When boxing heads get together and discuss who the greatest fighter of all time was, it is almost certain that Sugar Ray Robinson's name will emerge and end the debate. We have been counted as blessed to witness living legends grace our screen with their tremendous athleticism, knockout power, and god-like speed. I have compiled a list of technicians, in no specific order, who have gone to war in the ring within the last twenty years. Some may argue that certain boxers on the list had a deeper talent pool of opposition, but picking the best fighter is a subjective science. I did not include pugilists who had worldwide name recognition, because I felt that this is not a popularity contest (hence the exclusion of De La Hoya and Tyson). With that being said, I do look forward to how the new talent that has emerged will fair with this great pantheon of fight physicians. Once everyone on this list has officially retired, who are the top five prize fighters that will surface in heated conversation as the greatest & why? Consider their opposition, key wins, dominance, skill set, and let the debate begin.
- Julio Caesar Chavez, Sr. (107-6-2): Key wins – Hector Camacho, Meldrick Taylor, and Edwin Rosario
- Pernell Whitaker (40-4-1): Key wins – Azumah Nelson, Buddy McGirt, and Julio Caesar Chavez (draw)
- George Foreman (76-5): Key wins – Michael Moorer, Ken Norton, and Joe Frazier
- Lennox Lewis (41-2-1): Key wins – Ray Mercer, Evander Holyfield, and David Tua
- Felix Trinidad (42-3): Key wins – Oscar De La Hoya, William Joppy, and Pernell Whitaker
- Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7-0-1): Key wins – Naseem Hamed, Johnny Tapia, and Erik Morales
- Nigel Benn (42-5-1): Key wins – Iran Barkley, Gerald McClellan, and Chris Eubank (draw)
- Roberto Duran (103-16): Key wins – Iran Barkley, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Davey Moore
- Ricardo Lopez (51-0-1): Key wins – Alex Sanchez, Rosendo Alvarez, and Will Grigsby
- Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1): Key wins- Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. (44-0): Key wins – Diego Corrales, Miguel Cotto, and Oscar De La Hoya
- Jose Luis Castillo (64-12): Key wins – Diego Corrales, Stevie Johnston, and Joel Casamayor
- Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1): Key Wins – Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Joel Casamayor
- Erik Morales (52-9): Key wins – Junior Jones, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Manny Pacquiao
- Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2): Key wins – Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Erik Morales
- Thomas Hearns (61-5-1): Key wins – Roberto Duran, Wilfred Benitez, Sugar Ray Leonard (draw)
- Evander Holyfield (44-10-2-1): Key wins – Buster Douglas, Michael Moorer, and Mike Tyson
- James Toney (74-7-3-2): Key wins – Iran Barkley, Mike McCallum, and Evander Holyfield
- Bernard Hopkins (53-6-2-2): Key wins – Felix Trinidad, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal
- Roy Jones Jr. (55-8): Key wins – Bernard Hopkins, James Toney, Virgil Hill