In terms of all-time greatest boxers, there is a heated debate typically among boxing enthusiasts. For example, some evaluators focus on the division, the time of career, and the foes that the fighter faced.
Therefore, there is still no agreement on this matter. In my study, I would like to provide a rationale for why such fighters were chosen and their positions established amongst the greatest of all time.
Influence of Some Boxers on the Development of Boxing
Some great boxers who have greatly contributed to the changes are Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and others. Ali brought charm and voice to the sport of boxing and the need for it through protests while Mayweather single-handedly changed the aspect of fight promotion and contracts.
It also applies to the training process and athlete conditioning setting standards for future boxers to follow. Lastly, such icons not only influenced the popularity of boxing but also left a good legacy that made it possible to make advancements in boxing while paying homage to the known history.
Top 15 Greatest Boxers of All Time
Below are the 15 greatest boxers of all time;
15. Jimmy Wilde
Country: UK
Boxing Record: 150 fights, 137 Wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, 8 no contest.
His real height is only five-foot-two and nicknamed “the Mighty Atom”, this feather-fisted giant Jimmy Wilde is considered to be probably the finest boxer of all times, specifically in the flyweight class.
Regardless of his large body Wilde had a serious knockout punch: of 131 bouts 99 he won by knockout.
He had warmly impressive victories over Englishman Sid Smith and he also lost the World flyweight title in the last about of his career and he was beaten only three times in his boxing career.
14. Archie Moore
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 220 fights, 186 wins, 23 losses, 10 draws, 1 no contest.
His many careers ran from 1935 to 1963 making him one of the legends of legends of the boxing ring. He boasts of having found 186 fights and set a record of hundred and thirty-one knockouts and is regarded as the longest reigning Light Heavyweight World Champion.
Slowly but surely, he lost most of his fights as he embraced the Heavyweight category and fought with personalities like Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali.
13. Sugar Ray Leonard
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 40 Fights, 36 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw.
Sugar Ray Leonard is one of the most popular boxers of all time and he was named ‘Boxer of the Decade’ for the 1980s.
He also was the world title holder in five different weight categories and also seized the honor of a Gold medal in the Olympics in 1976.
Although he fought in three bouts during his career, he managed to participate in 40 fights, out of which he won 36 and lost only 3 with such famous opponents as Roberto Duran.
Another fact was that Leonard was the first boxer in the history of the sport to earn more than one hundred million dollars in purses.
12. Rocky Marciano
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 49 fights, 49 wins, 0 losses.
Boxer of the year five times and also reportedly one of the best pugilists ever to grace the ring, Rocky Marciano is the only heavyweight boxing champion who has retired from the ring without tasting defeat.
Some critics say that during Marciano’s title defense from 1947 through 1955 the ebony heavyweight division was not at its highest, key selection of opponents that Marciano saw in Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Archie Moore.
He currently possesses the record of fifty victorious fights out of which forty-three were by knockouts making his knockout ratio the highest of all the heavyweight champions.
11. Benny Leonard
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 219 fights. 185 wins. 22 losses, 9 draws, 3 no contest.
As the record holder of the longest reign in the lightweight division, Benny Leonard was recognized as one of the world’s greatest boxers of all time. Born from a rough childhood in Manhattan which he used as a background to transform into a lightweight champion in 1917 he retired as a champion in 1925.
In the early 1930’s after losing a large portion of his money due to the stock market crash of 1929, he returned to boxing and had quite an excellent record of winning eighteen out of nineteen fights.
It does not matter what more can be said about Leonard; quick feet, good defense, and tremendous punching power made him a legend.
10. Roberto Duran
Country: Panama
Boxing Record: 119 fights, 103 wins, 16 losses.
Roberto Duran is one of the favorites that are often listed as the best boxers in history. Popularly known as “Hands of Stone”, it took five decades of boxing to put him down because of his herculean power and solid endurance.
Duran was a world champion holder of four weight classes and among the most unstoppable pugilists of the ring, with a record of 103 wins to his credit.
9. Sam Langford
Country: Canada
Boxing Record: 314 fights, 210 wins, 43 losses, 53 draws, 8 no contest
He was born Samuel Langford in Galveston, Texas and although he isn’t well-known he is considered to be one of the best punchers the boxing world has ever seen. Due to color prejudice, he did not become a world champion, but the man fought 314 fights and lost only 30 of them.
They include many best-known fighters and after defeating them, Robinson rightfully occupies an important place in the history of boxing.
8. Jack Johnson
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 94, fights, 68 wins, 11 losses, 11 draws, 4 no contest
Jack Johnson who was an African American is a key icon in the history of boxing as he was the first one to be the World Heavyweight Champion.
These achievements were accomplished at a time when race relations in the U. S was very tense.
This reluctance to fight Sam Langford has been a source of controversy regarding Johnson’s ability but it cannot take away from the fact that he was a great boxer and one of the first black champions.
This was a very famous fight between Johnson and James Jeffries in 1910 that ensured Johnson’s place in boxing history.
7. Harry Greb
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 299 fights, 261 wins, 16 losses, 19 draws, 1 no contest
Harry Greb also known as “The Pittsburgh Windmill” remains among the most renowned boxers who enjoyed a unique and incredible career. His preference for fighting style was aggressive, high-volume puncher and he participated in 299 fights.
Of course, he had many fights and numerous opponents used unfair means against Greb. Nevertheless, thanks to his power and sheer determination Greb became the World Middleweight Champion and now he is considered to be one of the greatest boxers in history.
6. Willie Pep
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 241 fights, 229 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw
Regarded as the greatest featherweight in the history of boxing Willie Pep featured bright and remarkable fighting skills coupled with fantastic agility.
Some of the records that were established by Pep include, that he had fought 241 times, out of which he had won 229 of the bouts, which included the record of winning a round without the use of a punch.
He was undoubtedly one of the fastest boxers on the planet with tremendous defensive skills as well that make him part of the elite list of the best fighters the world has ever seen.
5. Henry Armstrong
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 183 fights, 151 wins, 21 losses, 9 draws
Henry Armstrong is one of the great famous champions that have ever graced the boxing ring, primarily because he was a world champion in three different weight classes at once, a record that to this date remains unbeaten.
His hard-working attitude and capacity to fight against other great champions make him qualified as one of the best boxers in the world.
Here are some more facts about Armstrong that might tell the world about his great talent; He has defeated many champions.
4. Joe Louis
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 69 Fights, 66 wins, 3 losses
Joe Louis known as the “Brown Bomber’ is among the greatest boxers in the sporting world and African Americans have been privileged to watch. Becoming the heavyweight champion in 1937, he went on successfully to defend his title 25 times which was a record at that time irrespective of weight division.
The life of Louis from the modest boy who became a well-known fighter, makes him one of the best known boxers in history.
3. Sugar Ray Robinson
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 201 fights, 174 wins, 19 losses, 6 draws, 2 no contest.
The great fame and recognition that Sugar Ray Robinson has was well deserved and that is why he is considered by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter of all times.
Holding titles in several different weight categories, Sugar Ray continued his career with excellence in the welterweight and middleweight groups that placed him as a standard of the sport.
The skill along with 174 wins proves this man’s place among the world’s best boxers even though Robinson was never knocked out in his career.
2. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 50 Fights, 50 Wins, 0 losses
Floyd Mayweather Jr. the great puncher of his time is one of the most discussed boxers in the history of boxing. Critics say he ducked certain fighters to preserve his unbeaten record, especially against Manny Pacquiao when they were during their heyday.
Nevertheless, his defensive capabilities are unmatched by any other boxer in the recorded history of such combat sports.
Mayweather is a living legend, who has a record Apostle record of 50 wins with knockouts and with known victories on the champions including Oscar De La Hoya, and Ricky Hatton.
1. Muhammad Ali
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 61 fights, 56 wins, 5 losses
As for now, Muhammad Ali is thought to be the best boxer of all time, and people all over the world tend to agree with this statement.
Often characterized as a slick mover Ali demonstrated his talents during many a battle including memorable matches against Joe Frazier and George Foreman. Nevertheless, Ali was able to regain his titles after receiving some setbacks such as being suspended for three and half years.
The show will hence not only be a treasure to sports lovers but especially to those who have an interest in boxing as he is more than a core figure in the social identity of the sport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which punch is More important in boxing?
Fundamentally the jab is said to be the most crucial fundamental punch that is used effectively in the boxing theater. That is why the saying goes ‘a right hand may take you around the block, but a solid jab will take you around the world’.
Which boxer has knocked out the highest number of world champions in boxing?
Indeed, Floyd Mayweather is the only one on the list with 23 wins against titleholders and world champions at the time of their bouts. This is very close to half the total fights that he has, proving him to be a fighter who could fight the best.
Who is the richest boxer in the world?’.
The best-paid boxer and the richest one is Floyd Mayweather with his net worth of 400 million dollars.
Conclusion
It is difficult to compare the elite fighters, and the arguments mostly hinge on style, weight class, or time dislikes.
Skill, achievements, and contribution to the sport are some of the aspects considered. Names like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Floyd Mayweather are
