By James Slater: I think its time for another list! Following on from my top ten list of the 10 best fights held in Las Vegas, I have compiled my own personal choice of the ten fighters who have given us (in my opinion anyway) the most scintillating and action-packed fights in boxing during the time that I have existed on this planet.

Since I was born in 1971, there are many fighters that I had to give consideration to. Compiling such a list is never an easy job, though it is a somewhat fun and enjoyable task. Hopefully, each and every person who reads it will find it fun and enjoyable also. And please remember - just because a fighter is considered one of the most exciting, this does not necessarily mean he is one of the all-round best or most talented - last nights brave loser Juan Manuel Lopez for example.

But Juanma arguably the most consistently thrilling fighter around today (and a possible future addition to the following list) moves fans in a quite passion-filled manner. So did these guys:

1. Thomas The Hitman Hearns

Quite simply, hardly ever in a dull fight. Participated in THE greatest fight in middleweight history, if not in all of boxing, when he met Marvellous Marvin Hagler. Thrilled millions with his two fights against Sugar Ray Leonard. Hearns also scored one of the most electrifying KOs in boxing history when he annihilated Roberto Duran in two rounds in 1984. Throw in his intense and action-crammed bouts with Pipino Cuevas, Juan Roldan, Iran Barkley, Dennis Andries, James Schuler and Doug Dewitt, and its clear to see why he sits at the very top of this list. Tommy always took great pride in giving his fans a great show and almost always did so. Due to his incredible heart Tommy was still capable of giving us a thrill when his prime years had long gone. The Hitman reigns supreme in my opinion.

2. Muhammad Ali

It can be argued that the career of The Greatest provided its most incredible and heart pounding moments when it reached its later stages. Although he was undeniably at his absolute best in the 1960s, it was during the 70s that he really had the fans screaming themselves hoarse. Ali gave us the most gruelling and action-filled fight in heavyweight history when he met archrival Smokin Joe Frazier for the third time. And if some fans disagree with The Thrillas status as the greatest heavyweight fight it is only because they favour Alis first encounter with Frazier. Ali also shocked the world against George Foreman in Zaire in the second half of his career, as well as giving us fine fights against the likes of Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo, Jerry Quarry, Bob Foster, Ken Norton and Earnie Shavers. In the final analysis, when Ali fought - the world stopped!

3. Mike Tyson

Although ultimately Mike Tyson may well be remembered more as a human disaster zone than as a prize fighter, back when he was focused and lived a (relatively) normal life Iron Mike was a very special fighter. And although many of his opponents were beaten before they entered the ring with him, Tyson performances almost always were met with fan approval. Ok, it could be argued that some of his fights produced such quick and easy looking blowouts that value for money was never always produced, but Mike could usually be relied upon to provide a spectacular KO for his audience. He was a fast and hard puncher, a combination which is a dead cert to lead to some brutally mowed down opposition. In his prime, the termination to a Tyson fight gave us many a highlight reel KO. Fighters such as Trevor Berbick, Michael Spinks, Marvis Frazier, Pinklon Thomas and Tony Tubbs, to name only five, were dispatched in quite stunning fashion. How we could use a peak Mike Tyson these days!

4. Matthew Saad Muhammad

More here:
Fighters Who Thrilled! The Ten Most Exciting (a personal appreciation)