Welcome to Part 4 of my top 100 pound for pound boxers of all-time series. Today, boxers #80-71 on my list will be revealed. The ten men below represent a nice mix of modern and classic greats ranging from Bantamweight to Heavyweight. As I go through this process, distinguishing between the greatest of the great becomes more and more challenging. Without further ado, here are our next ten.
#80) Beau Jack
Over a 16 year career, lasting from 1939 to 1955, Beau Jack accumulated a record of 91-24-5 (44 KOs). He was one of a number of outstanding fighters who competed in the Lightweight division in the 1940’s. Jack was a two time Lightweight champion, capturing the title for the first time with a 3rd round KO victory over Tippy Larkin in December 1942.
He lost the title 5 months later to Bob Montgomery by a decision in May 1943. Jack regained the title November of that year with a rematch victory over Montgomery, only to lose it to him again four months later, in March 1944. Overall, Jack and Montgomery engaged in a four fight series with each man winning twice. In July 1948, Jack would lose in his final title shot attempt by TKO to Ike Williams.
Jack’s significant opponents included: Montgomery, Larkin (won), Fritzie Zivic (won twice), Henry Armstrong (won), Johnny Bratton (won), Willie Joyce (won), Juan Zurita (won), Lew Jenkins (won), Sammy Angott (won and drew), Tony Janiro (split a two fight series), Williams (lost 3 and drew once), Kid Gavilan (lost), and Del Flanagan (lost). Jack more than held his own against first class opposition and earns a spot on this list.
#79) Philadelphia Jack O’Brien
Philadelphia Jack O’Brien was a World Champion at Light Heavyweight but in reality was more of a natural Middleweight in stature. Over a 15+ year career, he compiled a record of 147-17-26 (56 KOs). O’Brien competed against many of the top Middleweights, Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights of his era, more than holding his own.
Among the men he faced include: Joe Choynski (won twice), Dixie Kid (won), Jack Blackburn (won), Jim Driscoll (won), Jack “Twin” Sullivan (won three and drew once), Young Peter Jackson (won three, lost once), Barbados Joe Walcott (won and drew), Hugo Kelly (won twice, lost, and drew), Marvin Hart (1-1 in 2 matchups), Bob Fitzsimmons (1-1 in 2 matchups), Tommy Burns (won, lost and drew), Tommy Ryan (drew), Charles “Kid” McCoy (drew), Jack Johnson (drew), Sam Langford (lost), Stanley Ketchel (lost twice).
O’Brien had a record of 5-5-4 against fellow boxing hall of famers, with some of these matchups occurring against bigger men such as Johnson and Langford. In the end, O’Brien was one of the finest fighters in the prolific era of boxing that was the early 1900’s. Thus, his career warrants a place on this list.
#78) Wilfred Benitez
Benitez turned pro in November 1973 at the tender age of 15. In March 1976, he became youngest World Champion in boxing history at age 17 ½ winning a close decision over the great Antonio Cervantes to capture the WBA Jr. Welterweight championship.
Benitez went on to become the first man in boxing history to win World titles in three separate weight classes since Henry Armstrong, capturing titles at Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight. In November of 1979, he was paired against Olympic hero Sugar Ray Leonard, in a battle of undefeated young boxing stars. Leonard proved to be too strong in the end, stopping Benitez in the 15th. Overall, he was 1-2 against the fab four, winning against Roberto Duran but losing to Thomas Hearns.
Wilfred’s other significant victories include: Carlos Palomino (W15), Bruce Curry (W10 and W10), and Maurice Hope (KO 12). After his loss to Hearns in December of 1982, Benitez declined quickly. Convincing losses to Mustafa Hamsho (L12) and Davey Moore (KO by 2) finished him as a contender. Benitez retired in 1990 with a record of 53-8-1 (31 Kos). One of the greatest defensive fighters of all time, Benitez is a worthy member of boxing’s 100 greatest ever.
#77) James J. Jeffries
Jeffries was one of the early greats of the Heavyweight division. Standing close to 6’2’’ and weighing roughly 220 lbs, he was a mountain of a man capable of both dishing out and taking tremendous punishment. He turned professional in October of 1895 and won the Heavyweight title in June of 1899 with an 11th round KO over the legendary Bob Fitzsimmons. Over the next five years, he defended the title 7 times before retiring in May 1905.
Five years later, in July 1910, he was lured out of retirement to face reigning champion, Jack Johnson. This fight was one of the most significant and famous in boxing history, but for all the wrong reasons, as Jeffries was called upon to carry the white man’s burden. Jim was a shell of his former self and the fight was a 15 round massacre, won by Johnson. This was the only loss of Jeffries recorded career. Overall, he had an official record of 19-1-2 (16 Kos) and 1 no contest.
Among his most significant victories were against: Peter Jackson (TKO 3), Tom Sharkey (W 20, W 25), Fitzsimmons (KO 11, KO 8), and James J. Corbett (KO 23, TKO 10). Jeffries was a tough and durable champion, as well as being one of the pioneers of the sport. He is deserving of a place on this list.
#76) Tony Zale
Tony Zale was a two time Middleweight champion and one of the more celebrated champions the division has ever seen. In July 1940, He won the NBA Middleweight championship with a 13th round KO over Al Hostak. Zale defended the title three times before World War II forced a four year hiatus to his career. He is perhaps best known for his spectacular three fight series with Rocky Graziano, 15 of the fiercest rounds in boxing history.
In the first match, which took place in September 1946, Zale rebounded from an early pounding to score a 6th round knockout. 10 months later, in July 1947, Rocky turned the tables stopping Zale in 6. Zale achieved final supremacy with a convincing 3rd round KO victory over Graziano in June 1948. Zale, now past his prime at age 34, lost the title three months later when he was stopped by Marcel Cerdan in 12 rounds. He retired after the fight.
Overall, Zale was 67-18-2 (45 Kos) over a stellar 14 year career. He was 6-2 (5 Kos) in World championship fights. Among the fighters he defeated include: Hostak, Fred Apostoli, Georgie Abrams, and Graziano. Zale’s significant losses include matches with: Billy Soose, Billy Conn, Graziano and Cerdan. His fine career earns a place on the top 100 of all-time list.
#75) Felix Trinidad
Trinidad was arguably the best of a talented Welterweight class in the 1990’s that included fighters such as: Oscar De la Hoya, Pernell Whitaker and Ike Quartey among others. At age 20, Trinidad won the IBF Welterweight title with a second round stoppage over Maurice Blocker. He went on to defend 15 times over the next 6 years, winning 12 by stoppage. Trinidad would go on to capture titles in the Jr. Middleweight and Middleweight divisions.
Overall, he was 42-3 (35 Kos) over the course of his career. This includes a record of 20-1 (16 Kos) in World championship matches. Among the men he defeated are: Blocker, Hector Camacho, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar De la Hoya, David Reid, Fernando Vargas, and William Joppy. His streak of 40 straight victories was finally broken when he was stopped by Bernard Hopkins (TKO by 12) in September 2001. He would go on to lose matches to Winky Wright and Roy Jones. Trinidad was an outstanding Welterweight champion and one of the top 100 boxers of all time.
#74) Oscar De La Hoya
De la Hoya, a 1992 Olympic gold medalist, followed the path of another recent all-time great, Sugar Ray Leonard, becoming boxing’s “glamour boy” over the next 15 years. He captured World titles in six different weight classes, ranging from Jr. Lightweight to Middleweight, defeating 17 men who held World Championships. In a career that lasted from 1992 to 2008, his record was 39-6 (30 Kos)
De La Hoya defeated many fine fighters. However, part of the reason he is not higher on this list is the lack of a true career defining moment. Julio Cesar Chavez was well past his prime when he faced him. De La Hoya’s decision victory over Pernell Whitaker was hotly disputed. His win over Ike Quartey was also debatable. He lost to Felix Trinidad, fading down the stretch, although many believed he won that fight.
Then we have two losses to Shane Mosley, a convincing knockout loss to Bernard Hopkins, and losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao at the end of his career. For the most part, De La Hoya was competitive against the best competition but never really differentiated himself when he had the chance. Thus, in my view, he belongs closer to the bottom than the top of this list.
#73) Jake Lamotta
Lamotta is another all-time great Middleweight from the 1940’s and 1950’s. Over a 13 year career, lasting between 1941 and 1954, Lamotta engaged in 106 bouts. His record was 83-19-4 (30 Kos). Lamotta is perhaps best known for his six fight series with Sugar Ray Robinson. He lost 5 of the 6 but holds the honor of being the first man to beat Sugar Ray and the only one to win against him during his prime years.
Lamotta’s resume is littered with the greats of his era: He holds victories over: Robinson, California Jackie Wilson, Fritzie Zivic (won 3 of 4), Tommy Bell, Holman Williams, Bob Satterfield, Tony Janiro, Bert Lytell, Marcel Cerdan, and Laurent Dauthuille among others. Significant losses include: Robinson, Zivic, Lloyd Marshall, Billy Fox (under suspect circumstances), and Dauthuille. After winning the Middleweight title over Cerdan by stoppage in June 1949, he defended twice before losing the title to Robinson in February 1951, in a fight labelled the St. Valentine’s Day massacre. Although his title reign was fairly brief, Lamotta’s opposition was absolutely top notch throughout the course of his career. He was an animal in the ring and a handful for anyone he ever faced, including Robinson. Lamotta is unquestionably one of the top 100 boxers ever.
#72) Dick Tiger
Tiger was a two division World Champion capturing titles in the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. At age 33, Tiger won the Middleweight championship with a decision victory over Gene Fullmer in October 1962. Overall, he was 2-0-1 in a three fight series with Fullmer. Tiger lost the title in December 1963 with a decision loss against Joey Giardello. He regained the title in October 1965, with a rematch decision victory over Giardello, only to lose it again, to Emile Griffith, by decision, in April 1966.
Less than 8 months later, in December 1966, Tiger challenged World Light Heavyweight champion Jose Torres, winning by a unanimous decision. Now a two division champion, he turned the trick again in May 1967, winning by split decision over Torres in a rematch. Tiger, by now almost 39 years of age, lost the Light Heavyweight title in May 1968 with a KO loss to Bob Foster.
Over an 18 year career, Tiger had a record of 60-19-3 (27 KOs). He was 6-3-1 (2 KOs) in World championship fights and had a record of 7-5-1 (1 KO) against fellow boxing hall of famers. These stats are nothing to sneeze at and Tiger is a worthy member of this list.
#71) Ruben Olivares
Olivares turned pro just short of his 18th birthday in July 1965. By October 1970, he compiled an incredible record of 61-0-1 (60 Kos), capturing the Bantamweight title along the way, with a 5th round stoppage over Lionel Rose in August 1969. He was a two time Bantamweight champion and engaged in a classic trilogy with Chucho Castillo winning two of three contests.
In July 1974, he won the WBA Featherweight title with a 7th round knockout victory over Zensuke Utagawa. However, four month later, he ran into a young Alexis Arguello, losing by 13th round knockout. In June 1975, Olivares captured the WBC Featherweight title with a 2nd round stoppage over Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon. He lost the title three months later by a split decision loss to David Kotey. Although he fought on, Olivares was finished as a championship level fighter.
Olivares was 9-5 with 7 Kos in World championship fights and finished his career with a record of 89-13-3 (79 Kos). His significant victories include wins over: Rose, Castillo (won 2 of 3), Chacon (won 2 of 3), and Jose Luis Ramirez. His significant losses include: Rafael Herrera (twice), Arguello, Kotey, Danny “Little Red” Lopez, and Eusebio Pedroza. I may not have him as high on my list as some others but do have enormous respect for his career and accomplishments.
Thus concludes Part 4 of this series. Next, in Part 5, boxers #70-61 will be revealed. I look forward to your comments and feedback. Here are the links to previous installments of my series in case anyone missed them.