Top 10 Irish-born Boxers

Worztron

Who are your top 10 Irish-born boxers? This includes all weight divisions and past plus present pugilists.

Revision 1
Mine are:

1. Katie Taylor
2. Peter Maher
3. Jimmy McLarnin
4. John Monaghan
5. Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil)
6. Tom Sharkey
7. Barry McGuigan
8. Steve Collins
9. Michael Carruth
10. Andy Lee

tdv123

Bump Steve, Barry & Jack up one or two places & I'd go along with that.

Syferus

So you're not including Macklin, then? Clearly a better boxer than Lee. Lee still had too much unfulfilled potential to be listed.

Dick phelan

How can Lee be on that list surely Dunne should be as he was a world champion and Lee has yet to be

Mr. Wong

People's dislike for Dunne astounds me. The man was a world champion FFS!

unknown13

You left out Michael Carruth and yet you have Katie Taylor number one.

Worztron

unknown13 wrote: »

You left out Michael Carruth and yet you have Katie Taylor number one.

I did not leave him out. He's at #9. What is wrong with Katie Taylor being #1?

darced

This post has been deleted.

Worztron

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Knocking Taylor because she never fought a pro is harsh.
How about Félix Savón and Teófilo Stevenson. They'd have hammered any pro.

You are free to post your own top 10.

Worztron

Mr. Wong wrote: »

People's dislike for Dunne astounds me. The man was a world champion FFS!

He was hummilated by Kiko Martinez and Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym.

gene_tunney

Taylor at 1 is a farce.

walshb

Worztron wrote: »

Knocking Taylor because she never fought a pro is harsh.
How about Félix Savón and Teófilo Stevenson. They'd have hammered any pro.

You are free to post your own top 10.

How can you be certain that they'd hammer any pro? Neither were unbeatable as amateurs, yet they'd also hammer any pro? Not sure, but I'd take a peak Tyson/Foreman from that era(s) within 9 mins of completion.

As to Taylor. Greatest success story without a doubt. She is amateur, and a female. Too difficult to compare her to the male pros we've had.

walshb

Worztron wrote: »

He was hummilated by Kiko Martinez and Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym.

Dunne's name somehow always brings up heated discussion. Not in my top ten. Unsurprisingly!:)

The Pheasant

I would have George Gardiner in there somewhere...also are we counting Irish-Americans e.g Tunney, Sullivan, Corbett, Dempsey etc.?

Worztron

walshb wrote: »

How can you be certain that they'd hammer any pro? Neither were unbeatable as amateurs, yet they'd also hammer any pro? Not sure, but I'd take a peak Tyson/Foreman from that era(s) within 9 mins of completion.

As to Taylor. Greatest success story without a doubt. She is amateur, and a female. Too difficult to compare her to the male pros we've had.

Watch videos on Félix Savón + Teófilo Stevenson and you will know what I mean. They are 2 of only 3 boxers ever to win 3 Olympic gold medals in boxing.

walshb

The Pheasant wrote: »

I would have George Gardiner in there somewhere...also are we counting Irish-Americans e.g Tunney, Sullivan, Corbett, Dempsey etc.?

Let's go the whole hog and include Muhammad Ali?

Worztron

gene_tunney wrote: »

Taylor at 1 is a farce.

Why? Look at all the gold medals she has won.

moany

What about Wayne McCullough !! Does he count.

Worztron

The Pheasant wrote: »

I would have George Gardiner in there somewhere...also are we counting Irish-Americans e.g Tunney, Sullivan, Corbett, Dempsey etc.?

That would get messy so I will only stay with Irish-born.

walshb

Worztron wrote: »

Why? Look at all the gold medals she has won.

It's not a farce to list her.

Worztron

moany wrote: »

What about Wayne McCullough !! Does he count.

A great boxer alright but there are only 10 slots. Please post your top 10.

walshb

Problem with these lists is too many people waste too much time criticising others' lists.

Choochtown

Are the 6 counties excluded here? Rinty Monaghan, Wayne McCullough, Dave McCauley, John Caldwell, Freddy Gilroy ...


Surely better than Andy Lee?

The Pheasant

Worztron wrote: »

That would get messy so I will only stay with Irish-born.

Ah well then definitely throw Gardiner in there! And yeah you're right, although I think Tunney should still be eligible since both his parents were Irish, giving him 100% Irish blood

Choochtown

Sorry just noticed Rinty in original list

walshb

Worztron wrote: »

Watch videos on Félix Savón + Teófilo Stevenson and you will know what I mean. They are 2 of only 3 boxers ever to win 3 Olympic gold medals in boxing.

I have watched plenty of them. I have also seen them lose. I have also seen a peak Tyson and Foreman as pros.

btw, I rate Teofilo Stevenson as the greatest Olympian of all time.

tdv123

moany wrote: »

What about Wayne McCullough !! Does he count.

He certainly gave Morales a run for his money alright. Don't if he'd be top 10, probably just outside it.

rusheen

Worztron wrote: »

Who are your top 10 Irish boxers? This includes all weight divisions and past plus present pugilists.

Revision 1
Mine are:

1. Katie Taylor
2. Peter Maher
3. Jimmy McLarnin
4. John Monaghan
5. Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil)
6. Tom Sharkey
7. Barry McGuigan
8. Steve Collins
9. Michael Carruth
10. Andy Lee

Jim Corbett Mayo parents
Gene Tunney Mayo Parents
Mike McTigue Clare Born
Coffey Roscommon Born
Frank Moran Mayo Born
Jim Braddock Irish parents
Tom Sharkey Louth
Jack Demspey Irish dad
John Sullivan Irish parents
Steve Collins
Tyson Fury will be one of the best

Tombo2001

Why would John Joe Joyce, Kenny Egan, Joe Ward and Paddy Barnes not get a mention here?

I know amateur versus professional is a different game.....but if Katie Taylor is number one on on the list......

Dont know a huge deal about boxing, but it stands to reason to me that the competition Barnes or Joyce might face would be far greater than what Katie Taylor faces.

Worztron

Choochtown wrote: »

Are the 6 counties excluded here? Rinty Monaghan, Wayne McCullough, Dave McCauley, John Caldwell, Freddy Gilroy ...

Surely better than Andy Lee?

They certainly are not! They are born on the island of Ireland therefore are Irish.

John Monaghan is already on my top 10 list.

walshb

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Why would John Joe Joyce, Kenny Egan, Joe Ward and Paddy Barnes not get a mention here?

I know amateur versus professional is a different game.....but if Katie Taylor is number one on on the list......

Dont know a huge deal about boxing, but it stands to reason to me that the competition Barnes or Joyce might face would be far greater than what Katie Taylor faces.

I see your point. But Taylor has been so so dominant that she deserves her mention as much as those. Male boxing is without doubt a more competitive sport. But, the females are really taking hold now, and of late. I would have her ahead of them.

Worztron

The Pheasant wrote: »

Ah well then definitely throw Gardiner in there! And yeah you're right, although I think Tunney should still be eligible since both his parents were Irish, giving him 100% Irish blood

Gene Tunney certainly is Irish but I had to have some limit otherwise we'd have to include Irish-Canadian, Irish-English, etc. and it could get too cumbersome.

Include Irish-born (or those of Irish nationality e.g. Andy Lee, etc.)

Worztron

Revision 2

1. Peter Maher
2. Jimmy McLarnin
3. John Monaghan
4. Tom Sharkey
5. Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil)
6. Katie Taylor
7. Barry McGuigan
8. Steve Collins
9. Michael Carruth
10. Freddie Gilroy

slapbangwallop

Andy Lee is Irish but not Irish-born.

I'm friendly with Andy but how he makes a top ten is baffling. He hasn't achieved anything of significant note yet in his career.

Worztron

slapbangwallop wrote: »

Andy Lee is Irish but not Irish-born.

I'm friendly with Andy but how he makes a top ten is baffling. He hasn't achieved anything of significant note yet in his career.

I updated my top 10 and look here re Andy Lee: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=83608930&postcount=32

rusheen

Worztron wrote: »

Revision 2

1. Peter Maher
2. Jimmy McLarnin
3. John Monaghan
4. Tom Sharkey
5. Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil)
6. Katie Taylor
7. Barry McGuigan
8. Steve Collins
9. Michael Carruth
10. Freddie Gilroy

So your including McGuigan who wants to to british ? and excluding sons of erin who were born abroad ?

Worztron

rusheen wrote: »

So your including McGuigan who wants to to british ? and excluding sons of erin who were born abroad ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_McGuigan >> Nationality = Irish
I have to draw the line somewhere.
Why don't you put in your top 10?

Check out my new thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=83642651#post83642651

gene_tunney

This who is Irish and who is not Irish debate is one of the most tedious recurring debates we get on here. It tends to bring out the Celtic-supporting, dutch gold drinking rabblement, as well as the Leinster-supporting, smoked salmon eating west Brits.

Worztron

Revision 3

1. Peter Maher
2. Jimmy McLarnin
3. John Monaghan
4. Tom Sharkey
5. Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil)
6. Jack McAuliffe
7. Barry McGuigan
8. Steve Collins
9. Katie Taylor
10. Michael Carruth

barney4001

Worztron wrote: »

Revision 3

1. Peter Maher
2. Jimmy McLarnin
3. John Monaghan
4. Tom Sharkey
5. Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil)
6. Jack McAuliffe
7. Barry McGuigan
8. Steve Collins
9. Katie Taylor
10. Michael Carruth

peter maher/////////////////????????????????????

Worztron

barney4001 wrote: »

peter maher/////////////////????????????????????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Maher_%28boxer%29

Big Ears

Worztron wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Maher_%28boxer%29

I'm sure he knows who he is, I think he's getting at the point that Maher wasn't really that good a fighter. So much to the point I'd suspect someone who places him at the top of a top 10 Irish boxers list as trolling.

Worztron

Big Ears wrote: »

I'm sure he knows who he is, I think he's getting at the point that Maher wasn't really that good a fighter. So much to the point I'd suspect someone who places him at the top of a top 10 Irish boxers list as trolling.

Peter Maher was Heavyweight Champion of the World. His boxing record was excellent.

Your suspicions are blatantly wrong. Retract your troll allegation.

gene_tunney

Maher is underrated and underacknowledged, only getting recognised lately after Mattie Donnellan's book. I wouldn't have him in my top 10, but he wouldn't be far outside it.

Big Davey

Christy Elliot, anybody ?

Big Ears

Worztron wrote: »

Peter Maher was Heavyweight Champion of the World. His boxing record was excellent.

Your suspicions are blatantly wrong. Retract your troll allegation.

He was blown away by the top fighters of his time, stopped in 3 rounds by Peter Jackson, and 1 by Bob Fitzsimmons (also in 12 by Fitzsimmons). He only won the World Heavyweight title because he was nominated to fight for it by Corbett (who had vacated it) against quite a poor opponent in the form of Steve O'Donnell. Many disputed the decision for Maher and O'Donnell to fight for the title, and quite a large number of people didn't recognise him as champion.

Infact he wasn't even the best Irish Heavyweight of the time period, Tom Sharkey was, who also was Heavyweight champion (albeit due to even more controversial circumstances), yet you rank Sharkey 4th overall.
Now Maher certainly wasn't a bad fighter, he was a legitimate top Heavyweight contender/extremely fortunate 'champion' in his time, but he just wasn't near the same level of the top guys.

Rating him above McLarnin, who has beaten more hall of fame boxers than anyone ever, and had no dispute as to the legitimacy of his title claim, well that's just unfathomable.

The Pheasant

Guys seriously George Gardner, how has he not been mentioned?! http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gardiner_(boxer)

barney4001

Big Ears wrote: »

I'm sure he knows who he is, I think he's getting at the point that Maher wasn't really that good a fighter. So much to the point I'd suspect someone who places him at the top of a top 10 Irish boxers list as trolling.

I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING BOXING FOR NIGH ON 70 YEARS AND I NEVER HEARD OF MAHER OR HEARD HIM EVEN MENTIONED,GUESS HE SLIPPED THROUGH THE NET

Big Davey

The pink panther has to be top 10 ? Irish pro champ at 3 weights !

gene_tunney

barney4001 wrote: »

I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING BOXING FOR NIGH ON 70 YEARS AND I NEVER HEARD OF MAHER OR HEARD HIM EVEN MENTIONED,GUESS HE SLIPPED THROUGH THE NET

Worztron

1. Jimmy McLarnin
2. John Monaghan
3. Jack McAuliffe
4. George Gardiner
5. Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil)
6. Tom Sharkey
7. Peter Maher
8. Barry McGuigan
9. Steve Collins
10. Jim Rock