10. George Benton
‘The Mayor of North Philadelphia’
In my opinion, George Benton is one of the best boxers of all time, not only for his exceptional boxing abilities but also for his innovative contributions to the sport. I believe that Benton’s most significant contribution is the invention of the Philly Shell defense, a technique that has become synonymous with the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr. This defensive strategy, which employs a unique blend of shoulder rolls, head movement, and counterpunching, has been instrumental in Mayweather’s success in the ring. Benton’s expertise as a fighter and a trainer has had a lasting impact on boxing, with the Philly Shell defense serving as a prime example of his remarkable influence on the sport. His ability to develop groundbreaking techniques and adapt them to various fighting styles, in my view, solidifies his place as one of the greatest boxers and boxing minds of all time.
9. Julio César Chávez
‘J.C. Superstar’
I strongly believe, Julio Cesar Chavez is undoubtedly one of the best boxers of all time, thanks to his incredible skill, tenacity, and impressive record. Notably, Chavez had an unbeaten streak of 89 wins before his first loss, which dwarfs Floyd Mayweather’s perfect 50-0 record. Chavez had an extraordinary career spanning over 25 years, during which he accumulated an outstanding record of 107 wins, 6 losses, and 2 draws. His remarkable 89 knockout victories are a testament to his devastating punching power and his ability to systematically break down opponents. Chavez’s legendary status can also be attributed to his reign as a six-time world champion in three different weight classes, demonstrating his incredible versatility as a fighter.
8. Sonny Liston
‘The Big Bear’
In strongly believe, Sonny Liston is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time, not only due to his exceptional skills and power but also because of the fear he instilled in his opponents and the adversity he faced during the era of segregation. Liston was widely regarded as the most feared boxer of his time, a reputation that can be attributed to his imposing physical presence and relentless style. His powerful punches and formidable knockout power left adversaries in awe, contributing to his impressive record of 50 wins, 4 losses, and 39 knockouts. Liston’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division and his claim to the world heavyweight title in 1962 by defeating Floyd Patterson are even more remarkable considering the racial segregation and discrimination he faced during his era. These challenges added a layer of complexity to his career, making his achievements all the more impressive. In my view, Sonny Liston’s impact on the sport, the fear he inspired in the boxing world, and his ability to overcome significant adversity solidify his status as one of the all-time greats in boxing history.
7. Manny Pacquiao
‘PacMan’
Manny Pacquiao is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time, thanks to his exceptional skill, versatility, and his achievements across multiple weight categories. Pacquiao holds the unique distinction of being the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing, having won titles in the flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight divisions. His incredible ability to succeed in various weight classes showcases his extraordinary talent and adaptability as a fighter. With a record of 62 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws, Pacquiao’s career is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and commitment to the sport.
6. Archie Moore
The (Old) Mongoose’
Archie Moore is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time, thanks to his extraordinary skill, incredible longevity, and impressive record. Moore’s career spanned an astounding four decades, during which he consistently demonstrated his exceptional talent and adaptability as a fighter. With a record of 186 wins, 23 losses, 10 draws, and an incredible 131 knockouts, Moore’s achievements are a testament to his dedication, hard work, and commitment to the sport. His reign as the World Light Heavyweight Champion from 1952 to 1962 showcases his ability to compete at the highest level for an extended period of time. Notably, Moore holds the record for the most career knockouts in the history of professional boxing, which highlights his devastating punching power and technical proficiency.
5. Joe Frazier
‘Smokin’
In my opinion, Joe Frazier is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time, thanks to his relentless fighting style, legendary and vicious left hook, and remarkable accomplishments in the ring. Known as “Smokin’ Joe,” Frazier’s career was marked by a series of memorable fights and achievements that solidified his place in boxing history. Overcoming not only his opponents but also the challenges posed by racial segregation and discrimination during that era, Frazier became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in 1970, a title he held until 1973. His legendary rivalry with Muhammad Ali culminated in the “Fight of the Century” in 1971, where Frazier handed Ali his first professional defeat, and the “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975, considered one of the most brutal and exciting bouts in boxing history.
4. Joe Lewis
‘Brown Bomber’
In my opinion, Joe Louis is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time, thanks to his exceptional skill, remarkable power, and significant accomplishments in the ring. Known as the “Brown Bomber,” Louis dominated the heavyweight division and held the title of World Heavyweight Champion for an incredible twelve years, from 1937 to 1949. His reign included a record-setting twenty-five successful title defenses, showcasing his unparalleled dominance in the sport. Louis was renowned for his devastating punching power and technical prowess, which led to many of his fights ending in knockouts. His legendary bouts, such as the iconic 1938 rematch against Max Schmeling, transcended the sport and had significant cultural and social implications. In this historic fight, Louis defeated Schmeling in front of Hitler in Nazi Germany, making a powerful statement against the oppressive regime and its ideals. Joe Louis’s exceptional talent, legendary fights, and undeniable impact on the sport, as well as his role as a trailblazer for African American athletes, make him, in my view, one of the all-time greats in boxing history.
3. Roberto Duran
‘Manos de Piedra’
Roberto Duran is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time, thanks to his ferocious fighting style, trash-talking nature, and impressive accomplishments across multiple weight classes. Known as “Hands of Stone,” Duran’s career spanned an astounding five decades, showcasing his remarkable dedication, discipline, and adaptability as a fighter. His unparalleled trash-talking nature added an element of psychological warfare to his fights, often intimidating and getting under the skin of his opponents. Competing in various weight classes, from lightweight to middleweight, Duran displayed an extraordinary ability to succeed across different divisions. Duran was Lightweight Champion, Welterweight Champion, Light Middleweight Champion, and Middleweight Champion, and his legendary battles with fellow boxing greats, such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler, are unforgettable moments in the sport’s history
2. Muhammad Ali
‘The Greatest’
Muhammad Ali is indisputably one of the greatest boxers of all time, due to his exceptional skill, charismatic personality, and significant cultural impact both inside and outside the ring. Ali’s unique blend of speed, power, and footwork revolutionized the sport of boxing and redefined what it meant to be a heavyweight fighter. His unorthodox style, including his famous “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” approach, left opponents dazzled and fans captivated. Ali’s legendary battles with fellow boxing greats, such as Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Sonny Liston, are unforgettable moments in the sport’s history. Moreover, Ali’s unwavering convictions and activism in the arenas of civil rights, religious freedom, and opposition to the Vietnam War elevated him to a symbol of hope and defiance in the face of adversity. Muhammad Ali’s extraordinary boxing prowess, larger-than-life personality, and the profound impact he had on the sport and society as a whole make him one of the all-time greats in boxing history.
1. Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson’s influence transcended the boxing world, and he served as an inspiration to future champions, including the legendary Muhammad Ali. In a famous incident, Ali, who often called Robinson “the king, the master, my idol,” demonstrated his reverence for the man by tenderly kissing Robinson’s hands at a public event. This touching moment not only showcased the deep respect that Ali had for Robinson but also underscored the profound impact that Sugar Ray Robinson had on the sport and the legacy he left behind as the greatest boxer of all time. Sugar Ray Robinson is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time due to his unparalleled skill, exceptional power, and remarkable versatility. Throughout his prolific career, Robinson amassed a remarkable record of 173 wins, 19 losses, and 6 draws, with an impressive 108 knockouts. He held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951 and was the five-time middleweight champion between 1951 and 1960. Robinson’s unique blend of speed, agility, and precision enabled him to dominate opponents and redefine the sweet science.
