Boxing has produced some of the most iconic athletes in sports history. From Muhammad Ali’s poetic swagger to Sugar Ray Robinson’s lightning footwork, there have been several boxing legends who have etched their names into the annals of history. Join us on a journey through the fascinating stories and remarkable achievements of the greatest boxers in history.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the 20 most famous boxers in history:
1. Muhammad Ali
(56-5, 37 KOs)
Muhammad Ali is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time. Born on 17 January 1942, Ali became an amateur boxer at 12. He boxed until 1981 when he retired.
His time in the ring was highlighted by his quickness and footwork, knockout power, Innovative “rope-a-dope” strategy, and easy adaptability. Muhammad Ali won three Heavyweight titles (1964, 1974, and 1978) and held it for a combined 11 years.
He registered 56 Wins and 5 Losses, with an impressive record of 37 knockouts. Ali won gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Also a social justice advocate, civil rights icon, and philanthropist, he died in 2016 at the age of 74.
2. Sugar Ray Robinson
(173-19-6, 109 KOs)
Regarded by many as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter, Robinson held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951 and the world middleweight title from 1951 to 1960.
Born Walker Smith Jr. in 1921, Sugar Ray Robinson went professional at 19. By the time he finally retired in 1952, he had already clinched the world championship titles in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
He also registered the longest unbeaten streak in professional boxing- 91 fights from 1943 to 1951.
3. Joe Louis
(66-3, 52 KOs)
Nicknamed “The Brown Bomber,” Louis held the heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949 and defended it a record 25 times.
Born in 1914, Joe Louis went professional at the age of 17 and would go on to become the youngest heavyweight champion at the time when he won the title at 23.
In his career, Louis won 66 fights and lost 3. His impressive record is decorated with 52 knockouts. He was the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949.
4. Mike Tyson
(50-6, 44 KOs)
Tyson’s intimidating presence and formidable punching power made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20 after he broke Joe Louis’s record.
Born Michael Gerard Tyson in 1966, Iron Mike started his career as a professional boxer at 18. He fought until he retired in 2005. His career saw him winning the WBA, WBC, IBF, and Ring Magazine titles.
He became known for his ferocious fighting skills, his powerful punches, and defensive skills. In total, he won 50 bouts with 44 knockouts and lost only 6.
5. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
(50-0, 27 KOs)
Mayweather’s undefeated record and flashy style earned him the nickname “Money” and a spot among boxing’s all-time greats.
He was born into a boxing family in 1977 and so he spent his childhood around the sport. Mayweather went professional at the age of 16. He remained undefeated all through his career, with 50 wins, out of which 27 were knockouts. He held simultaneous titles in multiple divisions.
After he retired from boxing, Money became a boxing promoter.
6. George Foreman
(76-5, 68 KOs)
Big George was born on January 10, 1949, and took to boxing as a child because of the troubled childhood he was forced to endure. He went professional in 1969.
A two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist he had 68 knockouts from his 76 wins and only recorded 5 losses. He had a presence that was always felt in the ring because of his imposing figure and relentless pressure. He became the oldest heavyweight champion when he clinched the title at the age of 45.
Foreman retired in 1997 and after that, he became a Christian minister, a film executive producer, and an entrepreneur.
7. Bernard Hopkins
(55-8-2, 32 KOs)
Hopkins held the undisputed middleweight title from 2001 to 2005 and became the oldest boxer to win a world title at 46.
The Executioner was born on January 15, 1965. He fell in love with boxing and started as an amateur even before he was 10. However, he got into a life of crime when he was a teenager.
He was sentenced to prison when he was 17, to spend the next 18 years behind bars. It was here that he rededicated his life to boxing and when he was released after five years, he got his life in order, stayed out of trouble, and became a professional boxer.
He won 55 bouts out of which 32 were through knockouts and he lost 8 fights. He became the undisputed middleweight champion from 2001 to 2005 and made a record-breaking title defense of 20. He remained a professional boxer for 28 years before he retired.
8. Roberto Durán
(103-16, 70 KOs)
Duran’s versatility and toughness earned him world titles in four weight classes. Hands of Stone was born on June 16, 1951, and after a successful amateur career, he made his professional debut in 1968 when he was only 16.
The boxer won his first 31 fights. His career saw him winning a total of 103 fights, 70 of which were by knockouts and then he lost 16.
The aggressive fighter with devastating hooks and uppercuts won world champion titles in 4 decades. His career lasted 33 years and he won 66 title fights.
9. Marvin Hagler
(62-3-2, 52 KOs)
Hagler’s dominant middleweight reign lasted from 1979 to 1987.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler was born on May 23, 1954. He was 10 years old when he wore gloves for the first time before going on to have a great amateur career. He started his professional career in 1973.
Marvin became an Undisputed Middleweight Champion in 1979 and from then to 1987, he won all three major titles with 12 title defenses. In a career that lasted 14 years, he won 67 fights, 52 of which were from knockouts. He lost 3 fights and had 2 draws.
He was recognized as having the Longest Middleweight Title Reign of 6.5 years and the most title defenses.
Marvin Hagler died in 2021 at the age of 66.
10. Carlos Monzon
(87-3-9, 59 KOs)
Monzon’s rugged style earned him the undisputed middleweight title from 1970 to 1977.
Escopeta was born on 7 August 1942. He fell in love with boxing as a child and got to start his amateur career in 1959. Three years later, he started his professional career that would last to 1974.
During his time as a boxer, Monzón who is considered to be the greatest middleweight boxer won the Unified WBA, WBC, and Ring Magazine titles. He recorded a total of 87 wins with 59 knockouts and only 3 losses. Along the way, he made 14 title defenses.
He died in 1995 at 52 years old.
See Also: 10 Best Boxing Movies Every Lover Of Boxing Should See
Here Are Other Famous Boxers
11. Rocky Marciano
(49-0, 43 KOs)
Marciano retired undefeated, holding the heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956.
12. Larry Holmes
(69-3, 44 KOs)
Holmes held the heavyweight title from 1978 to 1985.
13. Evander Holyfield
(44-10-2, 23 KOs)
Holyfield’s victories over Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe cemented his legacy.
14. Riddick Bowe
(43-5, 33 KOs)
Bowe’s intense rivalry with Evander Holyfield produced epic battles.
15. Sugar Ray Leonard
(36-3-1, 25 KOs)
Leonard’s charisma and skill made him a household name.
16. Jack Dempsey
(51-6-8, 25 KOs)
Dempsey’s aggressive style and punching power made him a pioneering figure.
17. Oscar De La Hoya
(39-6, 30 KOs)
De La Hoya’s captivating style and crossover appeal made him a modern icon.
18. Manny Pacquiao
(62-7-2, 39 KOs)
Pacquiao’s incredible journey from poverty to eight-division world champion inspired millions.
19. Julio César Chávez
(107-6-2, 85 KOs)
Chávez’s relentless pressure and formidable punching power made him a Mexican legend.
20. Pernell Whitaker
(40-4-1, 17 KOs)
Whitaker’s defensive mastery and slick style earned him world titles in four weight classes.
These boxing legends have inspired generations with incredible talent, determination, and resilience.
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