Throughout the decades, the world of boxing has been graced by entertainers and boxers who have what it takes to be considered the best in the world. However, with each decade and each generation, new boxers will come onto the scene, win and retain their belts while being considered the best boxer to have ever been seen. Of course, achievements will set apart the best boxers in the world from those who never quite cut it, so who are the best boxers in history?
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Floyd Mayweather Jr was an entertainer but he knew how to move around a ring and take down his opponents. His record is a phenomenal achievement with 2,257 points and 50 wins and even when faced with challenging opponents such as Manny Pacquiao, he still knew how to hold his own.
Manny Pacquiao
Some might place him above Mayweather Jr as he is the only world champion across 8 divisions. When it comes to performances in the ring, he has given the world some of the best bouts ever seen, such as his fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Rick Hatton. He amassed 1,637 points at a 62-7-2 record, which is why he is classed as one of the best boxers in history.
Muhammad Ali
No list is complete without Muhammad Ali. Some claim he is the greatest boxer of all time and he would have told you himself that he was “The Greatest”. He was a performer and someone who might have been considered ahead of his time with the way in which he graced the ring. Even after spending four years out of the ring, he returned and reclaimed his heavyweight championship twice. There’s only one fighter who “Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee”.
Bernard Hopkins
A 28-year career is an impressive achievement but so is a 55-8-2 record. Known as “The Executioner”, he boxed his way to several world championships at middleweight and light heavyweight. He was also the first boxer to hold world titles for all four major boxing sanctioning bodies. What also sets him apart was the fact that he was able to win the light heavyweight title at the age of 46 in 2011, making him a record breaker by overtaking George Foreman who was 45.
Oscar De La Hoya
From the titles he won to the money he earned, Oscar De La Hoya deserves to be on this list. Across six divisions, he won ten world titles and he was the highest earner of all time. A tough boxer with great tactical ability, his record of 1,259 points and 39-6-0 really does stand out.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler
From 1980 to 1987, Marvin Hagler was the undisputed middleweight champion of the world. A tough fighter, he knew how to inflict pain on his opponents using his power while also having the ability to take punches on the chin. He was a breathtaking fighter who amassed 1,160 points and a 62-3-2 record during his career.
