Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles comes in at #79 / Photo courtesy of The Cyber Boxing Zone

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Mark Lyons is back with the latest instalment of his Top 100 Punchers list.  Today he's counting down numbers 80 through 76.

Mark's previous entry: Numbers 85 through 81

80. Elmer Ray

Career Record: 84-15-3 (63)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Lee Savold KO2, Larry Lane KO2, Buddy Millard KO4, Art McAlpine KO9

When your nickname is Violent, you better be able to punch and Ray could bang with both hands. He had an aggressive bob and weave style, and while most of his knock-out victims were second rate, the one time alligator wrestler proved his quality as a puncher by demolishing durable contender Lee Savold inside of two rounds.

He split a pair of bouts with Jersey Joe, and further proved his legitimacy as a contender with a hard fought, though controversial victory over Ezzard Charles. Many in attendance believed Charles to have been the worthy winner, but it was Ray’s power that had his slick opponent clutching and grabbing throughout the late going. Despite those efforts, Ray was never able to secure a title shot with Joe Louis, and a knock-out loss in the rematch with Charles dropped him from title contention.

79. Jose Napoles

Career Record: 81-7 (55)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Hedgemon Lewis TKO9, Ernie Lopez KO7 & TKO15, Billy Backus TKO8

As fitting a nickname as there was in the sport. It didn’t get much smoother than the man known as Mantequilla. He could punch with both hands and press the fight while remaining elusive to return fire.

Despite forging one of the great title runs in the 147lb division’s history, his best weight was probably at 135-140 and it speaks volumes to his sharpness as a puncher that he was able to regularly inflict damage on naturally bigger men. Even the iron-chinned Carlos Monzon felt his shots early on at middleweight as the severely undersized Napoles pressed the fight in his usual manner.

78. Kostya Tszyu

Career Record: 31-2 (25)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Sharmba Mitchell TKO3, Zab Judah TKO2, Diosbelys Hurtado TKO5

The Thunder From Down Under came into the pro ranks with impeccable amateur credentials and a polished enough overall game to handle a veteran the calibre of Juan LaPorte in only his 4th pro appearance. A tremendous straight right hand, combined with an underrated hook made Kostya one of the top fighters of the late 90’s and early 00’s, and you can’t help but wonder how much higher his all-time status may have risen to if he had better competition to show his talents against during his prime.

While it’s true he doesn’t have too many elite names on his record, in his biggest fight, he gave the sport one of its most memorable recent highlights, when a huge right hand sent Zab Judah into his now famous "chicken dance"…

77. Michael Spinks

Career Record: 31-1 (21)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Marvin Johnson KO4, Gerry Cooney TKO5, Yacqui Lopez TKO7

Everyone knows about the Spinks Jinx - Michael's laser right hand, but he also had every other shot you can find in the fighter’s textbook. Spinks worked from awkward angles and came over the top or up and under with equal efficiency. He also didn't waste any time diving into top competition and he stopped most of them.

While Gerry Cooney wasn't known for his chin, that was an incredibly destructive display in the fifth round when, if memory serves me, Michael landed 752 power shots in a minute! Strangely, I couldn’t find a highlight video for one of the greatest light-heavyweights of all time, so I give you what I think was his greatest knockout, and as an added bonus the play by play is from the greatest commentator in boxing history, Mr. Howard Cossell…

76. Michael Moorer

Career Record: 52-4-1 (40)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Alex Stewart TKO4, Bert Cooper TKO5, Vassily Jirov TKO9

For my money, Moorer has become overrated as a light-heavyweight and underrated as a heavyweight. Sure he had raw power at 75, but he was also inexperienced and weight drained. An orthodox fighter that switched to southpaw, his right hand was a sledgehammer in any variety, but especially when he threw the uppercut. Those were some of the most intense lead hand uppercuts you will ever see.

My fondest memories of Moorer will be of his all action wars with Bert Cooper & Alex Stewart.

The Stewart fight is overlooked – that night Double M unleashed such hell with his uppercuts that it looked like Stewart's head would land in the eighth row! Even old and past his best he was able to starch Jirov while way behind in their fight. Here's to an underappreciated fighter who always gave his best and had heart for days…

Check back soon for the next instalment of my Top 100 Punchers list.

e-mail Mark Lyons