Best wins of the Decade: 80s

These are not my lists, they were posted by 'Popkins' at Eastside Boxing:

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319351

Thought you might find them interesting/there may be some debate:

RATIONALE

I've always believed that you can compare/contrast the values of any win achieved by any fighter, irrespective of era or weight class. For example, Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title in 1971, and I can quite confidently say that it is a better win than, say, Ricardo Lopez beating Saman Sorjatorung for the minimumweight world title in 1993. These fights were in different weight classes and different eras, so they are in every way very different fights. However, you can always evaluate a win by considering the quality of the opponent, the quality of the winning performance, and all of the relevant intangibles and circumstances. Frazier convincingly defeating Ali was more valuable and impressive in every way for a heavyweight than Lopez stopping Sorjatorung was for a minimumweight, so it is a better win.

If you disagree with what I've said so far, you should probably turn back now as this article is founded on this premise.

CRITERIA


It's quite a simple formula, and I believe I stick to this throughout:

Quality of Win = Quality of Opponent + Quality of Performance + Consideration of Intangibles/Circumstances

OK, so here we go with the main body of the list...

THE TOP 50 WINS OF THE DECADE, 1980-1989

(Quality of Opponent markings are A to D,
Quality of Performance markings are A to D,
but these marks are only indicators, they are not the same as giving a fight an actual score out of 10, which I have not done. The relevant intangibles and circumstances in each and every case are too important to reduce the evaluation to giving a score for different set categories then adding or averaging those scores)

50.Eddie Mustafa Muhammad TKO11 Marvin Johnson / Light-Heavyweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: C
Quality of Performance: B+
What makes it a great win: This was a skilled fighter at his best. Eddie had been beaten in his previous world title shot by the excellent Victor Galindez in 1977, but he left nothing to chance here, outboxing and outfighting the very good Johnson over the course, before the referee saved Marvin from any more punishment as he was being picked apart – though still on his feet.
The cynic would say: Saad Muhammad stopped Johnson in 8 the year before, Spinks done it in 4 the year after, an 11-round stoppage of Marvin was no spectacular feat.

49.Marvin Hagler KO11 John Mugabi / Middleweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: B-
Quality of Performance: B-
What makes it a great win: Mugabi had compiled a fearsome 25-0(25) record and was ranked number 1 by the WBC, WBA and IBF. Hagler was 6 years older than the Beast, and hadn’t fought in a year. The scene seemed set for a changing of the guard. In a hellacious war, Hagler outlasted his vicious challenger, showing his famed resilience, grit and firepower to weather the storm, and blast an exhausted Mugabi out in the 11th. The Beast was never anywhere near as beastly again.
The cynic would say: Mugabi only beat bums, and was knocked out early by Norris and McClellan in his other significant title fights.

48.Greg Haugen UD15 Vinny Pazienza / Lightweight / 1988
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Pazienza had taken Haugen’s zero the previous year in a close, hard-fought 15-rounder – and taken his IBF title as well. In the rematch, Haugen was a man transformed, comprehensively outfighting Paz and earning wide margins on two of the cards. It was the best performance of Haugen’s career by far.
The cynic would say: Roger Mayweather’s domination of Pazienza 9 months later called the Pazmanian Devil’s top-level credentials into question.

47.Jung Koo Chang TKO3 Hilario Zapata / Light-Flyweight / 1983
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Zapata had got the benefit of an SD between these two fighters 6 months earlier, which was Chang’s only loss. On this evening in March ’83, Chang’s incessant and aggressive forward attacks seemed to break the will of the great Zapata, who wanted no more as early as the 3rd. This may indeed have been an off-night for El Bujia, but he went on to have more success in his career, and Chang deserved his revenge.
The cynic would say: Zapata was not himself in the ring that night.

46.Marvin Hagler TKO6 Tony Sibson / Middleweight / 1983
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A+
What makes it a great win: Much like Whitaker-Haugen and Chavez-Rosario, this win has extra value due to the extreme quality of the winning performance. Sibbo was the European middleweight champion, hadn’t lost since ’79 or been stopped since ’78, and had stopped Alan Minter in 3 one year after Hagler had done the same. Hagler tamed his determined opponent with one of the all-time great displays of ring generalship, utilizing a rifle-like double and triple jab, great movement, and characteristically merciless punching.
The cynic would say: Sibson was European-class, not world class.

45.Evander Holyfield SD15 Dwight Muhammad Qawi / Cruiserweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: B-
Quality of Performance: B-
What makes it a great win: That it was only Holyfield’s 12th pro fight. Qawi had recently made the 1st defence of his WBA cruiserweight title by stopping Leon Spinks in 6, and was an experienced world champion, having held the WBC lightheavy title and beaten quality fighters like Saad Muhammad and Rossman at 175. Despite his lack of experience, Evander went to war for 15 rounds, and edged the decision.
The cynic would say: Qawi was past his best and above his prime weight.

44.Miguel Lora UD12 Daniel Zaragoza / Bantamweight / 1985
Quality of Opponent: B-
Quality of Performance: B+
What makes it a great win: Lora was pretty much an unknown quantity at the time, having spent the vast majority of his fledgling career in his native Colombia against compatriot journeymen. Zaragoza had won the WBC bantamweight title in his previous fight, and would go on to have a long and successful career at superbantam, but on the night Lora produced a sparkling boxing performance and was rewarded with the unanimous decision and the title.
The cynic would say: Zaragoza was unproven, and was beaten with greater ease by Jeff Fenech in his next outing.

43.Edwin Rosario KO2 Livingstone Bramble / Lightweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: C+
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Bramble had been undefeated over the past 5 years, winning the WBA lightweight title in ’84 with a stoppage of Ray Mancini then outpointing Mancini in a defence. In Rosario’s last two world title fights, he’d been stopped in 4 by JL Ramirez and outpointed by Hector Camacho. The two mens’ careers seemed to be going in different directions... until Rosario went all-out assault in the 2nd and finished Bramble with a vicious right-hook.
The cynic would say: Bramble’s career record of 40-26-3 attests to the fact he was a C-class fighter.

42.Michael Spinks UD15 Eddie Mustafa Muhammad / Light-Heavyweight / 1981
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Mustafa was the reigning WBA lightheavyweight champ, and an experienced veteran having beaten such top guys like Saad Muhammad and Marvin Johnson. This was Spinks’s 18th pro fight, and 1st ever title fight. The Spinks jinx showed his prodigious talent by comfortably outboxing the wily technician Muhammad, and taking a wide UD.
The cynic would say: Mustafa was weight-drained after fighting his way back down to 175 from being almost 202lbs 2 months earlier.

41.Pernell Whitaker UD12 Greg Haugen / Lightweight / 1989
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A+
What makes it a great win: Arguably the best performance of Whitaker’s HOF career, and one of the most dominant and impressive beatdowns of the decade for sure. Haugen had only lost once before, a defeat to Vinny Pazienza which he had since avenged by UD. Whitaker won virtually every round, dropping the brave Haugen in the 6th. It wasn’t until 1993 when a past-prime Haugen met Julio Cesar Chavez that he was beaten so decisively again, despite facing quality guys like Pazienza and Camacho in the mean-time.
The cynic would say: Haugen was never anywhere near Pea’s level.

40.Mike Tyson TKO2 Trevor Berbick / Heavyweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: C
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: The achievement of becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history, the brutality of the finish, the significance of the young Tyson’s performance in his world title debut. Berbick had only lost one fight by stoppage previously when he was a green young fighter, and would never be stopped again, despite mixing with guys like Larry Holmes, Greg Page (48 KOs in 58 wins), Buster Douglas and a young Hasim Rahman. He was coming off an excellent win over Pinklon Thomas. Tyson dropped him twice in the 2nd, from which he could not recover, and began his reign of terror.
The cynic would say: Berbick was a B/C class heavyweight.

39.Thomas Hearns TKO10 Dennis Andries / Light-Heavyweight / 1987
Quality of Opponent: C
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Tommy Hearns started out his world title career in 1980 as a skinny 147lbs fighter. 7 years and 28lbs later, he absolutely boxed the chops off natural lightheavy Dennis Andries before stopping him in the 10th. Andries may not have been a great fighter, but he had never fought lower than 175lbs in his life, and was making the 3rd defence of his WBC lightheavyweight title. Hearns’s previous fight had been at middleweight, some 15lbs south.
The cynic would say: Andries was not world-class.

38.Donald Curry UD15 Marlon Starling / Welterweight / 1984
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: B+
What makes it a great win: These two had a very close fight in 1982 when both were young and undefeated, Curry taking the split decision which was always going to result in a return fight. They rematched two years later for the WBA and IBF titles, and this time Curry managed to assert his superiority in another close fight, using his speed and output to gain the edge over the iron-chinned Starling once more.
The cynic would say: Starling was an inconsistent fighter, seeing as he dropped an MD to Pedro Vilella two fights later.

37.Cornelius Boza-Edwards TKO14 Bobby Chacon / Super-Featherweight / 1981
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: B+
What makes it a great win: This fight was sandwiched between some of Chacon’s best performances. In the previous couple of years, he’d beaten his great rival Rafael Limon and been outboxing Alexis Arguello before losing on cuts. After this fight, the thrilling Chacon went on to beat Limon again and avenge this defeat to Boza-Edwards. But on this night, the comparatively inexperienced Boza-Edwards fought a great fight, leading on all cards and punishing Chacon to the extent that he could not come out for the 14th.
The cynic would say: Chacon came up short against his best opponents.

36.Matthew Saad Muhammad TKO4 John Conteh / Light-Heavyweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Conteh had been the WBC lightheavyweight champion from 1974 to 1978, and was widely perceived to have been robbed both when losing his title to Mate Parlov and in losing a UD to Matthew Saad in ’79. A rematch was ordered between Saad Muhammad and Conteh, and this time the American left no room for dispute, becoming the first man to stop Conteh. It remains the only stoppage loss of the Englishman’s career.
The cynic would say: Conteh had declined quite significantly from his peak in the mid 1970s.

35.Azumah Nelson KO11 Wilfredo Gomez / Featherweight / 1984
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: This was not prime Gomez, but he was still 41-1-1 at this time, and had outpunched the teak-tough Juan Laporte in his previous fight at 126 to suggest his featherweight loss to Sanchez was more about the greatness of Chava than any size issue. Nelson, having been stopped by Sanchez as well, still had not mixed in good enough company to make people think he’d be able to deal with the technique and firepower of the great super-bantamweight. After a gruelling clash, Gomez was dropped twice in the 11th and left in a heap on the mat.
The cynic would say: Gomez was past his prime and above his natural weight.

34.Hector Camacho UD12 Jose Luis Ramirez / Lightweight / 1985
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Ramirez had TKO’d Edwin Rosario in 4 the previous year, the best win of his career to date. Many felt he would be too seasoned and too tough for the young Camacho, who hadn’t mixed in anywhere near as refined company as the Mexican had. Camacho sped his way to a wide, comfortable decision to relieve Ramirez of the WBC title, and signal the arrival of an exciting new force in the lightweight division.
The cynic would say: Stylistically, Ramirez was made for a speedster like Hector.

33.Buddy McGirt TKO10 Frankie W.arren / Light-Welterweight / 1988
Quality of Opponent: C+
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Buddy at his best. W.arren had taken the young McGirt’s zero in a points decision in 1986. Their rematch in ’88 was for the vacant IBF light-welterweight title, with W.arren bringing a perfect 25-0 record to the ring. Buddy’s determination and ring IQ were evident in his domination of his great rival, leading 110-99 on one card when the fight was stopped in the final round.
The cynic would say: Arguably W.arren wasn’t a top-class opponent as he never won any version of a world title.

32.John John Molina TKO10 Tony Lopez / Super-Featherweight / 1989
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Lopez outpointed Molina in 1988, but it was such a hard-fought contest that a rematch was called for. This time, Molina dominated the Tiger, building wide leads on all cards before the fight was stopped in the 10th. It was the first stoppage loss of Lopez’s career, and he wouldn’t be stopped again until he met JC Chavez in 1994.
The cynic would say: Lopez won their trilogy 2-1, this was an uncharacteristically bad performance from him.

31.Raul Perez UD12 Miguel Lora / Bantamweight / 1988
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Lora was 31-0, making the 8th defence of his WBC bantamweight title, and holding victories over guys like Daniel Zaragoza and Wilfredo Vazquez. Although Perez held wins over Gaby Canizales and Vazquez, he had never fought for a world title, and was viewed as an underdog having spent his career fighting mediocre opposition in Tijuana. Both fighters suffered bad cuts, but Perez emerged with the unanimous decision after a fiercely competitive encounter.
The cynic would say: Although he was only 27 by this point, Lora was on the decline. He was knocked out in 2 rounds by Gaby Canizales three fights later.

30.Jose Luis Ramirez TKO4 Edwin Rosario / Lightweight / 1984
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Rosario had beaten Ramirez on points to win the WBC lightweight title in 1983, and went into this fight with a 24-0(21) record. In a thrilling 4-round shoot-out, it was Ramirez who came out on top, leaving Chapo so disoriented the fight was waved off with him facing into the corner of the ring. Even a peak Julio Cesar Chavez took 7 rounds longer than this to dispatch the brave Puerto Rican.
The cynic would say: Rosario always had questionable punch resistance.

29.Roberto Duran TKO8 Davey Moore / Light-Middleweight / 1983
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: A stellar performance from a fighter that many thought was in terminal decline. Duran, the 32 year old former lightweight with defeats to Benitez and Kirkland Laing still fresh in the mind. Moore, the undefeated 24 year old natural junior-middleweight who had stopped Ayub Kalule not long before this bout. The scene seemed set for a new star to continue his ascent at the expense of an old warhorse... yet this was one of the most brutal and beautiful beatdowns of all-time. Pure Duran.
The cynic would say: Moore was too inexperienced.

28.Mike McCallum TKO2 Julian Jackson / Light-Middleweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Jackson was 29-0(27) with his last 22 consecutive fights being won by stoppage. After this fight, Jackson went 17-0(16), before he met the bigger, younger middleweight Gerald McClellan. The only thing preventing Jackson from reaching the astounding record of 46-0(43) was the Bodysnatcher, who disregarded Jackson’s fearsome reputation to put him to the sword in the 2nd round of a hotly-anticipated clash.
The cynic would say: Jackson’s soft centre was exposed by guys who were big enough and strong enough to stand up to him (McCallum, McClellan). He was never a great fighter.

27.Michael Nunn KO1 Sumbu Kalambay / Middleweight / 1989
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Kalambay was on a superb run at the time, having defeated Graham, Barkley, McCallum, Sims and DeWitt in his last 5. This was Nunn’s 3rd world title fight. The fight lasted 88 seconds, and was The Ring’s 1989 Knockout Of The Year. And it was the only stoppage loss of Kalambay’s career, even though he fought on until the age of 37.
The cynic would say: A freak knockout/result.

26.Pernell Whitaker UD12 Jose Luis Ramirez / Lightweight / 1989
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Once again, the theme of revenge rears its head. Ramirez had been awarded a decision which he didn’t deserve in their 1st meeting, but it had still sullied Whitaker’s record and Sweet Pea approached this fight determined to impose his superiority on the Mexican. He did just that, exhibiting some of the finest instinctive reflexes and defensive wizardry ever witnessed to record the lopsided decision he wanted so badly.
The cynic would say: By ’89, Ramirez was over the hill. He fought only once more, losing a wide UD to Juan Martin Coggi then retiring for good.

25.Barry McGuigan UD15 Eusebio Pedroza / Featherweight / 1985
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Pedroza was on an astounding 26-fight unbeaten run, including 20 world title fights in a row without a loss. In that time, he had beaten top fighters such as Olivares, Lockridge and LaPorte. He seemed to have the edge in skill and pedigree over European champion McGuigan (arguably LaPorte was the only world-class fighter Barry had ever been in with), but the Irishman fought with tenacity and imposed his game on the champion, taking a wide and fully merited decision to end the great run of the Panamian.
The cynic would say: Pedroza had been knocked down by Gerald Hayes (24-19-2) in a non-title fight the year before, and could only manage a draw with Bernard Taylor, who McGuigan would TKO in 8 in his next fight. Pedroza was past-prime and ready to be taken.

24.Aaron Pryor KO4 Antonio Cervantes / Light-Welterweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: A-
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Since dropping a split decision to Wilfred Benitez in ’76, Cervantes had won 7 straight world title fights, but he ran into a younger, fresher, faster challenger whose relentless ferocity had worn him down by only the 4th round.
The cynic would say: Cervantes was past his best by this point, he never regained his former glories following this fight.

23.Marlon Starling TKO9 Lloyd Honeyghan / Welterweight / 1989
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Honeyghan had become ‘the man’ by beating the man in Donald Curry 3 years previously. He’d defended against Maurice Blocker, then lost on a technical decision to Jorge Vaca (cuts), only to knock Vaca out in 3 in the rematch. Going by common opponents, Starling had lost twice to Curry, and also by TD to Johnny Bumphus in 6, who Honeyghan had stopped in 2. However, the fight bore no relation to common opponent performances, as Starling built up a commanding lead before registering the TKO of the ‘Ragamuffin Man’ in 9.
The cynic would say: Honeyghan may have got the better of the great Curry, but outwith that one bout he never showed real top-class abilities.

22.Salvador Sanchez TKO14 Danny Lopez / Featherweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Some suspected that the still relatively green and unproven Sanchez had profited from a complacent Lopez in their first fight, and would be put to the sword in the rematch. A determined Little Red did muster a more effective effort this time in a more competitive fight, and was pushing forward in the 14th when he was caught by a blistering combination in centre-ring and stopped.
The cynic would say: Sanchez was only repeating the trick he pulled off 4 months earlier, but doing so less dominantly/impressively.

21.Kirkland Laing SD10 Roberto Duran / Light-Middleweight / 1982
Quality of Opponent: A-
Quality of Performance: B
What makes it a great win: Duran was coming off the loss to Benitez, but was still regarded as one of the world’s premiere fighters and was still expected to dispatch Laing with ease – seeing as Laing had dropped a decision to the 9-7-1 Reggie Ford two fights earlier! But ‘The Gifted One’ used his silky outboxing to frustrate Duran and edge home on an SD, which The Ring chose as the Upset Of The Year for 1982.
The cynic would say: Duran was out of shape, demotivated and complacent for this fight.

20.Meldrick Taylor TKO12 Buddy McGirt / Light-Welterweight / 1988
Quality of Opponent: A-
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: McGirt was 38-1-1, having avenged his only defeat with a stoppage victory, and was the reigning IBF light-welterweight champion. Buddy had recently produced a terrific performance against Frankie ****** (TKO12) and would go on to shut out Simon Brown (UD12) in one of the most dominant wins of the 1990s, but his pedigree and technical excellence were overwhelmed by the insane speed, volume and mean intentions of a peak Meldrick Taylor. Taylor raced into a clear lead on all cards before the referee decided enough was enough in the final round.
The cynic would say: This was a premature stoppage, and Taylor’s speed alone was too much for the comparatively one-paced McGirt.

19.Mike Tyson KO1 Michael Spinks / Heavyweight / 1988
Quality of Opponent: B-
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Spinks was 31-0, having established himself as the number 1 lightheavyweight of the era with a sequence of excellent wins, then stepping up and taking the heavyweight crown from 48-0 Larry Holmes. Spinks had won his last two heavyweight bouts by stoppage, but against Iron Mike he found himself hopelessly outgunned. The fight lasted 91 seconds.
The cynic would say: Spinks was a natural 175lbs fighter, of course a 218lbs natural heavyweight power-puncher would put him away.

18.Julio Cesar Chavez TKO11 Edwin Rosario / Lightweight / 1987
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A+
What makes it a great win: A timeless classic exhibition of infighting skill. Rosario had demonstrated his vicious punching power the previous year in a two-round win over Livingstone Bramble, and many felt he could take the zero of Chavez in a huge Mexico vs Puerto Rico grudge match. What followed was a one-sided domination, as JCC’s inside game proved way, way too much for Edwin, and he absorbed copious amounts of punishment to the head and body before the fight was waved off.
The cynic would say: Rosario was over-reliant on power, and J L Ramirez had already shown what could be achieved against him if you had a granite chin and heavy hands of your own.

17.Aaron Pryor TKO14 Alexis Arguello / Light-Welterweight / 1982
Quality of Opponent: A-
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: The triumph at the end of one of the most epic fights of all-time. Arguello was a 3-weight champion, undefeated since dropping a decision 4 years earlier, and holding wins over top opposition such as Olivares, Escalara, Limon, Ramirez, and Boza-Edwards. By comparison, Pryor was relatively unproven, and nowhere near the technician that Arguello was. The fight swung back and forth before Pryor showed previously unseen boxing ability, and led us to a brutal, thrilling finish.
The cynic would say: Arguello was a lower-weight fighter competing higher than he should have been.

16.Donald Curry KO2 Milton McCrory / Welterweight / 1985
Quality of Opponent: B
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: McCrory was 27-0-1 going in, and had made 4 successful defences of his WBC title before this unification clash. A close fight between two young undefeated champions was anticipated, but Curry once again elevated himself to the status of one of the most high-level fighting machines in the game with a one-punch knockout showcasing stunning handspeed and power.
The cynic would say: McCrory’s resume was sketchy, he was also stopped by the next great fighter he encountered, Mike McCallum.

15.Salvador Sanchez TKO8 Wilfredo Gomez / Featherweight / 1981
Quality of Opponent: A-
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Gomez was unbeaten in 33 fights, and had already established himself as the greatest superbantamweight in that young division. His offensive artillery and championship experience were perceived as a huge threat to the young champion, but Sanchez used his size and skills to edge ahead in the fight before breaking his worn-down opponent in round 8.
The cynic would say: Gomez was not comfortable at featherweight, he never properly transitioned from 122.

14.Michael Spinks UD15 Dwight Muhammad Qawi / Light-Heavyweight / 1983
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: The unification battle between arguably the two best lightheavyweights in the world, nearing the end of a true golden age for the 175lbs division. Qawi was on a great run of wins, including two over Saad Muhammad and stoppages of Mike Rossman and Eddie Davis. However, the sequence was ended when his younger opponent outfought him and took the unanimous verdict to consolidate his position as the greatest lightheavyweight of the era.
The cynic would say: Spinks was 6ft 2 1/2in to Qawi’s 5ft 5 1/2in, and boasted a 76in reach to Qawi’s 71in, so Spinks outboxing him was not a titanic achievement as such.

13.Salvador Sanchez TKO13 Danny Lopez / Featherweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A+
What makes it a great win: Since his superb victory over David Kotey in Ghana in 1976, Little Red had gone on an 8-0(7 stoppages, 1 DQ) run in world title fights, and was red hot favourite to beat down the unknown and unproven Sanchez (whose previous fight was against a fighter with a 1-5 record!). The prodigious Salvador clearly outboxed the pound-for-pound ranked champion before getting the stoppage in the 13th.
The cynic would say: Lopez was complacent, and had already lost a few times in his career, so was not unbeatable.

12.Wilfred Benitez UD15 Roberto Duran / Light-Middleweight / 1982
Quality of Opponent: A-
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Although the cards were pretty close, this was a comfortable and convincing win. Duran was not too far removed from his 1980 welterweight zenith against Leonard, and would go on to register excellent wins in this division against Cuevas and Moore.
The cynic would say: Duran was a natural lightweight, and was still suffering the mental after-effects of ‘No Mas’.

11.Thomas Hearns TKO2 Pipino Cuevas / Welterweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: B+
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: By 1980, Cuevas hadn’t been stopped since his pro debut in 1971. And since his last points loss in ’76, Pipino was 12-0(11) in world title fights. Until he faced one of the most skilled and explosive fighters the welterweight division has ever seen, and suffered a highlight reel stoppage in the 2nd round.
The cynic would say: Cuevas was chinny and never beat any real top fighters.

10.Sumbu Kalambay UD12 Mike McCallum / Middleweight / 1988
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A+
What makes it a great win: McCallum was one of the top fighters on the planet at the time, cleaning out the lightmiddleweight division (stopping D.Curry, J.Jackson and M.McCrory) before stepping up to middleweight to face the relatively unheralded Kalambay, who’d only had one previous world title fight. Kalambay turned in one of the greatest all-round boxing displays ever caught on film to emerge with a unanimous decision win.
The cynic would say: Kalambay was an inferior fighter, but capitalized on a stylistic advantage, which other people (eg Herol Graham) would also exhibit vs McCallum.

9.Thomas Hearns TKO2 Roberto Duran / Junior-Middleweight / 1984
Quality of Opponent: A-
Quality of Performance: A+
What makes it a great win: The manner of victory. Roberto Duran had never been knocked out in 82 fights, and had recently became the 1st challenger to go the full 15 round distance with Marvin Hagler in a middleweight title fight. Hearns’ size, power and accuracy were far too much for the Panamanian on the night, causing one of the devastating knockouts ever in the 2nd round.
The cynic would say: Duran was a natural lightweight, and so stopping him at lightmiddleweight is not exactly a stellar achievement.

8.Marvin Hagler TKO3 Thomas Hearns / Middleweight / 1985
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: This was one of the biggest fights of the decade. Despite all his middleweight success, Hagler had never faced anyone with the explosive ability of the Hitman, and Hearns had obliterated Duran and outfought Wilfred Benitez since his only defeat to Leonard. In one of the all-time great fights, both men took and gave some hellacious shots, but it was Hearns who broke first.
The cynic would say: Hearns was not a natural middleweight, and all Hagler did was target his weak chin and club him to defeat, he didn't show any great skill in the fight.

7.Roberto Duran SD12 Iran Barkley / Middleweight / 1989
Quality of Opponent: B-
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Overcoming the odds. Duran was a 37 year old former lightweight, dwarfed in every sense by a 6ft 1in middleweight who’d go on to compete at supermiddle, lightheavy, and beyond. An astonishing 19 years after his first world title triumph, Duran displayed his awesome chin, resilience and skillset to drop and deservedly outpoint the heavy betting favourite (who was coming off a stoppage win over Tommy Hearns!).
The cynic would say: Barkley was not a great fighter, if even a very good one.

6.Sugar Ray Leonard TKO8 Roberto Duran / Welterweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: A+
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Revenge. Duran had taken Leonard’s zero earlier the same year, and there was palpable bad blood between the two. This time, Leonard was super-motivated to avenge his defeat, and used his fast feet and quick reactions to frustrate Duran, who couldn’t close the distance on Leonard or pin him down. In the 8th round, Duran decided he’d had enough of Leonard’s gamesmanship, and declined to fight on.
The cynic would say: Leonard didn't actually produce much effective, offensive work, he merely danced until Duran had had enough of it.

5.Michael Spinks UD15 Larry Holmes / Heavyweight / 1985
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: Holmes had been heavyweight champion and the division’s number 1 fighter for 7 years, and his record stood at 48-0, one short of Marciano’s historic record. Spinks had never fought any higher than 175lbs at world level, and was almost 22lbs lighter than Holmes on the scale. After 15 rounds of boxing, Spinks was awarded the victory.
The cynic would say: Spinks was fortunate to get the decision, after a fairly negative and calculating performance designed to edge a decision with the judges.

4.Lloyd Honeyghan RTD6 Donald Curry / Welterweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Curry was one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, going on an undefeated run to take control of the welterweight division and beating top fighters like Starling and McCrory in the process. Honeyghan had absolutely nowhere near the same pedigree, having never even fought for a world title yet. Lloyd caused one of the biggest upsets of the age, by breaking Curry’s spirit in 6 rounds.
The cynic would say: Curry possessed an inherent weakness that was always going to be exposed by someone.

3.Sugar Ray Leonard SD12 Marvin Hagler / Middleweight / 1987
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: The circumstances. Rarely has such an unlikely and historic win been achieved. SRL hadn’t fought for 3 years and had never fought as high as 160. Hagler had been the middleweight champion for 7 years, and hadn’t lost in 11 years. At the end of 12 rounds, Ray’s arm was raised.
The cynic would say: Hagler deserved the decision, he landed the harder, cleaner blows while Leonard ran and pitty-patted.

2.Sugar Ray Leonard TKO14 Thomas Hearns / Welterweight / 1981
Quality of Opponent: A+
Quality of Performance: A-
What makes it a great win: A landmark fight between two young high-profile fighters who both had outstanding skillsets. The momentum of the fight changed several times, and although Hearns has boxed his way into the lead in this fascinating tussle, it was Ray who unleashed his artillery and got the stoppage late on.
The cynic would say: Leonard's performance was unimpressive and unconvincing throughout the fight.

1.Roberto Duran UD15 Sugar Ray Leonard / Welterweight / 1980
Quality of Opponent: A+
Quality of Performance: A+
What makes it a great win: Duran was the smaller, older, slower man, SRL was the undefeated welterweight champion, and both men provided an incredible war for 15 rounds. Duran in particular produced an utterly sublime exhibition of inside skills. This stands up to ANY other win achieved by any fighter in boxing history.
The cynic would say: When a win is this epic and this significant, the cynic ceases to be important.

List Statistics

Most represented year: 1980, with 8 fights

Most represented division: Welterweight, with 8 fights

Most represented fighter: Roberto Duran, involved in 7 fights (3 wins, 4 losses)

Best record within the list: Salvador Sanchez, 3 fights 3 wins

Honourable Mentions (in no order):

Wilfredo Gomez vs Lupe Pintor
Mike Tyson vs Pinklon Thomas
Wilfred Benitez vs Maurice Hope
Marvin Hagler vs Mustafa Hamsho I
Marvin Hagler vs Alan Minter
Wilfredo Gomez vs Juan LaPorte
Eusebio Pedroza vs Patrick Ford
Marlon Starling vs Simon Brown
Salvador Sanchez vs Azumah Nelson
Alexis Arguello vs Jim Watt
Julio Cesar Chavez vs Mario Martinez
Ray Mancini vs Jose Luis Ramirez
Santiago Benigno Laciar vs Gilberto Roman II
Jiro Watanabe vs Gustavo Ballas
Larry Holmes vs Gerry Cooney
Mike McCallum vs Donald Curry
Evander Holyfield vs Dwight Muhammd Qawi 2
Bobby Joe Young vs Aaron Pryor
Jose Luis Ramirez vs Edwin Rosario 1
Hector Camacho vs Rafael Limon

Omissions:

This thread is MY opinion on the top 50 wins of the decade, I am not trying to present any of this as FACT. Therefore, the decisions I have made regarding the construction of this list are completely subjective.

For example, I have not included any fight in the top 50 in which I genuinely believe the wrong man had his arm raised. To me, it is nonsensical that anyone would think you should include fights in a list where you don't agree with the official verdict. How can I say I think a win was a great win, if I don't even think that it was a win?

Whitaker-Ramirez 1, M.Spinks-Holmes 2, Zapata-Chang 1, Kalule vs. Kalambay

Crazy amount of effort went in to that! Very interesting, too.

However, think I'd limit it to a top 5 myself!

By the way, totally agree on Duran vs Leonard as numero uno.

I think it ranks right up there as one of, if not the very best win in boxing history.

Great post and looks pretty much on the money for me.

Great effort, Scott. Haven't read the list in detail yet but glad to see Duran's victory over Leonard at number 1.

superflyweight wrote:Great effort, Scott. Haven't read the list in detail yet but glad to see Duran's victory over Leonard at number 1.

Not my list mate.

Thanks for all of these, Scott. Most interesting, and other than the fact that I would have Sanchez-Gomez much higher (people forget the intensity of the build-up to that fight and that Gomez was regarded at the time as a monster), hard to argue with most of it. Interesting to see that Sanchez has the best record in the list - what he accomplished by age 23 was truly staggering, and it is one of the great sadnesses of boxing history that we'll never know just how far he might have gone.

Yeah, I would have that one as high as second, at least partially due to it being more comprehensive than a few of the higher ones.

I realise that now, Scott. I won't hold it against you though.

Captain - would you have Sanchez-Gomez higher than Sanchez-Lopez? I've always rated it higher and I would also have the victory over Gomez higher than Hearns' victory over Cuevas.

Yes, I would indeed, superfly. Like Scott, I would rate it at least at number 2. In some ways, it's not fanciful to see it as the best of the decade. I say this because Gomez was regarded with similar awe to Duran at the time by some people; his KO stats were off the chart. Very good fighters were just crumbling before him.

People say that Gomez never truly established himself as a featherweight. I would agree, but would add that this was at least partially because Sanchez destroyed the myth of his invincibility. So complete was Sanchez's victory that any thought of Gomez dominating at 126 seemed unlikely. Before Sanchez-Gomez, the extra 4 pounds seemed to pose no difficulty to Wilfredo. Another reason that I would place Sanchez-Gomez above Duran-Leonard was its comprehensive nature. After it, there was no question who was the master, and no demand for a rematch. In Duran's victory lay some of the seeds of Leonard's rematch revenge - Leonard had been narrowly defeated by a magnificent fighter in a fight that he got tactically wrong. The adjustments could be made. No adjustment on Earth would have helped Gomez beat Sal.

Do you not think that the fact that it was such a tight fight, and one that Duran got absolutely spot on with regard to tactics, gives it that extra bit of something, captain?

Sanchez was tremendous against Gomez, an incredible display and incredible win, but given the style of Leonard being supposedly tailor made to defeat Duran, it makes the way Duran fought all the more impressive to me. It was the perfect case of nullifying your opponents strengths and playing to your own. So much for being a face first brawler... Either way, wouldn't grumble too loudly at either of those wins being ranked right at the top.

I absolutely hear you, Fists, and would not think that there was more than a cig paper between the two performances. Duran also did a superb job in the all-important psychological warfare leading up to the fight, both then and in the initial stages of the fight itself drawing Leonard into a place where he was less comfortable. Having said that, I'd repeat that the pressure of the Mexican-Puerto Rican clash made Sanchez's performance all the more meritorious. Duran wasn't carrying the pride of an entire nation into battle with him to quite the same extent.

There are some tremendous stories in the book 'Hands of Stone' about Duran's mental warfare with Leonard prior to the fight. He had it down to a tee. The whole aura Duran gave off had Leonard worried, and it showed.

Whilst on the topic, are there any books on the short but whirlwind career of Sanchez, do you know? I'd love to find out more about him and those kind of fights.

I'll have to do a bit of research, Fists. Not in the English language market, as far as I'm aware, but there must be something from a Mexican or Hispanic writer in translation, I'd imagine.

Popkins wrote:4.Lloyd Honeyghan RTD6 Donald Curry / Welterweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Curry was one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, going on an undefeated run to take control of the welterweight division and beating top fighters like Starling and McCrory in the process. Honeyghan had absolutely nowhere near the same pedigree, having never even fought for a world title yet. Lloyd caused one of the biggest upsets of the age, by breaking Curry’s spirit in 6 rounds.
The cynic would say: Curry would have been beaten by a Featherweight that night.

Fixed.

Scottrf wrote:

Popkins wrote:4.Lloyd Honeyghan RTD6 Donald Curry / Welterweight / 1986
Quality of Opponent: A
Quality of Performance: A
What makes it a great win: Curry was one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, going on an undefeated run to take control of the welterweight division and beating top fighters like Starling and McCrory in the process. Honeyghan had absolutely nowhere near the same pedigree, having never even fought for a world title yet. Lloyd caused one of the biggest upsets of the age, by breaking Curry’s spirit in 6 rounds.
The cynic would say: Curry would have been beaten by a Featherweight that night.

Fixed.

Yes - something about his face.

Some amount of work went into that and hard to criticise anything that clearly took that amount of time. Like most i'd have Sanchez's win over Gomez much higher.

Another that seems low down the list to me is Holy vs Qawi 1. Evander was only 12 fights into his career was KOing everyone and hadn't been past 8 rounds. The fact he was dragged into an all out war against an experienced champion who never let up and edged it 15 rounds later is more impressive to me than 45th place. The fight itself sounds like pure hell when Evander describes it in his autobiography. Great watch aswell.

Think Sanchez to a certain extent finished Gomez.....

I know for example Mccallum and Barkley complained the canvas in Italy for the sumbu fight was so slippy they couldn't put full power into their punches because they couldn't set their feet probably...

Kalambay is an A and yet all these greats are A- or worse...

Popkins is a joke..