Teddy Atlas’ Top-10 Pound-for-Pound of All Time: Ali Outside the Top Three

Renowned American trainer Teddy Atlas has revealed his list of the top ten pound-for-pound fighters of all time, regardless of weight class — and it may surprise you.

10. Roberto Duran

“He was a phenomenal lightweight, then shocked the world by winning a welterweight title. I feel bad he's not higher on this list.”

9. Sugar Ray Leonard

“If you can take the name ‘Sugar Ray’ and not disgrace it — and he didn’t — then you're truly great. He reminded us of the other Sugar Ray.”

8. Joe Louis

“A boxing ambassador and a humanitarian ambassador.”

7. Harry Greb

“Had over 100 fights while blind in one eye! An unbelievable man from an unbelievable era. No one could out-tough him.”

6. Benny Leonard

“He was untouchable for a very long time — held the lightweight title for eight years.”

5. Willie Pep

“The ultimate ring general: feints, lateral movement, unbalancing opponents, making them scared to throw. They were punching air.”

4. Muhammad Ali

“Cus D’Amato told me about Ali before the exile: ‘The only time you could touch him was when the ref made you touch gloves!’”

3. Sam Langford

“He fought in every division — from lightweight to heavyweight. All the world champions avoided him.”

2. Sugar Ray Robinson

“174 wins! Best footwork, best speed. He was majestic. Just watching him was a joy.”

1. Henry Armstrong

“My favorite fighter of all time. He defended the welterweight title 18 times in 27 months! We’ll never see another like him. He fought in featherweight, welterweight, and then for the lightweight title — and won all three within 10 months.”