Who's Number 1? ESPN Counts Down the 20 Greatest Boxers of All Time

[p4pking]

Ketchel is on the list mainly because...well he was shot dead at 24. He had so much to give after that I always like to include him in the list just so people can learn a bit about him because that's how I cam to learn about him. As for Langford carrying Ketchel, I don't know about that. I've heard contradicting reports on the fight. Some saying he carried him others saying that he really did get caught flush and that Ketchel took the last rounds legitimately. I've also heard that both men held back.

But I should have Langford on the list Somehow, he slipped my mind when I thought about all the people to include on the list. I actually don't really know a lot about Langford other then the fact that he was the most ducked fighter ever. I guess I should take this time to learn a bit about him. CC P4P.

Yea back at ya in 24.. Everything I've read about Langford would suggest he was an incredible fighter.. Not sure if footage even exists of him.. He began his career at lightweight though, and was fighting the other ducked giant Black HW's of the day within a couple years, often giving up something like 60 lbs.. The guy never weighed over 200. Supposedly, he had an amazing balance of skills and one punch KO power, sounds a bit like Archie Moore to me.

Here is the man's record, somewhat surprised I found it right away. Pretty much says it all. Look how many No decisions, or pre arranged draws he has on there.. Just shows how badly the White fighter was given every edge in those days. Also notice that it barely ever even notes Langfords weight for big fights.. So who knows what he weighed himself fighting these Giant HW's... He weighed in at 156 when he fought Jack Johnson, who was 185. Also note that towards the end of his career he was almost entirely blind and was still feared and ducked by most top HW's, which is why he had to travel to Mexico and win that title to get fights. Apparently his life after the ring is very very sad as well, he lived on the streets starving and blind until someone recognized him some years later and set up a foundation/care home for him.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=011023

[the phenom]

Honestly this time I considered putting RJ on but....well outside of Toney, Ruiz and Hopkins, what's one big fight RJ had. I mean the only true mega fight of his career was against Ruiz. Great fighter, immensely talented and probably one of the best fighters but he didn't face enough really good opponents. He basically spent 10 years fighting stay busy fights. And Roy knows it himself, he didn't take a single one of those fights seriously because he knew he was heads and shoulders above everyone else. He could have made good if he faced Hopkins.

Look at how criticized Joe C. is. Great fighter. Probably the fastest most talented 168 lber of all time. But look at him now, criticized because in his 10 years as champ he has had 1 fight that can be considered a superfight. And he's criticized to the high heavens.

But Roy Jones did virtually the same thing but because he was so good, and had such a pizazz about him. Don't get me wrong, RJ is awesome and I loved watching his fights I just don't think he belongs in the ranks of those guys. And I don't have James Toney on there....

but then who did hopkins fight ? lets list trinindad, delaoya ,and jt thas pretty much it and my bad mayb i seen him on anotha list thougth james was there

[LegendBoxing65]

I have a problem with Oscar Delahoya being in the all time 20 list. Everytime he fought someone good he ended up losing.