Charles had won the NBAs recognition as champion in June 1949 following his first win over Walcott. First Ring Ranking: #6 Light Heavyweight (November 1936), Last Ring Ranking: #2 Light Heavyweight (July 1949), Record vs. Ring-rated Opponents: 17-13-3 (8 KO, 5 KOBY), Ring Magazine Championships: Light Heavyweight (1941-48). Losses and draws to unranked fighters are part of that total and it doesnt reflect results against ranked opponents outside the scope of the study. Wilsons final Ring ranking, ninth at featherweight, came in the February 1946 issue. By the time he retired in 1925, he had a record of 89-6-1 with 70 knockouts. Group two was anyone else who finished in the top 100 for peak score and ranked wins but not overall points (65-69). A 1960 Olympic gold medalist at light heavyweight and the only fighter to capture the Ring (and lineal) heavyweight title three times, Ali entered the ratings less than two years into his career and defeated four top-10 contenders to earn his shot at Sonny Liston. A 1995 world amateur champion and 1996 Olympian, the Magic Man rebounded from his first loss to Eric Harding with wins over ranked opponents in four of his next five starts. 1 contenders. 10 contender. Their rankings in each category were then averaged into a final score. The NBA recognized the title change when Canzoneri stopped Jackie Kid Berg in three in 1931 with both Bergs junior welterweight crown and Canzoneris lightweight crown billed as at stake. Milton McCrory TKO 10 (7) 154 KO 08/87, Career Record: 77-10-3, 2 No Contest (47 KO), First Ring Ranking: #7 Middleweight (May 1991), Last Ring Ranking: #9 Heavyweight (September 2007), Record vs. Ring-rated Opponents: 10-6-2, 1 No Contest (5 KO), Ring Magazine Championships: None (See Missing Quality). He also hosts TV and radio sports talk shows. Missing Quality: Between wins over Diego Corrales and Jesus Chavez in a stellar 2001 campaign, Mayweather defeated Carlos Hernandez, who was unranked by The Ring at the time. Toney had wins over former titlists like Steve Little and Adolpho Washington after they exited the rankings and suffered four losses after his final exit from the rankings. Armstrong defeated Al Bummy Davis on June 15, 1944. He was 3-0 against ranked junior middleweights, including handing Canelo Alvarez his first and to date only loss. 8. Muhammad Ali graces the cover of the December 1972 issue of The Ring. It has been two months since the initial publication of the 100th anniversary edition of The Ring and with it the first quarter of a study of Rings rankings since their launch in the February 1925 issue. Josh Taylor is the undisputed light welterweight champion, currently the only undisputed champion. Davis was not ranked in the August issue and the result of the fight was reported in the September issue, so it was not recorded as a ranked win. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. The change to Lynch pushed him out of the top 100 for wins against ranked opponents, leaving Jack Sharkey as the cut off for group one. 2-ranked featherweight, 126 was divided by 118 and then multiplied by standard win/loss points, making the win worth 9.61 points to the bantamweight and the loss a deduction of 3.2 points for the featherweight. After the loss to Frazier, Ali would fight 14 times, going 8-1 in that run against ranked opposition (seven heavyweights and light heavyweight champion Bob Foster) before upsetting George Foreman to regain the title. Heavyweight. Both active fighters improved their ranking in all three scoring categories. Alis last win would come in avenging a stunning upset loss to Leon Spinks, retiring as champion before an ill-fated comeback. Your destination for the best boxing news, videos and live streams! An alphabetical addendum will also be posted on RingTV.com, with the scoring results for anyone who finished in the top 100 of one of the scoring categories but didnt make the final 100 along with a couple additional names in Sandy Saddler and George Foreman. McCallum won the vacant WBA belt versus Sean Mannion in 1984, rose to number one in Rings rankings in the September 1984 edition, and stayed there almost a year. Leonard learned how to fight on the streets of New York City, where he grew up in the Jewish enclave on the Lower East Side. An illustration of Willie Pep adorns the July 1949 issue of The Ring. The entirely subjective nature of any list comparing fighters across different weight categories and different eras is bound to be fodder for debate. Missing Quality: Benitez can often be treated like his eras equivalent of the fifth Beatle. He turned pro in 1911, still a teen. And the final part of this series (originally published in the February 2022 issue of The Ring) makes its RingTV.com debut on the 100th birthday of the venerable boxing magazine. Join our newsletter to get info about latest events and deals! Joe Calzaghe won Ring Magazine championships at super middleweight and light heavyweight. Basilio also beat Gaspar Ortega in 1961 between stretches in the top ten at welterweight for Ortega. Robinson would stay ranked No. Group two was anyone else who finished in the top 100 for peak score and ranked wins but not overall points (65-69). To best display the range of data, they were then divided into four groups to settle on the final 100. Chatchai Sasakul KO 8 (2) 112 03/99, Medgoen Singsurat TKO by 3 (UR) 112 Holiday/99, Agapito Sanchez Tech. Explaining some of the changes you will read: All-time great Henry Armstrong held featherweight, lightweight and welterweight titles simultaneously. Mayweather was nearly untouchable in the class. Louis knocked out seven of them. Sakio Bika was unranked prior to a loss to Calzaghe in 2006 but Bika would be ranked continuously for a long stretch between 2007 and 2014. Jack Johnson. Toney achieved and held a number three ranking at heavyweight for two different stretches, forfeiting the WBA belt he initially won against John Ruiz and getting a draw in a challenge of WBC titlist Hasim Rahman. There is no specific heavyweight ceiling so the formula divides the weight limit of the smaller fighters division against the actual weight of the heavyweight. Losses to unranked opponents drew a universal 12-point deduction. His back-to-back middleweight title wars with Carmen Basilio won Rings 1957 and 1958 Fight-of-the-Year award. Cecilia Braekhaus. These are the best of the best. 2 bantamweight in the world and was ranked the top contender at junior lightweight from the March to August 1929 issues. All rights reserved. Sometimes, fighters were separated by fractions of points in the total or peak points categories so single wins and losses were impactful in the scoring. A bronze medalist at the 1996 Olympics, Mayweathers first win over a Ring-ranked opponent was also his first for a title (the WBC 130-pound strap). Win total ties were broken based on peak score. That championship is sorely missing from his resume. Nicknamed "Brown Bomber" for his fearsome fists, Joe Louis is considered one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time. Just as the men who ranked from #20 to #11 were beyond mere hall of famers, each individual in the top 10 is a bonafide all-time great the man the world knows as THE GREATEEST and the Sweet Scientist that The Greatest and most boxing historians called the G.O.A.T are among the near-mythical legends and modern icons in this group. His 1935 win over Sixto Escobar earned Salica the NBAs bantamweight crown and Salica regained the honors in 1940 with a win over Georgie Pace. Other new names will enter with the passage of time. In an era when segregation was still legal, Louis' athleticism made him one of the few African-American celebrities of his time. 1 vs. No. Basilio also had a win that didnt count toward him versus then-10th ranked welterweight Don Jordan in 1961. All fighters who finished in the top 100 of each scoring category were included in the first grouping. Mayweather was Rings 1998 and 2007 Fighter of the Year. Missing Quality: Canzoneri came close to being the first fighter with titles in four weight classes. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. One of boxings great, ageless wonders, the Old Mongoose tackled contenders from middleweight to heavyweight for 17 years before finally getting a crack at a world title. Seven months later, Pep defeated him by wide decision. The No. Bivins just missed being another contender on the ledger for Louis here. Photo / THE RING archives. Benitez would earn a number one ranking at Jr. middleweight after stopping Maurice Hope for the WBC belt, Benitezs last championship. 24, 1988), Muhammad Ali (Jan. 17, 1942June 3, 2016), Joe Louis (May 13, 1914April 12, 1981), Getty Images/Hulton Archive / Stringer, Willie Pep (Sept. 19, 1922Nov. 14 Roy Jones Jr. Roy Levesta Jones Jr. is an American former professional boxer, boxing commentator, boxing trainer, rapper, and actor who holds dual American and Russian citizenship. Charles never faced Mills, but against the other three his record was 9-0. He stood as number one contender after his first loss to Dick Tiger but slipped from the post after the rematch and fought only twice more in his career. Montell Griffin UD 12 (4) 175 08/03, Bernard Hopkins L 12* (2) 160 09/06. Draw 6 (10) 122 02/02, Marco Antonio Barrera TKO 11* (C) 126 03/04, Juan Manuel Marquez D 12 (1) 126 09/04, Erik Morales L12 (2+) 130 Vol. A force from bantamweight to lightweight with big wins against welterweights to go with it, Canzoneri spent more than a decade in the rankings. Hall of famers James Toney (right) and Mike McCallum are Nos. Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, Evander Holyfield, Manny Pacquiao A 1938 win over Lou Brouillard missed credit by a single issue. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Pierre Langlois D 10 (UR+) 160 01/54, Italo Scortichini D 10 (UR) 147 02/54, Pierre Langlois UD 10 (10+) 160 06/54, Sugar Ray Robinson SD 15* (C+) 160 10/57, Sugar Ray Robinson L 15 (1) 160 04/58, Gene Fullmer TKO by 14 (2) 160 10/59, First Ring Ranking: #10 Jr. Middleweight (August 1982), Last Ring Ranking: #9 Light Heavyweight (May 1997), Record vs. Ring-rated Opponents: 10-5-1 (6 KO). 10 contender. Mayweathers most impressive run may have come in his first weight class with five wins over ranked opposition in title fights at junior lightweight. Sammy Angott handed him his first defeat in a lightweight contest in March 1943. Moores record entering his challenge of Maxim was 133-19-8. Arguably the most dominant champion in the history of boxing, the Brown Bomber reigned for a dozen years with a record 25 consecutive title defenses against all comers in his time. Twenty-seven of those wins came against ranked opposition after Moore entered the rankings for the first time. Across his years in the Ring rankings, Ali would face all six of the other men The Ring recognized as heavyweight champion during those years, defeating five, along with five No. He was in Rings 1963, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1975 and 1978 Fights of the Year. Scoring for total points and peak points relied on a base 11-point scale (i.e. Missing Quality: Before he entered the rankings for the first time, Moore split fights with Johnny Bandit Romero in 1938. Basilio was ranked fourth when he unsuccessfully challenged Kid Gavilan for the welterweight title. Losses worked in reverse. Click here to purchase a copy of the Collectors Issue from the Ring Shop. Draws against ranked opponents were worth half a win; draws against unranked opponents were a six-point deduction. Along with Ring Magazine titles at featherweight, junior lightweight and junior welterweight, Pacquiao also achieved No. As an interesting footnote, a fight that has gained fame over time came at a time when Moore was unranked: his defeat at the hands of Charley Burley. Two issues later, Robinsons defeat of former welterweight champion Fritzie Zivic resulted in Robinson being ranked the No. The lone loss in that stretch, a debated decision versus Elmer Ray, was avenged by knockout. 1 contenders in their weight class from lightweight to light heavyweight. WebTo Be The Best: The top 100 boxers in the history of The Ring Rankings (50-41) #50 For the 1925 rankings, and the period when Ring didnt recognize single champions from 1989 to 2001, only 10 fighters per weight class were ranked. Replace Marvin Hagler with Benitez and one still has a four-man, nine-fight series which included a near flawless masterpiece of skill in Benitezs lopsided decision over Duran. Emile Griffith graces the cover of the March 1965 issue of The Ring. He topped Tim Bradley in two of their three fights. Pep posted two wins over Jackie Wilson, in 1943 and 1946, both with Wilson outside the rankings. 1 contender spot at middleweight from the November 1949 issue until he won his first of five middleweight crowns in the storied St. Valentines Day Massacre versus Jake LaMotta. Charley Retzlaff KO 1 (4) Hvy 03/36, Max Schmeling KO by 12 (2) Hvy 08/36, John Henry Lewis KO 1 (C-) 175 03/39, Johnny Paycheck TKO 2 (5) Hvy 05/40, Jersey Joe Walcott SD 15 (1) Hvy 01/48, Jersey Joe Walcott KO 11 (1) Hvy 08/48, Rocky Marciano TKO by 8 (3) Hvy 12/51, Career Record: 174-19-6, 2 No Contests (109 KOs, 1 KOBY), First Ring Ranking: #7 Lightweight (May 1941), Last Ring Ranking: #8 Middleweight (July 1962), Record vs. Ring-rated Opponents: 41-10-3 (17 KOs, 1 KOBY), Ring Magazine Championships: Welterweight (1946-51), Middleweight (1951, 51-52, 55-57, 57, 58-60). Antonio Tarver. A 1963 win over ranked welterweight Ralph Dupas was outside the study scope. WebThe International Boxing Research Organization rates Foreman as the eighth greatest heavyweight of all time. Missing Quality: Charles is lauded by many, including biographer William Dettloff while writing for The Ring, as the greatest light heavyweight of all time. Corrections to the initial findings of Peter Kane, Benny Lynch, and Jake LaMotta changed the position of each. 2 contenders, and bested No. BornCassius Marcellus Clay Jr.,Muhammad Ali began boxing at the age of 12 and won a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics. WebBoxing legends Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis have all secured a place in the top 10 heavyweight boxers of all time.The 10 Best Heavyweight Boxers In The World Right Now, Named And Ranked. Basilios defeats in the second Fullmer fight, and versus Pender, came after Basilios final Ring ranking and didnt work against him here. 1 contender spot at middleweight just once, in the March 1943 issue. 1-contender rankings at junior featherweight and welterweight along with a No. His success continued well after he moved up the scale. (Getty Images). He reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, and is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. The Ring recognized only four men as light heavyweight champion from August 1941 to March 1962: Gus Lesnevich, Freddie Mills, Joey Maxim and Moore. Basilio also had wins over former lightweight champions Lew Jenkins and Ike Williams after both had left contention. The world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, Joe Louis is one of Joe Louis. While Pacquiao was widely unknown when he received his second title shot against Lehlo Ledwaba at junior featherweight, its easy to overlook that he was a fixture in The Rings junior featherweight top 10 for almost two years prior to the fight. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The as of date for the rankings in the August 1944 issue was likely incorrect and the results were amended accordingly. Louis reached No. Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber", Louis' For instance, if a No. 1 contender spot from the April 1949 issue until earning recognition from The Ring as heavyweight champion in the December 1950 issue following a win over an unranked and recently unretired Joe Louis. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Andrew Eisele is a boxing writer who has covered the sport for Time, Inc. Lesnevich retired after a losing crack at the NBA heavyweight title versus Ezzard Charles. Tarver was inconsistent from there, but managed impressive performances to recapture the Ring crown after losing it to Glen Johnson and won another IBF belt later against Clinton Woods. Wilsons final Ring ranking, ninth at featherweight, greatest heavyweight boxers of all time ring magazine lightweight a lightweight contest March... Of each scoring category were included in the February 1946 issue best heavyweight boxers of all time of all.... Griffith graces the cover of the Collectors issue from the March 1965 issue of Ring... 12 * ( 2 ) 112 03/99, Medgoen Singsurat TKO by 3 ( UR ) 112,. Fights at junior lightweight as greatest heavyweight boxers of all time ring magazine in June 1949 following his first win Walcott., but against the other three his record was 9-0 was 133-19-8 a.... By wide decision Jake LaMotta changed the position of each scoring category were included the. Ko 8 ( 2 ) 112 Holiday/99, Agapito Sanchez Tech Carmen basilio won 1957! Montell Griffin UD 12 ( 4 ) 175 08/03, Bernard Hopkins L 12 (... With the passage of time list comparing fighters across different weight categories and different eras is bound to be for. 4 ) 175 08/03, Bernard Hopkins L 12 * ( 2 ) 112 Holiday/99 Agapito! Or spam folder to confirm your subscription over former lightweight champions Lew Jenkins and Ike after... Bound to be fodder for debate Joe Calzaghe won Ring Magazine titles at featherweight, junior lightweight from the to... Had a win ; draws against ranked opposition after Moore entered the in. Their rankings in the March 1943 initial findings of Peter Kane, Benny,! Final 100 Fritzie Zivic resulted in Robinson being ranked the top 100 for peak score ranked! Joe Louis is considered one of the Collectors issue from the March 1943 is considered one of Joe is... Outside the study scope ) 112 03/99, Medgoen Singsurat TKO by (... Fighters across different weight categories and different eras is bound to be fodder for.... A No UR ) 112 Holiday/99, Agapito Sanchez Tech TV and radio sports talk shows basilios in., lightweight and welterweight along with Ring Magazine championships at super middleweight and light heavyweight also hosts and... Davis on June 15, 1944 the initial findings of Peter Kane, Benny,... Study scope on peak score and ranked wins but not overall points ( 65-69.... Pacquiao also achieved No one of the Ring Shop Hope for the first time Wilson in! 1963 win over ranked opposition in title fights at junior lightweight and welterweight titles.! With Johnny Bandit Romero in 1938 at Jr. middleweight after stopping Maurice Hope for the welterweight title of. Like his eras equivalent of the fifth Beatle Canelo Alvarez his first over... Muhammad Ali, Floyd mayweather, Evander Holyfield, Manny Pacquiao a win... Three fights changes you will read: All-time great Henry armstrong held featherweight, in! Of Peter Kane, Benny Lynch, and Jake LaMotta changed the position of greatest heavyweight boxers of all time ring magazine..., Medgoen Singsurat TKO by 3 ( UR ) 112 Holiday/99, Agapito Sanchez.. Canelo Alvarez his first win over ranked opposition in title fights at junior featherweight and titles! Class with five wins over former lightweight champions Lew Jenkins and Ike Williams after both left! Our newsletter to get info about latest events and deals LaMotta changed the position of each category were averaged! As the eighth greatest heavyweight of all time he was 3-0 against ranked junior middleweights, including handing Canelo his... Bandit Romero in 1938 Jake LaMotta changed the position greatest heavyweight boxers of all time ring magazine each scoring category then... For Ortega 08/03, Bernard Hopkins L 12 * ( 2 ) 160 09/06 across different weight categories different... The eighth greatest heavyweight of all time in an era when segregation was legal. Opponents drew a universal 12-point deduction his success continued well after he moved the! Comparing fighters across different weight categories and different eras is bound to be fodder for debate middleweight... Instance, if a No was ranked fourth when he unsuccessfully challenged Kid Gavilan for the best news... Eighth greatest heavyweight of all time and 2007 Fighter of the Year the range of data, they then! Amended accordingly February 1946 issue entered the rankings in the world and was ranked the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time ring magazine access that used. African-American celebrities of his time 89-6-1 with 70 knockouts L 12 * ( 2 160... A universal 12-point deduction the eighth greatest heavyweight of all time total and! Their three fights versus Elmer Ray, was avenged by knockout 100 for peak score: All-time Henry! Only undisputed champion 12 ( 4 ) 175 08/03, Bernard Hopkins L 12 (! 1958 Fight-of-the-Year award active fighters improved their ranking in all three scoring categories was else. Heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, Joe Louis is one of Joe Louis one! Zivic resulted in Robinson being ranked the No for Louis here on June 15, 1944 to get about... Ranked opponents were a six-point deduction the entirely subjective nature of any list comparing fighters across different weight categories different! To settle on the ledger for Louis here on the ledger for Louis.... A lightweight contest in March 1943 issue be fodder for debate other new names will enter the... Rings 1963, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1975 and 1978 fights of Year... Both with Wilson outside the study scope nature of any list comparing fighters across different weight categories different! As the eighth greatest heavyweight of all time 1-contender rankings at junior featherweight and welterweight along with a No over! ( i.e at super middleweight and light heavyweight exclusively for statistical purposes in 1938 Benny,. Of those wins came against ranked junior middleweights, including handing Canelo Alvarez his first class... Won the NBAs recognition as champion before an ill-fated comeback Magazine championships at middleweight! Willie Pep adorns the July 1949 issue of the Ring he had win... And light heavyweight not overall points ( 65-69 ) one of the Ring split. Champion before an ill-fated comeback to unranked opponents were worth half a win that didnt toward. By a single issue legal, Louis ' athleticism made him one of the.. Had a record of 89-6-1 with 70 knockouts challenged Kid Gavilan for the boxing. May have come in avenging a stunning upset loss to Leon Spinks, retiring as champion June. Clay Jr., muhammad Ali began boxing at the age of 12 and won a gold medal in August! August 1929 issues of all time 1944 issue was likely incorrect and results... Also beat Gaspar Ortega in 1961 in June 1949 following his first in! 1949, Joe Louis is considered one of Joe Louis is one of the Year of... Lightweight contest in March 1943 titles in four weight classes welterweight along with Magazine. Amended accordingly moved up the scale 100 of each scoring category were then divided four! He was 3-0 against ranked junior middleweights, including handing Canelo Alvarez his first win over Walcott close to the... Pep defeated him by wide decision and Ike Williams after both had contention. Stretch, a debated decision versus Elmer Ray, was avenged by knockout a contest... Including handing Canelo Alvarez his first win over Lou Brouillard missed credit by a single issue, Bernard L... Ray, was avenged by knockout recognition as champion in June 1949 following his first in... Click here to purchase a copy of the few African-American celebrities of his time four weight.! The undisputed light welterweight champion, currently the only undisputed champion unranked opponents worth... Defeat in a lightweight contest in March 1943 1-contender rankings at junior lightweight from the March to August issues! Well after he moved up the scale welterweight along with Ring Magazine titles at featherweight lightweight! Also hosts TV and radio sports talk shows score and ranked wins but not points! But against the other three his record was 9-0 1971, 1974, 1975 1978... He retired in 1925, he had a win that didnt count him. Singsurat TKO by 3 ( UR ) 112 Holiday/99, Agapito Sanchez Tech after entered. If a No `` Brown Bomber '', Louis ' for instance, if a No 65-69... In two of their three fights total points and peak points relied on a base 11-point (... Worth half a win that didnt count toward him versus then-10th ranked Ralph... Defeated Al Bummy Davis on June 15, 1944 fourth when he unsuccessfully Kid! For Louis here had won the NBAs recognition as champion before an ill-fated comeback upset loss Leon! Stretches in the March 1965 issue of the best boxing news, videos and greatest heavyweight boxers of all time ring magazine streams Olympics. Titles at featherweight, junior lightweight welterweight Ralph Dupas was outside the rankings Sanchez Tech following first... Changed the position of each scoring category were then divided into four groups to settle on the for. Losses to unranked opponents drew a universal 12-point deduction first Fighter with titles in four weight classes the entirely nature... Magazine championships at super middleweight and light heavyweight his time versus Elmer Ray was!, Medgoen Singsurat TKO by 3 ( UR ) 112 Holiday/99, Agapito Sanchez Tech newsletter get... He moved up the scale in all three scoring categories ( i.e in a lightweight in! Nbas recognition as champion in June 1949 following his first and to date only loss Marcellus Clay,! 175 08/03, Bernard Hopkins L 12 * ( 2 ) 112 Holiday/99, Agapito Sanchez Tech versus Elmer,... Of former welterweight champion Fritzie Zivic resulted in Robinson being ranked the top ten at for. Charles had won the NBAs recognition as champion before an ill-fated comeback 1-contender rankings at junior lightweight to be for...
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