My Top 10: Greats of Boxing

Published on 26 April 2023 at 18:18

Boxing is a sport that has been around for centuries, with the first recorded boxing match taking place in 1681. Over the years, the sport has evolved, and it has produced some of the most iconic and legendary athletes in history. Boxing is a sport that requires athleticism, skill, and courage, and the individuals who have excelled in this sport are true champions.

 

In this article, we will be discussing the 10 best boxers of all time. These are the individuals who have left a lasting impact on the sport and have achieved incredible feats in the ring. From Muhammad Ali to Floyd Mayweather Jr., these boxers have captivated audiences and left a lasting legacy in the world of sports.

 

1. Muhammad Ali

 

Muhammad Ali, also known as "The Greatest," is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time. Born Cassius Clay in 1942, Ali began boxing at the age of 12 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a professional boxer. He won his first heavyweight title in 1964, defeating Sonny Liston in a stunning upset.

 

Ali is known for his quick wit and his ability to trash-talk his opponents, but he was also an incredible athlete. He had lightning-fast footwork and a powerful punch that left his opponents reeling. Ali was also known for his activism outside of the ring, speaking out against racism and the Vietnam War.

 

Over the course of his career, Ali won 56 fights and lost only 5. He held the heavyweight title three separate times and is the only boxer to have won the lineal heavyweight championship three times. Ali's boxing career spanned over 20 years, and he retired in 1981 as one of the most iconic athletes in history.

 

2. Sugar Ray Robinson

 

Sugar Ray Robinson, born Walker Smith Jr., is considered by many to be the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time. Robinson began his career as a welterweight, but he quickly moved up to middleweight, where he dominated the competition.

 

Robinson was known for his incredible footwork and his ability to move around the ring with ease. He was also a devastating puncher, with a knockout percentage of 69%. Over the course of his career, Robinson won 173 fights and lost only 19. He held the middleweight title five times and the welterweight title once.

 

Robinson's career spanned over 25 years, and he retired in 1965. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time remains intact to this day.

 

3. Joe Louis

 

Joe Louis, also known as the "Brown Bomber," is one of the most iconic boxers in history. Born in 1914, Louis began boxing at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become a professional boxer. He won his first heavyweight title in 1937, defeating James J. Braddock in a brutal fight.

 

Louis was known for his devastating punching power, with a knockout percentage of 68%. He held the heavyweight title for a record 11 years and defended it 25 times. Over the course of his career, Louis won 66 fights and lost only 3.

 

Louis retired in 1951 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He remains an icon in the world of sports and is remembered as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

 

4. Rocky Marciano

 

Rocky Marciano, born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, is the only heavyweight boxer to retire undefeated. Marciano began his career as a professional boxer in 1948 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a dominant force in the ring.

 

Marciano was known for his incredible punching power, with a knockout percentage of 87%. He held the heavyweight title for four years and defended it six times. Over the course of his career, Marciano won 49 fights and retired undefeated.

 

Marciano retired in 1956 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He remains one of the most iconic boxers in history and is remembered as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

 

5. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

 

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of the most successful boxers in history. Born in 1977, Mayweather began his career as a professional boxer in 1996 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a dominant force in the ring.

 

Mayweather is known for his incredible defensive skills, with a record of 50 wins and 0 losses. He has won world titles in five different weight classes and is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound boxer of his generation.

 

Mayweather retired in 2017 and remains an iconic figure in the world of sports. His legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time is secure, and he is remembered for his incredible skill and dedication to the sport.

 

6. Jack Johnson

 

Jack Johnson, born in 1878, was the first African American to win the heavyweight title. Johnson began his career as a professional boxer in 1897 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a dominant force in the ring.

 

Johnson was known for his incredible defensive skills and his ability to take a punch. He held the heavyweight title for over seven years and defended it 12 times. Over the course of his career, Johnson won 73 fights and lost only 13.

 

Johnson retired in 1931 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He remains an iconic figure in the world of sports and is remembered for breaking down racial barriers in boxing.

 

7. Mike Tyson

 

Mike Tyson, born in 1966, is one of the most iconic boxers in history. Tyson began his career as a professional boxer in 1985 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a dominant force in the ring.

 

Tyson was known for his incredible punching power, with a knockout percentage of 88%. He held the heavyweight title for four years and defended it nine times. Over the course of his career, Tyson won 50 fights and lost only 6.

 

Tyson retired in 2005 and remains an iconic figure in the world of sports. His legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time is secure, and he is remembered for his incredible skill and ferocity in the ring.

 

8. Roberto Duran

 

Roberto Duran, born in 1951, is one of the greatest boxers in history. Duran began his career as a professional boxer in 1968 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a dominant force in the ring.

 

Duran was known for his incredible punching power and his ability to take a punch. He held world titles in four different weight classes and is considered by many to be one of the best lightweights of all time.

 

Over the course of his career, Duran won 103 fights and lost only 16. He retired in 2002 and remains an iconic figure in the world of sports. His legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time is secure, and he is remembered for his incredible skill and dedication to the sport.

 

9. Joe Frazier

 

Joe Frazier, born in 1944, is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Frazier began his career as a professional boxer in 1965 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a dominant force in the ring.

 

Frazier was known for his incredible punching power and his relentless pressure. He held the heavyweight title for over two years and defended it five times. Over the course of his career, Frazier won 32 fights and lost only 4.

 

Frazier retired in 1981 and remains an iconic figure in the world of sports. His legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time is secure, and he is remembered for his incredible skill and ferocity in the ring.

 

10. Lennox Lewis

 

Lennox Lewis, born in 1965, is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Lewis began his career as a professional boxer in 1989 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a dominant force in the ring.

 

Lewis was known for his incredible punching power and his technical skills. He held the heavyweight title for over eight years and defended it 14 times. Over the course of his career, Lewis won 41 fights and lost only 2.

 

Lewis retired in 2004 and remains an iconic figure in the world of sports. His legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time is secure, and he is remembered for his incredible skill and dedication to the sport.

 

 

 

Boxing is a sport that has produced some of the most iconic and legendary athletes in history. From Muhammad Ali to Lennox Lewis, these boxers have left a lasting impact on the sport and have achieved incredible feats in the ring. Whether it's their incredible punching power or their defensive skills, these boxers have captivated audiences and left a lasting legacy in the world of sports.

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