In the past few years, boxing has experienced a lot of young talents who changed the face of the sport either positively or negatively. In this article, I put together a list of the 50 best pound-for-pound boxers of all time. Enjoy!
Pound For Pound in Boxing: Explained
Thus, the expression “pound for pound is a term that is used in boxing to try and compare fighters of different weight classes. It compares the fighter’s performance against the rest if all the fighters were of similar weight class category. This is based on the skill level of the technology, the achievements, how sporty it looks, and/|or how ubiquitous it is in the particular weight class.
This is important because fans and analysts have a means of comparing fighters who would never fight each other because of the difference in weight. The rankings are not definitive and can change from one analyst or website to another, however, they tend to assess the fighter’s performance across the board, not cage/enclosure/ ring specific.
Key criteria for pound-for-pound rankings often include Skill and Technique, FightRecord, Championship Titles, Dominance, and Versatility.
Pound-for-pound ratings can, however, be volatile and can vary from time to time owing to the aspects of; performances. Now let’s take a look at the top 50 greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time.
The Top 50 Pound-for-Pound Boxers of All Time
Below are the top 50 greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time:
Salvador Sanchez
Country: Mexico
Boxing Record: 44-1-1, 32 KO
Years Active: 1975-1982
Championships: WBC Featherweight
Several boxing analysts believe that when Salvador Sanchez was killed in a car accident in 1982 he was on his way to becoming the greatest featherweight of all time. Some of his accomplishments during his highly acclaimed fighting career were; Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Ruben Castillo, Juan Laporte,
Wilfredo Gomez, and Azumah Nelson. The only sad thing that has befallen me is that we did not get to see the best of him in the sport.
Wilfredo Gomez
Country: Puerto Rico
Boxing Record: 44-3-1, 42 KO
Years Active: 1974-1989
Championships: Three times WBC Super Bantamweight champion, WBC Featherweight champion, WBA Junior Lightweight champion
Arguably the most famous Puerto Rican fighter, someone who knocked out all his first 32 opponents, Bazooka Gomez was a lethal puncher. Some of his historical fights were with Carlos Zarate, Salvador Sanchez, and Lupe Pintor with the most famous fight being with Zarate: the fight was complicated with a high knockout percentage, and Gomez won by KO in the fifth round.
Ted “Kid” Lewis
Country: UK
Boxing Record: 232-46-23, 77 KO
Years Active: 1909-1929
Championships: World Welterweight Champion
Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis is listed more aptly by boxing historian Bert Sugar at number 33rd. Lewis was a 2-time WW and in this classification, he is most famous for his fight with Jack Britton, in a total of 20 bouts Lewis had 3 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw with 12 no-decisions.
Newspaper decisions were typical at the time if no knockout was achieved, sportswriters would announce a victor in their reports.
Oscar De La Hoya
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 39-6, 30 KO
Years Active: 1992-2008
Championships: Ten world crowns in six weight classes: Super Featherweight WBO; Lightweight WBO and IBF; Junior Welterweight WBC; Welterweight WBC (2x); Junior Middleweight WBA/WBC (2x) Middleweight WBO
If charisma was the standard, then, “The Golden Boy would stand at the doorstep of echelon. Oscar De La Hoya is a boxing legend who made lots of money and went far beyond the ring. He even scored wins on 17 world champions and captured 10 belts, the most noteworthy triumphs against Felix Trinidad and Shane Mosley.
Mike Tyson
Boxing Record: 50-6, 2 NC, 44 KO
Years Active: 1985-2005
Championships: WBC/WBA Titles two times each, IBF Heavyweight and Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
Regarded in pop culture as ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet,’ Mike Tyson was an unbeatable force in the heavyweight division particularly through the late 1980s into the 1990 season. By the age of twenty-one, he managed to make a record of the youngest fighter to fight for the WBC, IBF, and the WBA Undisputed Heavyweight Championship title.
Alexis Arguello
Country: Nicaragua
Boxing Record: 77-8, 62 KO
Years Active: 1968-1995
Championships: the most famous ones: are the WBA Featherweight Champion, the WBC Super Featherweight Champion, and the WBC Lightweight Champion.
Arguello is regarded as one of the hardest-punching fighters in boxing history, the Associated Press ranked him the number one junior lightweight of all time. Most importantly, he never actually lost a title inside the ring, surrendering each to move up into higher-weight divisions in search of other titles.
He has flamboyant fights with Aaron Pryor in the Junior Welterweight Championship.
Pernell Whitaker
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 40-4-1, 1 NC, 17 KO
Years Active: 1984-2001
Championships: Six titles in three different weight classes: IBF/WBC/WBA Lightweight, IBF/WBC Welterweight titles in WBA Junior Middleweight.
Again, Kelly Pomper put Pernell’s “Sweet Pea” Whitaker in a bad light simply because his style of fighting is quite nuanced, and he does not pack the punch to knock his opponents down. He was the six-time world champion for lightweight and has dominated the said division through knockouts over fighters such as Greg Haugen and Julio de Cesar Chavez; however, his wins in most of his big matches were more or less considered as tainted by controversy.
Carlos Monzon
Country: Argentina
Boxing Record: 87-3-9, 1 NC, 59 KO
Years Active: 1963-1977
Championships: WBA/WBC Middleweight Champion
If there ever was a fighter that perfectly embodied this anomie, it has to be this man Monzon: A great fighter who held the middleweight championship for both the WBC and the WBA in the same timeframe, but was also known for his violent tendencies.
This man was convicted for murder in 1989. To some of the world’s top legends, he registered marvelous successes over Emile Griffith and Jose Napoles.
Larry Holmes
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 69-6, 44 KO
Years Active: 1973-2002
Championships: WBC/IBF Heavyweight Champion
Larry Holmes was a sporting personality, who did not lose a fight through his first 48 fights, he held the WBC Heavyweight Championship for 5 years and simultaneously the IBF title for about 2 years.
He was involved in 20 titles and gained a similar victory to Joe Louis in the division, and was characterized by a lethal left jab.
Eder Jofre
Country: Brazil
Boxing Record: 72-2-4, 50 KO
Years Active: 1957-1976
Championships: WBC/WBA Bantamweight Championship, WBC Bantamweight Championship, 8-division and lineal titles
A lot of observers do not give Eder Jofre much attention, solely because they cannot easily see him in action often because he fights mainly for the Brazilian ring. He began his boxing career with a 50-0 record, he only lost his first fight to Fighting Harada of Japan. Jofre would both capture the WBA as well as WBC bantamweight straps.
Thomas Hearns
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 61-5-1, 48 KO
Years Active: 1977-2006
Championships: Six titles in five weight categories (WBA welterweight, WBC junior middleweight, WBC middleweight, WBO super middleweight, WBC and WBA light heavyweight).
Tommy “Hitman” Hearns is hailed as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxing giants of all time, winning world titles in four and then five weight classes. It’s hard to separate him from his conflicts with fellow legends including Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Roberto Duran, even though the only triumph for Alvarez was against Duran.
Roy Jones Jr.
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 66-10, 47 KO
Years Active: 1989-2018
Championships: Sulky, Some 32 championships that include eight GOLD world titles in four weight categories – Middleweight (IBF), Super Middleweight (IBF), Light Heavyweight (WBC/WBA – two each), Light Heavyweight (IBF), Heavyweight (WBA).
It has been said that Roy Jones Jr. is a boxing champion, he has many world title reigns and for this reason, he is one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers. Surprisingly, many critics have stood in judgment of his era but in his career, he defeated established boxers such as Hopkins and James Toney. Interestingly, he got to fight and win as a heavyweight champion even though he began his professional fighting career as a below-middleweight fighter.
Marvin Hagler
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 62-3-2, 52 KO
Years Active: 1973-1987
Championships: WBC, WBA and IBF Middleweight Champion, Middleweight Boxing Champion of the world
Outstanding Marvin Hagler or Marvelous Marvin Hagler is often listed among the list of best pound-for-pound boxers in world boxing history and he was very tough. During the year-long reign as the unchallengeable middleweight champion, his most famous fights include the split verdict loss to Sugar Ray Leonard and the knockout of Tommy Hearns.
Billy Conn
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 64-12-1, 15 KO
Years Active: 1934-1942, 1946-1948
Championships: NBA (later WBA) Light Heavyweight title, Undisputed Light Heavyweight title
Billy Conn ‘The Pittsburgh Kid’ is one of the most effective pound-for-pound boxers the sweet science of boxing has ever produced who once had the nerve to challenge the great Joe Louis for the heavyweight championship. Especially in the above fight with Louis which he lost, he was very skillful and mannered as a wrestler in this game.
Emile Griffith
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 85-24-2, 1 NC, 23 KO
Years Active: 1958-1977
Championships: Region: II Welterweight World II Title Footnote: Held WBC/ WBA welters, II and WBC/ WBA middleweight II and I Titles.
Emile Griffith was another welterweight and middleweight multiple-time champion who some believe is the best pound-for-pound boxer of all time. In particular tensions with Benny Paret and other boxers, some of which involve controversy, make his career more memorable regardless of the controversies.
Terry McGovern
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 59-5-4, 44 KO
Years Active: 1897-1908
Championships: He was the World Bantamweight Champion as well as the World Featherweight Champion.
Terry ‘Terrible’ McGovern was among the world’s most exceptional pound-and-pound boxing champions who triumphed in two weight classes and was also a powerful puncher. His reputation as one of the toughest opponents boxing has ever seen is still felt today.
Manny Pacquiao
Country: Philippine
Boxing Record: 62-8-2, 39 KO
Years Active: 1995-2021
Championships: Flyweight (WBC), Super Bantamweight (IBF), Featherweight (WBC), Super Featherweight (WBA), Lightweight (WBC), Welterweight (WBC, IBF, WBO), Super Welterweight (WBA), Middleweight (WBO)
Among the world’s top fighters with regards to pound-for-pound rating that features the most skillful fighters regardless of weight category, Manny Pacquiao is deemed to occupy one of the most promising positions, although he is the first who conquered eight world champion titles in various weight divisions. This coupled with his ability to fight the very best in the division, saw his bitter rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Jose Napoles
Country: Cuba-Mexico
Boxing Record: 81-7, 54 KO
Years Active: 1958-1975
Championships: WBC/WBA Welterweight Champion of the world three-time
Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles is now considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in history and one of the best-ever welterweights. The power and technique expressed in beating great and strong rivals, and what translated his legend into the chronicles of boxing.
Sandy Saddler
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 144-16-2, 103 KO
Years Active: 1944-1956
Championships: WBC Featherweight Title (2X), WBC Super Featherweight Titles
Sandy Saddler, one of boxing’s sternest punchers is always listed among the all-time great pound-for-pound boxers. The bitter rivalry with Willie Pep and an astonishing number of knockouts tell much about his position in boxing history.
Marcel Cerdan
Country: Algeria (French)
Boxing Record: 111-4, 65 KO
Years Active: 1938-1949
Championships: In Europe, I was known for various titles, including NBA (later WBA) Middleweight Champion.
Marcel Cerdan is regarded as the greatest French boxer of all time and is acknowledged among some of the greatest pound-for-pound champions ever. His win against Tony Zale granted him the NBA Middleweight Championship belt as one of the high moments in his boxing career.
Ruben Olivares
Country: Mexico
Boxing Record: 89-13-3, 79 KO
Years Active: 1965-1988
Championships: WBA/WBC Bantamweight (2X each), WBA Featherweight, WBC Featherweight
Ruben Olivares is accredited for once being the best fighter from Mexico and is often ranked highly among all-time greats pound-for-pound fighters. He has staked his claim for the position of the best bantamweight of all time and has the triumphs over Bobby Chacon and Jose Luis Ramirez to prove it. The most shocking knockout loss in his career was when he was down on the scorecards to Alexis Arguello.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Country: USA
Record: 50-0, 27 KO
Years Active: 1996-Present
Championships: about eight in five weight divisions
Despite criticism for having an easier career path and avoiding as many fights as other boxers, his skill, defense, and records make Floyd Mayweather Jr one of the greatest pound–for–pound in history.
What more can we say about the man who has conquered the world championships in five different weight categories? People always debate about the quality of his opponents but can there be any better representation than his decisive victory against Diego Corrales?
Ezzard Charles
Country: USA
Record: 93-25-1, 52 KO
Years Active: 1940-1959
Championships: World Boxer Association (WBA) and also the lineal champion of the NBA
Ezzard Charles also known as the Cincinnati Cobra is one of the most decorated pound-for-pound best boxers of all time in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight category. Other achievements of the fighter include scoring victories over such legends as Joe Louis and Archie Moore, which enshrine him.
Bernard Hopkins
Country: USA
Record: 55-8-2, 2 NC, 32 KO
Years Active: 1988-Present
Championships: Five WBC world titles in two different weight classes
Bernard Hopkins is one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of boxing, a definite candidate for the role of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the history of boxing. A native of Ukraine he is a former undisputed middleweight champion having the record of most title defense in that particular category. Most significant of all, he stood as the oldest champion ever at 46 years of age.
Jake LaMotta
Country: Italy
Record: 83-19-4, 30 KO
Years Active: 1941-1954
Championships: It held the NBA (later WBA) Middleweight and World Middleweight Championship.
The great pound-for-pound champion Jake LaMotta called “The Raging Bull” is on the list of the greatest legends in boxing. His slugger and enforcer-like nature made him a popular middleweight, especially in his wars with Sugar Ray Robinson.
Joe Frazier
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 32-4-1, 27 KO
Years Active: 1965-1981
Championships: WBC/WBA Heavyweight
Joe Frazier, who defeated Muhammad Ali in what became known as the Fight of the Century, is ranked among the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time. But more so, heart and relentlessness in the ring enabled him to make good performances and great stands against the best fighters.
Tony Canzoneri
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 137-24-10, 44 KO
Years Active: 1925-1939
Championships: This would see him become the NBA (later WBA) Featherweight champion, the World Lightweight title holder twice over, and the World Junior Welterweight title holder twice over.
Of course, Tony Canzoneri can also be named among the top pound-for-pound boxers of all time and he fought in a quite colorful epoch of this sport. Other than his technical style and good looks, how he has won titles in three divisions of boxing against top competitors makes him unique.
Jimmy McLarnin
Country: Irish
Boxing Record: 54-11-3, 21 KO
Years Active:1923-1936
Championships: World Lightweight, World Welterweight (Two times)
Every red-blooded American is aware that Jimmy McLarnin, the Baby-Faced Assassin of the boxing ring, has been ranked consistently at the top of best pound-for-pound boxers of all time. His blows and fighting instinct were powerful prognoses throughout a lynching career, more notably in his string against Barney Ross.
Barney Ross
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 74-4-3, 22 KO
Years Active: 1929-1938
Championship: WBA World Lightweight, WBF World Junior Welterweight, WBA World Welterweight, and WBA Welterweight title twice.
Barney is a fighter who cannot be omitted from the list of great pound-for-pound boxers in the industry. Most importantly, he was never knocked out in his professional career and exhibited great courage in his fight with most legends of the era.
Stanley Ketchel
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 51-4-4, 48 KO
Years Active: 1903-1910
Championships: World Middleweight (2X)
Stanley Ketchel who fought under the nickname the “Michigan Assassin” was an American professional boxer of the pre-World War I era. He was born in 1886 and he was given the chance to become the middleweight champion in 1908 however it is recognized very famous that this man is undoubtedly one of the best middleweights of all time. Ketchel possessed fearsome punching power and produced several knockdowns during his fights.
His career lasted only a very short number of years and ended prematurely when he was killed in 1910 at the age of 24, but he was well-known in the boxing world as an aggressive fighter with great punching power.
George Foreman
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 76-5, 68 KO
Years Active: 1969-1997
Championships: WBA/IBF Heavyweight title, The Ring magazine’s currently listed World Heavyweight
Most heavyweight enshrinees cannot even come close to the stature of the great pound-for-pound boxer that is George Foreman. An Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion the power and determination were the hallmarks of his successful career.
Julio Cesar Chavez
Country: Mexico
Boxing Record: 108-6-2, 87 KO
Years Active: 1980-2005
Championships: The six-time world champion, in three categories of weight.
Mexican-born Julio Cesar Chavez is called the greatest Mexican fighter, and one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in boxing history. Those swift blows in the ring and the attacking strategy of this man encapsulate the fighting career of this man: Meldrick Taylor.
Mickey Walker
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 94-19-4
Years Active: 1919-1935
Championships: World Welterweight title, World Middleweight title
Mickey Walker, another spirited fighter, is marked among the nicked tune pounds for black boxers of all time. His fights in more than one weight division, where he would win titles also speak so much about the fighter’s skill.
Jimmy Wilde
Country: Wales
Boxing Record: 132-4-1, 98 KO
Years Active: 1919-1935
Championships: Championnat D’Europe De Différentes Classes, Champion Du Monde Des Poids-Légers
‘Ghost of the North’ Jimmy Wilde had a record that made him arguably pound for pound one of the best boxers to have ever graced the ring and he was the first official World Flyweight Champion. His one hundred and two caps and playing success in Europe make him an all-time legend in football.
Archie Moore
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 185-23-10, 131 KO
Years Active: 1935-1963
Championships: World Light Heavyweight
The ultimate member of our list of greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time includes Archie Moore, who people refer to as one of the greatest of the light heavyweight division. Throughout his career, he defeated many renowned Hall of Famers in this motorsport.
Rocky Marciano
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 49-0, 43 KO
Years Active: 1948-1955
Championships: World Heavyweight
Rocky Marciano also holds the record of the only heavyweight title holder who retired with a clean record from the championship level, making him one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in history. He also possessed a strong striking and great KO record and all his successive title defenses show the extent of his expertise.
Gene Tunney
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 65-1-1, 48 KO
Years Active: 1915-1928
Championships: World Heavyweight
Tunney was a master of tactical boxing and that has placed him at the top shelf of greatest of all-time pound-for-pound bouncers. Winning the fight against Jack Dempsey and the only defeat by Harry Greb is considered to have defined boxing history.
Sam Langford
Country: Canada
Boxing Record: 210-43-53, NC 8,126 KO
Years Active: 1902-1926
Championships: World Colored Middleweight, World Colored Heavyweight champion (five times).
The media treats Sam Langford unfairly although this man was a giant with incredible punching power; this tends to be linked with racism which was a big issue in the world of boxing in general and particularly in the United States at that time. Fellow black champion, Jack Johnson, was also afraid to fight him.
He was a five-time World Colored Heavyweight champion and achieved some hectic wins like a win over Stanley Ketchel from the middleweight class. Most don’t think he was robbed over the decision against Johnson in a split verdict fight.
Joe Gans
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 157-12-22, NC 6, 100 KO
Years Active: 1893-1909
Championships: World Lightweight
Historically judged to be the best lightweight of all time, Joe Gans was the first black world champion. He defended this lightweight title for six years, thus creating the way for other black fighters.
Harry Greb
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 261-16-19, NC 1,49 KO
Years Active: 1913-1926
Championships: World Middleweight
An incredible hard puncher, Harry Greb was one of the most illustrious brawlers of his time and fought more than 300 fights against rather stern competitors. Especially for his frenzied pressing attack, he scored 100 knockouts in 104 official victories and often competed in higher weight categories.
Pay attention also to the fact that he is the only fighter who Vanquished Gene Tunney, the heavyweight icon.
Sugar Ray Leonard
Country: USA
Record: 36-3-1, 25 KO
Years Active: 1977-1997
Championships: Seven of the titles are in five different weight classes
He was a champion of champions who beat all the best at welterweight, middleweight, light middleweight, junior light heavyweight, and light heavyweight divisions. His list of achievements entails wins over boxing immortals Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran.
Benny Leonard
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 90-6-1, 70 KO
Years Active: 1911-1932
Championships: World Lightweight
Benny Lewis was fast in the ring and quite a thinking man in there too. He got 70 knockouts in 90 fights and remains one of the most decorated lightweights of all time.
Jack Dempsey
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 61-6-9, 34 KO
Years Active: 1914-1927
Championships: World Heavyweight
Jack Dempsey was boxing in the weight division in the early 1920s and was popular because of his many knockouts. He knocked on the great Jess Willard in 1919 for the title and is accredited within the All-Time heavyweight list.
Jack Johnson
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 53-11-9, 34 KO
Years Active: 1897-1931
Championships: World Colored Heavyweight, which is World Heavyweight.
Jack Johnson was socially sensitive, especially for being a black man to champion the white heavyweight champs. He gained serious lingers and opponents after having won the title in 1908, and became a cultural hero both inside and outside the ring.
Roberto Duran
Country: Panama
Boxing Record: 103-16, 70 KO
Years Active: 1968-2001
Championships: Five titles within four divisions
Duran, professionally nicknamed “Manos de Piedra,” participated in 103 pro fights, having an exciting violent style and fighting for more than five decades. He is referred to as the greatest lightweight of all time and was well known for beating marvelous fighters such as Sugar Ray Leonard.
Joe Louis
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 66-3, 52 KO
Years Active: 1934-1951
Championships: World Heavyweight
Joe Louis “the brown bomber” is quite famous for his 25 title defenses in consecutive 140 months. He grew into a popular man in American society especially so after clinching victories against other rivals such as Max Schmeling.
Muhammad Ali
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 56-5, 37 KO
Years Active: 1960-1981
Championships: WBA Heavyweight (4 time), WBC Heavyweight (2 time)
In many people’s eyes, I think that Ali is the greatest heavyweight of all time and his showmanship coupled with his influence outside of the ring probably increased this perception. But most people saw his special approach and defiance in fights with Joe Frazier and George Foreman.
Willie Pep
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 229-11-1, 65 KO
Years Active: 1940-1966
Championships: World Featherweight
Willie Pep is most remembered for his speed and endurance, a featherweight boxer, who dominated this category throughout. He has been more of a legendary figure with an incredible record to his credit.
Henry Armstrong
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 151-21-9, 101 KO
Years Active: 1931-1945
Championships: Universal Feather, Lightweight, Welterweight
A single cyclist would rarely hold three world titles at the same time from the perspective of Armstrong. He stands today among the best fighters one can ever wish to have due to his tenacity and talent.
Sugar Ray Robinson
Country: USA
Boxing Record: 174-19-6, NC 2 109 KO
Years Active: 1940-1965
Championships: Current WBO Welterweight, Former WBO Middleweight (5 Time)
As the original holder of pound for pound list, Robinson has an amateur record that is untainted, further, he had victories over the best fighters. All these factors lead to the ability and power together with versatility that makes this great fighter a boxing legend.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In professional boxing how much would a cruiserweight be allowed to weigh?
The limit weight for the cruiserweight category of professional boxing is 200 pounds.
Who was the first boxer to make $100m+ in total earnings through prize money?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is among the first boxers to earn more than one hundred million dollars in purses.
The object frequently thrown into the boxing ring as a symbol of loss is What?
A towel is usually waved in the ring to give one of the fighters up in the boxing match.
Conclusion
Therefore, these boxers have helped not only to write the history of this kind of fight but also to lay a foundation that would be emulated by following generations.
