Top 10 Greatest Boxers in History

Boxing is undeniably one of the most popular and widely watched combat sports in the world. The noble art has captivated millions of fans worldwide for several decades now. Throughout its existence, this sport has seen legends that are now impossible to forget, and who continue to inspire countless aspiring boxers. Discover here our list of the 10 greatest boxers in the history of this sport. 

Muhammad Ali 

Born Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali is one of the names that comes to mind immediately when it comes to boxing. The American boxer made waves during his professional career in the 1960s and 70s. Known for his impressive technical skills and particularly for his evasive movements, the heavyweight boxer left an indelible mark on the history of boxing. He won title after title, notably capturing the WBA and WBC belts multiple times. He ended his career sadly with a defeat, but with the impressive record of 56 wins and only 5 losses. 

Mike Tyson 

Another great among the greatest American boxers, Mike Tyson belongs to the generation following Muhammad Ali, who was his idol. Tyson impressed from his amateur beginnings, finishing his fights well before the limit and with astonishing ease. The heavyweight athlete compensated for his small stature with very smart movements and simply astronomical power. In a match, Tyson became a true beast, proving that he was the best in the world at his time. Over his career, he achieved 50 wins, including 44 by KO, and only recorded 6 losses and one draw. A rather rare professional record. 

Floyd Mayweather 

Because not all the greatest boxing champions in the world are heavyweights, here’s a prominent American boxer from the featherweight category. Floyd Mayweather also made his mark in higher categories, going up to the super welterweight division. The American achieved what could be called a perfect career. Not only did he never experience defeat, but the champion was also never troubled in the ring. He stands out for his speed of movement and unparalleled evasive ability.

Agile and intelligent in the ring, he won WBC titles in the super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, and super welterweight categories during his excellent career. He also won the WBA world title in the welterweight and super welterweight categories, and finally the IBF title in the welterweight category. 

Joe Frazier 

Joe Frazier was a prominent professional boxer and world champion during the 1970s. He was Muhammad Ali’s main rival, with the two champions facing off three times. Although he lost twice, Frazier was the one who handed Ali the very first defeat of his professional career.  His formidable left hook was so impressive that it was dubbed “the celestial punch.”

In the heavyweight category, Joe Frazier won the WBA title as well as the WBC title several times. He was undoubtedly one of the best in the world, even though he competed in Ali’s shadow. His professional career saw only one draw and four defeats, against 32 victories. 

Sugar Ray Robinson 

Sugar Ray Robinson was the first professional boxer to win the same title five times, namely the middleweight world champion title. In the ring, Robinson displayed a pure style and could pick up the pace whenever he wanted. Each of his fights was a pleasure to watch for boxing fans. In the 1950s and 60s, Robinson had no less than 200 fights, winning 173 of them. An impressive statistic that makes him one of the greatest professional boxers.

George Foreman 

With 76 wins, including 68 by KO, and only 5 losses, Foreman deserves his place among the 10 greatest boxers the sport has known. This genius impressed in the ring for nearly three decades until he retired in 1997. The American won the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles in the heavyweight category during his professional career. His phenomenal punching power is certainly his most developed quality, which undoubtedly earned him a place among the best. 

Julio César Chavez 

The first non-USA boxer in this ranking, Mexican Julio César Chavez stood out with 107 wins in 115 fights. A perfect record that few professionals can boast of. Each fight of this boxing champion was impressive, as he demonstrated unparalleled qualities. Julio César Chavez won world champion titles in three different weight categories: super featherweight, lightweight, and super lightweight. His style was based on aggression and constant pressure, leaving no respite for the opponent. The Mexican was undoubtedly one of the best boxers of his time, and even in the history of boxing.

Jack Dempsey 

Jack Dempsey is one of the oldest boxers in our ranking. Born in 1895, he is among the old legends of boxing. A heavyweight and light heavyweight, the boxer recorded 66 wins in his 83 matches and lost only 6 times. In the ring, the boxing champion made his mark on numerous occasions, especially in his fight against Georges Carpentier, which is now one of the most-watched in this sport. Dempsey was distinguished by his punching power, which floored many and terrified his opponents at the time. A true father of boxing and initiator of his style, who must be included in this ranking of the best.

Sugar Ray Leonard 

Leonard is one of the last boxers in our ranking. This legend achieved success after success, winning titles from welterweight to super middleweight. He thus imposed himself in 4 different weight categories at a time when the competition was tough, thanks to his flawless technique and tireless dynamism.

Joe Louis

In the tenth position, it is impossible to omit Joe Louis, nicknamed “The Brown Bomber”. Heavyweight world champion from 1937 to 1949, Louis is one of the greatest boxers of all time. His punching power, impeccable technique, and speed allowed him to dominate the heavyweight category for more than a decade.

With 66 professional fights, including 52 wins by KO, Louis made history with memorable bouts, notably his iconic victory over Max Schmeling in 1938, which took on a symbolic dimension during the pre-World War II period. His contribution to boxing goes far beyond his achievements in the ring, as he also played a crucial role in the fight against racial segregation in sports.

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