http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/fidel_labarba/74154 Recent articles about Fidel LaBarba en-us The Ten Greatest Flyweight Boxers in History In the last of the original eight weight classes reviewed, we turn to the flyweight division. No divisions are easy to rank, but flyweight is one of the toughest. Within this one weight class lies all the conundrums that face those trying to rank all-time greats. You first have to classify fighters spanning over 100 years, where the structure of the sport changed drastically. In addition, one is forced to split hairs over what is more important--title reigns, quality of opposition, and comparing resumes that contain many different forms of what you would call “greatness.” No easy task. Here are the ten best to ever do it at flyweight in the history of boxing. 1. Jimmy Wilde (1911-1923) Simply put, Wilde is one of the more fabled fighters in boxing history. A tiny man who won the Flyweight Title at 97 pounds, Wilde consistently leveled bigger men with power that ranks him amongst the hardest hitters of all-time. At one point, he was 91-0-1... Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:48:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_flyweights_of_all_time/12110782 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_flyweights_of_all_time/12110782 Top 10 best Flyweights of all-time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_flyweights_of_all_time/12110782 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png When Teddy Atlas correctly referred to Chicago as an "old fight town," he probably didn't mean shuffleboard with gloves on. Guys like Tony Canzoneri, Mushy Callahan and Fidel LaBarba fought at Wrigley field in the 1920's, and the Coliseum was for a time a famed boxing venue. But mummies and cobwebs looked to be the inhabitants of this week's edition of Friday Night Fights, with two faded former champions competing against younger foes looking to make names for themselves. Well, score one for immortality, at least. Jose Luis Castillo actually looked -- wait for it-- somewhat decent in notching a stoppage win over Ivan Popoca. But the other one goes to the hourglass, as Glen Johnson showed glimpses of youthfulness in early and mid rounds, but ultimately succumbed to the physicality and pace of the younger Andrzej Fonfara. Thankfully, it was much more watchable than not, and at times even pretty good action-wise. In the main event, 43-year-old former light... Sat, 14 Jul 2012 00:44:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/andrzej_fonfara_likely_retires_glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_scores_tko_over_ivan_popoca/11217955 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/andrzej_fonfara_likely_retires_glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_scores_tko_over_ivan_popoca/11217955 Andrzej Fonfara Likely Retires Glen Johnson, Jose Luis Castillo Scores TKO Over Ivan Popoca http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/andrzej_fonfara_likely_retires_glen_johnson_jose_luis_castillo_scores_tko_over_ivan_popoca/11217955 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/5/d5b3725bd24f7a2c57435bb4ee64c127df404190/mini/Tarver_v_Johnson_a662.jpg Ten Greatest Junior Lightweights in Boxing History Situated between featherweight and lightweight, it might surprise some that junior lightweight is the oldest division outside of the original 8 weight classes. Johnny Dundee first captured world title honors at this weight back in 1921. After a less-than-two decade run, the division fell into a state of disrepair, not emerging again until the 60’s. But since then, 130 has been a hotspot for boxing talent. A look at this top ten reveals that many greats have made 130 their home. Some have stayed here to make a career, while others have used it more as a pit stop. It can make ranking the fighters difficult, considering that only bouts contested at the weight are factored into these rankings. Since the late-70’s, junior lightweight has gone from sizzling to mundane many times. As of this writing, the division is in one of its lulls. But if history shows us anything, it’s to not sleep on 130. Time and again, this division has risen fro... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:41:26 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_super_featherweights_of_all_time/10625047 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_super_featherweights_of_all_time/10625047 Top 10 best super featherweights of all time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_super_featherweights_of_all_time/10625047 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Referring to Cuba's boxing history as "rich" would be a weak cliché that doesn't quite do the concept justice. Cuba's boxing history is wealthy. Even in outlawing professional boxing in 1961, men like Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon became absolute legends without ever stepping foot in a ring for money. And thanks to Stevenson and Savon, Cuba is the only country with two three-time Olympic gold medalists. That's without mentioning the numerous prolific amateurs and post-ban defectors that have played significant roles in world class boxing over the years, notably "Sugar" Ramos, Joel Casamayor and Jose Napoles, though there are many others. The birth of professional boxing in Cuba, perhaps unsurprisingly, was just about as political as its end immediately following the Revolution. But in the beginning, Cuba needed a world champion to be legitimized on an elite level. That's where Kid Chocolate came in. ******* To suggest the ... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:15:36 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_kid_chocolate/10619635 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_kid_chocolate/10619635 Victoria Aut Mors: Kid Chocolate http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/victoria_aut_mors_kid_chocolate/10619635 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png