Boxing is an ancient and fundamental part of Asian culture – and it still is today. From the Native Americans who arrived in the New World through European colonization to modern-day boxers all over the world, boxers have shaped history as we know it.
While there are many great fighters in boxing history, there are only a few that you will remember for years to come: Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Jack Dempsey, Sandy Saddler and more. These icons all fought inside a boxing ring at some point in their lives; but which fighter is the best boxer of all time? Here’s what you need to know about the 10 greatest boxers of all time.
Henry Armstrong: The Greatest Puncher of All Time?
Born in 1862 in England, Henry Armstrong became one of the world’s most outstanding pugilists. He is most famous for his “shut-the-f-up” strategy and his “clinch” technique. The punch he used that won him his first world title in 1887 is still recognized as one of the greatest pummels in history. Armstrong was a multiple world champion in his time, amassing a record of 69-4-2 with 61 knockouts. His record of 69 knockouts in 61 fights is incredible, to say the least. His notable wins include over Jess Willard, Tommy Burns, Jack Johnson, Sam Langford, and many, many more. Although he never became a star in the U.S., Armstrong lived in England for much of his life. There, he became a hugely popular champion, beloved by both the British and American boxing public.
Muhammad Ali: The Most Famous Boxer of All Time?
The ring is called the “twenty-first century” for a reason – it’s filled with stars these days. Muhammad Ali was a household name in the 60’s and 70’s, and he remains one today. Beloved as much for his personality as his boxing skills, Ali was, and is, one of the all-time greats. In 1964, at the age of 40, Ali won the world heavyweight championship by defeating George Foreman in a very close match. This victory made Ali the youngest champion in history, and it also made boxing history for many other reasons. Ali’s win over Foreman is often cited as one of the most famous upsets in boxing history. Since then, Ali has gone on to win 11 more world titles, and he is still considered one of the top World Boxing Council (WBC) champions of all time.
Jack Dempsey: One of the World’s Greatest Ever Boxers?
Debate raged for decades over who was the best ever boxer, but in the end, Dempsey won out. He’s credited with 20 knockout wins, a record for boxers, and he set numerous boxing records, including most consecutive knockouts (eight), most knockdown in one round (nine), and list of opponents who lost their respective fights due to injury (notably, former champion Gene Tunney). However, Dempsey’s most famous accomplishment was winning the title from Wallace “Waity-Eyes” Simpson in 1901. The two had already fought once, and Dempsey won that fight by TKO due to a cut on his left eye. However, he was unable to get the decision in the rematch, which he won easily.
Bernard Hopkins: A Decade of Boxing Champions?
Hopkins may not have won the world title, but he is the living, breathing representation of a classic era in boxing. Born in 1923, Hopkins never saw the inside of a boxing ring as a child. His father, a physician, saw to that. However, Hopkins’s eyes were opened to the world of boxing by his father, and he soon became an avid fan. After winning a few amateur matches, he turned professional in 1951. Between 1952 and 1961, Hopkins won the former WBC, WBA and IBF light-heavyweight titles. However, he finished his career with a record of 47-6-2, with 35 knockouts, and he is still remembered as one of the best boxers of all time.
Evander Holyfield: The Best Heavyweight in History?
Holyfield was a two-time heavyweight champion, and he is widely regarded as one of the best in history. He also happens to be one of the hardest hitters in the history of boxing. Holyfield was the first fighter in history to win the heavyweight championship three times, from November 14, 1994 to February 3, 1995, and again from June 8, 1996 to July 24, 1996. After winning the first two fights by knockout, Holyfield fought Lennox Lewis in a rematch. This time, it was Lewis who prevailed with a unanimous decision, which is still the final result of the fight.
Sergio Martinez: Three-Rounds and a Draw?
Martinez is widely regarded as one of the best fighters in boxing history. He won three straight gold medals at the 1992 and 2000 Olympics, and he is also a two-time Mundial de Boxeo (world boxing tournament) champion. In addition to his boxing skills, Martinez is known for his sense of humor and his drinking binges. He is often spotted at the local bar, where he can be found in the company of friends and strangers alike. However, Martinez’s biggest accomplishment as a boxer was his third round knockout of Jean-Marc Gyle at the 1999 World Championships. The round was so close that many believed it could have gone either way.
Mike Tyson: The Fastest Man in Boxing?
The late Mike Tyson was a human highlight reel, and he is widely known for his brutality in the ring. However, behind the mask, he was a loving and caring person, who was willing to help others achieve their dreams. Tyson was born in 1936 in Coronavirus, an illness that leads to advanced aging in humans. However, he was able to overcome this illness and become famous as an eight-division boxing champion. Although he never became a world-renowned star in the U.S., Tyson lived in Coronavirus-free boxers’ clothing for much of his life. He was a beloved member of the boxing community, and he will be greatly missed.
Floyd “The Connors” Mayweather: Fourteen Kicks, Two Knockouts and the Ring Record to Prove It!
Born in 1967 in Louisville, Kentucky, Mayweather was one of 10 children. He began boxing at the age of five, and by the time he was thirteen, he was a world-class boxer. Mayweather’s first fight was a four-round exhibition against a friend, and he entered the ring at the age of fifteen. He has gone on to have a Hall of Fame career, with a record of 122-19-1 as a pro, and he is the only boxer to hold two Reno and three Las Vegas card titles at the same time. Mayweather’s nickname, “Money Mayweather,” is indicative of his success as a professional boxer. During his career, he has amassed a fortune estimated at $300 million.
Zab Judah: Fighting Back From Surgery Already?
Jewel is the current IBA lightweight champion, and she was a two-time world champion in amateur boxing. She won gold at the 2000 Olympics and the 2003 World Championships, and she holds the IBA lightweight title for two years running. During her boxing career, Jewel won four national amateur championships, including the 2001 RING TEN tournament. She also won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships in women’s boxing, and she was named the 2003 Female Athlete of the Year by Sports Illustrated.
Butch “The Deacon” Hinchcliffe: The Greatest Middleweight Ever?
Hinchcliffe was a three-time world middleweight champion, and he retired in 1957 after compiling a record of 66-3-1, with 39 knockouts. He is widely recognized as one of the best boxers of all time, and he once said, “I think I’
