Coming in at #46 is light-heavyweight brawler Paul Berlenbach / 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 50 through 46.

Mark's previous entry: Numbers 55 through 51

50. Eder Jofre

Career record: 72-2-4 (50), Years Active: 1957 - 1976

Most Impressive Stoppages: Vicente Saldivar KO4, Jose Medel KO6 & KO10, Bernardo Caraballo KO7

I can't claim to have seen a ton of Eder's fights (they no longer appear to exist), but from what I have seen, the Brazilian was a master boxer with heavy hands on both sides and a brutal body puncher. He was a major force in two divisions and the destruction of the excellent Saldivar has to be his coup de grace. His uppercut was very fast and packed a ton of power. Definitely one of the legends that I wish I had more knowledge of and wish there was more footage of.

49. Bennie Briscoe

Career Record: 66-24-5 (53), Years Active: 1962 – 1982

Most Impressive Stoppages: George Benton TKO9, Eugene Hart KO1, Vincente Rondon TKO8, Tony Mundine KO5

Always coming forward winging bombs behind an iron chin, Benny was a hard man at the epitome of a Philly warrior. He’s definitely someone that would benefit from today's multiple belt structure as well as the current weakness of the middleweight division. That wasn't the case in his day as he had to deal with all time greats like Carlos Monzon & Rodrigo Valdez to try and gain a world title.

Sadly, he never did achieve that goal, but he still provided plenty of thrills and took on all comers including Emile Griffith and Luis Rodriguez. I don't think anything could better identify just how strong and tough Briscoe was than watching his fight with Marvin Hagler. He didn't win, but Marvin knew better than to go to war with Bennie and his devastating right hand.

48. Evander Holyfield

Career Record: 42-10-2 (27), Years active: 1984 - 2008

Most Impressive Stoppages: Mike Tyson TKO11, Dwight Qawi KO4, Michael Dokes TKO10, Michael Moorer TKO8, Carlos Deleon TKO8, Buster Douglas KO3

To be fair and divulge full disclosure, my Yahoo user ID is Holyhugger. That being said, the notion that he wasn't a puncher is the most preposterous long standing myth in the history of boxing. From destroying the iron chinned Dwight Qawi - keep in mind that Foreman couldn't drop him - to becoming the first guy to floor Mercer and almost knocking Riddick Bowe out cold when he should have been in a hospital bed. Evander never laid his hands on a man without hurting him. Never, not sure why that is glossed over but it really boils my blood.

When you take on top flight fighters from very early in your career you may not have as many one shot knockouts as guys who took a more careful approach, but the highlight reels are everywhere. Absolutely perfect punching technique and he had every conceivable punch in his arsenal. His toughness and will outshine the many incredible qualities that defined him as one of the most complete fighters in the history of the heavyweight division. Everybody was up to face Holyfield and they always were in shape - that's why guys like Bert Cooper were able to give the effort of their life and absorb inhuman punishment along the way. I could go on all day here, but I'll just leave you with this… Lennox Lewis was running away for a reason.

47. Nigel Benn

Career Record: 42-5-1 (35), Years Active: 1987 - 1996

Most Impressive Stoppages: Iran Barkley TKO1, Robbie Simms KO7, Anthony Logan KO2, Willie DeWitt TKO8

Nigel was an absolute maniac, wild and fearless. Measuring excitement is impossible, but I think its fare to say that Benn was among the most entertaining warriors to ever step in the ring. He had a habit of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with his overwhelming will and ridiculous power. The Logan & Barkley fights are absolutely must see TV and incredible examples of his energy and force. Another highlight of his career turned sour and I honestly can’t even go into that one. But the Dark Destroyer was a handful for anybody and he had dynamite in both gloves.

46. Paul Berlenbach

Career Record: 40-8-3 (34), Years Active: 1923 - 1933

Most Impressive Stoppages: Jimmy Slattery TKO11, Battling Siki TKO10, Jim Kelly KO4

The Astoria Assassin fought during a Golden era of the Light Heavyweight division. An incredibly deep pool of top 175 pounders like Jack Delaney, Jimmy Slattery, Maxie Rosenbloom, Young Stribling, Tommy Loughran and many more occupied the ranks in these times and Berlenbach more than held his own. He had a wrestling background and most reports describe him as a crude slugger that relied on bone crusher power, physical strength and fitness to best his rivals. However he accomplished it, I sure would love to spend a month with a projector and a stack of films from those Light heavyweight days.

Check back soon for the next instalment!

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