(10) Huo Yuanjia
A small chinese Kung Fu master who preached the importance of blending martial arts styles, defeating all challengers who tried to stop him from teaching the martial arts to Westerners. Did I just describe Bruce Lee, maybe, but Huo Yuanjia actually did all of that first. In fact, you could call him the first mixed martial artist of the 20th century. With a passion for sharing information when most teachers hid it, Huo Yuanjia put a price on his head and, according to many historians, was eventually poisoned. But not before he beat multitudes of foreign challengers at their own games, even in death matches! That's one bad little dude!
(9) Jack Dempsy
If I could pick a top three fighters to have on my side in a fight for my life, Jack Dempsy would be one of them. He defined the word "toughness". And he was as men as they come. When Dempsy fought six-feet six monster Jess Willard for the tittle, he broke multiple bones in his face and ribs before putting him down for the count. Dempsy also had incredible power through body mechanics, earning him a still stnding record fo 25 first round knockouts! That's scarry!
(8) Chuck Norris
Interestingly, Chuck Norris is the only fighter on this list who never participated in continuous full contact bouts. He was a point fighter, but his fights were in the blood and guts days where points were scored when one contestant hit or kicked another while barefoot and barefisted. And Norris was the point fighting king of the blood and guts days. He innovated combinations in martial arts matches and had a reputation for being a very sneaky opponent. His biggest advantage though, was simple....he's Chuck Norris!(7) Jack Johnson
Long, lean, technical, and unforgivably black, Jack Johnson made quite an impact when he dismantled what was, at the time, the white man's sport. No black fighter had ever won the heavyweight boxing crown and Jack Johnson took it as if none of his opponents had ever boxed before. He made really good fighters look incredibly bad. He was loud and cocky, even taunting his opponents in the ring as he toyed with them before beating them sensless. Remind you of anyone? He was one of the greatest fighters of all time for sure and brought a lot of technical skill to the game that it didn't have before. Sugar Ray Leonards and Anderson Silvas would not exist without Jack Johnson.(6) Benny Urquidez
Benny "The Jet" Urquidez might be the most gutsy fighter to ever step foot in the ring. He was small but he was one of the most well rounded and adaptable fighters to ever live, beating men who were larger, stronger, faster, younger, and more experienced. But best of all, he did it all under their own rules, in there own hometowns, and he did it 58 times in a row! Forget your UFC five fight "winning streak", show me a 58 fight winning streak and then I'll be impressed!(5) Joe Louis
Joe Louis is a legend among fighters of all styles and eras. He had what we call the "it" factor. He was smooth, methodical, and had some of the best power in the fight game. His up and over combination (uppercut/hook) alone was jaw dropping or in the case of his opponents, jaw breakng. The guy could do something that most fighters can't and that is recognize your advantage, neutralize it, exploit your weakness, and take you apart. He had an impressive 25 tittle defenses and is the longest raining champion in boxing history. he's also an American hero for taking apart Max Schmelling, the Nazi poster boy who Hitler personally claimed would show superiority to Americans, specfically black Americans. How could you not love a guy who beats the crap out of Nazis.
(4) Joe Lewis
Big, strong, fast, pwerfull, mean, confident, and technically superior, Joe Lewis was the total package that everyone in the fight game was afraid of. He beat the crap out of everyone! This was during the blood and guts days of Karate too, where you fought with bare knuckles. Lewis also pioneered full contact martial arts in America and became it's first champion with ten first round knockouts. He also studied with Bruce Lee and showcased his techniques and philosophies to perfection.
(3) Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson sums up what it means to be the pound for pound best in the world. Sugar Ray Robinson was as good as any fighter in history, from the combat games of Ancient Greece to today's mixed martial arts scene. With unmatched hand and foot speed in his devision, brilliant ring craft, and incredible heart, there are only a handful of fighters that can compare with the original Sugar Ray. Just check out his five fight rivalry with Jake Lamotta and you will know what I mean. Sugar Ray could fight , dog!(2) Bill "Superfoot" Wallace
Bill Wallace is really something. He had techniques that looked like they came straight from Hollywood, only better and more devistating. He could kick at 70mph and throw as many as five or seven kicks without touching his foot to the ground. There are lots of guys who can do the later part for show, but Wallace was the only one who could do it to the best fighters in the world as they were trying to kill him! In addition to that, Wallace was a fighter that no one could ever really figure out. Somehow he always eluded everyone's game plan and always had something you couldn't quite see until you were in the ring with him. "Superfoot" had 23 professinal kickboxing bouts and won them all, retiring as the only undefeated Full Contact World Champion in American martial arts.
(1) Muhammad Ali
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