In any sport, it is difficult to determine which athletes are the best the sport has ever known. Partly this is because there is no way to truly compare the fighters from different eras and partly because people have strong opinions about athletes they love or hate. To select the greatest boxers of all time, one must use variables that include overall records and the quality of their competition as well as more subjective areas, such as showmanship.
When you mention boxing, most people probably still think about Muhammad Ali before all other fighters, and he is one of the best known athletes on earth. His impressive career included a 100-5 amateur record, an Olympic gold medal and a 56-5 pro record. His competition was no less impressive as he faced some of the world's best boxers, including Joe Frazier, whom he faced on three separate occasions including a rare career loss. Ali also defeated the likes of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
Ali is certainly a beloved figure, but Joe Louis was equally beloved during his years as a fighter, and his 1938 re-match against German Max Schmeling was easily one of the greatest bouts of all time. Not only were the two seasoned athletes, it was a considered a huge victory against Nazism. Overall, Louis only lost two other fights and won 69, including 57 wins via knockout. He also held the world heavyweight title for 12 years, which is longer than any other boxer in history, another impressive feat.
With 173 wins and more than 100 of them by knockout, Sugar Ray Robinson is certainly one to be considered as the best boxer. While Muhammad Ali had no shortage of confidence regarding his own excellence as a fighter, even he declared that Robinson was the "King," of boxing. He was a top fighter at welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight, defeating a slew of tough opponents, including Jake La Motta, Kid Gavilan and Rocky Graziano.
Rocky Marciano certainly deserves at least a mention when one is discussing the world's best and toughest boxers. After all, not only did he end his career undefeated, all but six of his 49 pro bouts ended in knockout. Typically, he is not considered the greatest of all time simply because his competition was not at the same level as Ali, Louis and the like.
One of the first truly great and notable fighters of the modern era was Jack Johnson. While his record is not quite as strong as some of the aforementioned fighters, he did win 80 of his 114 pro fights. Johnson is also notable as he was the first African American world heavyweight champion and was the victor in the "Fight of the Century," a battle between Johnson and former champ James Jeffries. This fight was not only seen as a huge victory for Johnson but also for the progression of African Americans in sports in general.
When you mention boxing, most people probably still think about Muhammad Ali before all other fighters, and he is one of the best known athletes on earth. His impressive career included a 100-5 amateur record, an Olympic gold medal and a 56-5 pro record. His competition was no less impressive as he faced some of the world's best boxers, including Joe Frazier, whom he faced on three separate occasions including a rare career loss. Ali also defeated the likes of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
Ali is certainly a beloved figure, but Joe Louis was equally beloved during his years as a fighter, and his 1938 re-match against German Max Schmeling was easily one of the greatest bouts of all time. Not only were the two seasoned athletes, it was a considered a huge victory against Nazism. Overall, Louis only lost two other fights and won 69, including 57 wins via knockout. He also held the world heavyweight title for 12 years, which is longer than any other boxer in history, another impressive feat.
With 173 wins and more than 100 of them by knockout, Sugar Ray Robinson is certainly one to be considered as the best boxer. While Muhammad Ali had no shortage of confidence regarding his own excellence as a fighter, even he declared that Robinson was the "King," of boxing. He was a top fighter at welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight, defeating a slew of tough opponents, including Jake La Motta, Kid Gavilan and Rocky Graziano.
Rocky Marciano certainly deserves at least a mention when one is discussing the world's best and toughest boxers. After all, not only did he end his career undefeated, all but six of his 49 pro bouts ended in knockout. Typically, he is not considered the greatest of all time simply because his competition was not at the same level as Ali, Louis and the like.
One of the first truly great and notable fighters of the modern era was Jack Johnson. While his record is not quite as strong as some of the aforementioned fighters, he did win 80 of his 114 pro fights. Johnson is also notable as he was the first African American world heavyweight champion and was the victor in the "Fight of the Century," a battle between Johnson and former champ James Jeffries. This fight was not only seen as a huge victory for Johnson but also for the progression of African Americans in sports in general.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information about a boxing club San Diego or to find mixed martial arts lessons in San Diego, check out The Arena MMA.com today.
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