By Gavin “Neds” O’Connor: The middleweights are boxing’s thoroughbreds; a mixture of the power of the heavyweights and the speed and skills of lighter boxer’s. The list of great middleweights is to a true boxing fan, like recalling the great moments in your life (in a sporting scenes). Take in point the unforgettable Harry Greb (107-8-3, 48 KO’s). Marcel Cerdan – who knows how good or great he would have been but for the dislocated shoulder in the 3rd round against Jack Lamotta or the tragic circumstances of 27th October 1949.

Randolph Turpin, the ex-navy cook who had a readymade meal of unorthodox boxing lunging left jabs a distasteful meal for the greatest Sugar Ray Robinson, but as we all know revenge is best served cold Only 64 days later (the shortest reign in the divisions history) and in front of 61,370 fans at the Polo Grounds in New York (but still had trouble with Turpin’s peculiar style particular his jab) Sugar Ray Robinson conjured a round of breathtaking boxing with some of the fiercest fastest and most accurate punching ever seen at this point.

Referee Ruby Goldstein had seen his fill and moved in to rightly stop the fight. Moving on, Carmen Basilio who but the great man could go 15 rounds against Robinson with such a horrifying injury to his eye so early on; Basilio did and with distinction. The magnificent Carlos Monzon (14 defences with 3 defeats in 102 fights and an unbeaten run going 82 appearances). Truly an outstanding fighter, and at this point, I have to bring up Vito Antuofermo and his famous and favored draw in November 1979 with Marvin Hagler.

Sorry but this is the base of my article. My wife asked me who is the greatest middleweight (Hagler is her favorite fighter) of all time). So thinking long and hard, I would have to say Hagler is not the greatest pound for pound boxer, but as a true middleweight, I can only think of one middleweight on his level?