NO. 5 BENNY LEONARD
Record: 90-6-1 (70 KOs)
Years active: 1911-24, 31-32
Titles won: World lightweight
Among his victims: Rocky Kansas, Freddie Welsh, Johnny Kilbane, Jack Britton, Johnny Dundee, Willie Ritchie, Charley White, Richie Mitchell, Lew Tendler
Background: Leonard supposedly had an aversion to anyone mussing his slicked-back black hair. Few were close, quick or just plain good enough to do it. “The Ghetto Wizard” was similar to Sugar Ray Robinson in that he had no significant weaknesses. He was a once-in-a-generation boxer, perhaps along the lines of a Floyd Mayweather. He had prodigious power. Seventy knockouts in 90 victories is a high ratio. And he was durable. He was stopped only as a young teenager (he turned pro at 15) and in his last fight. In other words, he was a complete fighter. That’s why he was able to reign as lightweight champion for 7½ years in an era overflowing with talented 135-pounders. He and Roberto Duran are considered the greatest lightweights ever. Ray Arcel, who remarkably trained both of them, said this about Leonard: “People ask me who’s the greatest boxer I ever saw pound for pound. I hesitate to say, either Benny Leonard or Ray Robinson. But Leonard’s mental energy surpassed anyone else’s.” Enough said.