What boxer do you think fought the toughest oppositio?

Ali never backed away from an opponent either and it cost him dearly (He fought Holmes, Norton (thrice), Frazier (thrice), Foreman, Spinks (twice), Liston (twice--depending on how you look at that second farce), Bugner (twice), Chuvalo (twice), Patterson, Moore, Quarry (twice), Shavers, lyle, etc, etc.

Holmes battled Cooney, Spinks (twice), Shavers (twice), Norton, Weaver (twice), Witherspoon and Tyson. “The Real Deal” fought just about everyone including Qawi (twice), Byrd, Toney, Moorer (twice), Tyson (twice), Holmes, Bowe (thrice), Ruiz (thrice), Lewis (twice), Rahman, and Foreman. Talk about tough

There were (or are) others who would fight anyone put in front of them. There were guys like Beau Jack, Pastrano, Dupas, Aldo Minelli, Chico Vejar, Holly Mims, Yama Bahama, Kenny Lane, Tony Licata, Vito Antuofermo, Tommy Tibbs (who participated in 139 bouts), and Johnny Cesario.

And still more like Guts Ishimatsu, Frank Minton, Jorge Paez, James Martinez, Ray “Sucre” Oliveira, Ben Tackie and Julio Cesar Gonzalez.

Dick Tiger was pretty solid as well. Get this; he met Champions Emile Griffith, Nino Benvenuti, Jose Torres, Bob Foster, Joey Giardello, Gene Fullmer and Terry Downes. He also fought some impressive contenders like Andy Kendall, Frankie DePaula, Roger Rouse, Jose Gonzalez, Rubin Carter, Joey Archer, Don Fullmer, Florentino Fernandez, Spider Webb, Henry Hank, Gene Armstrong, Yolande Pompey, Randy Sandy, Holly Mims, Wilf Greaves and Rory Calhoun.

Jose "El Huitlacoche" Medel, Juan Laporte, and Livingstone “Pit Bull” Bramble took on all comers as did the late Joey Giardello. There are many, many others.

But my pick is he great “Cincinnati Cobra,” Ezzard Mack Charles.

Toward his career end, he lost seven of his last nine bouts, but still fought top opposition including Harry “Kid” Matthews (88-7-6), Donnie Fleeman (24-2), and Pat McMurtry (20-0-1). Like many greats who hang on too long, he faded into obscurity, especially after his last draining fight against Marciano. And from 1955 until his retirement in 1959, he fought twenty four times, winning only ten which, of course, diluted his legacy insofar as his record was concerned, but nothing can ever dilute the following encapsulation:

Rocky Marciano (twice) - IBHF/WBHF
Joe Louis - IBHF.WBHF
Jersey Joe Walcott (four times) IBHF/WBHF
Archie Moore (thrice) IBHF/WBHF
Rex Layne (thrice)
Joe Maxim (five times) IBHF/WBHF
Jimmy Bivins (four times) IBHF/WBHF
Charley Burley (twice) IBHF/WBHF
Lloyd Marshall (thrice) WBHF
Gus Lesnevich WBHF
Ken Overlin (twice)
Elmer Ray (twice)
Harold Johnson IBHF/WBHF
Bob Satterfield
Tommy Jackson (twice)
Freddie Beshore
Joe Baski

Final record 90-25-1 with 950 rounds fought.


Who would you go with? :confused:

Emile himself fought top opposition and one of my fav. fighters...
Monzon, Paret, Moyer, Fernandez, Rodriguez, Ortega, Dupas, Carter, Curvis, Gonzalez, Fullmer, Tiger, Archer, Nino, Napoles, Boggs, Muniz, Lopez, Bouttier and on and on...

Thing is most fighters from back in the days have top resumes compared to todays fighters. Longevity of a career for starters contributes to that.

Of todays fighters Oscar De La Hoya, Evander and James Toney have some of the best resumes. B-Hops is also good.

Id have to go with Joe Calzaghe , spent his entire career in a top division , fighting nothing but superstars. Well done to Joe and his promoter Frank Warren,

Nice stuff....

Not a big fan but "Sweet pea" Whitaker logged a nice level of opposition Mayweather/Haugen/Rameriez x2/Pendleton/Nazario/Azumah Nelson/J.C.Chavez/McGirt x2/Paez/Trinidad/DelaHoya/J.C. Vasquez/W.Rivera x2.....even his 2nd tiers were pretty capable, Brazier/Cardona/Hurtado/J. Montes/A.Jones/Pineda/

Take away the "name" and judge on pure threat i would say oscar's is one of the best...

but again, it comes down to a lot of whom was around at the time and who had the balls to actualy step up and take the fight.

Marion Wilson

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ICB

Marion Wilson

---

Haa....MO. Right up there with McCall as far as titanium chin

I'd think Jerry Quarry could be on this list. Fought:

Ali twice

Ken Norton

Frazier twice

Lyle

Shavers

Chuvalo

Floyd Patterson twice

Mathis

I like the pick of Ezzard Charles for the old school.

Like Mick said, you can't compare modern fighters to old school fighter, just because they fought so much more and didn't have PPV to pad there pockets. They had to go and make quality matches and do it whenever possible.

Of modern boxers, since it doesn't matter whether they one or lost, I call it a toss up between Trinidad, De La Hoya. I give an honorable mention to Lennox Lewis, cuz he completely cleared out the division, just the division wasn't as good.

Tito - Camacho, a prime, undefeated Yory Boy, Pineda, ODLH, Pernell, Vargas, Winky Joppy, Hopkins, Mayorga, and Roy Jones Jr.

Oscar - Ruelas, Hernandez, Leija, Chavez, Pernell, Camacho, Quartey, Mosley, Vargas, Hopkins, Sturm, Mayorga, Mayweather.

Actually, it's not a tossup. It's Oscar by landslide, especially when you consider how many of the Oscar's opponents were in their prime or close (Leija, Quartey, Mosely, Vargas, Hopkins, Sturm, and Mayweather). Oscar also fought a much better version of Whitaker. Oscar fought Yory Boy and Gatti, too, but they are barely worth mentioning compared to the other names.

Sam Langford

Yes, Quarry for sure. ;D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

Id have to go with Joe Calzaghe , spent his entire career in a top division , fighting nothing but superstars. Well done to Joe and his promoter Frank Warren,

---

Hahahahahahahahah ;D;D hahahhahahahahah

"The Champ" Sean O'Grady. ;D

Ouch!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Of todays fighters Oscar De La Hoya, Evander and James Toney have some of the best resumes. B-Hops is also good.

---

Oscar has the best list of opponents of any fighter of the past 20 years.

After his next fight, he will have faced 4 guys (Whitaker, Hopkins, Mayweather, Pacquiao) who had a legit argument for being considered #1 PFP at the time they fought Oscar. How many other guys can claim they fought 4 PFP guys? (and that's not counting Mosley, who was right near the top after he beat Oscar in their first fight...Trinidad too)

Amir Khan, and Chavez jr.. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by purtyboy

Amir Khan, and Chavez jr.. :D

---

Amhir Khan had an amateur career, 3 Junior ABA titles, gold at the junior olympics, silver at the olympics, etc. So he did have lots of experience when entering to the pros. As for Chavez Jr., he had no experience whatsoever. He put those gloves on and straight to the pros. Many people seem to ignore that.

alot of fighters come to mind but my favorite out of all or them is sugar ray leonard he was the first man to beat hearns, had a trilogy with duran and beat marvin hagler after having only 1 fight in 5 years and never fought as a middleweight. and was the only one to beat all 3

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chino

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by purtyboy

Amir Khan, and Chavez jr.. :D

---

Amhir Khan had an amateur career, 3 Junior ABA titles, gold at the junior olympics, silver at the olympics, etc. So he did have lots of experience when entering to the pros. As for Chavez Jr., he had no experience whatsoever. He put those gloves on and straight to the pros. Many people seem to ignore that.

---

I am very well aware of that, however i do remember seeing chavez jr fight an exibition match at like age 10 or 11, and he seem to be very well trained since then. Apart from that once you have over 30 pro fights i think people can stop using that as an excuse.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chino

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by purtyboy

Amir Khan, and Chavez jr.. :D

---

Amhir Khan had an amateur career, 3 Junior ABA titles, gold at the junior olympics, silver at the olympics, etc. So he did have lots of experience when entering to the pros. As for Chavez Jr., he had no experience whatsoever. He put those gloves on and straight to the pros. Many people seem to ignore that.

---

Not many people aware of that ? you gotta be kidding right ? i hear the excuse all the time and to be honest im sick of the excuse it was a legit excuse before but not now after 30+ fights its about time he atleast fights top 10 ranking fighter how is he going to improve fighting nobodies all the time ? and whats even worse is that he is struggling with these nobodies he should have atleast 2 losses on his record already atleast when his father fought cab drivers he beat them well and showed greatness.

Muhammad Ali and Ray Robinson, nuff said.

PurtyBoy,
Yes, if I remember correctly, it was an exhibition fight against Paez Jr.

Quote:

---

Not many people aware of that ? you gotta be kidding right ? i hear the excuse all the time and to be honest im sick of the excuse it was a legit excuse before but not now after 30+ fights

---

Imagine ANY amateur guy with 30 amateur fights under his belt, still, fighting a champion or ranked opponent would be quite tough. Chavez Jr. is pretty much an amateur that fights pros who have way more experience than him. Add to their experience at the pros the fact that they did have an amateur career which normally includes more than ONE HUNDRED fights. Do the math and you'll see Chavez Jr. is not all that bad. Actually, he is being challenged quite a bit and he is doing it with style. Same thing with Julio Cesar Chavez and look at all he accomplished in boxing, not bad, not bad at all.

Quote:

---

At least when his father fought cab drivers he beat them well and showed greatness

---

And after the "cab drivers" he faced all kinds of top opposition and became the great champion he is. No wonder he's the legend he is :) .
But yeah, no matter how much he's hated around here, I'll say ODLH has an admirable list of tough opponents than any one in the sport at the moment.

You could a good case for Patterson

Bonavena,Ellis,Quarry twice,Cooper Ali twice,Chuvalo,Liston twice,Johannson 3 times,London,Archie Moore,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ICB

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chino

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by purtyboy

Amir Khan, and Chavez jr.. :D

---

Amhir Khan had an amateur career, 3 Junior ABA titles, gold at the junior olympics, silver at the olympics, etc. So he did have lots of experience when entering to the pros. As for Chavez Jr., he had no experience whatsoever. He put those gloves on and straight to the pros. Many people seem to ignore that.

---

Not many people aware of that ? you gotta be kidding right ? i hear the excuse all the time and to be honest im sick of the excuse it was a legit excuse before but not now after 30+ fights its about time he atleast fights top 10 ranking fighter how is he going to improve fighting nobodies all the time ? and whats even worse is that he is struggling with these nobodies he should have atleast 2 losses on his record already atleast when his father fought cab drivers he beat them well and showed greatness.

---

Yeah I noticed a while back in his fight with Jose Celaya or whatever his name is and he really struggled. He got the KO win and scored a knockdown early on but he got exposed at times and got hit far too easily. When Chavez Jr faces an elite fighter he will be knocked out, no question.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by leftylee

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ICB

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chino

Amhir Khan had an amateur career, 3 Junior ABA titles, gold at the junior olympics, silver at the olympics, etc. So he did have lots of experience when entering to the pros. As for Chavez Jr., he had no experience whatsoever. He put those gloves on and straight to the pros. Many people seem to ignore that.

---

Not many people aware of that ? you gotta be kidding right ? i hear the excuse all the time and to be honest im sick of the excuse it was a legit excuse before but not now after 30+ fights its about time he atleast fights top 10 ranking fighter how is he going to improve fighting nobodies all the time ? and whats even worse is that he is struggling with these nobodies he should have atleast 2 losses on his record already atleast when his father fought cab drivers he beat them well and showed greatness.

---

Yeah I noticed a while back in his fight with Jose Celaya or whatever his name is and he really struggled. He got the KO win and scored a knockdown early on but he got exposed at times and got hit far too easily. When Chavez Jr faces an elite fighter he will be knocked out, no question.

---

Yeah, I don't doubt he could be in trouble if he faced an elite fighter. I wish he did have more than 100 amateur fights under his belt plus exposure to olympics and bunch of other stuff most boxers go through. Still, if by luck or whatever you call it he ended up beating an elite fighter, I would give him more credit than others considering his limited experience in the ring.

Hopkins level of competition has been top notch especially since he turned 40.

Prince Naseem fought at a pretty darn high level as well. :o But your right about Hopkins since he turned 40. ;D

Hector Camacho has a pretty good list of names on his resume, though not all were prime. He has a damn good record 79-5-2. Personally I think he is underrated. It is worth noting that in July of this year he captured the WBE ;D light middleweight title at age 46.

His opposition includes ...

Jerry Strickland
Rafael Limon
Jose Luis Ramirez
Edwin Rosario
Cornelius Boza Edwards
Howard Davis, Jr
Ray Mancini
Vinny Pazienza
Greg Haugen ( 1-1 )
Julio Cesar Chavez - L
Felix Trinidad - L
Roberto Duran
Ray Leonard
Oscar De La Hoya - L

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CGM

Hector Camacho has a pretty good list of names on his resume, though not all were prime. He has a damn good record 79-5-2. Personally I think he is underrated. It is worth noting that in July of this year he captured the WBE ;D light middleweight title at age 46.

His opposition includes ...

Jerry Strickland
Rafael Limon
Jose Luis Ramirez
Edwin Rosario
Cornelius Boza Edwards
Howard Davis, Jr
Ray Mancini
Vinny Pazienza
Greg Haugen ( 1-1 )
Julio Cesar Chavez - L
Felix Trinidad - L
Roberto Duran
Ray Leonard
Oscar De La Hoya - L

---

Great list.

My second choice after Charles is Juan LaPorte. Fought Chavez, Gomez, Azumah Nelson, Molina, McGuigan, Pedroza, Lockridge, Salvador Sanchez, prime Costello, prime Reid, prime Padilla, prime Murray, Tszyu, Perez, Miranda, Suarez, De La Rosa, Ruiben Castillo.

Downright scary level of opposition and I don't believe he was ever decked. :o :o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

Id have to go with Joe Calzaghe , spent his entire career in a top division , fighting nothing but superstars. Well done to Joe and his promoter Frank Warren,

---

boring ;)

Evander, Oscar, and Bernard have the best resumes of active boxers (Yes, Evander, cause you never know if he's actually retired or not). No need to restate them, they've been brought out in this thread already.

Also, I think Pacquiao is up there too and his list is still growing. Not to mention second-rate fighters he's faced but the elite list is serious!

-Barrera
-Marquez
-Morales
-Morales
-Morales
-Barrera
-Marquez
-De La Hoya

Imagine if he is to fight Marquez again? Hatton?

Foreman fought good guys:

Frazier x2
Norton
Ali
Holydield
Mercer
Lyle


Barerra also.

Sugar Ray Leonard has a great resume and he beat them all. expect when he turn 35 and lost to Norris and then again when he was 41 against Camcho or whatever. But in his prime he Faced and beat Benitez, Duran, Hagler and Hearns has to be at the top for his competion there i think.

jorge vaca has fought even though lost many of them

lloyd honeyghan twice
simon brown
terry norris
quincy taylor twice
mark breland
roy jones jr.
yori boy campas
raul marquez
jose luis lopez
hector camacho
cory spinks

Saoul Mamby, Wilfred Benitez, Anthony Ivory. More obviously ODLH, Duran, SRL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Saoul Mamby, Wilfred Benitez, Anthony Ivory. More obviously ODLH, Duran, SRL

---

Ivory is a great choice. So is Saul. Great stuff, mate.

Chico Vejar

Art Suffoletta 1951 (23-0-1) W

Al Guido 1951 (48-34-16) W

Sonny Luciano 1951 (43-2-2) W

Jimmy Hatcher 1951 (76-21-5 W

Hermie Freeman 1951 (63-18-8) W

Ediie Compo 1951 (65-3-4) L

Enrique Bolanos 1952 (67-15-4) W

Fitzie Pruden 1952 (50-15) W

Chuck Davey 1952 (twice) (32-0-2) L -L

Vince Martinez 1953 (twice) (30-3) W-L

Billy Graham 1955 (twice) (102-14-9) W-W

Johnny Cesario 1955 (87-13-4) W

Vic Cardell 1955 (65-26-7) W

Tony DeMarco 1955 (46-6-1) L

Arthur King 1955 (60-11) L

Kid Gavilan 1956 (104-22-5) L

Steve Marcello 1956 (33-3) W

Ralph Tiger Jones 1957 (43-17-3) L

Joey Giambra 1957 (49-4-1) L

Joey Giardello 1957 (73-13-5) L

Gene Fullmer 1957 (41-4) L

Pat Lowry 1957 (44-13) W

Art Aragon 1958 (79-16-5) L

Armando Muniz 1958 (21-6-3) L

Joe DeNuci 1958 (16-0) W

Joe DeNuci 1959 (19-1) W

Joey Giardello 1959 (82-16-5) L

Miguel Diaz 1959 (49-17-3) W

Vince Martinez 1959 (61-7) L

Luis Manuel Rodriguez 1960 (27-0) L

Andres Antonio Selpa 1960 (80-22-15) D

Jose Monon Gonzalez 1961 (16-3-1) W

Rolando Pascua