Choosing the best boxers in history is definitely not an exact science, especially because people feel so strongly about their favorite fighters as well as their least favorite fighters. The following list includes some of history's best boxers, taking into consideration their actual fight record, as well as the level of competition and the level of talent of each fighter.
It is not difficult to make a case for Muhammad Ali as the greatest boxer in history, and Ali himself would probably agree. His amateur career included 100 wins and just five losses, as well as taking the gold medal in the light heavyweight division during the 1960 summer Olympic games in Rome. As a pro, he won 56 fights and lost just five bouts, three of them coming at the end of his career. He also defeated some of boxing's toughest competitors, including George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson.
While Ali's nickname might be "The Greatest," there are those that would argue that Joe Louis was the best boxer ever. Louis's professional record is stronger than Ali's with 69 wins and just three losses. He knocked out 57 of his opponents and held the world heavyweight title for more than 10 years, longer than any other heavyweight fighter. Much like Ali, Joe Louis was a charismatic figure and an American hero; he even served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Another contender for the greatest boxer in history would have to be Sugar Ray Robinson. Many other boxers, including Joe Louis and Jake La Motta consider him the greatest boxer. Muhammad Ali, who nicknamed himself "The Greatest," even said that Robinson was "The King," and his idol. With 200 total fights, he lost only 19 and won 108 fights by knockout.
While he is usually not at the top of the list, Rocky Marciano certainly deserves a spot in the Top Ten fighters of all time. Not only was he undefeated in all of his 49 pro fights, 43 of them were wins by knockout. Although Marciano did not face the same caliber of opponents as greats such as Joe Louis or Muhammad Ali, he is the only heavyweight champion to remain undefeated during his entire career.
One of the first truly great and notable fighters of the modern era was Jack Johnson. While his record is not quite as strong as some of the aforementioned fighters, he did win 80 of his 114 pro fights. Johnson is also notable as he was the first African American world heavyweight champion and was the victor in the "Fight of the Century," a battle between Johnson and former champ James Jeffries. This fight was not only seen as a huge victory for Johnson but also for the progression of African Americans in sports in general.
It is not difficult to make a case for Muhammad Ali as the greatest boxer in history, and Ali himself would probably agree. His amateur career included 100 wins and just five losses, as well as taking the gold medal in the light heavyweight division during the 1960 summer Olympic games in Rome. As a pro, he won 56 fights and lost just five bouts, three of them coming at the end of his career. He also defeated some of boxing's toughest competitors, including George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson.
While Ali's nickname might be "The Greatest," there are those that would argue that Joe Louis was the best boxer ever. Louis's professional record is stronger than Ali's with 69 wins and just three losses. He knocked out 57 of his opponents and held the world heavyweight title for more than 10 years, longer than any other heavyweight fighter. Much like Ali, Joe Louis was a charismatic figure and an American hero; he even served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Another contender for the greatest boxer in history would have to be Sugar Ray Robinson. Many other boxers, including Joe Louis and Jake La Motta consider him the greatest boxer. Muhammad Ali, who nicknamed himself "The Greatest," even said that Robinson was "The King," and his idol. With 200 total fights, he lost only 19 and won 108 fights by knockout.
While he is usually not at the top of the list, Rocky Marciano certainly deserves a spot in the Top Ten fighters of all time. Not only was he undefeated in all of his 49 pro fights, 43 of them were wins by knockout. Although Marciano did not face the same caliber of opponents as greats such as Joe Louis or Muhammad Ali, he is the only heavyweight champion to remain undefeated during his entire career.
One of the first truly great and notable fighters of the modern era was Jack Johnson. While his record is not quite as strong as some of the aforementioned fighters, he did win 80 of his 114 pro fights. Johnson is also notable as he was the first African American world heavyweight champion and was the victor in the "Fight of the Century," a battle between Johnson and former champ James Jeffries. This fight was not only seen as a huge victory for Johnson but also for the progression of African Americans in sports in general.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias enjoys blogging about mixed martial arts advantages. To get more information about a boxing club San Diego or to find mixed martial arts classes in San Diego, check out The Arena MMA.com now.
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