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 Published on **August 7, 2024** 

# The 10 Greatest Boxers in History

Who are the 10 greatest boxers in history? Budo-Fight has put together a Top 10 featuring the biggest legends in the world of boxing, along with their technical specialties, so you can get to know your idols inside out.

## 1: Muhammad Ali

Considered the **greatest boxer of all time**, Muhammad Ali was even nicknamed "**The Greatest**", which says it all! A **three-time heavyweight world champion**, he defeated legends like Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

Did you know? Muhammad Ali was also a **poet**, writing about Martin Luther King, race relations, and of course, boxing. He **refused to be drafted into the U.S. Army** in 1967, losing his world champion title and receiving a criminal conviction.

- **Category**: Heavyweight
- **Born/Died**: 1942-2016
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 56
- **Wins by KO**: 37

Most famous fights:

- Muhammad Ali vs **Joe Frazier** (1971)
- Muhammad Ali vs **George Foreman** (1974)
- Muhammad Ali vs **Thrilla in Manila** (1975)

## 2: Sugar Ray Robinson

Regarded as one of the best boxers of all time, Sugar Ray Robinson is **the man who inspired Muhammad Ali**. He helped **popularize boxing worldwide** and remained **undefeated for 91 fights**.
Did you know? His name comes from his friend **Ray Robinson**, who lent him his athletic club membership card (the club was off-limits to those under 16, and the boxer was only 12 at the time). Later, his manager George Gainford told him his boxing style was “**sweet as sugar**” and added the adjective to his borrowed name.

- **Category**: Welterweight and Middleweight
- **Born/Died**: 1921-1989
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 173
- **Wins by KO**: 108

Most famous fights:

- Sugar Ray Robinson vs **Jake LaMotta** (1947)
- Sugar Ray Robinson vs **Rocky Graziano** (1949)
- Sugar Ray Robinson vs **Carmen Basilio** (1951)
- Sugar Ray Robinson vs **Randy Turpin** (1951)

## 3: Henry Armstrong

Nicknamed "**Homicide Hank**" and "**Hammerin’ Henry**", Henry Armstrong was known as a ruthless boxer. **Aggressive and resilient**, Armstrong is the only boxer to have simultaneously held **world titles in three different weight classes** (featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight).

Did you know? Henry Armstrong won **27 fights in just 9 months**: a feat that has never been equaled to this day.

- **Category**: Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight
- **Born/Died**: 1912-1988
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 151
- **Wins by KO**: 97

Most famous fights:

- Henry Armstrong vs **Barney Ross** (1937)
- Henry Armstrong vs **Lou Ambers** (1938)
- Henry Armstrong vs **Fritzie Zivic** (1940)
- Henry Armstrong vs **Beau Jack** (1941)

## 4: Sugar Ray Leonard

Having won **5 world titles in 5 different weight classes** (light welterweight, welterweight, super welterweight, middleweight, and super middleweight) and named "**Boxer of the Decade**" in the 1980s, Sugar Ray Leonard is one of boxing’s most iconic figures.

Did you know? Sugar Ray Leonard was named after **Sugar Ray Robinson** by his father: both admired him, and the two boxers adopted the **same fighting style**.

- **Category**: Welterweight, Light Welterweight, Super Welterweight, Middleweight, Super Middleweight
- **Born**: 1956
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 36
- **Wins by KO**: 25

Most famous fights:

- Sugar Ray Leonard vs **Roberto Duran** (1980)
- Sugar Ray Leonard vs **Marvin Hagler** (1987)
- Sugar Ray Leonard vs **Thomas Hearns** (1981)

## 5: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather has won world titles in **five different weight classes**: super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and super welterweight. He is known for his boxing prowess, but also for **earning millions of dollars** throughout his career, hence the nickname “Money”.

Did you know? His uncle, **Roger Mayweather**, is also a **boxing world champion**.

- **Category**: Welterweight, Light Welterweight, Super Welterweight, Lightweight, Super Featherweight
- **Born**: 1977
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 50
- **Wins by KO**: 27

Most famous fights:

- Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs **Manny Pacquiao** (2015)
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs **Canelo Álvarez** (2013)
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs **Oscar de la Hoya** (2007)

## 6: Rocky Marciano

Nicknamed "**The Brockton Blockbuster**", Rocky Marciano was an American boxer known for his **devastating right hook** and **powerful punch**. He **never lost a single fight** and is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.

[Which boxing gloves for which boxer profile?](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/guides/how-to-choose-your-boxing-gloves)

Did you know? Rocky Marciano **inspired the Rocky film anthology** starring Sylvester Stallone.

- **Category**: Heavyweight
- **Born/Died**: 1923-1969
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 49
- **Wins by KO**: 43

Most famous fights:

- Rocky Marciano vs **Jersey Joe Walcott** (1952)
- Rocky Marciano vs **Ezzard Charles** (1954)
- Rocky Marciano vs **Archie Moore** (1955)

## 7: Roberto Duran

Nicknamed "**Manos de Piedra**" (Hands of Stone), Roberto Duran was a phenomenal puncher who won the **lightweight world title 12 times**. A national hero in Panama, he left a lasting mark on boxing history.

Did you know? During his retirement, Roberto Duran released a **salsa music album**.

- **Category**: Lightweight, Welterweight, Super Welterweight, Middleweight
- **Born**: 1951
- **Nationality**: Panamanian
- **Wins**: 103
- **Wins by KO**: 70

Most famous fights:

- Roberto Duran vs **Esteban DeJesus** (1978)
- Roberto Duran vs **Sugar Ray Leonard I** (1980)
- Roberto Duran vs **Sugar Ray Leonard II** (1980)
- Roberto Duran vs **Marvin Hagler** (1983)
- Roberto Duran vs **Thomas Hearns** (1984)

## 8: Joe Louis

Nicknamed "**The Brown Bomber**", he is a major figure in boxing history, in the Heavyweight category. **Heavyweight world champion for 25 consecutive years**, he was only defeated by Muhammad Ali.

Did you know? A **sculpture of a giant fist** was erected in his honor in Detroit, his hometown.

- **Category**: Heavyweight
- **Born/Died**: 1914-1981
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 66
- **Wins by KO**: 52

Most famous fights:

- Joe Louis vs **Max Schmeling I** (1938)
- Joe Louis vs **Max Schmeling II** (1939)
- Joe Louis vs **Jersey Joe Walcott** (1947)
- Joe Louis vs **Ezzard Charles** (1949)

## 9: Jack Johnson

Known for being the **first African-American heavyweight world champion**, the man called the "**Galveston Giant**" was highly skilled at dodging and was a master of the "hit-and-run" style.

Did you know? Jack Johnson was a **true showman** and often entered the ring with a marching band. He **danced and made faces** during his fights to frustrate and annoy his opponents.

- **Category**: Heavyweight
- **Born/Died**: 1878-1946
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 56
- **Wins by KO**: 40

Most famous fights:

- Jack Johnson vs **Tommy Burns** (1908)
- Jack Johnson vs **Jim Jeffries** (1910)
- Jack Johnson vs **Jess Willard** (1915)

## 10: Joe Frazier

Renowned for his **relentless pace**, Joe Frazier was considered tireless. With a **gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics** and a **heavyweight world champion title** in 1970, Joe Frazier is one of boxing’s legendary figures.

Did you know? Joe Frazier had his **left eye partially closed** due to a sparring accident, earning him the nickname "**One-Eyed-Joe**".

- **Category**: Heavyweight
- **Born/Died**: 1944-2011
- **Nationality**: American
- **Wins**: 31
- **Wins by KO**: 27

Most famous fights:

- Joe Frazier vs **Jimmy Ellis** (1970)
- Joe Frazier vs **Muhammad Ali** (1971) - "Fight of the Century"
- Joe Frazier vs **Muhammad Ali** (1974) - "II"
- Joe Frazier vs **George Foreman** (1973)

Want to immerse yourself in historic bouts? Check out our article on [the great venues in boxing history](https://www.budo-fight.com/en/news/news-new-arrivals/the-great-venues-in-boxing-history).

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