No matter what sport you discuss, it is difficult for people to agree on which athletes were the best of all time. Boxing is no exception to this rule, and while some people will argue for Muhammad Ali, others will list Joe Louis. No matter whom your favorite boxer might be, the following list of the boxing's greatest fighters takes into consideration the talent, the skill, the records and showmanship of each boxer. You might not personally like one or more of these guys, but there is no denying their influence on the sport.
It is not difficult to make a case for Muhammad Ali as the greatest boxer in history, and Ali himself would probably agree. His amateur career included 100 wins and just five losses, as well as taking the gold medal in the light heavyweight division during the 1960 summer Olympic games in Rome. As a pro, he won 56 fights and lost just five bouts, three of them coming at the end of his career. He also defeated some of boxing's toughest competitors, including George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson.
Joe Louis was similar to Ali as not only was he an extraordinary boxer, he was a beloved American hero. He lost only three bouts, including a famous 1936 fight against German boxer Max Schmeling. Despite the fact that the bout lasted 12 rounds, this loss was touted by the Nazi's as proof of the superiority of the Aryan race. In 1938, Louis faced Schmeling again, this time knocking out his German opponent in just two minutes. This is considered one of the greatest fights in history. In all, Louis won 69 professional boxing matches, knocking out the vast majority of his opponents. He also held the heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949, far longer than any fighter before or after.
Another contender for the greatest boxer in history would have to be Sugar Ray Robinson. Many other boxers, including Joe Louis and Jake La Motta consider him the greatest boxer. Muhammad Ali, who nicknamed himself "The Greatest," even said that Robinson was "The King," and his idol. With 200 total fights, he lost only 19 and won 108 fights by knockout.
While Rocky Marciano didn't face fighters that were as strong as Louis, Ali and Robinson, he certainly deserves some praise and a spot on anyone's Top Ten list of greatest boxers. Marciano is the only heavyweight champion in history to boast a completely undefeated fight record with 49 wins, 43 knockouts and no losses.
The 19th century and the turn of the 20th century were not particularly easy time for African Americans, even for top athletes. Sports were segregated and even when black fighters faced white opponents, they were treated with scorn. Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion, certainly faced much opposition until his 1910 win over the former heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries. After that victory, Johnson's critics fell silent, bowing to his undeniable skill as a boxer. Johnson won an impressive 80 fights, 45 of them via knockout.
It is not difficult to make a case for Muhammad Ali as the greatest boxer in history, and Ali himself would probably agree. His amateur career included 100 wins and just five losses, as well as taking the gold medal in the light heavyweight division during the 1960 summer Olympic games in Rome. As a pro, he won 56 fights and lost just five bouts, three of them coming at the end of his career. He also defeated some of boxing's toughest competitors, including George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson.
Joe Louis was similar to Ali as not only was he an extraordinary boxer, he was a beloved American hero. He lost only three bouts, including a famous 1936 fight against German boxer Max Schmeling. Despite the fact that the bout lasted 12 rounds, this loss was touted by the Nazi's as proof of the superiority of the Aryan race. In 1938, Louis faced Schmeling again, this time knocking out his German opponent in just two minutes. This is considered one of the greatest fights in history. In all, Louis won 69 professional boxing matches, knocking out the vast majority of his opponents. He also held the heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949, far longer than any fighter before or after.
Another contender for the greatest boxer in history would have to be Sugar Ray Robinson. Many other boxers, including Joe Louis and Jake La Motta consider him the greatest boxer. Muhammad Ali, who nicknamed himself "The Greatest," even said that Robinson was "The King," and his idol. With 200 total fights, he lost only 19 and won 108 fights by knockout.
While Rocky Marciano didn't face fighters that were as strong as Louis, Ali and Robinson, he certainly deserves some praise and a spot on anyone's Top Ten list of greatest boxers. Marciano is the only heavyweight champion in history to boast a completely undefeated fight record with 49 wins, 43 knockouts and no losses.
The 19th century and the turn of the 20th century were not particularly easy time for African Americans, even for top athletes. Sports were segregated and even when black fighters faced white opponents, they were treated with scorn. Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion, certainly faced much opposition until his 1910 win over the former heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries. After that victory, Johnson's critics fell silent, bowing to his undeniable skill as a boxer. Johnson won an impressive 80 fights, 45 of them via knockout.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves blogging about mixed martial arts advantages. To get more details about a boxing club San Diego or to find mixed martial arts lessons in San Diego, go to The Arena MMA.com today.
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