World Greatest Ever Boxer Nominees

The nominees for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer global fan vote were announced today by Greatest Ever Enterprises.

On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com will allow boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, Heavyweight, Light heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Bantamweight, Featherweight and Flyweight, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever”.

A nominations committee of boxing experts lead the debate and selection of the boxers. The announcement of the process was twice delayed as the jury debated the various merits of the fighters, their records and achievements. Categories were set at 10 nominees per division, with 12 being nominated for the blue-ribbon category of Heavyweight.

The nominations committee was comprised of Thomas Hauser (boxing journalist and award-winning Muhammad Ali biographer), Al Bernstein (broadcaster and boxing analyst), Colin Hart ( UK ’s leading boxing reporter), Jean-Philippe Lustyk (broadcaster and head of boxing for pan-European sports channel Eurosport) and Ron Borges (boxing journalist and Hall of Fame committee member).

The nominees are:

Heavyweights Light Heavyweights Middleweights Welterweights

John L. Sullivan Bob Fitzsimmons Stanley Ketchel Mickey Walker

Jack Johnson Georges Carpentier Harry Greb Jimmy McLarnin

Jack Dempsey Gene Tunney Charley Burley Barney Ross

Joe Louis Billy Conn Tony Zale Sugar Ray Robinson

Rocky Marciano Ezzar Charles Marcel Zerdan Emile Griffith

Muhammad Ali Archie Moore Sugar Ray Robinson Jose Angel Napoles

Joe Frazier Bob Foster Carmen Basilio Sugar Ray Leonard

George Foreman Michael Spinks Carlos Monzon Aaron Pryor

Larry Holmes Roy Jones Jr Marvin Hagler Thomas Hearns

Mike Tyson Joe Calzaghe Bernard Hopkins Oscar de la Hoya

Evander Hoyfield

Lennox Lewis

Lightweights Featherweights Bantamweights Flyweights

Joe Gans Abe Atell Kid Williams Jimmy Wilde

Benny Leonard Kid Chocolate Panama Al Brown Benny Lynch

Tony Canzoneri Wille Pep Manuel Ortiz Pasqual Perez

Henry Armstrong Sandy Saddler Eder Joffre Chartchai Chionoi

Ike Williams Salvador Sanchez Ruben Olivares Miguel Canto

Carlos Ortiz Alexis Arguello Carlos Zarate Sot Chitalada

Roberto Duran Azumah Nelson Wilfredo Gomez Khaosai Galaxy

Julio Cesar Chavez Jeff Fenech Jeff Chandler Ricardo Lopez

Pernell Whitaker Marco Antonio Barrera Orlando Canizales Michael Carbajal

Floyd Mayweather Manny Pacquiao Hozumi Hasegawa Vic Darchiyan

The categories above are the eight original weight categories. Strawweights have been included in the Flyweight category. Super Middleweight has been included in Light Heavyweight (hence Joe Calzaghe’s inclusion in that category rather than Middleweight).

Many fighters fought and won titles at a number of different weights. As far as possible they have been nominated in the division that they made their biggest impact.

Fighters have not been nominated on the basis of whether they would beat another fighter in that division, though this is of course a consideration. More important has been their overall record, who they fought at the time and the impact they made on the boxing world, and indeed the world around them.

Now the debate is open to the public.

The debate amongst the judges was passionate, and sometime furious, concerning the nominations of the individual fighters. While the fighter nominations in many instances were unanimous, there was significant disagreement in some key areas that lead to more discussion and extra balloting. The final nominees were selected by majority decision.

“Just by our opinions it’s obvious this will be a lot of fun. The panel has had quite a spirited debate on this – I think that’s foreshadowing of what’s to come with the public,” said Al Bernstein.

“How you measure greatness is not just a question of skills and records,” said Jean Philippe Lustyk. “There is more to being a great fighter. Similarly this is about the world and it is not just about the great North American fighters. We must remember the geographical spread and recognise the other champion fighters from around the world. This is part of boxing’s greatness.”

Ron Borges commented : “This was tough. Some good names didn’t make it. Nothing stirs up debates faster than my guy was better than your guy. There are actually people in the States who believe Roy Jones, Jr. was better than Sugar Ray Robinson. Ugh! John L Sullivan was a controversial heavyweight nominee. I had him in my picks originally and then took him off, then put him back on and took him off. I then thought again but took him off.

“After an appeal from another jury member I decided I had no quarrel with putting him back on. Then I decided he doesn’t belong on a “greatest” list unless we’re talking about greatest street fighter. The guy could not box. So I took him off my list a 4th time! The guy has staying power because he made the final cut and got nominated.”

“I don’t think that there are any terrible omissions. But there was, and will remain, disagreement among the jurors,” said Thomas Hauser.

Boxing fans attending the festivities will be able to celebrate, up close and personal, the achievements of the World’s Greater Ever Boxers.

A three-day boxing spectacular is planned October 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas, commencing that Friday with an official welcome reception and official weigh in for the following evening’s professional boxing show, presented by Sterling Promotions, and featuring Team USA versus Team Europe, capped by an exclusive after party.

The event culminates Sunday with The Greater Ever black-tie awards dinner, featuring some of the greatest boxers ever, as well as world-class entertainment, and then an exclusive after party.

The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer. RBF assists retired professional boxers in the transition from their days in the ring to dignified retirement, helping those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and effects of pugilistic dementia.

Four ticket packages are on sale for the Oct. 2-4 weekend’s events through agents at the following numbers: North America – The Sports Alliance (914.941.3366) Smart Ticket Solutions (847.917.8497); United Kingdom and Europe – Rock Solid Events (UK: 0845 0945 606, Outside UK: +44 845 0945 606); Australasia – Events Worldwide Travel Group (Australia: 1300 788 666, Outside Australia: +61 3 5989 7666).

The event-only packages are as follows (all prices USD): Super VIP ($2,500), Platinum ($1,900), VIP ($1,400) and Gold ($1,115).

The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number or premiums in addition to those detailed in the Gold (welcome function, weigh-in, Greatest Ever poker tournament, exclusive Paris Las Vegas gaming area, exclusive memorabilia, movie screenings, access to Greatest Ever dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, media and legends signings, general seating for the fights and at the awards dinner).

Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages.