It's cool that you're taking up Boxing, bro, because it's an awesome discipline from which to start off with and then branch out of. It's ******* intense cardio-wise, and you'll start to sprout some muscle in places that you'd never imagine. You'll really do well and find it fun if you don't go in there with any ulterior motives other than just learning how to strike (trying to learn some moves to beat up some dude who's been hasslin' you, or to impress the bitches with your moves and **** would be silly and counterintuitive) Just go int there with a blank slate and no ego, bro, and learn.
Anyway. As far as favorite fighters go...hmm....****. Well, I don't know if I have a fixed top 5/10 or whatever, but I'll try to list some of 'em.
Bas Rutten- calling 'em a ******* legend would be an absolute understatement, man. Bas was a ******* menacing God in his day. One of the most punishing (if you're impressed with Silva's standup, check out Bas) fighters to ever enter the ring, man. He was versatile, he was intelligent and most of all, he was entertaining and highly charismatic. They don't come any tougher than Bas, man.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UuC6Wj6ewiY
Sakuraba-another legend....the 'Gracie Killer" as he's known, for his famous and epic bouts with the Gracie clan. I love his demeanor, his all around skill both on the ground and standing up, and also his heart. Pride wasted this poor bastard and almost killed 'em by feeding him to guys a weight class or two bigger than him, but he never backed down from any fight or ducked anyone. The ****er just has no quit in 'em, he epitomizes the Bushido Code to the fullest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V84_6McLQ3Y
^^ definitive example of Saku's never-say-die spirit...I hope that he calls it quits soon, though.
Genki Sudo- one of the funniest, most entertaining and amiable humans around, man. Aside from his renowned and elaborate entrances and heartfelt banner of the world that reads "We are all one", he's a very imaginative and flair-filled fighter. He could be phenomenally text-book on the ground, but he just laid it out there in the ring with his improvisational sense and combined so many disciplines effortlessly. He's like a Ronaldinho out there with his style and flash, man. It saddens me greatly that he's chosen to retire, man, because I really, really love 'em.
http://www.livevideo.com/media/playvideo_fs.aspx?fs=1&cid=48645101330946CB92636C184961F238
^^ That vid always chokes (NO HOMO) me up, man.
So, those are probably my three favorite fighters of all time, but Big Nog (another legend with a heart of a lion), Frank Shamrock, Igor Vochanchyn, Mark Hunt, Overeem (looks like a character straight out of Street Fighter), and Gilbert 'Nofriendtotheref" Yvel are all fighters that I really love.
Oh yeah, Ricardo Arona and Shogun aswell......if you want to see someone who gave Fedor all that he could handle, someone who made him look almost human, then try to 'tube his fight with Arona. The fight was a long time ago when they were just starting out and the rules were different and restricting, but it's still a wicked match.....and trust me, Fedor is worthy of all the hype that he receives.
Ever since Pride was bought out, a ton of material on the net has been removed, but if you search hard enough, you'll still find a lot of gold **** that'll help you become more intimate with the sport, bro.