Muhammad Ali Is Number One, Who Are The Other Greatest Boxers Of All-Time?
Boxing is not a subjective sport by any means. If you're a winner, the statistics will back that up without a doubt. Some fighters will talk a big game, but their talent or stat sheet won't even be close to backing it up. Then you have your stars who are highly skilled and generations of future fighters, fans, and analysts respect for decades. Who are the best boxers of all-time? A consensus number one is none other than Muhammad Ali, but who else is the mix? Perhaps Andre Ward and Manny Pacquiao? Find out what we think and decide for yourself.
Marvin Hagler - 62 Wins, 3 Losses
We'll kick things off with one of the best middleweights of all-time. Marvin Hagler was the world middleweight champion for six and a half years. That's the second-longest reign in that division's history. During that reign, he made title defenses against other fighters you'll see later on this list.
What was so special about Hagler is that he had one of the best chins in the sport's history. After his heart-breaking loss to Sugar Ray Leonard that was a disputed majority decision, Hagler retired and never came back.
Julio Cesar Chavez - 107 Wins, 6 Losses
Julio Cesar Chavez was an impressive boxer. He went on a streak of 87 consecutive wins to start his career- a remarkable feat. The record was blemished after a controversial draw with Pernell Whitaker in 1993.
Four months after that draw, the legend from Mexico lost a split decision to Frankie Randall, and it seemed like Chavez was human after all. As you see by the record, he still was a bad man in the ring and became a Hall of Famer in 2011.
Bernard Hopkins - 55 Wins, 8 Losses
Bernard Hopkins didn't learn to box traditionally. He was taught at Graterford Prison while serving an 18-year sentence. Upon his release in 1988, Hopkins debuted and soon became one of history's best pound-for-pound boxers.
Hopkins earned the nickname "The Alien" as he used great fundamentals to topple some of the best fighters in the world like Oscar De La Hoya and Winky Wright. Hopkins also had another remarkable accomplishment of defending his middleweight belt for a record 20 consecutive times.
George Foreman - 76 Wins, 5 Losses
George Foreman had one of the most distinguished careers in boxing. In 1973, Foreman destroyed Joe Frazier in two rounds to gain lineal heavyweight titles. But after later losing to Muhammad Ali and then getting outscored by Jimmy Young, Foreman quit and practically vanished.
Around a decade later, Foreman returned with added weight and won 24 straight fights. He put the cherry on top of his return after defeating Michael Moore in 10 rounds to regain the heavyweight title.
Ezzard Charles - 95 Wins, 25 Losses
Ezzard Charles was the true definition of a lionhearted boxer. The dynamic competitor took out a bevy of Hall of Famers during his career. One of his most notable victories came when he unanimously outscored Joe Louis to keep his heavyweight belt.
Due to financial reasons, Charles' record was a little off thanks to taking on fights well past his prime. That happens to be the case for many prizefighters, unfortunately. Nevertheless, he is still an all-time great.
Evander Holyfield - 44 Wins, 10 Losses
Evander Holyfield has a list of accomplishments that go on and on. For starters, he's the only person to be the undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion. When he was just an amateur, Holyfield won a bronze medal for the U.S.
Holyfield had a relentless toughness and durability. You didn't want to be caught by his counter left hook, or that would spell trouble for you. He was forced to retire due to medical advice but would return two years later and defeat Mike Tyson to reclaim the title in an upset.
Joe Frazier - 32 Wins, 4 Losses
You know he's a great boxer when only Muhammad Ali and George Foreman are the ones to hand you defeat. Joe Frazier had two losses from Foreman and Ali but would terrorize his other opponents, handing out 27 knockouts. Frazier was also a gold medalist at the 1964 Olympics.
Pugilists were very cautious of Frazier's left hook because it could have very well left you unconscious. He earned the nickname "Smokin' Joe" and landed in the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Larry Holmes - 69 Wins, 6 Losses
Larry Holmes started his career on a hot streak by winning 48 fights, one win away from Rocky Marciano's record. Holmes is said to have the greatest left jab in heavyweight history. How else do you think he was the champion for seven and a half years?
Holmes was notorious for rallying back after getting stunned, so fighters were never safe in a bout with him. Holmes worked his skills well and was one of the only boxers ever to defeat Muhammad Ali, even though Ali wasn't fully prepared for the fight.
Lennox Lewis - 41 Wins, 2 Losses
Lennox Lewis has a dual British and Canadian citizenship and is an Olympic gold medalist representing Canada. Lewis is also a three-time world heavyweight champion. The 6'5" boxer tormented his opponents with his severe right cross and dwarfed his opponents.
The two defeats he sustained came at the hands of Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman. The sad part about those losses is that they were both knockouts and with the title on the line. He did a rematch with both and reclaimed his titles.
Willie Pep - 229 Wins, 11 Losses
When you bring up defensive fighters in the modern era, the name Floyd Mayweather comes to mind. In the past, Willie Pep owned that title and didn't let up. He was such a defensive mastermind, he once won a round without throwing a single punch.
Pep was practically unhittable and had blinding quick hand speed. He got the nickname "Will o' the Wisp" and might as well be remembered as the marquee featherweight of boxing. He finally became a Hall of Famer in 1990.
Archie Moore - 186 Wins, 23 Losses
Here's another fighter from back in the day who had an absolutely amazing win-to-loss ratio. Many consider Archie Moore the most celebrated light heavyweight of all-time. Moore was a defensive mastermind who had a chin made of steel.
His nickname was "The Old Mongoose," and he recorded the most knockouts in boxing history, 131. After 219 professional fights, Moore decided to hang it up in 1963. He was placed in the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Pernell Whitaker - 40 Wins, 4 Losses
Pernell Whitaker had quite the career. He was a four-weight world champion and won the Olympic gold medal in 1984. Whitaker was a southpaw and an elusive one at that. The defensive man had cat-like reflexes and a stinging right jab.
His most significant match against Julio Cesar Chavez for the super lightweight championship should have been a win, but instead ended in a controversial draw. Many felt it was a clear-cut victory, but then he lost his title in another close fight to Oscar De La Hoya.
Mike Tyson - 50 Wins, 6 Losses
A big part of Mike Tyson's game is that he's very intimidating. Probably one of the most of all-time. Tyson had knockout power in both fists, which allowed him to become the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title when he was just 20-years-old.
Nicknamed "Iron Mike," he won his first nineteen pro fights by knockout. Twelve of those fights happened to end in the first round. He completed his career with a whopping 44 knockouts. Tyson's career might have ended on a wrong note, but it doesn't discredit how much of a beast he was and still is.
Fighting Harada - 55 Wins, 7 Losses
Hands down the best Japanese boxer ever, Masahiko Harada had an aggressive style that helped him win the flyweight and bantamweight world titles. Harada is also the only man to beat the legendary Eder Jofre in one of their two meetings.
Harada is still the only boxer to have both the lineal flyweight and bantamweight titles at the same time. Clearly, he's in a league of his own to have such an accomplishment.
Jack Dempsey - 54 Wins, 6 Losses
Back during the Roaring Twenties, Jack Dempsey was nothing short of a cultural icon. The hard-hitting puncher would set attendance and financial records practically everytime he stepped into the ring. That's what you call a big ticket.
Nicknamed "The Manassa Mauler," he retired after judges unanimously chose Gene Tunney to be the winner in their 1927 fight. Dempsey was praised for his uncanny skills of bobbing and weaving. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1954.
Ricardo Lopez - 51 Wins, 0 Losses
Another competitor with zero losses enters the list. Ricardo Lopez was a technically-sound fighter who pressured his opponents and had deceptive power for his weight class. He's the best strawweight champion of all-time and has titles in two different weight classes.
We can safely say Lopez had only one blemish on him. It was the eight-round technical draw against Rosendo Alvarez. He would find his revenge later by a majority decision win. Lopez is the only boxer to retire with an undefeated record for both pro and amateur.
Andre Ward - 32 Wins, 0 Losses
Andre Ward is one of the newest fighters that we have featured on this list. Ward has won eight world titles in super middleweight and light heavyweight classes. Ward also captured a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.
When Ward moved up a weight class, he took on Sergey Kovalev and took home the light heavyweight title. He had an underrated left hook, but it's what helped him sustain an undefeated record. When he retired in 2017, he shocked the boxing community as he went out as the number one pound-for-pound boxer according to The Ring magazine.
Roy Jones Jr. - 66 Wins, 9 Losses
Roy Jones Jr. was one of the greatest fighters boxing has ever had the pleasure of witnessing. In his prime, he was a superstar who had little competition. The BWAA named him their 1990s "Fighter of the Decade."
Jones' greatest professional achievement had to be when he defeated John Ruiz unanimously to become the first middleweight to clinch a heavyweight title in more than 100 years. His record is a little misleading because he continued to fight until he was 49-years-old.
Joe Louis - 66 Wins, 3 Losses
When we say Joe Louis was virtually unstoppable in the ring, we mean that. After he obtained the heavyweight title from James J. Braddock in 1937, he successfully went on to defend the title 26 times.
And what was more amazing about Louis is the fact that he became somewhat of a domestic hero as an African American. He beat down German fighter Max Schmeling in 124 seconds to become a historical figure in boxing. Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded him a Congressional Gold Medal in 1982.
Sugar Ray Leonard - 36 Wins, 3 Losses
How's this as a segway to your professional career? Sugar Ray Leonard won a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal before debuting as professional in 1977. Often overlooked due to his boyish appearance, he was not to be messed with.
When it was all said and done, Leonard won five world titles in five different weight classes. Leonard was also named the Boxer of the Decade for the '80s and was the first fighter to earn more than $100 million in purses.
Roberto Duran - 103 Wins, 16 Losses
Roberto Duran earned the nickname of "Manos de Piedra" which translate to Hands of Stone thanks to his tremendous punching power. Hailing from Panama, Duran was an incredible brawler with the perfect set of skills that helped him slip punches easily.
Hands of Stone was a four-weight world champion whose signature victory was against Sugar Ray Leonard for the welterweight title. Duran outmaneuvered Leonard and handed him his first professional loss after a 15-round unanimous decision.
Roman Gonzalez - 46 Wins - 2 Losses
Roman Gonzalez was known as "Chocolatito" and had a massive punch that helped him become the first boxer from Nicaragua to win world titles in four different weight divisions. He did so in the four lowest weight classes as well.
From 2015 to March 2017, The Ring considered him the best pound-for-pound boxer. There has only been one man to defeat him, and he has done so twice. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai did so by knock out in one match and by majority decision in another fight.
Harry Greb - 261 Wins, 17 Losses
Harry Greb came up in an era plagued by racism, but he refused to turn down any challenge. His agility and durability were off the charts. Greb lacked power, so to compensate, he had to employ an aggressive style.
He would continuously trap his opponents in the ropes. Greb has a total of 298 documented matches, but he ended up retiring after his loss to Tiger Flowers in 1926. "The Pittsburgh Windmill" was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.
Wladimir Klitschko - 64 Wins, 5 Losses
Wladimir Klitschko is a Ukrainian boxer with tons of size and is a very intelligent fighter. He holds the record for the longest combined world championship reign in boxing history: 4,383 days. Klitschko also has the second most title defenses only behind Joe Louis.
As if that wasn't enough to solidify his dominance, Klitschko also earned a 1996 Olympic gold medal in the super heavyweight division. He ended up retiring after one of his greatest fights that ended in a loss.
Jack Johnson - 73 Wins, 13 Losses
Jack Johnson is an American sporting pioneer and his impact cannot be diminished. He's the first African American to secure a heavyweight title back in 1908 by defeating Tommy Burns in Australia. Nicknamed the "Galveston Giant," he was a defensive wiz as well.
Not only did he have a great defense, but he had outstanding speed matched with great timing. President Trump granted a posthumous pardon to the boxer for when he violated the racially-motivated Mann Act in 1913.
James Toney - 77 Wins, 10 Losses
James Toney was a no-nonsense type of fighter. He had a tough guy demeanor mixed with a defensive, slick, and vicious fighting style. Toney successfully won world titles in three different weight classes (super middleweight, cruiserweight, and middleweight.)
Toney handled many top fighters from the middleweight and heavyweight class like Mike McCallum, Iran Barkley, and Evander Holyfield. Of his 77 wins, 47 of them were knockouts. He was supposed to join Roy Jones Jr. as the only middleweight to win a heavyweight championship but he tested positive on a drug test and had his titled stripped.
Benny Leonard - 89 Wins, 6 Losses
Benny Leonard is a boxing Jewish icon and one of the most unbeatable lightweights ever. Even though he had a small frame, Leonard had fists made of brick and retired with a 70 percent knockout rate. That's what you call heavy handed!
"The Ghetto Wizard" was simply a boxing prodigy who always got the best of his opponents by outsmarting them. Leonard is a member of four different Hall of Fames as well: The Ring Magazine Hall of Fame, National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Sam Langford - 180 Wins, 29 Losses
Sam Langford is hailed as the "Greatest Fighter Nobody Knows." At 5'7" he was simply an exceptional presence inside the ring. Not only did he handle lightweights, but he took out heavyweights during his time. Being undersized wasn't an issue for Langford.
In fact, BoxRec rates Langford or "Boston Bonecrusher" as the third greatest heavyweight in history. He gained all this success while enduring public discrimination. Not many on this list had to go through similar struggles while being great.
Gene Tunney - 65 Wins, 1 Loss
If you were wondering what type of fighter Gene Tunney was, he was nothing short of a powerhouse. He gained titles in both heavy and light heavyweight classes. In 1928, The Ring selected him as their "Fighter of the Year" in 1928.
An interesting fact about him is that he was never beaten as a heavyweight fighter and retired as the division king in July 1928. His nickname was "The Fighting Marine," and he was placed in the Hall of Fame in the stacked 1990 class.
Henry Armstrong - 151 Wins, 21 Losses
What can we say about "Hammerin' Hank" besides the fact that he was an incredible boxer? Henry Armstong was 5'5" and still managed to knock out 101 of his opponents out of his 151 victories. Armstrong was the leader of featherweights, lightweights, and welterweights.
He was also another fighter to earn The Ring's Fighter of the Year in 1937. Three years later, the BWAA awarded Hammerin' Hank Fighter of the Year as well. Armstrong was not left behind in the 1990 Hall of Fame class.
Floyd Mayweather - 50 Wins, 0 Losses
As far as defensive fighters go, Floyd Mayweather is one of the best. No matter who he has been in the ring with, Mayweather is always the quicker and smarter fighter. He's as great a boxer as he is a polarizing figure. There's a reason why he's undefeated and a five-division titleholder.
With a nickname like Floyd "Money" Mayweather or "Pretty Boy Floyd," one can understand why he's either very much liked or disliked. He isn't timid at all and speaks his mind on how much better he is than everyone. His statistics certainly back up his talk.
Rocky Marciano 49 Wins - 0 Losses
There's really no better ending to a boxing career than how Rocky Marciano went out. Marciano retired as the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world with 43 knockouts apart of his 49 wins. The International Boxing Research Organization ranked him as the fifth greatest heavyweight ever.
"The Brockton Blockbuster" had insane firepower in both of his fists. He still has the record for longest unbeaten streak by a heavyweight as well. If you wanted to pick the perfect fighter, it was Marciano.
Ted Lewis - 192 Wins, 32 Losses
From 1909-1929, Ted "Kid" Lewis put on quite the display of boxing. Judging by his record, he didn't get any type of real rest while he was pummeling people on his way to welterweight championships.
That's a title he won very often, but one he would lose to a particular opponent. Lewis is perhaps best known for his 20-fight series between Jack Britton. The two traded the belt back and forth. Lewis went 3-4-1 with 12 no decisions in those contests.
Carlos Monzon - 87 Wins, 3 Losses
If it weren't for the troubling lifestyle Carlos Monzon led outside of the ring, he could have become more embedded into people's minds as an all-time great. Monzon's in ring accomplishments include becoming the middleweight champion and defending it 14 times.
Outside of the ring, he is mostly known for his conviction in 1989 for murder. He was an absolute beast inside the ropes, holding victories over the likes of Emile Griffith and Jose Napoles.
Tommy Hearns - 61 Wins, 5 Loss
How many great boxers have we discovered on this list that have won six titles in five different weight classes? Go ahead and add Tommy Hearns to that exclusive list. Tommy "Hitman" Hearns held the distinction of being the first person to win four world titles in four divisions.
Some of his most famous fights include going up against Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, and Marvin Hagler. During his time, boxing was full of talent, so it says a lot that he was able to hold his own.
Sandy Saddler - 144 Wins, 16 Losses
Whenever you win three out of four bouts with Willie Pep, you can bet that you're a stud in the ring. Sandy Saddler was feared and for good reason. He was a two-time featherweight champion and super featherweight champion.
Did we mention he had over 100 knockouts? He is one of the only fighters in history to do that. He will go down as one of the most devastating punchers to ever put on the gloves.
Sugar Ray Robinson - 173 Wins, 19 Losses
There was no other quite like Sugar Ray Robinson when he was in his prime. Robinson would outlast his foes and became an unrivaled boxer. Many applaud him as the clear-cut pound-for-pounder in boxing history.
He wasn't just a good brawler, he was extraordinary. His versatility helped him outclass his opponents in the welterweight, lightweight, middleweight, and light-heavyweight divisions. If it weren't for the next person on this list, Robinson could have easily been number one overall...
Ruben Olivares - 89 Wins, 13 Losses
At one point, there was a stretch when Ruben Olivares had been the greatest boxer coming from Mexico. Many believe he is still one of the best bantamweights in history. Can you blame them? He did have 79 knockouts.
If 79 of your 89 victories came by knocking out the opponent, that says a lot about your skill. Some of his notable wins come from ?Bobby Chacon and Jose Luis Ramirez. Olivares is a national celebrity.
Muhammad Ali - 56 Wins, 5 Losses
Who else floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee? Who else called themselves the greatest before they knew they were? Muhammad Ali was and still is the first to secure the world heavyweight title three times. Before he even went pro, he won gold at the 1960 Olympics. Ali stunned the world when he defeated the "invincible" Sonny Liston in round seven.
Thanks to all the political drama Ali was apart of, like refusing to enter the draft for the military and changing his name, it only made Ali more of a legend. The man was gifted with a ton of natural ability and he used every last ounce of it. He only lost when he wasn't at his peak towards the end of his career.
Jack Britton - 239 Wins, 57 Losses
Born William J. Breslin, Jack Britton was a three-time world welterweight boxing champion who had a career that spanned 25 years. He still holds the world record for the number of title bouts fought, with 37 to his name.
Britton's fight against Mickey Walker in Madison Square Garden on November 1, 1922, inspired Ernest Hemingway to write the short story "Fifty Grand." Britton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a first-class member in 1990, 28 years after his death.
Tony Canzoneri - 137 Wins, 24 Losses
Tony Canzoneri was an American professional boxer and a three-division world champion who won five world titles. He belonged to the exclusive group of pugilists with world boxing titles in three or more divisions. His fights occurred between the bantamweight and light welterweight divisions.
During Canzoneri's era, there was no scoring system in many states and countries. Instead, the newspapers filled the gap by voicing their opinion of which boxer had won the fight. After a career of mixing it up in the squared circle for 132 matches, Tony got 44 knockouts and only one loss by knockout. Sammy Goldman was in Goldman's corner as his manager for every moment of his career.
Mickey Walker - 94 Wins, 18 Losses
Mickey Walker was a renowned professional boxer of the 1920s, gaining prominence as a welterweight and middleweight champion. After his 1922 title win against Jack Britton, Walker continued to box until 1935, winning 78 of the 104 fights he participated in throughout his career.
After retirement, Walker opened a restaurant and began his second successful career as an artist. His artwork has been featured in galleries worldwide, including London, New York, and Puerto Rico. He was also recognized for his achievements in the boxing ring and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. The legacy of Mickey Walker is indisputable - a dynamic fighter and an accomplished artist.
Bob Fitzsimmons - 61 Wins, 8 Losses
Bob Fitzsimmons was one of the greatest bare-knuckled fighters of the 19th and early 20th Century. His professional career spanned from 1883 through 1914, and in that time, he achieved world championship status in three weight classes - Middleweight, Light-Heavyweight, and Heavyweight.
He is renowned for his legendary fights with boxing greats like James Jefferies, Jim Corbett, and Jack Johnson. His 1914 fight with Bob Sweeney was the first ever captured on film. Boxing historians agree that Fitzsimmons is one of the hardest punchers in the sport's history, and he has even entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion ever at 165 pounds. His illustrious career will surely not be forgotten.
Jimmy McLarnin - 54 Wins, 11 Losses
Jimmy McLarnin is thought of by many as the best Irish boxer of all time. A powerful puncher and athlete, McLarnin combined speed and skill with his small stature to become a major powerhouse. Born in Northern Ireland, McLarnin eventually found his way to Canada and the US, where he began his professional boxing career at age 13. He had an astounding record of 21-0-2 before suffering his first professional defeat and was dubbed the “Baby-Faced Assassin” due to his obvious boyish looks.
Despite having a small frame, McLarnin was ranked fifth among the greatest welterweight champions ever and listed among the top pound-for-pound boxers in history. His legacy will surely last for many years to come.
Joe Gans - 147 Wins, 10 Losses
Joe Gans was a former professional boxer considered by some to be the greatest fighter who ever lived. In 1902, Gans shocked the sport after winning his first championship title with a thrilling one-round knockout of the defending champion, Frank Erne. Gans went on to win the world lightweight boxing title in Fort Erie, Canada.
Known as the "Old Master," he made a name for himself as a masterful practitioner of scientific gloved boxing, fighting in three divisions (featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight) throughout an 18-year career that featured over 150 wins and over 100 knockouts. After retiring in 1920, Gans' legacy lives on as one of the greatest fighters in boxing history.
Eder Jofre - 72 Wins, 2 Losses
Eder Jofre was a legendary boxer born in Brazil. Known as "The Golden Bantam" for his skillful technique, unwavering intelligence, and formidable punching power, he attained unprecedented recognition during the 1960s. He was widely renowned as the best pound-for-pound fighter of his era and considered one of the greatest boxers Brazil had ever seen.
Although he retired several times, he still occasionally came out of retirement for exhibition matches. He remains a symbol of excellence in boxing, a living manifestation of its potential to bring glory and unforgettable memories. His father, former boxer Aristides, owned the gym, while his mother, Angelina, was one of its employees.
Charley Burley - 83 Wins, 12 Losses
Charley Burley was born as the only boy out of seven children. Following the passing of his father, he moved to Pittsburgh as a child, where he developed an early interest in boxing. Burley went on to have a successful amateur career, which he turned into an invitation to the Olympic Trials for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
Refusing the invitation due to his objection to the Nazi regime, Burley went pro in 1936 as a welterweight. He even gained notoriety due to being part of "Murderer's Row," a group of fighters many did their best to avoid. Burley's dominant legacy in the boxing ring lives on in his hometown of Bessemer, Pennsylvania.
Billy Conn - 63 Wins, 11 Losses
Billy Conn, nicknamed "The Pittsburgh Kid," was a professional boxer known for his cleverness. At just 16, Conn began his career in the lightweight division without any amateur experience. He lost seven of his first 20 fights, but he persevered, and by 1936, he had become a middleweight contender. He was unbeaten in 18 bouts that year in Pittsburgh, concluding with a unanimous decision win over Fritzie Zivic.
Conn will always be remembered as a champion with sound technique, precision, and accuracy, earning himself the title of light heavyweight champion. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.
Young Corbett III - 123 Wins, 12 Losses
Ralph Giordano, better known by his boxing alias Young Corbett III, was a formidable champion inside the ring. The speedy southpaw was a master of body punching and had a 21-year career spanning seven of the eight boxing weight divisions at the time, from flyweight (112 pounds) to light heavyweight (175).
Corbett improbably held his own against much heavier opponents; he was a welterweight champion who defeated two lineal middleweight champs and two light heavyweight champs. His dominance in the ring left an indelible mark on boxing history. The Italian-born lefty stood at 5' 7" and had an incredible 67-inch reach.
Stanley Ketchel - 49 Wins, 5 Losses
Stanley Ketchel, also known as "The Michigan Assassin," was thought by experts as one of the greatest middleweights in boxing history. He was tough and fearless, routinely pushing his opponents to the limit and not holding back in the ring. During his career, he faced several formidable opponents, four future Hall of Famers, some of the best in every weight class in history.
He was named "the greatest middleweight" by renowned fight historian Nat Fleischer and was the first two-time middleweight champion of the gloved era. His in-ring wildness and colorful life made him the "character" of boxing. Courageously, he took on opponents and entertained crowds with his unadulterated ferocity.
Salvador Sanchez - 44 Wins, 1 Loss
Salvador Sanchez was a highly skilled and powerful professional boxer who won the WBC Featherweight Championship after stopping Danny Lopez in thirteen rounds. He was celebrated for his speed, power, and excellent counter-punching. In a big match, he defeated previously undefeated Wilfredo Gomez in only eight rounds.
The Ring magazine named Sanchez Fighter of the Year in 1981, and he successfully defended his WBC title nine times, his last triumph coming against Azumah Nelson in fifteen rounds at Madison Square Garden in 1982. Sadly, the fight would be his last before his untimely death at 23. Sanchez remains one of the greatest Mexican boxers, and his legacy as a complete fighter lives on.
Alexis Arguello - 77 Wins, 8 Losses
Alexis Arguello was a Nicaraguan professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 1995 and later did politics. He held various World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council championship belts, including featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight.
He was also the lineal featherweight and lightweight champion of The Ring magazine. His last two fights in light welterweight were against Aaron Pryor, in which he lost both. Due to his lack of losses in championship fights, Arguello is considered by many to be one of the greatest fighters of his era. After he retired from boxing, Arguello entered Nicaraguan politics and became the Mayor of his hometown, Managua, in 2008.
Ike Williams - 127 Wins, 24 Losses
Ike Williams remains one of boxing's most accomplished fighters. As the World Lightweight Champion from 1945-1951, he dominated his division for six years, one of the longest reigns in history. His well-rounded combination style was devastatingly effective, as he'd go on an undefeated streak of 34 bouts between 1941 and 1943.
He was also a formidable adversary in three-way rivalries with Hall of Fame members Honeyboy Montgomery and Bobo Jack. In the ring, Williams was virtually unstoppable, and his record of nearly ninety professional matches is a testament to his legendary success. Such tenacity and prowess are just part of what makes Williams remembered today for his exhilarating performances.
Kid Gavilan - 108 Wins, 30 Losses
Cuban-born boxer Kid Gavilan was a champion from 1951-1954 and was a master of his craft characterized by his “bolo uppercut” (be on the lookout) and known for his fast, flashy warrior style. Gavilan put up an incredible fight against Sugar Ray Robinson in two bouts.
Gavilan fought in 143 professional bouts and was never knocked out or stopped, which was quite an accomplishment. He also boxed in the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports 34 times, a record for any fighter. Gavilan defended his Welterweight title five times and beat people like Tommy Ciarlo, Johnny Bratton, Tommy Janiro, and Beau Jack. Gavilan was an incredible fighter inside and outside the ring.
Young Stribling - 224 Wins, 13 Losses
Young Stribling is a legend of the former heavyweight ranks and is considered one of the most prolific fighters ever in professional boxing. Born into a Vaudeville family, his mother wished for him to be a boxer, and Stribling began boxing at a local YMCA at the age of 15. By 21, he had already fought in an incredible 285 professional matches, with 127 being knockouts. He was also honored with the record for the most fights by a heavyweight in a year at 55.
Stribling was a talented boxer and a great showman, making him a fan favorite in the 1920s and 1930s. Remarkably, he boxed in over 200 professional bouts, leaving a lasting legacy in the boxing world.
Lou Ambers - 89 Wins, 8 Losses
Lou Ambers was a two-time lightweight boxing world champion who gained fame in the 1930s. He had an astonishing 38-fight unbeaten streak and defeated 17 Hall of Famers and world champions.
He was best known for his legendary fight against Barney Ross and his epic bout with Fritzie Zivic, in which he fought despite suffering a broken jaw. Ambers was a ruthless fighter and determined warrior in the ring and a true example of courage and resilience to the generations who followed. He was an icon of the era and a hero to many and is one of the greatest lightweight boxers of all time.
Wilfredo Gomez - 44 Wins, 3 Losses
Wilfredo Gomez was a Puerto Rican boxer who rose to fame in the '70s and '80s. Feisty and explosive, he was a brutal puncher, with an incredible 95% of his wins coming by KO. He is best remembered for being the first to beat Wilfredo Zarate, who had been undefeated in 52 bouts. Gomez's talent was undeniable.
He became a world champion in only his seventeenth professional bout and managed to defend his junior featherweight belt 13 times, all wins by KO. His story captures what hard work and true grit can do for an underdog. Gomez is considered one of the most exciting boxers in history, and his legacy in the sport remains.
Tommy Loughran - 89 Wins, 25 Losses
Tommy Loughran was a professional boxer in the 1920s and 1930s who was widely recognized as one of the greatest boxers of his era. Loughran was famous for having arguably the best jab in boxing history, earning him the nickname "the Philly Phantom." A middleweight boxer by trade, he went on to beat three heavyweight champions and participated in 29 bouts against Hall of Fame fighters and world champions.
Loughran won the Light Heavyweight Championship in 1928 and held the title for an impressive nine years without ever losing it in the ring. His extraordinary career makes him one of the most memorable boxers ever.
Manuel Ortiz - 100 Wins, 28 Losses
Manuel Ortiz was an iconic figure in the boxing world and a true pioneer of the sport. He held the World Bantamweight titles from 1942 to 1947 and 1947 to 1950, making him a two-time world champion. He was known for his brutal insider fighting and was arguably the hardest-hitting bantamweight in history. Ortiz was the only one to knockout Salica in the boxer's 91 bouts.
Ortiz defended his first title an impressive fifteen times, ten with a knockout, making it a record. Ortiz was named to the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years list by Ring Magazine.
Tommy Ryan - 82 Wins, 2 Losses
Tommy Ryan was an elite boxer active from 1884 to 1904. Born Joseph Youngs, he is renowned for being the second man ever to become world champion in two divisions. After a brilliant start to his career, Ryan held the World Welterweight title from 1894-1898 and the World Middleweight championship from 1898-1906.
Historians estimate Ryan may have had over 90 knockout wins, although his official record states it is 68. Ryan was dedicated to his effective boxing technique, and thorough training made him one of the most "scientific" fighters in the early stages of the gloved era. Ryan was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
