It’s subjective to debate who the greatest boxers in the world are, and while examining the odds, there are a number of things to take into account, most notably the accomplishments and honors of a fighter. It is difficult to choose only a few of the greatest boxers from history to include in a ranking, but this list features the best boxers who are also among the top 8 boxers in the world.
If they keep winning fights and titles, current boxing superstars like Canelo Alvarez, Naoya Inoue, and Gervonta Davis—who are household names in online sports betting—might make it into this list.
The major achievements these illustrious boxers have made will be examined in this rating, which will also determine where each fighter belongs on the list. Here are the top 10 boxers in the world, without further ado.
10 – Willie Pep (229-11-1)
One of the all-time great featherweight champions, Willie Pep is well-known for his defensive prowess. There is a rumor, which hasn’t been confirmed, that Pep even won a round without using a punch by making his opponent horribly miss. He ruled the featherweight class from 1949 to 1950 and from 1942 to 1948.
With an 11-3 record that included five knockouts in world title bouts, “Will o’ the Wisp” also had a 13-5 record versus past, present, and upcoming champions. He defeated a number of well-known opponents, including Jackie Wilson, Manuel Ortiz, Chalky Wright, and Sandy Saddler. Throughout his career, he only lost 11 times, won 229 (including 65 TKOs and KOs), and had one draw.
9 – Henry Armstrong (149-21-10)
In boxing, it was common for competitors to go up in weight in order to win multiple division titles. Being the unchallenged champion in various weight divisions, however, is a different story. Henry Armstrong has achieved exactly this during his professional career by ascending to the title of concurrent champion in the featherweight, lightweight, and middleweight weight classes.
Even if it was limited to a few months in 1938, it remains an incredible accomplishment that no other fighter has been able to match. In world title bouts, Armstrong defeated eighteen opponents; the majority of his wins occurred in the welterweight class. Chalky Wright, Lou Ambers, Barney Ross, and Tippy Larkin have all been defeated by “Homicide Hank.” His 14-year professional career totaled 149 victories, 21 defeats, and 10 draws.
8 – Roberto Duran (103-16)
Roberto Duran, the finest boxer from Panama, comes in at number eight on this list. Over the course of his more than 33-year career, Duran won four titles in four different weight classes, mostly in the middleweight, lightweight, welterweight, and light middleweight categories. He has only lost 16 of his 119 professional fights, winning 103 of them, including 70 TKOs. Duran fought for 21 titles, 16 of which he won (13 by stoppage).
7 – Jack Dempsey (53-6-8)
Jack Dempsey, the first fighter in history to have gate receipts worth over $1,000,000 because to his thrilling matches and performances, holds the original title of boxing’s cash cow. The renowned heavyweight fighter, Mike Dempsey, changed the sport by using his might to put a couple of his opponents to sleep. Over his 53 fights, he defeated 43 of his opponents by knockout.
From 1919 until 1923, the “Manassa Mauler” held the title of heavyweight world champion. He also won the NYSAC World Heavyweight Championship and the first NBA World Heavyweight Championship. Over the course of his 12-year boxing career, he only lost six times, won 53 of his 67 contests, and had eight draws.
6 – Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2)
Because he is the only boxer in history to have won eight world titles in various weight classes, Manny Pacquiao is deserving of a spot in this top 10. When the Filipino boxing sensation made his professional debut in 1995, he was a 106-pound fighter. Since then, he has progressively advanced to heavier weight classes and won the tournament.
Pacquaio defeated Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001 to claim the super bantamweight title, having previously won the flyweight title in 1998. From that point on, “Pacman” advanced to the higher weight classes and won world titles in the welterweight, super welterweight, lightweight, featherweight, and super bantamweight classes.
5 – Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0)
Floyd Mayweather Jr. holds the record for the most victories in boxing without a loss. With 50 wins and no losses, including 27 triumphs by stoppage, he has an impeccable record. Following an Olympic bronze medal-winning amateur career, Mayweather entered the paid ranks and became an immediate celebrity thanks to his impeccable defense.
During his professional career, he defeated a number of well-known fighters, including Shane Mosley, Marcos Maidana, Arturo Gatti, Oscar De La Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao. In addition to owning the record for the most wins without a loss, Mayweather also has the record for the most world titles held concurrently (five), and he and Evander Holyfield are tied for the most world title triumphs (elevender holyfield).
4 – Rocky Marciano (49-0)
Another fighter without a loss on this list is Rocky Marciano, who has a 49–43 career record through knockouts. He also competed in the heavyweight class, which is undoubtedly the most well-known weight class in sports. Marciano’s ranking is higher than Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s because he stopped competing to focus on his family rather than hand-picking his opponents in the past.
In addition, the “Brockton Blockbuster” holds the record for the shortest reach in heavyweight history. When Marciano stopped Jersey Joe Walcott in the thirteenth round of their championship match in November 1952, he had tasted glory. After that, he successfully defended it six more times against Don Cockell, Archie Moore, Roland LaStarza, Ezzard Charles twice, and Jersey Joe Walcott (in a rematch). Regretfully, he passed away too soon in 1969 due to
3 – Sugar Ray Robinson (174-19-6)
Throughout his nearly 25-year career, Sugar Ray Robinson engaged in nearly 200 fights, earning numerous accolades inside the ring. He saw himself in lengthy winning streaks, namely a 40-fight streak in the early portion of his career and a 91-fight winning run, mostly because of his amazing power. In the middleweight and welterweight classes, Robinson won two division titles.
2 – Joe Louis (66-3)
The second place on this list belongs to the legendary Joe Louis. The “Brown Bomber” gained notoriety for his strength, which caused 52 of his 66 opponents to fall. With this power, Louis became the world heavyweight champion with the longest stay, having held the title for more than 11 years. In addition, he is the only current heavyweight champion who served in the armed forces while holding the title.
In world title fights, Louis compiled a record of 27 victories (23 knockouts) and 1 loss. Notable victories came against Max Schmeling, Jim Braddock, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Primo Carnera. During his career, the renowned heavyweight only lost three times and one by knockout, against Rocky Marciano in his final professional match in October 1951.
1 – Muhammad Ali (56-5)
The top boxer on this list of ten is Muhammad Ali. In 1960, Ali made a seamless transition from his prosperous amateur career—which included numerous awards, national championships, and an Olympic gold medal—to the professional arena. He won his championship shot and defeated Sonny Liston in February 1964 following a 19-fight winning streak. Before Joe Frazier handed him his first loss of the career, he defended it eleven times.
To become the only three-time lineal heavyweight champion in history, “The Greatest” overcame adversity by regaining the title twice more. He was also the first heavyweight champion to reappear and win the belt after retiring. During his several reigns, he had a total of 19 championship defenses.
