World Light Heavyweight Champion 1961-1963 A clever technical fighter with an excellent jab, Johnson also packed a punch. Ring Magazine & The Associated Press ranked him as the 7th best light heavyweight of all-time.
Saxton was a highly skilled fighter with fast hands and good footwork. But due to organized crime's influence over boxing in that era, the authenticity of his title winning efforts over Kid Gavilan & Carmen Basilio have long been questioned.
"He sort of tiptoed on the edge of greatness... He was a hell of a fighter though." - Bert Sugar
Nino Valdes was a top 10 rated heavyweight for much of the 1950s. The Cuban boxer scored a major upset over Ezzard Charles in 1953, and was considered at one time as the #1 contender to Rocky Marciano, but never received a title shot.
BWAA Fighter of the Year 1953 Gavilan was both a stylist and a brawler, a rare combination that made him perfect for the early days of televised sports.
World Light Heavyweight Champion 1950-1952 "Maxim's reputation was that of a relatively gentle soul with immense style and boxing prowess." - Sports Illustrated