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The Ten Most Exciting Fighters In The History Of Boxing
Let’s tell the truth for a second. What would we as boxing fans rather see? A classic boxing match or a fight, that no matter what the outcome, had us on our toes from bell to bell? I appreciate a classic match, believe me I do, and I also love watching a guy with skill
that can dissect his opponent little by little with a plan carried out perfectly. Most of all, I love the guys who even if they lose, they keep you on your toes; the guys who make you nervous during the build up. I mean this is what the sport is all about, isn’t it? Well, at least in the
PPV era it is. If I have to shell out $50, I want it to be worth it. I want to turn off my TV still thinking about the fight.
So, I gave some thought to the most exciting fighters I ever saw. Be it by tape, film,
live, or TV – I put a list of my favorites together. No not all of them are pound for pound greats. Not all of them are fighters I’m a big fan of, but they always got the job done or lost in great fashion. All of them are bell to bell show stoppers and deserved every dollar they ever made in the ring. I wish all fighters put in the work that these guys did and if so, I would never miss a PPV…
So without further ado here is my all-time list of “The Most Exciting Fighters In The History Of The Game”.
10. Jack Johnson: 83-14-11 (53)
Now, like I said some of these fighters I have only seen on film and for obvious reasons, Jack is one of them. Johnson was the first African American heavyweight champion and the first to ever to know how to work the crowd. Jack knew how to get under people’s skin and considering the time and era it was, that might not have been a smart thing. He is the reason the expression, “Great White Hope” exists. He was able to draw a gate of 16,528 people in a time that accomplishment was unheard of. Even today, that’s a hell of a feat. Most importantly, it didn’t matter if the people were there to cheer him on or there in hopes to see him get beat once and for all. Jack caused excitement. At a time when travel wasn’t so easy and the price of a ticket could mean a meal or two for the family, people opted to flock in droves to see the “Galveston Giant” and he always gave them their money’s worth
9. Rocky Marciano: 49-0 (43)
He was small for a heavyweight. He had no style. He was knocked down often. But most of all, he won! The kid from Brockton, Mass who hit like a freight train made us stand on our feet every time he fought. He never beat a champion in his prime but he was the best we had at the time. Be it Walcott, Charles or Moore, “The Rock” slugged it out from start to finish without the words quit ever coming to mind, even after he had been knocked down. He would just get up and attack harder. Add that to his undefeated record and “The Rock” became one of the most beloved fighters in history. Plus, he is the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated!
8. Oscar De La Hoya: 37-4 (29)
“The Golden Boy” won the hearts of fight fans after his Gold Medal win in 1992 and once he turned pro, all eyes were upon him. He was young, educated, handsome, well spoken and he could fight! When Oscar fought, it was an event. Stars lined up and it became more like a premiere than a fight. Once he became a pro he knocked his opposition out, one after the other and at times, he found himself to be in a league all his own. Ticket prices soared when he fought and other than whoever was the heavyweight champion, he was the most talked about fighter in the whole sport.
After winning titles at super feather, lightweight, junior welter, welter, junior middle and middleweight, Oscar showed that he was more than just hype! His resume of opponents such as Gatti, Chavez, Whitaker, Vargas, Ruelas, Mosley and Hopkins, to name a few, is one of the most impressive in the history of the game. Win or lose, Oscar always gave it his all. Considering that he is the highest grossing fighter of all time with generated revenues over $600 million dollars, De la Hoya must have done something right.
7. Ray Leonard: 36-3-1 (25)
“Sugar” Ray was De la Hoya before there ever was a De la Hoya. Just like the younger Olympic Gold Medal winning American boxer, Leonard was everything you didn’t expect in a fighter. Smart, well spoken and good mannered. He was also tough! Ray managed to rack up win after win and title after title when everyone expected him to lose. He did just the opposite. Not only did he win but won in high fashion. He held titles from welterweight to light heavy and he fought every big puncher there was in those divisions. He was trained by the legendary Angelo Dundee and beat such great fighters as Duran, Hagler, Hearns and Benitez. Ray became one of the P4P greatest fighters in history and ended his career with a 36-3-1 (25) record and 3 of the most memorable fights in history.
6. Tommy Hearns: 61-5-1 (48)
The Motor City Cobra. aka “The Hitman” has given us some of the best fights in history. Just like Leonard, he won major world titles in 5 weight divisions. He made history with his fights against Hagler and Leonard. He showed us his awesome KO power against Duran and he
showed us why he was called “The Hitman”! With a string of fights against Hall of Fame bound opponents, Hearns never left you wanting for more. The only thing is when Hearns fought you could miss the ending with literally the blink of an eye. When he connected with that right flush on the chin, it was over!
5. Rocky Graziano: 67-10-6 (52)
Rocky was no master boxer in any way. He hit canvas as often as Babe Ruth hit home runs but he was non stop bell to bell. Even when Rocky lost, he kept coming at you. At times I think his whole fight plan was to let you get tired from hitting him. He managed to win a world title and compile a hell of a record, not to mention his series with Tony Zale may be one of the ten best rivalries this sport has ever seen. Though his reign was short and he was out boxed by the greats, Rocky gave you a display of heart and will like no one else could.
4. Arturo Gatti: 40-7 (31)
The Man nicknamed “Thunder” (and for good reason) has never disappointed a fan in his life. Gatti will never be known as a defensive genius, that much is for certain. Gatti is what the
words “Blood and Guts” stand for. When the bell rings for the start of his fights, you can expect two things. Swelling, and a KO, be it his opponent being knocked out or otherwise. Gatti, notorious for swelling till his eyes shut and punching till he drops, gives fight of the year type performances every time he steps in there. Gatti is the reason other fighters look
dull at times.
3. Ray Robinson: 173-19-6 (108)
The man was called “Sugar” for a reason. He is the P4P greatest of all time. Watching Ray fight is like watching art in motion and his won-loss record will never be matched. His world title reigns and defenses were better every time he won the belt. Robinson showed what greatness looked like and Ray did it so easily. He beat guys like Olsen, Graziano, Basillio, Fullmer, La Motta….etc. Not only did he beat them but he did it like no one else. There was never a Robinson fight that was mediocre. Until his last two years in the sport, Ray Robinson was the Mecca of boxing. As Bert Sugar said “You have Ray Robinson, then you have everyone else” And how could you argue with him?
2. Muhammad Ali: 56-5 (37)
He is the “Greatest” and if you don’t believe me, just ask him. The kid from Louisville won three world titles, brought us “The Rumble in the Jungle” and “The Thrilla in Manila” was perhaps the most controversial fighter in the history of the game and was also one of the biggest draws. With his speed as a young man to his ability to take a punch later on, Ali has become not only an American icon but a world icon. He is perhaps the most recognizable athlete in history and he earned that honor ten fold. Finishing with a record of 56-5 (37), Ali fought more Hall of Fame fighters than any other heavyweight.
1. Mike Tyson: 50-6 (44)
Now we aren’t talking about the Tyson who lost to Kevin McBride and Danny Williams. We are talking about the Tyson who became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. That Mike Tyson was the most ferocious fighter and perhaps vicious puncher ever in the game. Tyson has destroyed more boxers than old age! He went after his opponent with such bad
intentions that he once claimed he tried to drive Jesse Ferguson’s nose up into his brain to see if it would kill him!
Call him “Iron Mike”,” call him “Kid Dynamite”, call him what you want but just remember that at one point in time, his opponents were almost unconscious before the bell rang. He was the most feared fighter in all of boxing and he gave his opponents reason to be scared. After three world titles, two prison sentences and a claim of bankruptcy, he still remains boxing’s most intriguing figure. But in his prime Tyson was more exciting than a handful of winning lottery tickets!
These guys have given us many a thrill. They have given us some disappointment too, but no matter what, they were exciting. They are the reasons that we watch the sport. They are the reasons that we get up and scream at the TV and they are the reasons that PPV became such a big business. They are what we love about the sport! They are the most exciting athletes to ever lace up gloves. Don’t take my word for it, just look at their combined records and title wins, which speak for themselves. Take notice young fighters, these guys are what greatness and heart are all about.
