Thread: Name your 5 most entertaining fighters

This does not include factors like personality, interviews and ring entrance. Strictly boxing:

1. Ali (60's)

2. RJJ

3. Sugar Ray Robinson

4. Roberto Duran

5. Thomas Hearns

I'm going to handicap my list to only fighters who had careers during my lifetime...

1. RJJ - other worldly talent, like he was from a different planet, always amazed me (until the 2nd Tarver fight)

2. 'Iron' Mike Tyson - You knew there would be drama but you didn't know what to expect. Would he kill someone? Would he implode in the ring? You never knew but it was going to be exciting. Although post prison the skill level just plain wasn't there...still exciting, but not as skillful

3. Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti - The guy was never in a bad fight. Just a straight blood and guts warrior, but he could stick and move at times which made him very interesting to watch because as a fan you waited for the moment when he squared up and fought face first which would either win or lose him the fight.

4. Miguel Cotto - Like Gatti, just a warrior. He would keep that poker face no matter what was going on in the ring, and he had raw power. It was very intriguing to see him when he chose to box though, because he is very skilled at it and it's not something a lot of people give him credit for.

5. Going to cheat a bit: The trio of De la Hoya/Mosley/Trinidad: Consummate professionals always brought their A games, and there isn't much to separate them talent-wise .


Runners up/Honorable mentions
I personally enjoy watching Wlad & Vitali fight, but in terms of excitement there's precious little drama in their fights (by design) as they typically win by stoppage and they are methodical in the way they fight. That said, the technical skill that they show is and always has been underrated.

Also Diego 'Chico' Corrales, Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao, Naseem Hamed (he was a little shit but fun to watch), Tommy Morrison, Lennox Lewis, Joe Mesi.

Tyson
SSR + SRL - I count them as one
Ali
Duran
RJJ

Tyson
Terry Noriss
James Toney
Roy Jones
Manny Pac

How can you think Ali was the most exciting if you're talking only boxing and none of the outside stuff? I've seen just about every one of his fights and I can tell you for every "Thrilla in Manilla" or "Rumble in the Jungle" there were about 5-10 "jab and grab" or "run and gun" fights that were anything but entertaining.

I guess mine would be...

1. Tyson
2. Manny Pacquaio
3. Arturo Gatti
4. Julian Jackson
5. Aaron Pryor

It's hard to pick a guy over Tyson, how can it get more exciting than a guy with that kind of power and handspeed who throws every punch to knock you unconscious. Julian Jackson was that way too in a middleweight form.

Originally Posted by Beanflicker

How can you think Ali was the most exciting if you're talking only boxing and none of the outside stuff? I've seen just about every one of his fights and I can tell you for every "Thrilla in Manilla" or "Rumble in the Jungle" there were about 5-10 "jab and grab" or "run and gun" fights that were anything but entertaining.

I guess mine would be...

1. Tyson
2. Manny Pacquaio
3. Arturo Gatti
4. Julian Jackson
5. Aaron Pryor

It's hard to pick a guy over Tyson, how can it get more exciting than a guy with that kind of power and handspeed who throws every punch to knock you unconscious. Julian Jackson was that way too in a middleweight form.

OOOh Julian Jackson good mention!

I haven't seen a lot of Ali being super exciting....but against Cleveland Williams he was just absolutely amazing, he was in stunning form, damn near untouchable, smooth with the combos, light on his feet.

RJJ
Sergio Martinez
Vitali Klitschko
Duran
And of course the gentleman in my avatar pic

Originally Posted by DavilaJones

And of course the gentleman in my avatar pic

Jesus?

For different reasons and at different times in my interest in the sport not in any order of favorite that would be the reverse order to the list the list is more my time line.

Tyson, Similar reasons to Naz and the shock and fear value he brought into the ring.

Naz, Because of the the unorthodox things in the ring he got away against some who he probably shouldnt of got away with that stuff.The power generated from the legs thing got him over the line.

Tszyu his single minded stalking and systematic breaking down of most people.

Jmm naturally skilled warrior, followed his trail since day one, wanted him to be challenged by better in the feather weight divisions.

Rjj, his fluid adaption to others styles on the go.

Saad Muhammad
Little Red Lopez
Nigel Benn
Arguello
Michael Carbajal
A) Jung Koo Chang B) Jeff Fenech C) Holyfield D) Tasuyoshi E) Gatti F) Kevin Pompey G ok I'll stop

In no particular order

In no particular order.

RJJ
Vinnie Paz
James Toney
Mayorga
Tyson

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Saad Muhammad
Little Red Lopez
Nigel Benn
Arguello
Michael Carbajal
A) Jung Koo Chang B) Jeff Fenech C) Holyfield D) Tasuyoshi E) Gatti F) Kevin Pompey G ok I'll stop

Holyfield? Bleh....now Bowe on the other hand he was the one who made that trilogy.

Originally Posted by El Kabong

Originally Posted by Spicoli

Saad Muhammad
Little Red Lopez
Nigel Benn
Arguello
Michael Carbajal
A) Jung Koo Chang B) Jeff Fenech C) Holyfield D) Tasuyoshi E) Gatti F) Kevin Pompey G ok I'll stop

Holyfield? Bleh....now Bowe on the other hand he was the one who made that trilogy.

Wlads #1 fan is critiques a pick on 'entertaining'

Ok so rather than the pair that ended his career, and the Holyfield fights that helped initiate it....Bowes entertaining fights were......

THAT trilogy was a mutual hardship, and its the rally and near ko mentioned first by most.

I put Rigo and Floyd on the list. Not due to offensive output but watching their defense and footwork amazes me. I saw Rigo in the boring thread and I can understand why but technically he is exciting to me.

Santa Cruz, the kid just amazes me, nonstop
Omar ( I forget the kids last name by I'm sure you know who I mean) Hopefully he gets some defense cause I would like to see him stay around.
Cotto- Always liked him.

I left Pac out but he would actually be number one.

I went with active fighters, historically I would put Max Baer. I've seen his old fights, now he was exciting. My list is subject to change but these are what came to mind. I left Manny out of No.1 because I cry when you guys call me a pactard