***** FLASHBACK ***** In loving memory and respect to our friend Jim Amato (R.I.P.) this article piece was originally published on www.dmboxing for viewing on November 12, 2008. In remembrance of Jim, never to be forgotten, all his postings can be located by clicking onto his name in the Categories section. He came on board to dmboxing in April 2008 and has truly contributed the best of the best in boxing. Jim was truly respected world-wide by many as a boxing historian and sports collector, he passed away in Ashland, Ohio on February 22, 2021, after a bout with cancer at the age of 66. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

Roberto Duran
photos courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

In this article written by Jim, I will certainly not argue with his expertise regarding The Top Ten Dominant, but let me offer my own personal view of simply the top dozen (12) greatest boxers “Pound-4-Pound” at their height, peak, prime, zenith, pinnacle of career.

Alphabetically they are: Muhammad Ali, Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran, Joe Gans Harry Greb, Eder Jofre, Sam Langford, Benny Leonard, Joe Louis, Carlos Monzon, Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson.

Sincerely, David Martinez / Boxing Historian

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By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

Greatness, like beauty is really in the eye of the beholder. Since 1965 I’ve followed the careers of so many wonderful fighters. Over the past couple of decades it has become increasingly more difficult to judge a fighters true worth. With so many titles and weight classes involved sometimes we as fans never really know who is the best fighter in their weight division. At times when a fighter does emerge who looks like he is the cream of his division, he promptly moves up a weight class. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a good example. Manny Pacquaio too.

This piece is on who I feel were the ten best boxers since 1965 to dominate a single weight class. Those who proudly held the title for an extended reign and ruled it with an iron fist. Coming up with the top ten was not an easy task. Believe it or not there were quite a few fighters that had to be considered. There were some greats who just fell short of making the list but in their day they made their mark. Men like Michael Spinks, Aaron Pryor and Eder Jofre. Others like Julio Cesar Chavez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Pernell Whitaker and Miguel Canto were also passed over. It was pretty difficult to keep Sugar Ray Leonard, Tito Trinidad and Shane Mosley off the list. What about Roy Jones Jr., Carlos Zarate, Khaosai Galaxy, Salvador Sanchez and Jose Napoles. There was no room for them either. By now you must have concluded that the ten boxers I picked must be very special. They are, all ten of them. I’m sure many will disagree with me and there will be many a strong argument for other candidates. I do hope you agree with me that my top ten and also the fighters I’ve mentioned above were pretty special indeed.