Greatest boxers of all-time 2/6

My list of the top 50 boxers of all time - with action and facts for them all. Some great action and no doubt lively debate on where you disagree with me! Part 2 of 6.

Some explanations:

Where I've referred to number of World Title bouts won, or Championships held, I am counting WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO belts only. I find it hard enough to accept 4 governing bodies without also recognising the WBU, IBO, OMG and WTF organisations, or whichever other ones have sprung up since I started typing this sentence. This may cause some confusion regarding facts and figures (especially in the case of Pacquiao as you will see when you get to him).

The reason for these videos is to hopefully introduce some fight fans to names they may not be familiar with. I understand that many people will have their own favourites and will want to post comments arguing that certain fighters should be ranked above others etc. That is all fine, but please bear the following in mind before posting:

1 -- Do NOT post comments about the music. It does a job -- that is all. It is not a selection of my favourite songs, just stuff that seems to fit OK. Wait until I decide to post a "Top 50 Recording Artists/Songs" list before making a comment on the music. This list is all about boxers.

I am aware of 'The 1st Law of YouTube', which is that you must include "Lux Aeterna" from 'Requiem for a Dream' once in every 6 videos so yes, it is there!

2 -- I am also aware of 'The 2nd Law of YouTube', which is that any sporting video must have its comments turned into a heated argument as to whether Mayweather would beat Pacquiao. In fact I reckon if I posted a "Top 50 Tropical Fish" video it would still end up with a fight over whether Pac is better than Floyd. The thing is guys that they are BOTH great fighters. It is perfectly possible to put forward a strong case for why one may beat the other, but the level of viciousness and exaggeration involved in most of the debates I have read is ridiculous. People seem to feel that their man is the greatest boxer who ever lived and the other is a no-good bum who would struggle to beat a club fighter. To put it bluntly, if you think that if the two of them were to meet 100 times, in peak condition, that it would finish 100-0 in favour of one or the other then you are an idiot and your views should be discounted.

This applies to any 2 fighters on this list. A sensible, rational debate about the various merits of them is fine, but do not dismiss the abilities of any of them as being useless as it just devalues everything you have to say. Every fighter on this list is/was exceptional and is an all-time great. Any of them could beat any of the others (on a pound-for-pound basis) on the right day under the right circumstances. Accept this and the arguments will be more intelligent and civilised.

3 -- I do not claim to have divine guidance for my opinions on these fighters. I cannot be certain that whoever I have rated at #39 is definitely greater than the guy at #41. I have tried to allow for all sorts of factors. Most 'great boxers' lists seem to have a heavyweight bias due to the amount of media coverage heavyweights tended to get during the 20th Century. I have tried to evaluate the 'little guys' more fairly.

Please also bear in mind how many more belts there are these days compared to pre-1960's when there was generally 1 Champ per division (although there were some disagreements), the 60's to 83, when there were 2, and 83-89 when there were 3. It is much easier nowadays to be a multiple champion.

At the end of the day it's all about opinions. Mine are now on show for all to see. You do not have to agree with me, or each other, but please respect others opinions at all times.

4 -- The worst aspect of comments on this kind of thing is when it descends into personal and/or racist abuse. I have seen boxing discussions degenerate into arguments as to the merits of all Mexicans, African-Americans, Americans as a whole, Jews, British etc. etc. That is NOT cool, NOT acceptable and if you are happy to lump together the merits of tens of millions of individuals into one "easy-fit" stereotype purely down to the country they were born, or the colour of their skin, then you are a moron and your opinion is of ZERO value. Please go away now.

OK -- I think that's got it all off my chest! I'm sure there will be some who will pay no attention to any of the above, but at least I tried!

Now -- please enjoy the videos for what they are. A chance to learn about/remind yourself of the finest boxers we have ever seen. Respect to each and every one of them.

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