The 18th installment of Barney Corkhill's Greatest Ever series is here!
In this series I will look at the greatest talents to grace various sports. This time, I look at boxing, and the top 10 pound-for-pound boxers to have ever graced the ring.
Boxing has thrown up many greats over the ages, be it lightweight, welterweight, middleweight or heavyweight. The best have been able to boss the ring, and have the ability to land a knock out blow any time from the first to the last second.
Here is my top 10:
10. Roy Jones Jr. (USA)
A modern day boxing legend, Jones was named fighter of the decade in the 90s. He mainly boxed at middleweight or light heavyweight, and showed himself to be adept in both classes. In 2003, he became the first former middleweight title holder to win a heavyweight title in 106 years, showing his class at different weight categories.
He went 35 fights before his first loss, a disqualification, and 52 before he was first knocked out, against Antonio Tarver in their second of three bouts. He has fought 56 times, with 52 wins, 38 of which he knocked his opponent out in. He lost just four times.
He fought in a total of 30 title fights, winning a title on 13 occasions and losing on just three. At one time he held seven titles at once: the IBA, IBF, IBO, NBA, WBA, WBC and WBF titles. He is due to fight undefeated Joe Calazghe for his Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight belt.
9. Archie Moore (USA)
Archie Moore had one of the longest professional careers in the history of boxing. He fought some of the best throughout his career as well, including Rocky Marciano and Cassius Clay.
In all, he is thought to have fought 221 fights, perhaps more. He won 194 of them, and of those 194, he won by knockout 145 times, still the highest knockout total in professional boxing history. He lost 26 times and drew eight.
8. Rocky Marciano (USA)
Rocky Marciano remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to have retired undefeated, winning all of his fights. He was only knocked to the canvas twice in his whole career, one of which came against the great Archie Moore.
He fought 49 times in his boxing career, winning all 49, and knocking his opponent out a staggering 43 times, which gives him a knockout rate of 88 percent.
7. 'Big' George Foreman (USA)
An Olympic gold medal winner, George Foreman was one of the most feared boxers in the ring, because of his size, but mainly because of his notorious punching power. One right hook from Foreman and his man was most likely knocked out.
He took part in two of the biggest boxing matches ever - The Sunshine Showdown and the Rumble in the Jungle, against Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali respectively. He became the oldest world heavyweight champion in 1994, aged 45, winning the title 20 years after losing it to Muhammad Ali.
He fought 81 times, winning 76, 68 of which by knockout. He lost just five times.
6. Roberto Duran (PAN)
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