Welcome to Part 6 of my top 100 pound for pound boxers of all-time series. Today, boxers #60-51 will be revealed. I have perhaps two or three shockers here that might elicit some controversy. All I can say is: “this is how I see it”. If you disagree, more power to you. Your opinion is just as valid as mine. No one right answer here!
#60) Azumah Nelson
Azumah Nelson was given a title shot against legendary WBC Featherweight champion, Salvador Sanchez in July 1982, in only his 14th professional fight. Nelson gave Sanchez everything he could handle before Sanchez rallied to score a TKO in the 15th. Tragically, it was the beginning of one legend and final great moment of another.
Over two years later, Nelson won the WBC Featherweight championship defeating Wilfredo Gomez by 11th round TKO. He defended 6 times before capturing the WBC 130 lbs championship in February 1988 by decision over Mario Martinez. He defended that title 10 times before losing it to Jessie James Leija by decision in May 1994. By now, 37 years of age he regained the title with a 5th round TKO victory over Gabriel Ruelas in December 1995, only to lose it 6 months later to Genaro Hernandez by decision.
Over a 20+ year career, Nelson was 39-6-2 (28 KOs). His record in World Championship fights was 18-4-2 (12 KOs). In addition to winning titles at 126 and 130, he also challenged Pernell Whitaker for the Lightweight title in May 1990, losing by decision. Nelson is considered by some to be the greatest African boxer ever and a worthy member of boxing’s top 100 of all-time.
#59) Ted “Kid” Lewis
Ted “Kid” Lewis is arguably the finest fighter ever to come out of the United Kingdom. Over a 20 year boxing career, lasting from 1909 to 1929, Lewis engaged in an incredible 302 bouts, compiling a record of 232-45-25 (80 KOs). He was a 2-time Welterweight champion reigning from August 1915 to April 1916 and from June 1917 to March 1919. In each case, he was both preceded and succeeded by archrival Jack Britton.
Lewis is probably best known for his historic series with Britton. Between 1915 and 1921, the two men faced each other an incredible 20 times. In the end, Britton had a slight edge, winning 10 times compared to 7 for Lewis. 3 matches ended in draws. Among his other significant opponents were: Willie Ritchie (won), Mike Gibbons (lost), Mike O’Dowd (won twice and lost three), Matt Wells (win), Frank Moody (win), Benny Leonard (draw), Georges Carpentier (lost), Maxie Rosenbloom (lost).
The above list includes all-time greats from Lightweight to Light Heavyweight against whom he performed more than respectably. This along with his prolific record warrants a prominent place on this list.
#58) Barbados Joe Walcott
The diminutive Walcott, standing only 5’1’’ was one of boxing’s early pioneers. Over a 21 year career, lasting from 1890 to 1911, he compiled a record of 104-32-27 (61 KOs). In December of 1901, he won the Welterweight Championship over Rube Ferns by a 5th round TKO. Walcott held the title for close to five years.
Walcott’s significant opponents include: Mysterious Billy Smith (won three, lost once, drew twice), Kid Lavigne (lost twice), Joe Choynski (won), George Gardiner (won and lost), Young Peter Jackson (won twice, lost once, drew twice), Philadelphia Jack O’Brien (lost and drew), Dixie Kid (lost), Sam Langford (drew), Joe Gans (drew).
Walcott’s record against fellow boxing hall of famers was a respectable 4-5-5. As a pioneer of the sport and a man who held his own against much bigger men, he is worthy of the status as one of the 100 greatest fighters ever to enter the ring.
#57) Terry McGovern
Terry McGovern was a two division world champion reigning at both Bantamweight and Featherweight. A devastating hitter, he is listed on Ring Magazine’s top 100 punchers of all time. Over an 11 year career, lasting from 1897 to 1908, McGovern’s professional record was 65-6-9 (44 KOs).
McGovern’s significant opponents included: Harry Forbes (won twice), Casper Leon (won), Pedlar Palmer (won), George Dixon (won twice), Eddie Santry (won), Joe Gans (won, lost), Young Corbett II (lost twice and drew), Harlem Tommy Murphy (won), Battling Nelson (lost), Jimmy Britt (drew)
Overall, McGovern was 3-3-2 versus fellow boxing hall of famers with two of the wins and two of the losses by stoppage. Perhaps the high point in his career occurred when he stopped the legendary Joe Gans in two rounds in December 1900. I’ve seen McGovern listed as high as #18 on other pound for pound lists. I don’t think he belongs quite that high but he definitely deserves a prominent place on this list.
#56) Tommy Loughran
Over a 17+ year career, Loughran amassed a professional record of 122-32-13 (14 KOs). He was one of the early greats of the Light Heavyweight division. Loughran won the world Light Heavyweight title in October 1927 with a decision victory over Mike McTigue. Over the next two years, he defended successfully 5 times before turning his focus to the Heavyweight division.
Loughran’s significant opponents include: Harry Greb (won once, lost three, and drew once), Gene Tunney (drew), Jeff Smith (won and lost), Jack Delaney (lost and drew), Young Stribling (won once, lost twice), Mike McTigue (won three, lost once), Jimmy Slattery (won), Georges Carpentier (won), Pete Latzo (won twice), Mickey Walker (won), James J. Braddock (won), Jack Sharkey (won and lost), Max Baer (win), Primo Carnera (lost), Arturo Godoy (won, lost and drew).
Loughran is regarded by many as one of the top 10 Light Heavyweight boxers of all-time. This combined with his outstanding quality of opposition makes him a worthy member of the top 100 boxers of all-time.
#55) Jack Britton
Jack Britton and Ted “Kid” Lewis share a unique historical bond so it’s only fitting that they appear so closely on this list. Since Britton had a slight edge in their 20 fight series, he warrants a higher place.
Jack Britton was a three time Welterweight champion holding the crown from June-August of 1915, April 1916-June 1917, and finally March 1919 to November 1922. Twice he was dethroned by Lewis and the final time by a guy named Mickey Walker, who I’m sure no one has ever heard of. Over a 25+ year career, lasting from 1904 to 1930, Britton engaged in a ridiculous 344 bouts. He ended his career with a record of 238-57-44 (30 KOs).
Aside from Lewis, Britton’s other significant opponents include: Leo Houck (lost and drew twice), Packey McFarland (lost twice and drew), Mike O’Dowd (won three, lost two), Benny Leonard (won once, lost twice), Dave Shade (drew twice), Mickey Walker (won and lost). Overall, Britton was 15-14-6 against these men. He was 20-8-5 in World Championship fights. Britton was a boxing pioneer and true all-time great.
#54) Carlos Ortiz
Ortiz is a boxing hall of famer and three time champion in two separate weight classes. Carlos turned professional in February 1955, at the age of 19. Over a 17 year career, he compiled a ring record of 61-7-1 (30 KOs). Ortiz won the Jr. Welterweight championship in June 1959 with a 2nd round TKO victory over Kenny Lane and defended twice before losing to Dulio Loi by decision in September 1960.
In April 1962, Ortiz captured the Lightweight title, defeating Joe Brown. He defended four times before dropping a decision to Ismael Laguna in April 1965. Ortiz recaptured the title with return match victory against Laguna, winning by decision in November 1965 and defended five times, including a decision over Laguna again in a rubber match. He dropped a split decision to Carlos “Teo” Cruz in June 1968, losing the title.
Overall, Ortiz was 14-4 (9 Kos) in World Championship fights. His significant opponents included: Loi (lost two of three), Laguna (won two of three), Brown (won), Nicolino Locche (drew), Sugar Ramos (won twice), Flash Elorde (won twice), and Ken Buchanan (lost). Ortiz faced top notch competition over the course of his career and won more than he lost. Some regard him as among the top 10 Lightweights ever. Ortiz deserves a prominent place on boxing’s all-time top 100 list.
#53) Salvador Sanchez
Salvador Sanchez may have been the toughest guy of all of these to rate. With four victories over fellow boxing hall of famers, he definitely belongs. At the same time, his tragic death in an automobile accident prevented us from seeing how great he might have become.
Sanchez turned pro in May 1975 at the age of 16. He received a title chance against popular WBC Featherweight champion, Lopez, in February 1980 and won by a shocking 13th round TKO. He turned the trick again six months later, defeating Lopez by 14th round TKO, in a June 1980 rematch. In August 1981, Sanchez whipped Wilfredo Gomez handily, stopping him in the 8th round in a major upset. This victory elevated him into the discussion as one the very best pound for pound in the world. His final fight was against future great, but then unknown, Azumah Nelson in July 1982. This was a close, nip and tuck battle with Sanchez prevailing by stoppage in the 15th.
Overall, Sanchez defended the WBC Featherweight title 9 times prior to his untimely death. His short career ended with an outstanding record of 44-1-1 (32 KOs). What he lacked in longevity, he more than made up for with his brilliance against the best fighters in the world, earning a place among boxing’s 100 best ever.
#52) Charley Burley
Charley Burley campaigned at Welterweight and Middleweight between 1936 and 1950. He was part of the famed: “Murder’s Row”, a group of all-time great African Americans from the 1940’s and 1950’s who were unjustly denied a shot at a world title. Over an outstanding 14 year career, Burley had a record of 83-12-2 (50 KOs) and 1 no contest.
Over the course of his career, Burley faced a litany of outstanding fighters including: Fritzie Zivic (won twice, lost once), Cocoa Kid (won and drew), Holman Williams (won three and lost three, one no contest), Georgie Abrams (drew), Jimmy Bivins (lost), Ezzard Charles (lost twice), Lloyd Marshall (lost), Archie Moore (won), Oakland Billy Smith (won twice), Bert Lytell (won, lost).
Burley was a brilliant ring operator who could both box and punch. Some postulate that he was avoided by the great Sugar Ray Robinson, among others. Burley’s career is proof that one does not necessarily need a World Championship belt to warrant status as an all-time great. He is a worthy member of this list.
#51) Rocky Marciano
I can hear the comments now: “Rocky Marciano #51. Are you flipping kidding me?”. I’ve seen Marciano listed as high as #4 on other lists I’ve seen and he tends to be a consistent presence among the top 15-20. I just happen to disagree.
Marciano turned professional in March 1947 and over a 9 year career was undefeated, with a record of 49-0 (43 KOs). Marciano defeated legendary Heavyweight champion Joe Louis by an 8th round stoppage in October 1951. He then received a shot against Heavyweight champion Jersey Joe Walcott on September 1952. He rallied from behind to knock Walcott out in the 13th and, eight months later, iced him in the first. Overall, he defended the Heavyweight title successfully 6 times before retiring at age 32 in April 1956.
So why is Marciano not higher on this list? The four best fighters he defeated, Louis, Walcott, Ezzard Charles, and Archie Moore were either past their prime or above their best weight, or both. The rest of his opposition was mediocre at best. In the end, Marciano is an all-time great but I just don’t think he rates quite as high as some historians and boxing fans do.
This concludes Part 6 of my top 100 pound for pound boxers of all-time series. Now we’ll start getting into some really rarefied air, as boxers #50-41 will be next. The distinctions now become more difficult and challenging as we move into the top half of the top 100. I look forward to your comments and feedback. Links to the previous installments of this series are attached for your convenience.
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-5-top-100-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time-70-61
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-4-top-100-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time-80-71
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-3-top-100-boxers-of-all-time-90-81
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-2-top-100-pound-for-pound-boxers-of-all-time-100-91
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/part-1-top-10-controversial-omissions
http://mythicalboxing.weebly.com/introduction