Boxing's Top 100 Punchers: 75-71

Mark Lyons is back with the latest instalment of his Top 100 Punchers list.  Today he's counting down numbers 75 through 71.

Mark's previous entry: Numbers 80 through 76

75. Rubin Carter

Career Record: 27-12-1 (19)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Emile Griffith TKO1, Florentino Fernandez TKO1

A thickly muscled and powerful middleweight, Carter could turn out your lights with either hand. You won’t find too many fighters that destroyed quality opponents like Emile Griffith and Florentino Fernandez inside of a round. That’s the kind of destructive power he had.

Sure, he could be out-boxed by cagey tacticians like Luis Rodriguez, but Luis still had to pick himself up off the canvas. Future heavyweight title holder Jimmy Ellis was another that was floored by the Hurricane. He was a bit crude and tended to get over anxious after he got a man hurt, but shot for shot he was a force.

74. Michael Carbajal

Career Record: 49-4 (33)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Humberto Gonzalez KO7, Jorge Arce TKO11, Muangchai Kittikaseem TKO7, Scottie Olson KO10

Getting off the canvas to score come from behind knockouts became Michael's trademark, as The Little Hands of Stone brought the junior-flyweight division to American television in style with his dramatic wars.

The trilogy with Humberto Gonzalez is among the most entertaining in the sports history. While he fell just short there, the fight that Michael won after being on the verge of defeat was an all time classic slugfest. With very fast hands and a warrior spirit, it’s hard not to look back fondly on this little bomber - and that's coming from a Chiquita fan.

To top it off, he went out perfectly with an incredible stoppage of Jorge Arce after being battered near the brink. What a send off for one of the baddest little dudes to ever climb through the ropes!

73. Joe Walcott

Career Record: 92-25-24 (58)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Joe Choynski TKO7, Rube Ferns TKO5, Bobby Dobbs KO6

The Barbados Demon was a diminutive figure for a welterweight, barely standing over 5 feet tall, but anyone who mistook him for a gymnast was in for a rude awakening. This windmill of activity was a rough and tumble inside fighter.

He was a huge underdog when he went up against Joe Choynski – a fighter that campaigned successfully all the way up to heavyweight. Walcott promptly dropped the bigger man five times in the first round on his way to a brutal TKO victory. It's unfortunate that there isn't any film for some of these real old timers, if there was I would probably have more of them on my list.

72. Tim Witherspoon

Career Record: 55-13-1 (38)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Frank Bruno TKO11, James Broad KO2, James Tillis TKO1

Spoon tended to use his underrated boxing skills against higher level opposition, so it is certainly possible that I have overrated his power a bit due to having so many memories of him separating lesser fighters from their senses with his herculean overhand right.

There was nothing like grabbing a case of national Bohemian beer and watching TNF when they had old heavyweights on, and Tim never disappointed. He was a guy who, in my opinion, had the skills to be an all-time type of heavyweight, but didn't quite have the drive or the timing to make it happen. That said, when his right hand smashed into your chin, you damn sure felt it. This clip is from one of those TNF masterpieces…

71. John Henry Lewis

Career Record: 96-10-4 (56)

Most Impressive Stoppages: Tiger Jack Fox KO3, Tony Shucco TKO8, Elmer Ray KO12, Bob Olin TKO8, Bob Godwin TKO1

This under-appreciated 175lb champ was considered by many to be the most complete of the late 30’s big men. While more of a Tunney in terms of style than a Dempsey, Lewis could crack - especially with his right hand.

Unfortunately the only film I have seen is the a short clip from the Joe Louis bout – and that certainly wasn’t his best work. I wish I had more to go on, but as is the case with many of the older fighters on the list, I’m left with having to rely on what I’ve read from old fight reports. I have a feeling I might be rating him a little too high, but I can’t overlook the fact he blew out Tiger Jack Fox and stopped Elmer Ray and Bob Olin, not to mention badly hurting a bigger man like Ettore.

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

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