Making the Cut

Something very important to professional athletes when they retire is the legacy they leave behind. Behind being the keyword for my #1 most embarrassing play in NFL history.

With the growth of Mixed Martial Arts, specifically the UFC and Bellator, this sport's increasing popularity has diminished the interest in professional boxing in a profound way.

I can hardly believe that the “Hitman” Thomas Hearns will turn 61 in October. It just seems like yesterday that he and Sugar Ray Leonard put on a battle for the ages in one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing.

Since Floyd Mayweather has not yet officially retired, his 50-0 record can not be put into the books yet as a retired champion who never lost. For now, that belongs to Rocky Marciano who retired at 49-0.

Mentioned in the Thomas Hearns conversation was his KO of Roberto Duran. That loss came much later in the career of “manos de piedra” (“hands of stone”) Duran.

Unless you are in your 60’s or a boxing historian like me, the name Carlos Monzon might be a mystery to you. Let me introduce you to perhaps the greatest middleweight ever.

Marvin Nathaniel Hagler happened to be my favorite boxer when I was growing up following boxing closely. I think I liked Hagler because of his mean mug, and a bald head that made him look menacing.

We’ve reached the top five scariest boxers of all time and this calls for traveling back in time to the early 1900s and visiting “The Manassa Mauler.”

Known as “The Big Bear,” Sonny Liston was an early version of George Foreman. Big, nasty, mean, and complete with power.

When it comes to talking about the greatest boxer ever in the heavyweight division, it almost always boils down to Muhammad Ali or Joe Louis.