The greatest boxers of all time: 10 icons who ruled the ring

Boxing is a sport where mental strength, timing, and discipline are just as vital as one’s physical skill. Taking the concept of fist-fights into an actual Olympic game, boxing now stands as a refined sport watched by millions globally.

Key takeaways

• Boxing remains a global sport that thrives on rivalry, strength, and the race to greatness in every match. More than fist battles, it is powered by a fighter’s timing and tactics in the ring.
• Fights between Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier and Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. raised the bar and made historic bouts that fans still talk about today.
• These legendary boxers may have stepped away from the spotlight, but their legacy remains in history. All of them are remembered for what they showed in the ring and beyond.

Today, boxing stands as one of the oldest and most followed sports in history. Its growth into a global industry came with some of the most memorable moments. Think of the intense fights, comeback stories, and champs who reigned during their eras. But out of the hundreds and thousands of fighters who’ve entered the ring, only a few names are etched in the walls of time.

Who are the greatest boxers of all time?

If you ask any fan this question, you’d get a different answer every time. Debates around the best boxers ever have gone on for years. From knockouts to rivalries, or unbeaten records and fight style, greatness can mean many things.

Although if there’s one thing that all boxing fans can agree on, it’s that these ten names are always part of the list. Each of them brought pride to the ring, whether it’s through style, power, or speed.

Most of these famous boxers are the ones the fighters today look up to. Know the names that raised the bar and left a mark that still echoes across the sport even decades after:

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Muhammad Ali

Nicknamed ‘The Greatest’, Muhammad Ali cemented himself as one of the greatest boxers of all time with 56 wins and only 5 losses in his record. He turned pro right after winning gold at the 1960 Rome Olympics. 

It didn’t take long before the world knew his name, thanks to his unmatched footwork and quick jabs. Behind the limelight, Ali was a fighter with one of the most unusual pre-fight rituals: he avoided being intimate with his wife before a big fight. Manny Pacquiao is also known to do the same.

Ali was also a cultural icon. He used his fame to speak out on politics, race, and war, and he became a social justice and civil rights icon.

Legendary matches

• Fight of the Century (1971)

This was the first time that two undefeated champs met for the world title. Ali, who just returned from his three-year ban, faced off against iconic Joe Frazier. Their match happened in front of a packed Madison Square Garden. The fight lasted 15 full rounds, with Frazier knocking Ali down in the final match that gave him a unanimous win.

• Thrilla in Manila (1975)

Four years after their Madison Square face-off, Ali and Frazier met again for the third and final time. This had to be the two’s most brutal fight yet, set against the scorching heat of the Philippines’ Araneta Coliseum. The two exchanged jabs and blows nonstop until Frazier’s trainer had to stop the fight before the latter could lose his vision. It’s safe to say that Ali had the last laugh in their gritty showdown.

Legacy outside the ring

Ali retired from boxing in 1981. Not long after, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, he spent his later years as a peace advocate until he passed in 2016.

Joe Louis

Joe Louis, also known as ‘The Brown Bomber’, peaked during a pivotal era in American history. With 66 wins and just 3 losses, Joe reigned as the longest heavyweight champion in history for 12 years. His style was known to be clean and strong, especially when it came to reading his rivals.

While an active boxer, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a sergeant during World War II. He fought 96 exhibition boxing fights, where he raised over $100,000. He donated these to military relief efforts. Likewise, he became a symbol of strength both inside and outside the ring.

Legendary matches

• Iconic 1938 rematch vs Max Schmeling

This match goes beyond boxing, as it was also a clash of black and white, as well as freedom and fascism during the rise of Nazi Germany. Max had beaten Louis in 1936, handing him his first loss. However, their rematch at Yankee Stadium in 1938 proved that Louis had business to finish.

He knocked Max out in the first round in just over two minutes. The win made headlines across the world and made Joe a crucial American symbol at the time.

Beyond the gloves

Joe retired in 1949, though he briefly returned to the ring. He stayed active in the field of sports even after hanging up his gloves. Later, he worked as a referee and became a golf promoter.

Sugar Ray Robinson

When people talk about the best boxers in history, Sugar Ray Robinson is almost always on the list. With 174 wins, 19 losses, and 6 draws on his record, ‘Sugar Ray’ has brought speed, power, and style to the ring. 

He’s known for setting the standard of what a modern boxer must be. Icons like Muhammad Ali and Ray Charles Leonard have always cited him as their idol. Ray Charles even earned the same nickname, Sugar Ray, as he shows a style just like the original one. 

Sugar Ray took over both the welterweight and middleweight divisions during the 1940s and 50s. Many experts still call him the ‘pound-for-pound best’, which is a phrase that became popular because of him.

Legendary match

• The 1951 St. Valentine’s Day Massacre

Sugar Ray and Italian-American boxer, Jake LaMotta, have met six times inside the ring. Who would’ve thought that the sixth and last fight would be the most infamous? 

Dubbed the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, this match saw Sugar Ray at his sharpest. He landed clean and fast punches that slowly broke LaMotta down across 13 rounds. Though LaMotta refused to back down, the referee had to end the fight before Sugar Ray could further punish the other. 

What came after the final bell

Sugar Ray retired from boxing in 1965. After his boxing career, he established a business, a nightclub called Sugar Ray’s. He also appeared in several films and TV shows.

Henry Armstrong

Known as ‘Homicide Hank,’ Henry Armstrong was fiery inside the ring. He racked up a total of 150 wins, with only 21 losses and 10 draws. What makes him a legendary fighter? He’s the only boxer in history to hold world titles in three different weight classes at the same time.

Henry’s fights from 1937 to 1938 were the most iconic. He simply delivered 27 straight knockout wins at the time, regarded as one of the longest streaks in boxing history.

Legendary matches

• 1938 Fight of the Year

This was a rematch that’s both brutal and brilliant. Armstrong had already taken Lou Ambers’ lightweight title earlier that year, but they thought a rematch would be more iconic.

The then ‘Fight of the Year’ was held at Madison Square Garden and became a showcase of nonstop action and dirty tactics from both sides. After Armstrong got five points deducted for fouls, Ambers won the match. Post-match debate sparked as 14 out of 27 polls revealed Henry deserved to win more.

• Iconic 1938 fight vs Barney Ross

Armstrong’s win over Barney Ross was one of his biggest. Back then, Ross was a respected champion and had never been knocked down—until Homicide Hank came. Over 15 rounds, Armstrong’s style inside the ring managed to take Ross down. He took the welterweight title from the legend then.

Out of the spotlight

After boxing, Armstrong found a new calling as a Baptist minister. He also worked closely with the youth, focused on guidance and mentorship.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao, also known as ‘Pacman,’ rose from the streets of the Philippines to become a global sports icon. He bagged a total of 62 wins, 8 losses, and 2 draws in his career. 

What sets him apart from this list of legendary boxers, though? He’s the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. His speed, power, and grit inside the ring turned him into one of the sport’s most feared and iconic figures.

Legendary matches

• Four-fight saga with Juan Manuel Marquez (2004 – 2012)

Pacman’s rivalry with Marquez is on for the ages, quite literally, for it spanned years. Starting in 2004, their first match ended in a draw, despite the former knocking Marquez down thrice in round one. The next two fights saw close wins for Pacman in 2008 and 2011.

Their final clash in 2012, dubbed ‘the Fight of the Decade,’ ended with Marquez knocking Pacman down in the sixth round. It was the first time that The Destroyer had dropped in such fashion. 

• 2008 Dream Match vs Oscar De La Hoya

This match kicked off Pacman’s global rise. Just think how he moved up two weight classes to face the much bigger De La Hoya in the ring. Many doubted him, but Pacman showed them otherwise. 

Pacman dominated the match from the start. He delivered over 224 punches to De La Hoya in 24 minutes. The fight ended in round eight when De La Hoya’s corner stopped it. 

From the ring to the real world

Manny hung up his boxing gloves in 2021. He shifted his energy to politics, where he served as a senator in the Philippine government. However, he announced a brief return to the boxing ring as he fought welterweight champion Mario Barrios. 

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Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr. built a spotless legacy in the sport. With 50 wins and not one bit of a loss, he’s one of the few modern boxers to retire undefeated. Floyd was best known for his defensive and counter-punching style in the ring. Throughout his career, he’s won 15 major world titles across five divisions.

Legendary matches

• The Modern Fight of the Century (2015)

After years of hype, Mayweather finally met Pacman in 2015. Dubbed the ‘Fight of the Century,’ their match was a blockbuster among fans around the world. Though not the most action-packed fight, Money’s tactics in the ring were flawless. He’s able to offset Pacman’s speed with defence and won by unanimous decision.

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Mayweather stepped away from pro boxing in 2017, but stayed inside the ring. He’s now into exhibition boxing and remains one of the sport’s biggest earners.

Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano, known as ‘The Brockton Blockbuster,’ is one of the best boxers in history. He has a record of 49 wins and zero losses, making him a heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. Also, he’s the second heavyweight champ to retire while still holding the title. Marciano’s fighting style was straightforward and brutal. His crude skills and punching power inside the ring made every fight an easy win for him.

Legendary match

• Knockout match vs Jersey Joe Walcott (1953)

His heavyweight title fight against Walcott is regarded as one of his most iconic matches. Walcott was the reigning champ and known for his clever footwork and strong counter-punches.

During the early rounds, Marciano was losing. The other’s jabs and movements forced him on the defence. However, in the 13th round, the match shifted. Marciano launched a single, powerful right hook that made Walcott instantly drop. His punch was known today as one of the most perfect that’s ever been thrown inside the ring.

The legacy lives on

Marciano left boxing in 1956 with a clean sheet. He never returned to the sport as a fighter, though he stayed connected with it as he wrote a book about his career. Sadly, he passed in 1969 during a plane crash, right before his 46th birthday.

The gloves legacy: Relive boxing icons and bet on today’s boxing stars at Gamdom

There’s a reason these fighters are called the greatest boxers of all time. More than stacking wins, they’ve carved their names in boxing history so that their legacies live on for years to inspire other fighters and fans of today.

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If you’re looking to raise odds, you can start learning the basics of boxing styles and how they can affect both the match and your bets. Master their styles, learn their tactics, and turn that fight IQ into a winning bet at Gamdom!

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