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- Success in boxing does not come from universal traits, but rather from being more talented than others.
- Boxers like Mark Johnson, Evander Holyfield, and James Toney were the top talents of the 90s.
- Martial artists like Terry Norris and Oscar De La Hoya rose to prominence in the sport because of their physical talent.
Boxing is a unique sport because it allows fighters of different shapes, sizes, and skill sets to succeed. There are no universal traits that guarantee success, but it certainly helps to be more talented than others.
Many of the sport's top fighters rose to prominence during the 1990s, a pivotal time for boxing. Because they were simply more talented than the other players. Many stars of this era were unparalleled in skill and could become world champions today if they fought during this era.
Ranking the 10 worst heavyweight champions in boxing history
Although these boxers have the great distinction of having world titles, they are far from the best in this sport.
Ten Mark Johnson was certainly too sharp for his opponents
Johnson's tricky southpaw style was difficult to solve
- The Hall of Famer never achieved the stardom he should have due to class issues as well as personal and promotional issues.
Former flyweight and junior bantamweight champion Mark Johnson was one of the best fighters in the lower weight classes.fast southpaw johnson (44 wins, 5 losses, 28 KOs) They didn't rely on defense like many expected. He was quite aggressive, had good power and a great jab. Johnson also excelled as an inside fighter. He was skilled defensively and had excellent reflexes to sink and dodge his punches.
9 Evander Holyfield was a phenomenal puncher
Holyfield was the undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion.
- Holyfield would eventually become the first boxer to win world titles in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Evander Holyfield had a devastating arsenal of hooks and uppercuts to finish off his opponents. His one of his only drawbacks was that he would occasionally get off to slow starts and end up behind on the scorecards.However, the Hall of Fame (44 wins, 10 losses, 2, 29 KOs) He faced many of his colleagues at their peak, including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, and Riddick Bowe.
8 James Toney was extremely talented.
Toney reigned as lineal middleweight champion before winning the IBF super middleweight and cruiserweight titles.
- Every question about James Toney was about his conditioning, as it was clear he was one of the most talented fighters in the sport.
Shoulder roll master Tony (77 wins, 10 losses, 3 draws, 47 KOs), one of the best defensive boxers of all time. Tony also had a strong jaw and moved his head frequently. Even though he faced big punchers like Roy Jones and heavyweights Hasim Rahman and Samuel Peter, Toney was never knocked out during his career. Tony was also an excellent counter-puncher, fighting backwards and waiting for an opening. Once Tony saw an opening, he had the ability to take advantage of it.
7 Terry Norris was fast and quick.
Norris may be taking his power and speed combo for granted.
- Norris realized that his physical prowess was overwhelming, which sometimes meant he coasted against lesser fighters.
Light middleweight champion Terry Norris lands a devastating left hook.norris (47 wins, 9 losses, 31 KOs) He defeated fellow Hall of Famers Sugar Ray Leonard and Donald Curry, as well as former world champions Meldrick Taylor and Jorge Baca. Norris suffered several upset losses, particularly against Simon Browne, but it was due to a constant lack of concentration.
6 Oscar De La Hoya was boxing's cash king
De La Hoya was a six-division world champion.
- De La Hoya had a sharp jab and carved out the rest of his attacks.
De La Hoya Room (39 wins, 6 losses, 30 KOs) Although he is often praised for how he changed the business side of boxing, he is one of the all-time greats in the 135-147 pound division. De La Hoya was a big puncher at a low weight, but he was also technically excellent. Although De La Hoya was not the fastest, he was an excellent boxer who knew how to use his footwork to create angles.
10 boxing showdowns that ended in the worst possible way
Some of boxing's greatest rivalries have thrilled onlookers, while others have sad, tragic and disappointing endings.
Five Felix Trinidad was a versatile fighter.
Trinidad knew when to use his height to stay outside.
- Trinidad was known for his brutal knockouts, but he was far from a brawler and was a better boxer than he was given credit for.
Tito Trinidad reigned as welterweight champion for over seven years in the '90s, before moving up the weight classes and winning titles at light middleweight and middleweight.Trinidad, a childhood genius (42 wins, 3 losses, 35 KOs) He turned professional before his 18th birthday. He eventually grew to a height of 5'11 and a reach of 72 inches, giving him a height and reach advantage in most of his matches at welterweight. Trinidad knew when to use his height and box to find an opening, and when to attack with the lightning power in his hands.
Four Julio Cesar Chavez suffered a brutal body attack
Chavez was a former lightweight and light welterweight champion.
- Chavez has mastered the art of body punching along with a high pressure style.
Constant pressure and a strong chin were the basis of Julio Cesar Chavez.Chavez (107 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws, 86 KOs) He may not have had the destructive power to knock you out with one punch, but his body attacks always wore down his opponents. Chavez could adapt to any style. He could force boxers to engage by cutting off the ring, and he was also happy to take on other pressure fighters, using his upper jaw to keep moving forward and eventually exhausting his opponent. I could do that.
3 Ricardo Lopez had perfect technique
Lopez was the kingpin of the mini-flyweight division.
- Lopez's mastery of angles allowed him to rack up knockouts.
Ricardo Lopez was a great boxer with excellent footwork.lopez (51 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw, 38 KOs) A strong jab and straight right worked. Lopez used his footwork to control the center of the ring and keep his opponent off balance. Lopez was a solid puncher, but his greatness came from unparalleled timing, footwork, and counterpunching.
Top 30 greatest boxers of all time
The greatest boxers of all time may have won a variety of titles and championships, but they have one thing in common. That means they own the ring.
2 Roy Jones Jr. is one of the most exciting fighters in boxing history
Jones Jr. has the athleticism to overcome fundamental injuries.
- Roy Jones Jr. had such physical talent that it sometimes seemed like he wasn't trying.
roy jones jr. (66 wins, 10 losses, 47 KOs) He had overwhelming speed and timing from middleweight to heavyweight. Jones was often criticized for not focusing on the fundamentals, but he showed great timing and movement to create all of his explosive shots. Jones Jr.'s ability to stop his opponent at any time made his fights a must-see event.
1 Pernell Whitaker was a defensive genius.
Sweet Pea had enough power to put the enemy on guard.
- Whittaker drew with Julio Cesar Chavez, and many observers felt Whittaker won.
Four-division world champion and Hall of Famer Pernell Whitaker (40 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, 17 KOs) He always frustrated his opponents with his ability to land and move out of range. In Whittaker's fights, it was a common sight to see opponents helplessly lunge at him, trying to attack what had already disappeared. Whittaker's uncanny ability to frustrate aggressive fighters and diffuse power has led to arguments that his controversial decision losses to Oscar De La Hoya and Jose Luis Ramirez were robberies.
