner. Similar to Sonny Liston.

Ali would have had him beat halfway through the first press conference.

Todays version of Mike Tyson would probably admit that to you right now.

Drama and Knockouts sell however, which is why Tyson's stuff sells for far more then many others I rate ahead of him.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by Dpeck100

I have a neighbor Burch who is 70 and a good friend and he knows boxing and insists Casuius Clay is the best ever. I say Tyson would have knocked him out. We will never know.

Hahahaha!!! When Tyson got put into the ring with solid competition, he couldn't knock any of them out, so how on earth do you think he would have been able to knock out Ali?

Now people always bring up Buster Douglas, but I am not going to go that route because there were a lot of guys Tyson struggled against. Go watch his fight against Mitch Green.