Robinson, Armstrong, Leonard, Ali and Duran
Friday 14 August 2015 12:32, UK
Floyd Mayweather picked his all-time top five, so we have asked our five pundits for their five favourites too, with Jim Watt bringing it to a close.
He has kind words for them all - including Money - and throws in another long-standing legend in the shape of Henry Armstrong...
Jim says: Technically he was the complete fighter. He fought everyone that was there to fight but one thing that really impressed me, was that after the age of 40, he had another 45 fights - and his last fight was against the number one contender at the time, Joey Archer. How do you top that? Throughout his whole career he was probably only a welterweight but what a time that was for the middleweights - and he was part of that. Yes, he lost some fights but he could box, he could punch, he could slug it out, do everything. The complete fighter.
Jim says: When there was only eight weight divisions he was the world champion in three of them, at the same time. He won the featherweight, up to welterweight then down to lightweight and even challenged for the middleweight - and got a draw. He was a terrific, exciting fighter and certainly more of a fighter than a stylist. Homicide Hank was his nickname, which kind of summed up the way he fought, but to do what he did and when he did it, was outstanding.
Jim says: He was one of my favourite fighters and one I admired. All you ask a fighter to do is take on everyone who is around at the same time as you - and Leonard did that. We all know he fought [Marvin] Hagler, [Tommy] Hearns and {Roberto] Duran and he beat them all. He was in a great era in the 80s and he was at his peak. He was such a smart guy outside the ring as well. When he signed contracts, he got everything in his favour. He dictated everything in the Hagler fight; distance, gloves, and might even have hypnotised the judges, when he won it!
Jim says: He has to be on anyone's list, just because he is Muhammad Ali. He is the greatest person to ever have put the gloves on. How many times did he beat guys he shouldn't have beaten? Sonny Liston? No way! George Foreman? No way on earth! But the guy was amazing as a fighter and amazing as a person. He is a hero now for refusing to go to Vietnam but back then he was under so much pressure and got so much criticism, the courage that took was amazing. I also think he'd have beaten any heavyweight they put in front of him. He'd have found a way.
Jim says: He was the best lightweight there's ever been. He boxed on for so long and you can pick holes in his career - lost a few and quit one or two - but he would've beaten anyone we've seen at lightweight. Like Leonard he was at his peak in the 80s and he didn't dodge anyone, anyone at all. I think Robinson and Leonard would've beaten Mayweather because of what they could do technically, but Duran would've beaten him too: over the 15 rounds, with his strength and pressure, his total commitment and refusal to lose.
Jim says: There is no question he is a great fighter but if you look at my list - and I am sure my colleagues' lists - he has never done what the rest of them have: been in great fights. Mayweather comes up short in my opinion and doesn't sit on the same pedestal as those above simply because he has never had a monumental, unbelievable fight.
There is no doubt Mayweather is an outstanding boxer and perhaps he has been too good and too much of a genius - a bit like Roy Jones Jnr - so he just doesn't match up to the ones I have picked. He's had a great career, great performances, great achievements, great record, but no great fights.