10. VICENTE RONDON
Overshadowed by Bob Foster, this WBA belt-holder from Venezuela could nevertheless punch: four early wins in as many title fights.
9. FREDDIE MILLS
Bournemouth’s popular world title-holder used power and aggression to notch 55 early wins in a 77-18-6 mark.
8. EZZARD CHARLES
Before he was heavyweight champ, the “Cincinnati Cobra” showed his venom by knocking Archie Moore among others at 175lbs.
7 YOUNG STRIBLING
Started at feather and ended at heavy, but plenty of his 129 early wins (in a 223-13-14 record) came at 175lbs.
6. MICHAEL SPINKS
Known primarily for his awkward style, but the “Spinks Jinx” (right hand) concluded eight of his 11 light-heavy title victories inside schedule.
5. ROY JONES
People rate him for his skills, but what about the right to the body that broke Virgil Hill’s rib in 1998?
4. SERGEY KOVALEV
The Russian “Krusher” has 25 early wins in 29 fights and will no doubt add a few more before he’s finished.
- GEORGES CARPENTIER
France’s “Orchid Man” won the 175lbs crown with a knockout and even dropped Jack Dempsey in a heavyweight title bid.
- BOB FOSTER
The elongated (6ft 3ins tall) Albuquerque sheriff had a fearsome left hook, famously flattening Mike Quarry with it in a 1972 defence.
- ARCHIE MOORE
The “Old Mongoose” had a listed 132 early wins (a record) in his 186-23-10 ledger, including two over famed Canadian hardman Yvon Durelle.
This article was originally published in Boxing News magazine
