*Fighters must be retired for consideration
THERE is perhaps no better candidate than Mexico when picking a country which embodies the true spirit of boxing.
Heart, passion, drama, the power and the glory, have taken boys from the barrios and transformed them into giants of the sport. Boxing’s DNA would not be the same without Mexico. From journeymen to gatekeepers to iconic champions, Mexicans are born to fight and here are 10 of the greatest to ever do it.
10 Miguel Canto (61-9-4, 15 KOs)
ONE of the finest little men of the sport, Canto is near the top of many greatest-ever flyweight lists. Canto’s footwork and combinations got him past Shoji Oguma to take the WBC flyweight crown in 1975. Fourteen defences followed, showcasing his gifts on the front and back foot, as he beat the high-calibre Betulio Gonzalez three years after losing to the Venezuelan. This was in the middle of a 24-bout winning run incorporating 14 title fights. His power didn’t instil fear, but his jab, lead hook and counters were nightmarish for anyone looking to get the better of him.
