Famous Male Professional Boxers
Voting Rules
Vote for the greatest male boxers of all time.
- 1Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville Kentucky, was a globally recognized boxing legend and social activist. His extraordinary journey began at the tender age of 12 when, after his bicycle was stolen, he vowed to "whup" the thief. This incident led him to a local police officer who introduced him to boxing. What followed was a meteoric rise in the amateur boxing circuit, culminating in a gold medal win at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Ali's professional career was as remarkable as his amateur one. He won the world heavyweight championship three times, first in 1964 against Sonny Liston, then in 1974 against George Foreman, and finally in 1978 against Leon Spinks. Renowned for his unorthodox fighting style, which he described as "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," Ali was known for his quick feet and ability to avoid a punch. His larger-than-life persona both inside and outside the ring, coupled with his poetic and often provocative rhetoric, made him an unforgettable icon in the world of sports. Apart from his boxing prowess, Ali was also a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. He converted to Islam in 1964, changed his name from Cassius Clay, which he called his "slave name", to Muhammad Ali and used his global platform to speak out against racial injustice. His refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War on religious grounds led to a legal battle that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he was eventually vindicated. Ali's impact extended beyond the boxing ring, leaving an indelible mark on society. His life serves as a testament to courage, conviction, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
- Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer, Philanthropist, Social activist
- Credits: When We Were Kings, Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee, A.k.a. Cassius Clay, Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story
- 2Renowned for his speed, power, and technical skills, Oscar De La Hoya was born on February 4, 1973, in East Los Angeles, California. His early life was marked by a strong familial influence in boxing; both his grandfather and father were boxers, providing a clear pathway into the sport. With a passion for boxing ingrained from this young age, De La Hoya's talent was evident as he rapidly ascended through the amateur ranks, ultimately earning a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics, a victory that earned him the enduring nickname "The Golden Boy". De La Hoya's professional career was equally impressive. He became a force to reckon with in the boxing world, winning multiple world titles in six different weight divisions. Over the course of his professional career, he faced off against a formidable roster of boxing legends, including Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. These high-stakes bouts cemented De La Hoya's reputation as one of the most exciting and widely recognized faces in boxing. His skills in the ring, combined with his charismatic persona, contributed significantly to the sport's mainstream appeal. Beyond his accomplishments in the ring, De La Hoya is also known for his ventures outside of boxing. He founded Golden Boy Promotions, a company that has promoted some of the biggest fights in boxing history. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts are noteworthy. The Oscar De La Hoya Foundation, established in 1995, focuses on supporting education and healthcare initiatives within the community he grew up in.
- Birthplace: USA, East Los Angeles, California
- Profession: Businessperson, Author, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Mexican-American War, The World Awaits: De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, 26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- 3Floyd Patterson (January 4, 1935 – May 11, 2006) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1952 to 1972, and twice reigned as the world heavyweight champion between 1956 and 1962. At the age of 21, he became the youngest boxer in history to win the title, and was also the first heavyweight to regain the title after losing it. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1952 Summer Olympics. In 1956 and 1960, Patterson was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
- Birthplace: Waco, North Carolina, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: World's Heavyweight Championship Fight: Floyd Patterson Heavyweight Champion of the World versus Ingemar Johansson Heavyweight Champion of Europe, Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee, Terrible Joe Moran, Sonny Liston: The Mysterious Life and Death of a Champion
- 4Evander Holyfield (born October 19, 1962) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2011. He reigned as the undisputed champion at cruiserweight in the late 1980s and at heavyweight in the early 1990s, and remains the only boxer in history to win the undisputed championship in two weight classes. Nicknamed "The Real Deal", Holyfield is the only four-time world heavyweight champion, having held the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF titles from 1990 to 1992; the WBA and IBF titles again from 1993 to 1994 and between 1996 and 1999; and the WBA title for a fourth time from 2000 to 2001. As an amateur, Holyfield represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the light heavyweight division. He turned professional at the age of 21, moving up to cruiserweight in 1985 and winning his first world championship the following year, defeating Dwight Muhammad Qawi for the WBA title. Holyfield then went on to defeat Ricky Parkey and Carlos de León to win the WBC and IBF titles, thus becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. He moved up to heavyweight in 1988, later defeating Buster Douglas in 1990 to claim the unified WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles and the undisputed heavyweight championship. He successfully defended his titles three times, scoring victories over former champions George Foreman and Larry Holmes, before suffering his first professional loss to Riddick Bowe in 1992. Holyfield regained the crown in a rematch one year later, defeating Bowe for the WBA and IBF titles (Bowe having relinquished the WBC title beforehand). Holyfield later lost these titles in an upset against Michael Moorer in 1994. Holyfield was forced to retire in 1994 upon medical advice, only to return a year later with a clean bill of health. In 1996 he defeated Mike Tyson and reclaim the WBA title, in what was named by The Ring magazine as the Fight of the Year and Upset of the Year. This made Holyfield the first boxer since Muhammad Ali to win a world heavyweight title three times. Holyfield won a 1997 rematch against Tyson, which saw the latter disqualified in round three for biting Holyfield on his ears. During this reign as champion, he also avenged his loss to Michael Moorer and reclaimed the IBF title. In 1999 he faced Lennox Lewis in a unification fight for the undisputed WBA, WBC and IBF titles, which ended in a controversial split draw. Holyfield was defeated in a rematch eight months later. The following year, he defeated John Ruiz for the vacant WBA title, becoming the first boxer in history to win a version of the heavyweight title four times. Holyfield lost a rematch against Ruiz seven months later and faced him for the third time in a draw. Holyfield retired in 2014, and is ranked number 77 on The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time and in 2002 named him the 22nd greatest fighter of the past 80 years. He currently ranks No. 9 in BoxRec's ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time. BoxingScene also ranked him the greatest cruiserweight of all time.
- Birthplace: Atmore, Alabama, USA
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Champs, Grudge Match, Holyfield vs. Tyson II, Souled Out: The Documentary
- 5Henry Jackson Jr. (December 12, 1912 – October 24, 1988) was an American professional boxer and a world boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong. Armstrong was one of the few fighters to win in three or more different divisions: featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. He defended his welterweight title a total of nineteen times. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1937. The Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1940. In 2007, The Ring ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of the last 80 years. Historian Bert Sugar also ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of all time. ESPN ranked Armstrong as number 3 on their list of the 50 greatest boxers of all time.
- Birthplace: Columbus, Mississippi
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 6George Foreman, born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, carved a path for himself that spanned various domains. From being an Olympic gold medalist and two-time world heavyweight champion in boxing to becoming an ordained minister and successful entrepreneur, Foreman's life is a testament to determination, adaptability, and resilience. His humble beginnings, marked by hardship and adversity, served as the stepping stones to his illustrious career, where he made his mark not only in the sports arena but also in business and philanthropy. Competition and victory defined Foreman's early years, with a notable highlight being his triumph at the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics, where he won a gold medal in heavyweight boxing. This achievement catapulted him into the professional boxing realm, where he emerged as a two-time heavyweight champion. His victories against formidable opponents like Joe Frazier and Michael Moorer solidified his reputation as a fearsome boxer. However, Foreman's boxing career was punctuated with a temporary retirement during which he became an ordained minister and dedicated his life to helping others. Foreman's entrepreneurial venture began with the endorsement of a distinctive kitchen grill, which later came to be known widely as the "George Foreman Grill." This endeavor turned out to be a phenomenal success, selling millions of units worldwide and transforming Foreman into a household name. He proved his mettle as an astute businessman, demonstrating his ability to transition from one career to another seamlessly. In addition to his business pursuits, Foreman's commitment to community service has been commendable. He established the George Foreman Youth Center in Houston, Texas, underscoring his dedication to giving back to society.
- Birthplace: Marshall, Texas, USA
- Profession: Entrepreneur, Author, Actor, Professional Boxer, Minister of religion
- Credits: When We Were Kings, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Facing Ali, Cinderella Man: The Real Jim Braddock Story
- 7William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), nicknamed "Kid Blackie" and "The Manassa Mauler", was an American professional boxer who competed from 1914 to 1927, and reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926. A cultural icon of the 1920s, Dempsey's aggressive fighting style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate.Dempsey is ranked tenth on The Ring magazine's list of all-time heavyweights and seventh among its Top 100 Greatest Punchers, while in 1950 the Associated Press voted him as the greatest fighter of the past 50 years. He is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and was in the previous Boxing Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: Manassa, Colorado, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Requiem for a Heavyweight, The Prizefighter and the Lady, Will He Conquer Dempsey?, Daredevil Jack
- 8Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981), best known as Joe Louis was an American professional boxer who competed from 1934 to 1951. He reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, and is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber", Louis' championship reign lasted 140 consecutive months, during which he participated in 26 championship fights. The 27th fight, against Ezzard Charles in 1950, was a challenge for Charles' heavyweight title and so is not included in Louis' reign. He was victorious in 25 consecutive title defenses. In 2005, Louis was ranked as the best heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization, and was ranked number one on The Ring magazine's list of the "100 greatest punchers of all time".Louis' cultural impact was felt well outside the ring. He is widely regarded as the first person of African-American descent to achieve the status of a nationwide hero within the United States, and was also a focal point of anti-Nazi sentiment leading up to and during World War II. He was instrumental in integrating the game of golf, breaking the sport's color barrier in America by appearing under a sponsor's exemption in a PGA event in 1952.Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, former home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League, and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Joe Louis "The Champ" Golf Course, situated south of Chicago in Riverdale, Illinois, are named in his honor.
- Birthplace: USA, La Fayette, Alabama
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: This Is the Army, The Phynx, The Super Fight, Spirit of Youth
- 9Manny Pacquiao, a figure of immense prominence in the boxing world, was born on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines. From his humble beginnings, Pacquiao's life has been an awe-inspiring tale of determination and hard work. As a young boy, he left home and moved to Manila to support his family. It was there that he discovered his passion for boxing and his extraordinary talent. Pacquiao's professional boxing career commenced in 1995 when he was just 16 years old. Throughout the course of his illustrious career, his accomplishments have been numerous and remarkable. He is widely celebrated as the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. His fights against formidable opponents such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, and Timothy Bradley were highly anticipated and watched by millions worldwide. Pacquiao's prowess in the ring, coupled with his speed, precision, and power, earned him global recognition and admiration. In addition to his successful career in boxing, Pacquiao is also known for his political ambition. He entered politics in 2007 when he ran for a congressional seat in the Philippines's Sarangani province but was unsuccessful. However, undeterred by the initial setback, he ran again in 2010 and won, serving two terms as a congressman. In 2016, he was elected as a senator in the Philippine Senate, demonstrating his commitment to public service. Despite his many responsibilities, Pacquiao continues to train and compete, balancing his time between his political duties and his love for boxing. His journey from being a street vendor to a world-class athlete and politician truly epitomizes the power of perseverance and resilience.
- Birthplace: Philippines, Kibawe
- Profession: Politician, Film Producer, Actor, Athlete, Singer
- Credits: Show Me Da Manny, Wam Bam Pac's The Man, Pinoy Records, Totoy Bato, Manny Many Prizes
- 10Giacobbe "Jake" LaMotta (July 10, 1922 – September 19, 2017) was an American professional boxer, world middleweight champion, and stand-up comedian. Nicknamed "The Bronx Bull" or "Raging Bull", LaMotta was a rough fighter who was not a particularly big puncher, but he would subject his opponents to vicious beatings in the ring. With use of constant stalking, brawling and inside fighting, he developed the reputation for being a 'bully'; he was what is often referred to today as a swarmer and a slugger. Due to his hard style of fighting, LaMotta often got as much as he was giving in an era of great middleweights. With a thick skull and jaw muscles, LaMotta was able to absorb incredible amounts of punishment over the course of his career, and is thought to have one of the greatest chins in boxing history. LaMotta's six-fight rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the most notable in the sport, but LaMotta won only one of the bouts. Although each fight was close, LaMotta dropped Robinson to the canvas multiple times. LaMotta, who lived a turbulent life in and out of the ring, was portrayed by Robert De Niro in the 1980 film Raging Bull. He was managed by his brother Joey LaMotta.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Profession: Screenwriter, Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Hustler, Raging Bull, Mob War, Resurrecting the Champ
- 11Sugar Ray Robinson (born Walker Smith Jr.; May 3, 1921 – April 12, 1989) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1940 to 1965. Robinson's performances in the welterweight and middleweight divisions prompted sportswriters to create "pound for pound" rankings, where they compared fighters regardless of weight. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, and in 2002, Robinson was ranked number one on The Ring magazine's list of "80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years".Robinson was 85–0 as an amateur with 69 of those victories coming by way of knockout, 40 in the first round. He turned professional in 1940 at the age of 19 and by 1951 had a professional record of 128–1–2 with 84 knockouts. From 1943 to 1951 Robinson went on a 91-fight unbeaten streak, the third-longest in professional boxing history. Robinson held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951, and won the world middleweight title in the latter year. He retired in 1952, only to come back two-and-a-half years later and regain the middleweight title in 1955. He then became the first boxer in history to win a divisional world championship five times (a feat he accomplished by defeating Carmen Basilio in 1958 to regain the middleweight championship). Robinson was named "fighter of the year" twice: first for his performances in 1942, then nine years and over 90 fights later, for his efforts in 1951. Renowned for his flamboyant lifestyle outside the ring, Robinson is credited with being the originator of the modern sports "entourage". After his boxing career ended, Robinson attempted a career as an entertainer, but it was not successful. He struggled financially until his death in 1989. In 2006, he was featured on a commemorative stamp by the United States Postal Service.
- Birthplace: Michigan, USA, Detroit
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Paper Lion, Candy, The Detective, City Beneath the Sea, The Todd Killings
- 12Charles Carmine Zito Jr. (born March 1, 1953), is an American actor, amateur boxer, martial artist, celebrity bodyguard, stuntman, former boxing trainer and former president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels.
- Birthplace: Bronx, New York, USA
- Profession: Stunt Performer, Bodyguard, Radio personality, Actor, Voice acting
- Credits: Carlito's Way, Oz, Man on the Moon, 13, Nowhere to Run
- 13Lennox Claudius Lewis , (born 2 September 1965) is a retired professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2003. He is a three-time world heavyweight champion, a two-time lineal champion, and remains the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed title. Holding dual British and Canadian citizenship, Lewis represented Canada as an amateur at the 1988 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division after defeating Riddick Bowe in the final. In his first three years as a professional, Lewis won several regional heavyweight championships, including the European, British, and Commonwealth titles. After winning his first 21 fights, he defeated Donovan Ruddock in 1992 to take over the number one position in the WBC rankings. He was declared WBC heavyweight champion later that year after Riddick Bowe gave up the title to avoid defending it against Lewis. He defended the title three times before an upset knockout loss to Oliver McCall in 1994. Lewis avenged the loss in a 1997 rematch to win back the vacant WBC title. Lewis won the title by defeating Shannon Briggs in 1998. Two fights against Evander Holyfield in 1999 (the first ending in a controversial draw) saw Lewis become undisputed heavyweight champion by unifying his WBC title with Holyfield's WBA and IBF titles, as well as the vacant IBO title. In 2000, the WBA stripped Lewis of their title when he chose to face Michael Grant instead of mandatory challenger John Ruiz. Lewis was knocked out by Hasim Rahman in a 2001 upset, but this defeat was avenged later in the year. In 2002, Lewis defeated Mike Tyson in one of the most highly anticipated fights in boxing history. Prior to the event, Lewis was awarded the Ring magazine heavyweight title, which had been discontinued in the late 1980s. In what would be his final fight, in 2003, Lewis defeated Vitali Klitschko in a bloody encounter. He vacated his remaining titles and retired from boxing in 2004. Lewis often refers to himself as "the pugilist specialist". He is 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall, with an 84 in (213 cm) reach, and weighed about 245 lb (111 kg) during his boxing prime. He is regarded by many as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, and certainly one of the greatest British fighters of all time. He has the fourth longest combined title streak in post-war heavyweight history at 15 title bouts. In 1999 he was named Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America, and BBC Sports Personality of the Year. BoxRec currently ranks Lewis as the 16th best heavyweight boxer of all time.
- Birthplace: London, England, UK
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: An Audience with Lennox Lewis, The Apprentice, Klitschko, Love Songs
- 14Ray Charles Leonard (born May 17, 1956), best known as "Sugar" Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer, motivational speaker, and occasional actor. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he competed from 1977 to 1997, winning world titles in five weight divisions; the lineal championship in three weight divisions; as well as the undisputed welterweight title. Leonard was part of "The Fabulous Four", a group of boxers who all fought each other throughout the 1980s, consisting of himself, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. "The Fabulous Four" created a wave of popularity in the lower weight classes that kept boxing relevant in the post-Muhammad Ali era, during which Leonard defeated future fellow International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees Hearns, Durán, Hagler, and Wilfred Benítez. Leonard was also the first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses, and was named "Boxer of the Decade" in the 1980s. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1979 and 1981, while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1976, 1979, and 1981. In 2002, Leonard was voted by The Ring as the ninth greatest fighter of the last 80 years; BoxRec ranks him as the 27th greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound.
- Birthplace: Rocky Mount, USA, North Carolina
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Contender, Shadow Moves - The Homecoming of Regilio Tuur, Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene, Ali 70 from Las Vegas
- 15Vladimir Vladimirovitsch Klitschko (born 25 March 1976) is a Ukrainian former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2017. He held the world heavyweight championship twice, including the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, Ring magazine and lineal titles. A strategic and intelligent boxer, Klitschko is considered to be one of the best heavyweight champions of all time. He was known for his exceptional knockout power, using a strong jab, straight right hand and left hook, as well as excellent footwork and mobility, unusual for boxers of his size.As an amateur, Klitschko represented Ukraine at the 1996 Olympics, winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division. After turning professional later that year, he defeated Chris Byrd in 2000 to win the WBO heavyweight title. Klitschko's first reign as champion ended in an upset knockout loss to Corrie Sanders in 2003, which was followed by another knockout loss to Lamon Brewster in 2004. It was during this time that Klitschko hired Emanuel Steward as his trainer, which began an eight-year partnership that lasted until Steward's death in 2012. In particular, Steward was credited with Klitschko's transition from an aggressive puncher to a more defensively-oriented boxer, much as he had done with Lennox Lewis in 1995 to 2003. In 2006, Klitschko regained a portion of the world heavyweight championship after defeating Chris Byrd in a rematch to win the IBF and IBO titles. He won the WBO title for a second time by defeating Sultan Ibragimov in 2008. Following his defeat of Ruslan Chagaev in 2009, Klitschko was awarded the Ring and lineal titles, and lastly he won the WBA title from David Haye in 2011. In September 2015, Klitschko was ranked as the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by BoxRec; in November 2014, he reached a career peak of second best on The Ring's pound for pound list. Klitschko holds the record for the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign of all time, with 4,382 days as world heavyweight champion, and defeated 23 opponents for the world heavyweight championship, the most in history. Until his loss to Tyson Fury in 2015, Klitschko was recognized as the lineal champion by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, while the WBA recognised him as one of its "Super champions", a distinction given to boxers who hold that title in addition to those by other sanctioning bodies in the same division. From 2006 to 2015, Vladimir and his older brother Vitali (himself a former world heavyweight champion) dominated heavyweight boxing, a period typically known as the "Klitschko Era" of the division.
- Birthplace: Kazakhstan, Semey
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Klitschkos: Never Give Up,Ocean's Eleven,Klitschko,Modern Talking - The Video
- 16James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (May 25, 1897 – November 7, 1978) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1915 to 1928. He held the world heavyweight title from 1926 to 1928, and the American light heavyweight title twice between 1922 and 1923. A highly technical boxer, Tunney had a five-fight rivalry with Harry Greb in which he won three, drew once, and lost once. He also knocked out Georges Carpentier and defeated Jack Dempsey twice; first in 1926 and again in 1927. Tunney's successful title defense against Dempsey remains one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight. He retired undefeated as a heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in 1928, after which Tunney was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine.
- Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, New York
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 17Vitaly Vladimirovich Klitschko (born 19 July 1971) is a Ukrainian politician and former professional boxer. He currently serves as Mayor of Kiev and head of the Kiev City State Administration, having held both offices since June 2014. Klitschko is a former leader of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc and a former Member of the Ukrainian Parliament. He became actively involved in Ukrainian politics in 2005 and combined this with his professional boxing career until his retirement from the sport in 2013.As a boxer, Klitschko is a three-time world heavyweight champion, the second-longest-reigning WBC heavyweight champion of all time, has the fifth-longest combined world championship reign in history at 2,735 days, the third-longest individual WBC heavyweight title streak of all time at 9 consecutive defenses, and the fourth-longest combined title streak in the modern heavyweight history at 15 title bouts. He held the WBO title from 1999 to 2000; the Ring magazine title from 2004 to 2005; and the WBC title twice between 2008 and 2013. Standing at 2.01 metres (6 feet 7 inches), Klitschko was renowned for having exceptional ring dominance. With an 87% knockout percentage, he holds one of the highest knockout-to-fight ratios of any world champion in heavyweight boxing history, while also possessing a highly durable chin. His two losses came via a shoulder injury and a deep cut above his eye, both of which were recorded as stoppages rather than outright knockouts; in both fights he was leading on the judges' scorecards. Klitschko is the only heavyweight boxer to have reigned as world champion in three different decades. Along with Oliver McCall, he is also the only world heavyweight champion to have never been knocked down in any fight. Klitschko and George Foreman are the only heavyweight boxers in history to defend a world title after turning 40. Being the first professional boxing world champion to hold a PhD degree, and in reference to his punching power, Klitschko's nickname was "Dr. Ironfist". His younger brother, Wladimir, is a former unified world heavyweight champion. From 2006 until 2015, Vitali and Wladimir dominated heavyweight boxing, a period typically known as the "Klitschko Era" of the division.Klitschko formally began his political career in 2006 when he placed second in the Kiev mayoral race. In 2010, he founded the party Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) and was elected into parliament for this party in 2012. He was a leading figure in the 2013–2014 Euromaidan protests, and he announced his possible candidacy for the Ukrainian presidency but later withdrew and endorsed Petro Poroshenko. He was elected Mayor of Kiev on 25 May 2014. Klitschko headed the election list of the winner of the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election, the Petro Poroshenko Bloc, but he gave up his parliamentary seat to stay on as Mayor of Kiev. On 28 August 2015 the UDAR party merged into Petro Poroshenko Bloc. Klitschko thus became the new party leader. Klitschko was reelected as mayor on 15 November 2015. Klitschko revived UDAR, and left Petro Poroshenko Bloc with it, in May 2019 and simultaneously announced that UDAR would take part in the 2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election autonomously.
- Birthplace: Belovodskoe, Kyrgyzstan
- Profession: Politician, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Klitschkos: Never Give Up, Klitschko, Modern Talking - The Video, Rocky IV: le coup de poing américain
- 18Joseph William Frazier (January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011), nicknamed "Smokin' Joe", was an American professional boxer who competed from 1965 to 1981. He reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973, and as an amateur won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Frazier was known for his strength, durability, formidable punching power, and relentless pressure fighting style. Frazier emerged as the top contender in the late 1960s, defeating opponents that included Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, George Chuvalo, and Jimmy Ellis en route to becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970, and followed up by defeating Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision in the highly anticipated Fight of the Century in 1971. Two years later, Frazier lost his title when he was defeated by George Foreman. He fought on, beating Joe Bugner, losing a rematch to Ali and beating Quarry and Ellis again. Frazier's last world title challenge came in 1975, but he was beaten by Ali in their brutal rubber match, the Thrilla in Manila. He retired in 1976 following a second loss to Foreman. He made a comeback in 1981, fighting just once before retiring. The International Boxing Research Organization rates Frazier among the ten greatest heavyweights of all time. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1967, 1970 and 1971, while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1969, 1971 and 1975. In 1999, The Ring magazine ranked him the eighth greatest heavyweight. BoxRec ranks him as the 18th greatest heavyweight of all time. He is an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Frazier's style was often compared to that of Henry Armstrong and occasionally Rocky Marciano, dependent on bobbing, weaving and relentless pressure to wear down his opponents. His best known punch was a powerful left hook, which accounted for most of his knockouts. In his career he lost to only two fighters, both former Olympic and world heavyweight champions: twice to Muhammad Ali, and twice to George Foreman. After retiring, Frazier made cameo appearances in several Hollywood movies, and two episodes of The Simpsons. His son Marvis became a boxer—trained by Frazier himself—but was defeated by an up-and-coming Mike Tyson in 1986. His daughter Jackie Frazier-Lyde also boxed professionally. Frazier continued to train fighters in his gym in Philadelphia. His attitude towards Ali in later life was largely characterized by bitterness and contempt, interspersed with brief reconciliations. Frazier was diagnosed with liver cancer in late September 2011 and admitted to hospice care. He died of complications from the disease on November 7, 2011.
- Birthplace: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Rocky, Thrilla in Manila, Facing Ali, Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible
- 19James Walter Braddock (June 7, 1905 – November 29, 1974) was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937.Fighting under the name James J. Braddock (ostensibly to follow the pattern set by two prior world boxing champions, James J. Corbett and James J. Jeffries), Braddock was known for his spoiling, counterpunching style, powerful right hand and his iron chin. He had lost several bouts due to chronic hand injuries and was forced to work on the docks and collect social assistance to feed his family during the Great Depression. He made a comeback, and in 1935 he fought Max Baer for the heavyweight title and won. For this unlikely feat he was given the nickname "Cinderella Man" by Damon Runyon. Braddock was managed by Joe Gould.
- Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Super Fight
- 20Maximilian Adelbert Baer (February 11, 1909 – November 21, 1959) was an American boxer who was the World Heavyweight Champion from June 14, 1934 to June 13, 1935. His fights were twice (1933 win over Max Schmeling, 1935 loss to James J. Braddock) rated Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. Baer was also a boxing referee, and had an occasional role on film or television. He was the brother of heavyweight boxing contender Buddy Baer and father of actor Max Baer Jr.. Baer is rated #22 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
- Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Beverly Hillbillies, Once Upon a Horse, The Navy Comes Through, The Prizefighter and the Lady, Over She Goes
- 21Edwin Valero (December 3, 1981 – April 19, 2010) was a Venezuelan professional boxer who competed from 2002 to 2010. He was an undefeated former world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBA super featherweight title from 2006 to 2008 and the WBC lightweight title from 2009 to (February) 2010. A southpaw known for his highly aggressive fighting style and exceptional punching power, Valero remains the only champion in the 30-year history of the WBC to win every fight in his career by knockout. In 2010, Valero committed suicide in jail after being arrested on suspicion of killing his wife.
- Birthplace: Mérida, Mérida, Venezuela
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 22Iran Barkley (born May 6, 1960) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1999. He held world championships in three weight classes, including the WBC middleweight title from 1988 to 1989, the IBF super middleweight title from 1992 to 1993, and the WBA light heavyweight title in 1992. As an amateur, Barkley won a bronze medal in the middleweight division at the 1982 World Championships.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 23Victor Andrew de Bier Everleigh McLaglen (10 December 1886 – 7 November 1959) was a British-American film actor. He was known as a character actor, particularly in Westerns, and made seven films with John Ford and John Wayne. McLaglen won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1935 for his role in The Informer.
- Birthplace: Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, UK
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Quiet Man, Fort Apache, Around the World in 80 Days, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Rio Grande
- 24Rick "Rocky" Lockridge (January 10, 1959 – February 7, 2019) was an American professional boxer. He is perhaps best known for having handed Roger Mayweather his first defeat—a first-round knockout in just 98 seconds—earning him the WBA and lineal super featherweight titles. He later won the IBF super featherweight title. He is also known from his 2010 appearance on the A&E television series Intervention.
- Birthplace: Seattle, Washington
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 25David Deron Haye (born 13 October 1980) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2002 to 2018. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, and was the first British boxer to reach the final of the World Amateur Boxing Championships, where he won a silver medal in 2001. As a professional, Haye became a unified cruiserweight world champion in 2008, winning three of the four major world titles, as well as the Ring magazine and lineal titles. In the same year he moved up to heavyweight, winning the WBA title in 2009 after defeating Nikolai Valuev, who had a size advantage of 9 inches (23 cm) in height and 99 pounds (45 kg) in weight over Haye. Along with Evander Holyfield, Haye is one of only two boxers in history to have unified the cruiserweight world titles and become a world heavyweight champion. In 2008, Haye founded his own boxing promotional firm, Hayemaker Promotions.
- Birthplace: England, London
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Dynamo: Magician Impossible
- 26Floyd Mayweather Jr., born on February 24, 1977, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a name that resonates with power and extraordinary skill in the realm of professional boxing. Hailing from a family of boxers, he was destined to become a part of this combat sport. With his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., a former welterweight contender, and his uncles, Roger and Jeff Mayweather, both professional boxers, it's no surprise that Floyd Jr. would follow suit and even surpass their accomplishments. Mayweather's career is characterized by his unbroken winning streak, a testament to his unparalleled agility and impeccable technique. He won three national Golden Gloves and an Olympic bronze medal before turning professional in 1996. Over the course of his illustrious career, Mayweather conquered multiple weight classes, securing world titles in five different divisions - super featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, and light middleweight. These accomplishments solidified his position as one of the most diverse and talented boxers of his generation. Mayweather's fighting style exhibits an uncanny defensive prowess, often leaving opponents flustered and unable to land significant hits. This tactical acumen coupled with his fast, accurate punches has earned him recognition as one of the best defensive boxers in history. His prime came to a culmination on September 12, 2015, when he defeated Andre Berto, marking his 49th consecutive win without a loss - an outstanding record equivalent to the legendary Rocky Marciano. Despite retiring and coming back multiple times, Mayweather's legacy remains untarnished, his name etched in the annals of boxing history as a paragon of skill, discipline, and determination.
- Birthplace: Michigan, USA, Grand Rapids
- Profession: Actor, Athlete, Professional Boxer
- Credits: More Than Famous, he World Awaits: De La Hoya vs. Mayweather, WrestleMania XXIV, Think Like a Man Too
- 27Jack Warden, a highly acclaimed actor of his time, was born on September 18, 1920 in Newark, New Jersey. Known for his gruff voice and tough-as-nails approach to his roles, Warden made a significant mark in Hollywood with a career spanning over five decades. Before stepping into the acting world, he had a rather unconventional background that included boxing as a welterweight and serving in the US Navy during World War II. His transition from the military to the stage occurred after he joined an acting company as part of a rehabilitation program. Warden's acting career took flight on Broadway, but he gained widespread recognition after his foray into television and film. He was most notable for his roles in 12 Angry Men (1957) and Shampoo (1975), which earned him Academy Award nominations. Despite these high-profile roles, Warden was not one to be typecast, showcasing his versatility across a range of genres from dramas to comedies. A testament to his talent was his two Emmy Awards for his performance in the television series Brian's Song (1971) and The Bad News Bears (1979). Jack Warden left a lasting legacy when he passed away on July 19, 2006. His contribution to the entertainment industry is evidenced by his extensive body of work which includes over 100 film and TV credits. Through his performances, Warden has shown an ability to capture complex characters, often bringing a depth and authenticity that resonates with audiences. His enduring impact on Hollywood serves as a reminder of his unique talent and unyielding dedication to his craft.
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Profession: Soldier, Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: All the President's Men, From Here to Eternity, 12 Angry Men, The Replacements, Heaven Can Wait
- 28Riddick Lamont Bowe (born August 10, 1967) is a retired American professional boxer who competed between 1989 and 2008. He reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1992, and as an amateur he won a silver medal in the super heavyweight division at the 1988 Summer Olympics. After turning professional in 1989, Bowe went on to become a two-time world heavyweight champion. In 1992 he won the undisputed WBA, WBC and IBF titles by defeating then-unbeaten former undisputed cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield. That same year, Bowe was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers' Association of America. Bowe vacated the WBC title later that year in protest, instead of defending the title against their number one contender, Lennox Lewis. This left the undisputed championship fragmented until 1999. In a rematch with Holyfield in 1993, Bowe narrowly lost the WBA and IBF titles in what would be his only professional defeat. He later regained a portion of the world heavyweight championship in 1995, defeating Herbie Hide for the then-fledgling WBO title. In doing so, Bowe became the first boxer in history to win the titles of all four major sanctioning bodies—the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO—and remains the only heavyweight to do so. Later that year, Bowe vacated the WBO title in order to fight Holyfield for a third time, and won decisively by being the first boxer to defeat Holyfield by knockout. 1996 saw Bowe engage in two brutal slugfests with Andrew Golota, both of which ended controversially when Golota repeatedly hit him with low blows. Bowe retired from boxing after the Golota fights, making low-key comebacks in 2004 and 2008. In a 2010 article by BoxingScene, Bowe was ranked the 21st greatest heavyweight of all time. In 2015, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 29Diego "Chico" Corrales Jr. (August 25, 1977 – May 7, 2007) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2007. He was a multiple-time world champion in two weight divisions, having held the IBF super featherweight title from 1999 to 2000; the WBO super featherweight title in 2004; the WBO lightweight title from 2004 to 2006; and the WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal lightweight titles from 2005 to 2006. In 2005, Corrales received Fight of the Year honors by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America for his acclaimed first bout with José Luis Castillo.
- Birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 30Paddy Ryan (15 March 1851 – 14 December 1900) was an Irish American boxer, and became the bare-knuckle American heavyweight champion from May 30, 1880, after he won the title from Joe Goss. He retained the title until losing it to the exceptional John L. Sullivan on February 7, 1882.Ryan fought only ten major bouts, but as many as twenty-five exhibitions including many with John L. Sullivan in his late career. Exhibitions brought him income, but with fewer rounds and less risk.
- Birthplace: Thurles, Republic of Ireland
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 31Jeffrey Scott Lacy (born May 12, 1977) is an American professional boxer. He held the IBF super middleweight title from 2004 to 2006, and the IBO super middleweight title from 2005 to 2006. Lacy rose to prominence in the early to mid-2000s as a feared puncher in the division, with his physique and knockout record making him one of boxing's top-rated prospects at the time.
- Birthplace: St. Petersburg, USA, Florida
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Hammer
- 32Arthur Benjamin Aragon (November 13, 1927 – March 25, 2008) was a Mexican-American boxer in the lightweight from New Mexico.
- Birthplace: Belen, New Mexico, USA
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Fat City, The Ladies Man, World in My Corner, The Ring
- 33Rocco Francis Marchegiano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969), best known as Rocky Marciano (), was an American professional boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955, and held the world heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956. He is the only Heavyweight champion to have retired undefeated as champion. His six title defenses were against Jersey Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell and Archie Moore. Known for his relentless fighting style, formidable punching power, stamina, and exceptionally durable chin, Marciano has been included by boxing historians in lists of the greatest boxers of all time, and is currently ranked by BoxRec as the eighth greatest heavyweight boxer in history. His knockout-to-win percentage of 87.76% remains one of the highest in heavyweight boxing history.
- Birthplace: USA, Massachusetts, Brockton
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Punisher The Punisher, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Daredevil, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
- 34Edward Henry Greb (June 6, 1894 – October 22, 1926) was an American professional boxer. Nicknamed "The Pittsburgh Windmill", he was the American light heavyweight champion from 1922 to 1923 and world middleweight champion from 1923 to 1926. He fought a recorded 298 times in his 13 year-career, which began at around 140 pounds. He fought against the best opposition the talent-rich 1910s and 20s could provide him, frequently squaring off against light heavyweights and even heavyweights.Greb had a highly aggressive, very fast, swarming style of fighting and buried his opponents under a blizzard of punches. He was elusive with very good footwork to jump in and out on opponents. He was also a master at dirty fighting and had no qualms about employing all manner of dubious tactics, such as spinning his opponent and using the heel and laces of his gloves. Greb often got as much as he gave and unbeknownst to the press continued to fight a number of matches even as he became blind in one eye, due to an injury suffered in an earlier match. The 'Pittsburgh Windmill' was also very durable, suffering only 2 TKO losses in his whole career. The first was in his seventh bout when he was knocked out by an opponent who heavily outweighed him, the second happened 3 years later when Greb broke the radius of his left arm. Greb finished the round but was unable to continue the fight. Greb's ultimate weakness may have been his lack of knockout power; although he was able to hurt and bust up many opponents due to the constant onslaught of clean punches he landed on them, he rarely stopped them. He launched a vicious beating on Gene Tunney on two separate occasions, cutting him and hurting him badly, but was unable to knock him out both times. It was the same process with many opponents. Widely considered one of the best fighters of all time, Greb was named the 7th greatest fighter of the past 80 years by the Ring Magazine, the 5th greatest fighter of all-time by historian Bert Sugar and ranked as the #1 middleweight and the #2 pound-for-pound fighter of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization. Statistical boxing website BoxRec lists Greb as the #3 ranked middleweight of all-time and #17 greatest pound-for-pound fighter ever.
- Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 35Mickey Rourke, born Philip Andre Rourke Jr. on September 16, 1952, is a pivotal figure in the world of cinema and boxing. Born in Schenectady, New York, he moved to Miami, Florida with his family at a young age. His life has been marked by a series of dramatic ups and downs, reflecting an individual who is not afraid to chase his dreams, no matter how elusive they may seem. A man of many talents, Rourke's career spans across acting, screenwriting, and professional boxing. Rourke's interest in acting sparked while taking self-defense training at the Boys Club in Miami. After studying acting under Sandra Seacat, he made his film debut in Steven Spielberg's 1941. However, it was his role in Body Heat that catapulted him to fame. His unique blend of raw energy and vulnerability brought a breath of fresh air to Hollywood, earning him roles in critically acclaimed films like Diner, Rumble Fish, and The Pope of Greenwich Village. However, his most lauded performance came in 2008 with Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler, earning him an Academy Award nomination. Parallel to his acting career, Rourke also pursued professional boxing, a childhood passion. He embarked on his boxing career in the early 1990s, temporarily stepping away from acting. Despite facing several physical setbacks, including facial injuries that required surgery, he proved his resilience by maintaining an impressive record. After five years in the ring, Rourke returned to acting, bringing with him a newfound depth and intensity to his performances. Mickey Rourke's life and career are testament to his tenacity and refusal to be confined by societal norms or expectations. His multifaceted journey continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
- Birthplace: Schenectady, New York, USA
- Profession: Screenwriter, Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Wrestler, Iron Man 2, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Immortals
- 36Sonny William Williams (born 3 August 1985) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, heavyweight boxer and former rugby league player. He is only the second person to represent New Zealand in rugby union after first playing for the country in rugby league, and is one of only twenty players to have won two rugby union World Cups. In rugby league, Williams has played seven seasons in two spells in the National Rugby League (NRL), with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters. He has won 12 caps for New Zealand (the Kiwis) and won the RLIF Awards for Rookie of the Year in 2004 and International Player of the Year in 2013. He first moved to rugby union in 2010 and has since had spells playing for Toulon in France, Canterbury, Counties Manukau, the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues in New Zealand and Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan. He has won 47 caps for New Zealand (the All Blacks), and was part of the teams that won the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups. He has also played rugby sevens for New Zealand, competing in the 2015–16 World Rugby Sevens Series and the 2016 Olympics. Williams has boxed professionally seven times, winning all of his heavyweight bouts. He was formerly the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) Heavyweight Champion and World Boxing Association (WBA) International Heavyweight Champion, but has since been stripped of these titles after failing to respond to challenges.
- Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand
- Profession: Rugby Player, Professional Boxer
- 37Marcellin "Marcel" Cerdan (French pronunciation: [maʁsɛl sɛʁdɑ̃]; 22 July 1916 – 28 October 1949) was a French Pied-Noir of spanish origin, world boxing champion who was considered by many boxing experts and fans to be France's greatest boxer, and beyond to be one of the best to have learned his craft in Africa. His life was marked by his sporting achievements, social lifestyle and ultimately, tragedy, being killed in an airplane crash. Marcel Cerdan was born on 22 July 1916 in Sidi Bel Abbès in what was then French Algeria. The Palais des sports Marcel Cerdan is named in his honor.
- Birthplace: Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 38Dean Martin, born as Dino Paul Crocetti on June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio, is a household name renowned for his multi talented persona. Martin's career spanned across five decades, leaving a significant mark in the entertainment industry. He was a singer, actor, comedian, and film producer, making him one of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century. Martin commenced his career as a nightclub singer in the 1940s where he formed a comedic duo with Jerry Lewis. The duo enjoyed immense fame from their radio and television shows, not to mention their appearances in nightclubs and films. In the late 1950s, Martin embarked on a solo career, recording numerous contemporary pop hits including "That's Amore," "Ain't That a Kick in the Head," and "Everybody Loves Somebody." His smooth, crooning voice earned him the nickname "King of Cool". In addition to his successful singing career, Martin was also a prolific actor featuring in more than 60 films. Some of his notable roles include parts in 'The Young Lions' (1958), 'Some Came Running' (1958), 'Rio Bravo' (1959), and 'Ocean's 11' (1960). His charm and charisma led to him becoming a member of the Rat Pack, a group of actors known for their Las Vegas nightclub performances. Dean Martin passed away on December 25, 1995, but his legacy continues to live on, influencing generations of entertainers.
- Birthplace: Steubenville, Ohio, USA
- Profession: Businessperson, Songwriter, Comedian, Musician, Film Producer
- Credits: The Dean Martin Show, The Colgate Comedy Hour, Goodfellas, The Big Lebowski
- 39Mike Tyson, born on June 30, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, emerged from a challenging upbringing to become one of the most influential figures in the sport of boxing. With his ferocious and intimidating style, Tyson dominated the boxing scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s, securing his place in history as the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title at just 20 years old. Tyson's journey to success wasn't smooth. His early life was marked by hardship and crime, but it was his introduction to boxing whilst serving time in a reform school that set his path. Under the mentorship of legendary trainer Cus D'Amato, Tyson honed his skills and developed the discipline needed to excel in the ring. Despite personal struggles, Tyson's fierce determination led him to win his first 19 professional fights by knockout. However, Tyson's career was not without controversy. His personal life was often marred by legal troubles, including a criminal conviction in 1992 which led to a three-year prison term. Despite these setbacks, Tyson remained a formidable force in the boxing world, known for his raw power and aggressive style. His bouts with notable fighters such as Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis are still talked about today. Post-retirement, Tyson has managed to reinvent himself, appearing in popular films and television shows, proving that his influence extends beyond the boxing ring.
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Profession: Film Producer, Actor, Athlete, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Tyson, The Hangover, The Hangover Part II, Rocky Balboa
- 40Andre Michael Ward (born February 23, 1984) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2004 to 2017. He retired with an undefeated record and held multiple world titles in two weight classes, including the unified WBA (Super), WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal super middleweight titles between 2009 and 2015; and the unified WBA (Undisputed), IBF, WBO, and Ring light heavyweight titles between 2016 and 2017. During his reign as light heavyweight champion, Ward was ranked as the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB), as well as the world's best active boxer in the division by The Ring, the TBRB, and BoxRec. As an amateur, Ward won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 2004 Olympics and turned professional later that year. He rose to worldwide prominence upon entering the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament in 2009, where he won the WBA (Super) super middleweight title from Mikkel Kessler in the opening group stage. In 2011, Ward defeated WBC champion Carl Froch in the tournament final to unify the titles, as well as winning the vacant Ring and lineal titles. That same year, Ward was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers' Association of America. He later won The Ring's Comeback of the Year award in 2016 following a long period of sporadic in-ring activity between 2012 and 2015.
- Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA
- 41John Morrissey (February 12, 1831 – May 1, 1878), also known as Old Smoke, was an Irish-born American, whose parents moved to New York State when he was a young child. In the early 1850s he went to San Francisco at the time of the California Gold Rush. In California he became a bare-knuckle boxer and on his return to New York, he challenged and defeated "Yankee Sullivan", who was then recognized as the American boxing champion. He became a professional gambler, owning gambling houses in New York City in the 1850s and 1860s. He became a U.S. Congressman from New York, between 1867–1871, backed by Tammany Hall. However, he later fell out with the Tammany Hall political machine and became Democratic State Senator for New York between 1876 and 1878, running as an anti-Tammany candidate.
- Birthplace: Templemore, Republic of Ireland
- Profession: Politician, Professional Boxer
- 42James John Corbett (September 1, 1866 – February 18, 1933) was an American professional boxer and a World Heavyweight Champion, best known as the man who defeated the great John L. Sullivan. Despite a career spanning only 20 bouts, Corbett faced the best competition his era had to offer; squaring off with a total of 9 fighters who would later be enshrined alongside him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: USA, California, San Francisco
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Midnight Man, The Prince of Avenue A, Gentleman Jim, Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph, The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight
- 43Franklin Roy Bruno, (born 16 November 1961) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1996. He had a highly publicised and eventful career, both in and out of the ring. The pinnacle of Bruno's boxing career was winning the WBC heavyweight title from Oliver McCall at a packed Wembley Stadium in 1995, in what was his fourth world championship challenge. Bruno faced multiple top-rated heavyweights throughout his career, including two fights against Mike Tyson in 1989 and 1996, and a domestic clash against Lennox Lewis in 1993. He was also known for his exceptional punching power, scoring 38 knockouts in 40 wins and giving him a 95% knockout-to-win ratio; his overall knockout percentage was 84.44%. Like Henry Cooper before him, Bruno has remained a popular celebrity with the British public following his retirement from boxing, including his well-documented struggles with mental health.
- Birthplace: Hammersmith, England, UK
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: It's a Knockout, People (UK)
- 44Bernard Hopkins is an actor who appeared in "Champs," "State Property 2," and "CounterPunch."
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Profession: Actor, Athlete, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Champs, HBO Hopkins vs. Wright Coming to Fight, HBO: Tarver vs. Hopkins - Fight to the Finish, 26 Years: The Dewey Bozella Story
- 45Anthony "The Man" Mundine (born 21 May 1975) is an Australian professional boxer and Former rugby league footballer. In boxing he has competed from 2000 to Current, and held the WBA super-middleweight title twice between 2003 and 2008, as well as the IBO middleweight title from 2009 to 2010, and the WBA interim super-welterweight title from 2011 to 2012. Mundine is well known for his heated rivalries with fellow Australians Danny Green and Daniel Geale. Before his move to boxing, Mundine was the highest-paid player in the NRL. Many consider him to be Australia's best all-round athlete. He is the son of former boxer Tony Mundine and hails from the Bundjalung people of northern coastal areas of New South Wales.Mundine was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Person of the Year in 2000. He is the first boxer in history to have had every one of his professional fights broadcast for television and has generated more pay-per-views than any other Australian boxer since he turned professional. Steve Bunce has described him as "arguably the greatest crossover athlete in boxing history". Mundine has had a stormy relationship with the media: his conversion to Islam in 1999, self-promotion and outspoken opinions have created a love–hate relationship with the Australian public. Mundine has been described as "the most polarising athlete in Australian sports history".
- Birthplace: Newtown, Sydney, Australia
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 46Marvelous Marvin Hagler (born Marvin Nathaniel Hagler; May 23, 1954 – March 13, 2021) was an American former professional boxer who competed from 1973 to 1987. At six years and seven months, his reign as undisputed middleweight champion was the second longest of the last century, behind only Tony Zale, who reigned during World War II. In 1982, annoyed that network announcers often did not refer to him by his nickname, "Marvelous", Hagler legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Hagler is an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. He was named Fighter of the Decade (1980s) by Boxing Illustrated magazine, and twice named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story,WrestleMania XIV,Indio 2 - La rivolta,Indio
- 47Thomas "Tommy" Hearns (born October 18, 1958) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 2006. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra", and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns' tall, slender build and oversized arms and shoulders allowed him to move up over fifty pounds in his career and become the first boxer in history to win world titles in five weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and super middleweight. Hearns was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America in 1980 and 1984; the latter following his knockout of Roberto Durán. Hearns was known as a devastating puncher throughout his career, even at cruiserweight, despite having climbed up five weight classes. He is ranked number 18 on The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. He currently ranks #18 in BoxRec ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time. On June 10, 2012, Hearns was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 48William David "Billy" Conn (October 8, 1917 – May 29, 1993) was an Irish American professional boxer and Light Heavyweight Champion famed for his fights with Joe Louis. He had a professional boxing record of 63 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw, with 14 wins by knockout. His nickname, throughout most of his career, was "The Pittsburgh Kid."
- Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 49For the basketball player with a similar name, see Teófilo Cruz Carlos Teo Rosario Cruz (November 4, 1937 – February 15, 1970) was a boxer from the Dominican Republic. Cruz was world lightweight champion from 1968 to 1969.
- Birthplace: Dominican Republic
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 50Miguel Ángel Cotto Vázquez (born October 29, 1980) is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2017. He is a multiple-time world champion, and the first Puerto Rican boxer to win world titles in four weight classes. In 2007 and 2009, he reached a peak active pound for pound ranking of seventh by The Ring magazine. Cotto started out his career as a hard-hitting pressure fighter, but evolved over the years into a more refined boxer-puncher as he moved up in weight. As an amateur, Cotto represented Puerto Rico in the lightweight and light welterweight divisions at various international events, including the 1999 Pan American Games, the 2000 Olympics, and the 1998 Junior World Championships; the latter in which he won a lightweight silver medal. Having begun his professional career in 2001, Cotto defeated Kelson Pinto for the WBO light welterweight title in 2004. He made six successful defenses before vacating the title to move up in weight. In his first welterweight fight, in 2006, Cotto defeated Carlos Quintana for the vacant WBA title. He successfully defended it four times before a career first loss to Antonio Margarito in 2008. The following year, Cotto won the vacant WBO welterweight title and defended it once before losing it to Manny Pacquiao in the same year. In 2010 he moved up to light middleweight and won the WBA title from Yuri Foreman. Having been promoted by the WBA to Super champion status, Cotto won a 2011 rematch against Margarito. He lost the WBA (Super) title in 2012 to Floyd Mayweather Jr., in one of the most anticipated fights in modern boxing history. The year would end on a further sour note for Cotto, as he lost in an upset to Austin Trout. Two years later, Cotto defeated Sergio Martínez to win the unified WBC, Ring, and lineal middleweight titles. In doing so, he became the first four-weight world champion from Puerto Rico. In 2015, he defended his titles once before losing to Canelo Álvarez. After more than a year of inactivity, Cotto returned in 2017 to become the WBO light middleweight champion, but lost the title in his final fight to Sadam Ali.
- Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 51Gerardo González (January 6, 1926 – February 13, 2003), better known in the boxing world as Kid Gavilan, was a World Welterweight Champion from Camagüey, Cuba. Boxing Writers Association of America named him Fighter of the Year in 1953, Gavilán was voted by The Ring magazine as the 26th greatest fighter of the last 80 years.
- Birthplace: Berrocal, Spain
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 52James Leija (born July 8, 1966), best known as Jesse James Leija, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2005. He held the WBC super featherweight title in 1994, and challenged twice each for world titles at lightweight and light welterweight.
- Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 53Jess Myron Willard (December 29, 1881 – December 15, 1968) was a world heavyweight boxing champion known as the Pottawatomie Giant who knocked out Jack Johnson in April 1915 for the heavyweight title. He was known for his great strength and ability to absorb tremendous punishment, although today he is also known for his title loss to Jack Dempsey. Willard held the championship for more than four years. Today his reign is considered the 11th longest in the heavyweight division. He lost the title to Jack Dempsey in 1919 in one of the most severe beatings ever in a championship bout. Willard was knocked down for the first time in his career during the first round and another seven times before the round was over; some reports claim that he suffered broken ribs, shattered jaw, broken nose, four missing teeth, partial hearing loss in one ear along with numerous cuts and contusions, but these reports are highly disputable. Jess fought for two more rounds before retiring on his stool because of the injuries he received in the first round, relinquishing the title. At 6 ft 6 1⁄2 in (1.99 m) and 235 lb (107 kg), Willard was the tallest and the largest heavyweight champion in boxing history, until the 270 pounds (120 kg) Primo Carnera won the title on June 29, 1933, and the 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) Vitali Klitschko won the WBC title in 2004 and the 7 ft Nikolai Valuev won the WBA title in 2005.
- Birthplace: Kansas
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 54Anthony "Tony" Willis (born 17 June 1960 in Liverpool, England) is a British former boxer who won a Light Welterweight Bronze medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics. As a professional, he held the British lightweight boxing title between 1985 and 1987.
- Birthplace: Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 55Zabdiel Judah (born October 27, 1977) is an American professional boxer. He is a multiple-time former world champion in two weight classes, having held the IBF and WBO junior welterweight titles between 2000 and 2004; the IBF junior welterweight title again in 2011; and the undisputed welterweight title in 2005, which included a reign as the lineal champion from 2005 to 2006. Judah was hospitalized after suffering a brain bleed in a stoppage loss to Cletus Seldin in a vacant NABA regional super lightweight title bout on June 7, 2019.
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 56Emile Alphonse Griffith (February 3, 1938 – July 23, 2013) was a professional boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who became a World Champion in the welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight classes. His best known contest was a 1962 title match with Benny Paret. At the weigh in, Paret infuriated Griffith, a bisexual man, by touching his buttocks and making homosexual slurs. Griffith won the bout by knockout; Paret never recovered consciousness and died in the hospital 10 days later.In 1963 and 1964, Griffith was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2002, he was listed #33 on Ring Magazine's list of 80 greatest fighters of the past 80 years. Griffith currently ranks #20 in BoxRec's ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time.
- Birthplace: Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 57Alexis Argüello (April 19, 1952 – July 1, 2009) was a Nicaraguan professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 1995, and later became a politician. He was a three-weight world champion, having held the WBA featherweight title from 1974 to 1976; the WBC super featherweight title from 1978 to 1980; and the WBC lightweight title from 1981 to 1982. Additionally, he held the Ring magazine and lineal featherweight titles from 1975 to 1977; the Ring lightweight title from 1981 to 1982; and the lineal lightweight title in 1982. In his later career he challenged twice for light welterweight world titles, both times in famous fights against Aaron Pryor. Argüello has regularly been cited as one of the greatest boxers of his era, having never lost any of his world titles in the ring, instead relinquishing them each time in pursuit of titles in higher weight classes. After his retirement from boxing, he became active in Nicaraguan politics and in November 2008 was elected mayor of his native Managua, the nation's capital city. The Ring magazine has ranked Argüello as 20th on their list of "100 greatest punchers of all time", while the Associated Press ranked him as the world's best super featherweight of the 20th century. He was named one of the 20 greatest fighters of the past 80 years by The Ring magazine.
- Birthplace: Nicaragua, Managua
- Profession: Politician, Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Moving Target
- 58Christopher Livingstone Eubank (born 8 August 1966) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1998. He held the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles between 1990 and 1995, and is ranked by BoxRec as the third best British super-middleweight boxer of all time.He reigned as world champion for over five years, was undefeated in his first ten years as a professional, and remained undefeated at middleweight. His world title contests against fellow Britons Nigel Benn and Michael Watson helped British boxing ride a peak of popularity in the 1990s, with Eubank's eccentric personality making him one of the most recognisable celebrities of the period. In his final two years of boxing he challenged then-up and coming contender Joe Calzaghe in a bid to reclaim his WBO super-middleweight title, with a victorious Calzaghe later claiming that it was the toughest fight of his whole career. Eubank's last two fights were against WBO junior-heavyweight champion Carl Thompson, both of which were brutal encounters. In the rematch, Eubank was stopped for the first and only time in his career. Eubank is credited for his bravery in the ring, in which he was able to take considerable amounts of punishment from power punchers en route to his victories and defeats, and for this he is said to have a "granite" chin. His son, Chris Eubank Jr., is also a professional boxer.
- Birthplace: Dulwich, London, England, UK
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Celebrity Big Brother, At Home with the Eubanks
- 59Sergio Mora (born December 4, 1980) is an American professional boxer. He is a former WBC light middleweight champion and was the first winner of NBC's The Contender series.
- Birthplace: East Los Angeles, California, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Contender
- 60
Evangelos Goussis
Age: 57Evangelos "Ange" Goussis (born 14 September 1967) is an Australian former boxer and kickboxer from Geelong, Victoria, and is a multiple murderer, guilty of the murders of two victims of the Melbourne gangland killings.Goussis is currently detained in the maximum-security Acacia unit of Barwon Prison.This is NOT the Runner. The Runners' name is Victor Brincat- Birthplace: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 61Adnan Ćatić (born 31 January 1979), best known as Felix Sturm, is a German former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2016. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title from 2003 to 2004, the WBA middleweight title twice between 2006 and 2012, the IBF middleweight title from 2013 to 2014, and the WBA (Super) super-middleweight title in 2016. As an amateur, Sturm won a gold medal at the 2000 European Championships in the light-middleweight division.
- Birthplace: Leverkusen, Germany
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 62Thomas Rocco Barbella (January 1, 1919 – May 22, 1990), better known as Rocky Graziano, was an American professional boxer who held the World Middleweight title. Graziano is considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, often displaying the capacity to take his opponent out with a single punch. He was ranked 23rd on The Ring magazine list of the greatest punchers of all time. He fought many of the best middleweights of the era including Sugar Ray Robinson. His turbulent and violent life story was the basis of the 1956 Oscar-winning drama film, Somebody Up There Likes Me, based on his 1955 autobiography of the same title.
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Martha Raye Show, Mister Rock and Roll, Country Music Holiday, Teenage Millionaire
- 63Stanisław Kiecal (September 14, 1886 – October 15, 1910), better known in the boxing world as Stanley Ketchel, was an American professional boxer who became one of the greatest World Middleweight Champions in history. He was nicknamed "The Michigan Assassin." He was murdered at a ranch in Conway, Missouri, at the age of 24.
- Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Christy Martin was an Irish footballer who played in the Scottish League with both Bo'ness and Falkirk. Martin was also a dual international and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI.
- Birthplace: Athlone, Republic of Ireland
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 65Naseem Hamed (Arabic: نسيم حميد; born 12 February 1974), commonly known as "Prince" Naseem or "Naz", is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2002. He held multiple featherweight world championships, including the WBO title from 1995 to 2000; the IBF title in 1997; and the WBC title from 1999 to 2000. He also reigned as lineal champion from 1998 to 2001; IBO champion from 2002 to 2003; and held the European bantamweight title from 1994 to 1995. Hamed is ranked the best British featherweight of all time by BoxRec. In 2015, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Hamed was known for his unconventional boxing antics and spectacular ring entrances which included entering the ring on a flying carpet, a lift, and a palanquin, as well as re-enacting the video of Michael Jackson's Thriller, and wearing a Halloween mask. He was also known for his front somersault over the top rope into the ring, his highly athletic and hard-hitting southpaw boxing style, and formidable one-punch knockout power; having finished his career with a knockout-to-win ratio of 84%. With his cocky persona and high profile bouts he was a prominent figure in 1990s British pop culture, while Sean Ingle in The Guardian writes, “in his prime, Hamed was a global superstar“. A headliner on both sides of the Atlantic, Dan Rafael of ESPN writes, “one of the biggest stars in the sport, the guy sold out arenas before his opponent was even named.”In 2016, ESPN ranked Hamed at number 22 on its list of the top 25 fighters, pound for pound, of the last 25 years. World Boxing, a sister publication of The Ring magazine, ranked Hamed the 11th greatest British boxer of all-time, and Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph ranked him 10th. The Ring also ranked Hamed the 46th greatest puncher of all-time.
- Birthplace: Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 66Freddie Miller (April 11, 1911 – May 8, 1962) was a prolific American boxer from Cincinnati, Ohio, who won over 200 fights, and held the NBA world featherweight championship from 1933-6. He was named in Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years.
- Birthplace: USA, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: State of the Union, Her Husband's Affairs
- 67Ezzard Mack Charles, known as the Cincinnati Cobra (July 7, 1921 – May 28, 1975) was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. Known for his slick defense and precision, he is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time by boxing critics. Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. He retired with a record of 95 wins, 15 losses and 1 draw.
- Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 68Jens Johnnie Pulver (born December 6, 1974) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist and undefeated boxer and kickboxer. Pulver was the inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion in addition to serving as the head coach on The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show against long-time rival B.J. Penn. In mixed martial arts, Pulver competed at the Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions in addition to competing at the Middleweight, Light Middleweight, and Welterweight divisions as a professional boxer. While perhaps best known for competing in the UFC, Pulver has also competed in Pride Fighting Championships, for the PRIDE 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix. He is to-date the youngest UFC Lightweight Champion in the UFC history, eventually relinquishing his title, after two defenses, due to a contract dispute. Pulver officially retired from combat sports in 2014. Pulver is considered the founder of the UFC lightweight division. Nicknamed Lil' Evil, Pulver won the first UFC Lightweight Championship following his victory over Caol Uno at UFC 30: Battle on the Boardwalk. Pulver also held the UFC's all-time lightweight title defenses record for nearly a decade after his successful defenses against Dennis Hallman at UFC 33: Victory in Vegas and B.J. Penn at UFC 35: Throwdown. He remains as one of the most influential figures in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, due to his domination and undefeated reign as UFC Lightweight Champion in the early Zuffa era.
- Birthplace: Sunnyside, Washington, USA
- Profession: Mixed Martial Artist, Coach, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Ultimate Fighter, World Extreme Cagefighting, WEC 34, UFC 63, WEC 38
- 69Carlos Santos (born October 1, 1955 in Ceiba, Puerto Rico) is a former boxer from Puerto Rico, who represented his native country as an amateur at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. There he was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Santos was involved both in the first and the fourth world title bouts involving two Puerto Rican boxers in history. It has been suggested that Santos was not born in Ceiba but in the San Juan area named "Santurce", but it is widely believed that Santos is a Ceiba native.
- Birthplace: Puerto Rico
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 70Charles "Kid" McCoy (October 13, 1872 – April 18, 1940), born Norman Selby, was an American world champion boxer and early Hollywood actor.
- Birthplace: USA, Indiana
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Brutna Blommor
- 71Antonio Deon Tarver (born November 21, 1968) is an American former professional boxer and boxing commentator. In boxing he competed from 1997 to 2015, and held multiple light heavyweight world championships, including the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF and Ring magazine titles, as well the IBO light heavyweight and cruiserweight titles. As an amateur, Tarver represented the United States at the 1996 Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the light heavyweight division; he eventually lost to Vassiliy Jirov from Kazakhstan, whom he had previously defeated at the 1995 World Championships to win gold. Tarver also triumphed at the 1995 Pan American Games and 1995 U.S. National Championships, winning gold in both. He remains the only boxer in history to have won gold at the Pan Am Games, World Championships and U.S. Nationals all in the same year.Outside of boxing, Tarver starred as Mason "The Line" Dixon, the heavyweight champion in the 2006 film Rocky Balboa.
- Birthplace: Orlando, Florida, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Rocky Balboa
- 72John Tate (January 29, 1955 – April 9, 1998) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1988, and held the WBA heavyweight title from 1979 to 1980. As an amateur he won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Birthplace: Marion, Missouri
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 73Greg Page (October 25, 1958 – April 27, 2009) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2001, and held the WBA heavyweight title from 1984 to 1985. He was also a regular sparring partner for Mike Tyson, famously knocking down the then-undefeated world champion during a 1990 session.
- Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 74For Joe Erskine, the American welterweight boxer and long distance runner, see Joe Erskine.Joseph "Joe" Erskine (26 January 1934 – 18 February 1990) was a heavyweight boxer from the Butetown district of Cardiff, Wales. He was an Amateur Boxing Association Champion, Inter-Services Champion, and British Army Champion in 1953. He began fighting as a professional in 1954 and was trained by Freddie Elvin. He held the British heavyweight title from August 1956 to June 1958. In all, he won 45 of his 54 professional bouts, losing 8, with one drawn. His best wins were against George Chuvalo, Henry Cooper, Dick Richardson, Uli Ritter, Jack Bodell, Johnny Williams, Joe Bygraves and Willie Pastrano. Erskine was a small heavyweight who outmaneuvered rather than overpowered his opponents. Angelo Dundee who saw his prospect Pastrano defeated by Erskine said he was surprised by his skill – further remarking that if Erskine had been just a bit bigger he could have been a world beater.
- Birthplace: Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 75José ("Chegüi") Torres (May 3, 1936 – January 19, 2009) was a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur boxer, he won a silver medal in the junior middleweight division at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. In 1965, he defeated Willie Pastrano to win the WBC, WBA and lineal light heavyweight championships. Torres trained with the legendary boxing trainer Cus D'Amato. In 1997, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 76Charles Bronson, born Charles Dennis Buchinsky in 1921, was a renowned American actor who made his indelible mark in the world of cinema. Born into a Lithuanian immigrant family in Pennsylvania, Bronson's early life was fraught with economic hardship which shaped his tough, resilient persona that would later become his trademark in Hollywood. Before starting his acting career, he served as a gunner in World War II, an experience that added to the ruggedness of his on-screen characters. Bronson's acting career began in the early 1950s with minor roles in television and films. However, it wasn't until the mid-1960s that he rose to prominence. Known for his distinctive rough-hewn looks and gravelly voice, Bronson was frequently cast in hard-edged action films. His most notable role was perhaps in the 1974 film Death Wish, where he played Paul Kersey, a vigilante seeking revenge for his wife's murder. This series became a major box office success, establishing Bronson as a top-tier movie star. Despite being a household name in America, Bronson enjoyed even greater popularity in Europe. He starred in several European productions, earning the nickname the "French Clark Gable". Off-screen, Bronson was known for his private nature, maintaining a low profile despite his stardom. He passed away in 2003, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. His ability to portray complex characters with authenticity and grit has ensured his enduring status as one of the most iconic actors in the history of American cinema.
- Birthplace: Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, USA
- Profession: Miner, Soldier, Actor
- Credits: Once Upon a Time in the West, The Great Escape, The Dirty Dozen, The Magnificent Seven
- 77Carl Olson (July 11, 1928 – January 16, 2002) was an American boxer. He was the World Middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955, the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s. His nickname, Bobo, was based on his younger sister's mispronunciation of "brother".
- Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 78Viro Small (born c. 1854) was a collar-and-elbow wrestler and boxer of African descent who was active in the late 19th century. He is notable for being one of the first professionals of African descent in these fields in the United States. Viro Small was born into slavery in Buford, South Carolina in 1854. He gained his freedom at the end of the American Civil War and moved north.
- Profession: Wrestler, Professional Boxer
- 79Roy Levesta Jones Jr. (born January 16, 1969) is an American former professional boxer, boxing commentator, boxing trainer, rapper, and actor who holds dual American and Russian citizenship. He competed in boxing from 1989 to 2018, and held multiple world championships in four weight classes, including titles at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight, and is the only boxer in history to start his professional career at junior middleweight and go on to win a heavyweight title. As an amateur he represented the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the junior middleweight division after most controversial decisions in boxing history.Jones is considered by many to be one of the best boxers of all time, pound for pound, and left his mark in the sport's history when he won the WBA heavyweight title in 2003, becoming the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title in 106 years. Prior to that, in 1999, he became the undisputed light heavyweight champion by unifying the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles. During his prime, Jones was known for possessing exceptional hand speed, athleticism, movement and reflexes. As of February 2018, Jones holds the record for the most wins in unified light heavyweight title bouts in boxing history, at twelve. The Ring magazine named Jones the Fighter of the Year in 1994, and the World Boxing Hall of Fame named him the Fighter of the Year for 2003. He is also a three-time winner of the Best Boxer ESPY Award (1996, 2000, and 2003). The Boxing Writers Association of America named him as the Fighter of the Decade for the 1990s.
- Birthplace: USA, Florida, Pensacola
- Profession: Rapper, Promoter, Actor, Professional Boxer, Sports commentator
- Credits: Grudge Match, Roy Jones Jr's Greatest Knockouts, The Matrix Reloaded, HBO: Tarver vs. Jones 3 - No Excuses
- 80Tracy Lynn Byrd (born December 17, 1966) is an American country music artist. Signed to MCA Nashville Records in 1992, Byrd broke through on the country music scene that year with his single "Holdin' Heaven", which reached Number One on Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Although he did not land a second Number One until 2002's "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo", Byrd has charted more than thirty hit singles in his career, including eleven additional Top Ten hits. He has also released ten studio albums and two greatest-hits albums, with four gold certifications and one double-platinum certification from the RIAA.
- Birthplace: Texas, USA, Vidor
- Profession: Businessperson, Musician, Singer-songwriter, Music artist
- Credits: Radioland Murders, Noble Things, Bob Wills: Still Swingin', Super Country Hits
- 81Yankee Sullivan (born James Ambrose; c. March 10, 1811 – May 31, 1856), also known as Frank Murray and James Sullivan, was a bare-knuckle fighter and boxer. He claimed the American bare knuckle heavyweight champion from 1851 to October 12, 1853. When Tom Hyer vacated his title, he laid claim to it, though many modern boxing historians dispute his claim. He lost any claim to the title after losing a fight to John Morrissey.
- Birthplace: Ireland
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 82Harry Ward Gilmor (January 24, 1838 – March 4, 1883) served as the Baltimore City Police Commissioner, head of the Baltimore City Police Department in the 1870s, but he was most noted as a daring and dashing Confederate cavalry officer during the American Civil War. Gilmor's daring raids, such as The Magnolia Station Raid through north-central Maryland in July 1864 during the third major Confederate invasion of the North gained his partisans fame as "Gilmor's Raiders".
- Birthplace: Maryland
- Profession: Police officer, Professional Boxer
- 83Jens Ingemar "Ingo" Johansson (Swedish: [ˈɪŋː(ɛ)mar ²juːanˌsɔn]; 22 September 1932 – 30 January 2009) was a Swedish professional boxer who competed from 1952 to 1963. He held the world heavyweight title from 1959 to 1960, and was the fifth heavyweight champion born outside the United States. Johansson won the title by defeating Floyd Patterson via third-round stoppage, after flooring him seven times in that round. For this achievement, Johansson was awarded the Hickok Belt as top professional athlete of the year—the only non-American to do so in the belt's entire 27-year existence—and was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Johansson also held the European heavyweight title twice, from 1956 to 1958 and from 1962 to 1963. As an amateur he won a silver medal in the heavyweight division at the 1952 Summer Olympics. He affectionately named his right fist "toonder and lightning" for its concussive power (it was also called "Ingo's bingo" and the "Hammer of Thor"), and in 2003 he was ranked at No. 99 on The Ring magazine's list of the 100 greatest punchers of all time. He reputedly had recurring bone trouble in his right hand throughout his career as a result.
- Birthplace: Gothenburg, Sweden
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: All the Young Men, Drra på - kul grej på väg till Götet, Tre dar på luffen, För tapperhet i tält
- 84Pedro Quartucci (July 30, 1905 in Buenos Aires – April 20, 1983 in Buenos Aires) was an Argentine boxer and actor.
- Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Margarita, Armando y su padre, El caballo del pueblo, The Husband That Is Necessary To Follow, Al Compás de tu Mentira
- 85Pone Kingpetch (Thai: โผน กิ่งเพชร, RTGS: Phon Kingphet, pronounced [pʰǒːn kìŋ.pʰét]), born Mana Seedokbuab (Thai: มานะ สีดอกบวบ, RTGS: Mana Sidokbuap, pronounced [māː.náʔ sǐː.dɔ̀ːk.bùa̯p]; February 12, 1935 – March 31, 1982), was a Thai professional boxer and three time world flyweight champion.
- Birthplace: Hua Hin District, Thailand
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 86Wilfred Raleigh Pastrano (November 27, 1935 – December 6, 1997) was a professional boxer who held the world light heavyweight crown from 1963 until 1965. He is the grandfather of New Orleans rapper Mr. Pastrano.
- Birthplace: USA, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Revenge Is My Destiny, The Naked Zoo, Wild Rebels
- 87Joe Brown (May 18, 1926 – December 4, 1997) was an American professional boxer who won the world lightweight title in 1956, making 11 successful defenses before losing his crown to Carlos Ortiz in 1962. Brown was a classic boxer and a knockout puncher. Known as the 'Creole Clouter' and Joe 'Old Bones' Brown, he was managed by Lou Viscusi and named The Ring's 'Fighter of the Year' for 1961. Brown was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996.
- Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 88Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. (August 9, 1943 – September 18, 2013) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1967 to 1981, and held the WBC heavyweight title in 1978. He is best known for his trilogy with Muhammad Ali, in which Norton won the first fight by split decision, and lost the latter two fights by split and unanimous decision, respectively. Norton also fought a slugfest with Larry Holmes in 1978, narrowly losing a split decision. Having officially retired from boxing in 1981, Norton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.
- Birthplace: Jacksonville, Illinois, USA
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer, Sports commentator
- Credits: Dirty Work, Mandingo, Drum, Frog and Wombat, The All-American Boy
- 89James Nathaniel Toney (born August 24, 1968) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2017. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF and lineal middleweight titles from 1991 to 1993, the IBF super middleweight title from 1993 to 1994, the IBO cruiserweight title in 1997 and the IBF cruiserweight title in 2003. Toney also challenged twice for a world heavyweight title in 2005 and 2006, and was victorious the first time but was later stripped due to a failed drug test. Stylistically a defensive boxer, Toney utilized the shoulder roll technique taught to him by veteran trainer Bill Miller, who had once trained heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles. Toney was an exceptional counterpuncher and inside fighter, who often preferred to fight off the ropes. He possessed fast hand speed and respectable punching power throughout his career and is also noted for his toughness, having never lost any of his 92 professional bouts via stoppage. In 1991 and 2003, Toney was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2011, The Ring magazine ranked him as tenth on their list of the "10 best middleweight title holders of the last 50 years." He has also made a one-time appearance in mixed martial arts, losing to Randy Couture at UFC 118. In 2001, Toney played the role of Joe Frazier in the movie Ali alongside Will Smith.
- Birthplace: Michigan, USA, Grand Rapids
- Profession: Athlete, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Ali
- 90Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling (German: [ˈʃmeːlɪŋ]; 28 September 1905 – 2 February 2005) was a German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938 were worldwide cultural events because of their national associations. Starting his professional career in 1924, Schmeling went to the United States in 1928 and, after a ninth-round technical knockout of Johnny Risko, became a sensation. He became the first to win the heavyweight championship (at that time vacant) by disqualification in 1930, after opponent Jack Sharkey knocked him down with a low blow in the fourth round. Schmeling retained his crown successfully in 1931 by a technical knockout victory over Young Stribling. A rematch in 1932 with Sharkey saw the American gaining the title from Schmeling by a controversial fifteen-round split decision. In 1933, Schmeling lost to Max Baer by a tenth-round technical knockout. The loss left people believing that Schmeling was past his prime. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party took over control in Germany, and Schmeling came to be viewed as a Nazi puppet.In 1936, Schmeling knocked out American rising star Joe Louis, placing him as the number one contender for Jim Braddock's title, but Louis got the fight and knocked Braddock out to win the championship in 1937. Schmeling finally got a chance to regain his title in 1938, but Louis knocked him out in one round. During World War II, Schmeling served with the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) as an elite paratrooper (Fallschirmjäger). After the war, Schmeling mounted a comeback, but retired permanently in 1948. After retiring from boxing, Schmeling worked for the Coca-Cola Company. Schmeling became friends with Louis, and their friendship lasted until the latter's death in 1981. Schmeling died in 2005 aged 99, a sporting hero in his native Germany. Long after the Second World War, it was revealed that Schmeling had risked his life to save the lives of two Jewish children in 1938.In 2003, Schmeling was ranked 55 on The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
- Birthplace: Klein Luckow, Germany
- Profession: Businessperson, Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Joe Louis Story, The Super Fight
- 91Vernon Forrest (January 12, 1971 – July 25, 2009) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2008. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the WBC, IBF, Ring magazine and lineal welterweight between 2002 and 2003, and the WBC super welterweight title twice between 2007 and 2009. In 2002, Forrest was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2009, Forrest was murdered after he was robbed at a gas station in the Mechanicsville neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia.
- Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 92Shane Andre Mosley (born September 7, 1971), often known by his nickname "Sugar" Shane Mosley, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2016. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF lightweight title; the WBA (Super) and WBC welterweight titles; and the WBA (Super), WBC, and Ring magazine light middleweight titles. He is also a former lineal champion at welterweight (twice) and light middleweight.In 1998, the Boxing Writers Association of America named Mosley as their Fighter of the Year. He was also given the same honor by the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2000 and 2001 he was named the world's best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring
- Birthplace: Lynwood, California, USA
- Profession: Athlete, Professional Boxer
- Credits: 24/7, Lady and the Champ
- 93Danny Lopez may refer to: Danny Lopez (boxer) (born 1952), American former boxer Danny Lopez (consul) (born 1974), British Consul General to New York Danny López Soto (1944–2011), legislator in Puerto Rico
- Birthplace: USA, Fort Duchesne, Utah
- Profession: Construction worker, Stunt Performer, Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Twisted, The Sensei
- 94David Legeno (12 October 1963 – July 2014) was an English actor and mixed martial artist.
- Birthplace: Marylebone, London, England, UK
- Profession: Bouncer, Wrestler, Mixed Martial Artist, Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Batman Begins, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part I, Snatch
- 95Pernell Whitaker, Sr. (January 2, 1964 – July 14, 2019) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2001, and subsequently worked as a boxing trainer. He was a four-weight world champion, having won titles at lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, and light middleweight; the undisputed lightweight title; and the lineal lightweight and welterweight titles. In 1989, Whitaker was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. From 1993 to 1997, The Ring ranked him as the best active boxer in the world, pound for pound. He currently holds the longest unified lightweight championship reign in boxing history at six title defenses. Whitaker is generally regarded as one of the greatest defensive boxers of all-time.As an amateur, Whitaker won a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 1982 World Championships, followed by gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and 1984 Olympics. After his retirement in 2001, Whitaker returned to the sport as a trainer. In 2002, The Ring ranked him tenth in their list of "The 100 Greatest Fighters of the Last 80 Years". In 2006, Whitaker was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, in his first year of eligibility.
- Birthplace: Virginia
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 96Trevor Berbick (August 1, 1954 – October 28, 2006) was a Jamaican Canadian professional boxer who competed from 1976 to 2000. He won the WBC heavyweight title in 1986 by defeating Pinklon Thomas, then lost it in his first defense in the same year to Mike Tyson. Berbick was also the last boxer to fight Muhammad Ali, defeating him in 1981. As an amateur, Berbick won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 1975 Pan American Games. In both his early and late professional career he held the Canadian heavyweight title twice, from 1979 to 1986 and 1999 to 2001.
- Birthplace: Port Antonio, Jamaica
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 97Andy Bowen (May 3, 1867 – December 15, 1894) was an American boxer from New Orleans. He died at age 27, as a result of a head injury sustained in a bout against Kid Lavigne. Bowen's first fight was in 1887. He was undefeated in his first 14 fights, with 12 wins and two draws. In September 1890, he successfully defended his title against Jimmy Carroll at the Olympic Club, New Orleans. On April 6, 1893, Bowen and Jack Burke were involved in the longest fight in history. The fight at New Orleans' Olympic Club lasted 110 rounds over seven hours and 19 minutes (each round lasting three minutes) before referee John Duffy declared a "no contest", both men having become too dazed and tired to come out of their corners. Burke broke all the bones in both of his hands and considered retiring after the fight but chose to continue competing. Bowen fought four more times. Bowen's fight against Lavigne was his 27th fight. The injury that killed him was inflicted in the 18th round, when Lavigne knocked him down and he hit his head on the wooden canvas. He died the next morning having never regained consciousness. At first Lavigne was arrested for the death of Bowen, but was found to be innocent of any wrongdoing following a coroner's inquest.
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 98Nat Langham (20 May 1820 – 1 September 1871) was an English middleweight bare-knuckle prize fighter. He had the distinction of being the only person ever to beat Thomas Sayers.
- Birthplace: Hinckley, United Kingdom
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 99John Lee Anthony Tapia (February 13, 1967 – May 27, 2012) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 2011. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the unified IBF and WBO super flyweight titles between 1994 and 1998, the unified WBA and WBO bantamweight titles between 1998 and 2000, and the IBF featherweight title in 2002.
- Birthplace: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 100Khaosai Galaxy (Thai: เขาทราย แกแล็คซี่, born, May 15, 1959) is a former Thai professional super flyweight (also known as junior bantamweight) boxer and Muaythai kickboxer. Khaosai defended his WBA world title 19 times in seven years (1984–1991), winning 16 of his title fights by knockouts. As a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he is widely considered as one of the greatest boxing champions of all time. He is listed #19 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time and named him the 43rd greatest fighter of the past 80 years in 2002.
- Birthplace: Phetchabun, Thailand
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Legend of Suriyothai, Nai khanom tom, Mon Ruk Look Toong, Duk dum dui
- 101Archie Moore (born Archibald Lee Wright; December 13, 1916 – December 9, 1998) was an American professional boxer and the longest reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion of all time (December 1952 – May 1962). He had one of the longest professional careers in the history of the sport, competing from 1935 to 1963. Nicknamed "The Mongoose", and then "The Old Mongoose" in the latter half of his career, Moore was a highly strategical and defensive boxer, with a great chin and durability. Archie Moore ranks fourth on The Ring's list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". Moore is rated by prominent boxing website BoxRec as the 3rd greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all-time. Moore was also a trainer for a short time after retirement, training boxers such as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and James Tillis. A native of Benoit, Mississippi, Moore was raised in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in poverty. A victim of racism for much of his career, Moore was denied a shot at the world title for over ten years, and spent many of those years fighting on the road with little to show for it. An important figure in the American black community, he became involved in African American causes once his days as a fighter were over. He also established himself as a successful character actor in television and film. Moore died in his adopted home of San Diego, California; he was 81 years old.
- Birthplace: USA, Mississippi, Benoit
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Fortune Cookie, The Carpetbaggers, My Sweet Charlie
- 102John Arthur Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the Galveston Giant, was an American boxer who, at the height of the Jim Crow era, became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). Among the period's most dominant champions, Johnson remains a boxing legend, with his 1910 fight against James J. Jeffries dubbed the "fight of the century". According to filmmaker Ken Burns, "for more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious African-American on Earth". Transcending boxing, he became part of the culture and the history of racism in America.In 1912, Johnson opened a successful and luxurious "black and tan" (desegregated) restaurant and nightclub, which in part was run by his wife, a white woman. Major newspapers of the time soon claimed that Johnson was attacked by the government only after he became famous as a black man married to a white woman, and was linked to other white women. Johnson was arrested on charges of violating the Mann Act—forbidding one to transport a woman across state lines for "immoral purposes"—a racially motivated charge that embroiled him in controversy for his relationships, including marriages, with white women. There were also allegations of domestic violence. Sentenced to a year in prison, Johnson fled the country and fought boxing matches abroad for seven years until 1920 when he served his sentence at the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth. Johnson was posthumously pardoned by President Donald Trump in May 2018, 105 years after his conviction.Johnson continued taking paying fights for many years, and operated several other businesses, including lucrative endorsement deals. Johnson died in a car crash on June 10, 1946, at the age of 68. He is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.
- Birthplace: Galveston, Texas
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- 103Samart Payakaroon (Thai: สามารถ พยัคฆ์อรุณ; RTGS: Samat Phayak-arun), real name Samart Tiptarmai (Thai: สามารถ ทิพย์ท่าไม้; RTGS: Samat Thiptha-mai, born 5 December 1962, in the Klong Khet vilage in the Chachoengsao Province), is a former Muay Thai fighter and boxer. He is considered by many to be the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time, becoming a multiple time Lumpinee stadium champion and a WBC world champion in boxing.
- Birthplace: Chachoengsao Province, Thailand
- Profession: Actor, Singer, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Dynamite Warrior, The Bodyguard, Muay Thai Chaiya
- 104Christopher Cornelius "Chris" Byrd (born August 15, 1970) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2009. He is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having first won the WBO title in 2000 after an upset corner stoppage over then-undefeated Vitali Klitschko. In his first title defense later that year, he lost to Vitali's brother Wladimir Klitschko. In 2002, Byrd defeated Evander Holyfield to win the IBF heavyweight title for his second reign as world champion. He made four successful defenses until losing his title again to Wladimir Klitschko in a 2006 rematch. Byrd's cousin, Lamon Brewster, has a shared history with Wladimir Klitschko: Brewster defeated him in 2004, but lost in a 2007 rematch. As an amateur, Byrd represented the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the middleweight division. He is also a three-time national amateur champion, winning the light middleweight title in 1989, and the middleweight title in 1991 and 1992.
- Birthplace: Flint, Michigan
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 105Virgil Eugene Hill (born January 18, 1964) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2007, and in 2015. He is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBA light heavyweight title twice, from 1987 to 1997; the IBF and lineal light heavyweight titles from 1996 to 1997; and the WBA cruiserweight title twice, from 2000 to 2002 and 2006 to 2007. As an amateur, Hill won a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics. In 2013, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: USA, Clinton, Missouri
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 106Hayes Edward "Big Ed" Sanders (March 24, 1930 – December 12, 1954) was an American heavyweight boxer who won an Olympic gold medal in 1952.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 107Paddy Duffy (12 November 1864 in Boston, Massachusetts – 10 July 1890) was an American boxer of Irish descent. He was considered the first world welterweight champion of boxing's gloved era.
- Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 108Denny Moyer (August 8, 1939 – June 30, 2010) was an American boxer who held the world light middleweight title between 1962 and 1963. He finished his career with a 97–38–4 record.
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 109Esteban de Jesús (August 2, 1951 – May 12, 1989) was a Puerto Rican world lightweight champion boxer. De Jesús, a native of the town of Carolina, Puerto Rico, was a gymmate of Wilfred Benítez and an acquaintance of Benitez's mother, Clara Benítez. He was trained by Wilfredo's father and Clara's husband, Gregorio Benitez. He was the first boxer to defeat Roberto Durán as a pro, and the only fighter to defeat Duran at lightweight. His career was mired in controversy, problems, and scandals.
- Birthplace: Carolina, Puerto Rico
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 110Arnold Raymond Cream (January 31, 1914 – February 25, 1994), best known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1930 to 1953. He held the world heavyweight title from 1951 to 1952, and broke the record for the oldest man to win the title, at the age of 37. That record would eventually be broken in 1994 by 45-year-old George Foreman. After retiring from boxing, Walcott did some acting, playing small parts in a few movies and television shows. He also refereed several boxing matches, but after the controversial ending to the second fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston, Walcott was not asked to referee again. From 1971 to 1974, Walcott held the elected position of Sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey, the first African-American to do so. From 1975 to 1984, he was the chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.
- Birthplace: USA, Merchantville, New Jersey
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: The Harder They Fall, The Super Fight
- 111James Driscoll (15 December 1880 – 30 January 1925), commonly known as Peerless Jim, was a Welsh boxer who learned his trade in the boxing ring and used it to fight his way out of poverty. Driscoll was British featherweight champion and won the coveted Lonsdale belt in 1910. He is a member of the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
- Birthplace: Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 112Fritzie Zivic (May 8, 1913 in Pittsburgh, United States – May 16, 1984), born as Ferdinand Henry John Zivcich (Croatian: Živčić, known to boxing fans as Fritzie Zivic), was an American boxer who held the world welterweight championship from October 4, 1940, until July 29, 1941. His managers included Luke Carney, and later, after 1942, Louis Stokan.
- Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 113Arturo Gatti (April 15, 1972 – July 11, 2009) was an Italian-Canadian professional boxer who competed from 1991 to 2007. Nicknamed "Thunder," Gatti was known for his heart and bravery in the ring, and also carried formidable punching power. A world champion in two weight classes, Gatti held the IBF junior lightweight title from 1995 to 1998, and the WBC super lightweight title from 2004 to 2005. He also participated in The Ring magazine's Fight of the Year a total of four times (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2003). He announced his retirement on July 14, 2007. On December 10, 2012, Gatti was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, in his first year of eligibility, and becoming the tenth Canadian boxer to be inducted.Gatti was born in Cassino, Italy, and raised in Latium, a region of central western Italy, before moving to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Gatti eventually relocated to Jersey City, New Jersey as a teenager. He returned to Montreal after retiring from boxing to work in real estate.His death in 2009 was mired in controversy, with his wife first being arrested for homicide and then released after an autopsy ruled his death was suicide.
- Birthplace: Cassino, Italy
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Breaking Point
- 114Jermain Taylor (born August 11, 1978) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2014. He remains the most recent undisputed middleweight champion, having won the WBA (Undisputed), WBC, IBF, WBO, Ring magazine, and lineal titles in 2005 by beating Bernard Hopkins, and in doing so ending Hopkins' twelve-year reign as middleweight champion. This made Taylor the first, and to date, only boxer in history to claim each title from all four major boxing sanctioning organizations in a single fight. He would also later hold the IBF middleweight title for a second time. Taylor made his professional debut in 2001 and won his first 25 bouts, which included victories over former champions Raúl Márquez and William Joppy. Taylor, who began boxing officially at age 13, earned numerous accolades throughout his amateur career, starting with his achievement of the 1996 Under-19 Championship. He went on to win a pair of Police Athletic League (PAL) Championships and National Golden Gloves titles and he finished second and third at the 1997 and 1998 United States Championships, respectively. In 1998, Taylor won a bronze medal at the Goodwill Games. Then, in 2000, he earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team, becoming the first ever boxer from Arkansas to compete in the Olympic Games. At the 2000 Olympics, Taylor won a bronze medal in the light middleweight division. During his reign as unified middleweight champion, Taylor won an immediate rematch against Hopkins and defeated Kassim Ouma and Cory Spinks, as well as fighting Winky Wright to a draw. Having vacated the WBC and IBF titles, he lost the remainder of the unified and lineal middleweight championship to Kelly Pavlik in 2007, in what was his first professional defeat. A move up to super middleweight for a rematch against Pavlik the following year was also unsuccessful. In 2009, Taylor challenged Carl Froch for the WBC super middleweight title, but was stopped with seconds remaining in the final round. At the end of the year he participated in the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament, but was again knocked out in the closing seconds of the final round by Arthur Abraham. Subsequent neurological issues would force Taylor out of the ring for the next two years. He returned in 2011, winning five consecutive fights and defeating Sam Soliman in 2014 to claim his second IBF middleweight title. Later that year, Taylor was arrested and detained on gun charges but would avoid a prison sentence in 2016.
- Birthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 115Félix Juan Trinidad García (born January 10, 1973), popularly known as "Tito" Trinidad, is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2008. He held multiple world championships in three weight classes, and is considered one of the best boxers in Puerto Rico's history.After winning five national amateur championships in Puerto Rico, Trinidad debuted as a professional when he was seventeen, and won his first world championship by defeating Maurice Blocker to win the IBF welterweight title in 1993. He currently holds the record for the second most welterweight title defenses (15), as well as the record for longest reign as welterweight champion, at 6 years, 8 months and 14 days. As his career continued, he defeated Oscar De La Hoya to win the WBC and lineal welterweight titles in 1999; Fernando Vargas to win the unified WBA and IBF light middleweight titles in 2000; and William Joppy to win the WBA middleweight title in 2001. Trinidad's first professional loss was against Bernard Hopkins later in 2001, and following this he retired from boxing for the first time. Trinidad made his ring return by defeating Ricardo Mayorga in 2004 and, after a losing effort against Winky Wright in 2005, retired for a second time. In 2008 he returned once more and lost to Roy Jones Jr. Subsequently, Trinidad entered a hiatus without clarifying the status of his career. Trinidad is frequently mentioned among the best Puerto Rican boxers of all time by sports journalists and analysts, along with Juan Laporte, Esteban De Jesús, Wilfredo Vázquez, Miguel Cotto, Wilfred Benítez, Wilfredo Gómez, Héctor Camacho, and Carlos Ortíz. In 2000, Trinidad was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He is ranked number 30 on The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time and in 2002 named him the 51st greatest fighter of the past 80 years. In 2014 Trinidad was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, thus becoming the tenth Puerto Rican to receive such an honor.
- Birthplace: Fajardo
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 116Mafaufau Tavita Lio Mafaufau Sanerivi Talimatasi (born 21 November 1972), best known as David Tua, is a Samoan-New Zealander former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2013. A highly ranked heavyweight contender for most of his career, Tua was known for his formidable punching power, especially in his left hook; he scored sixteen wins by knockout in the first round, which included knockouts of world heavyweight champions John Ruiz and Michael Moorer within thirty seconds of the first round, as well as late stoppages of world champions Oleg Maskaev and Hasim Rahman. Tua ended his career with a knockout-to-win ratio of 82.6%. In a 2003 article by The Ring magazine, Tua was ranked 48th on a list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.Nicknamed the "Tuamanator", his fast-paced bob and weave pressure fighting style has often drawn comparisons to Mike Tyson. Tua fought many of the best boxers of his era and challenged once for the unified world heavyweight title against Lennox Lewis in 2000. In his five professional losses, Tua was never subject to a stoppage, and possessed one of the most durable chins of his time.
- Birthplace: Faleasiu, Samoa
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 117Sirimongkol Singwancha (Thai: ศิริมงคล สิงห์วังชา; born June 2, 1977) is a Thai professional boxer and kickboxer fighting out of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. He has won world titles in two weight divisions. His career record is 91–3 (57 KOs). His other names were Sirimongkol Singmanasak (ศิริมงคล สิงห์มนัสศักดิ์), Sirimongkol Nakhon Thong Park View (ศิริมงคล นครทองปาร์ควิว) and Sirimongkhon Iamthuam (ศิริมงคล เอี่ยมท้วม).
- Birthplace: Thailand
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- Credits: Chocolate
- 118Leon Spinks (born July 11, 1953) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision, in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Spinks was later stripped of the WBC title for facing Ali in an unapproved rematch seven months later, which he lost by unanimous decision. Besides being heavyweight champion and his characteristic gap-toothed grin (due to losing two and later all four of his front teeth), Spinks gained notoriety for the disaster which befell his career following the loss to Ali. However, he did challenge once more for the WBC heavyweight title in 1981 (losing to Larry Holmes by TKO in the third round), and the WBA cruiserweight title in 1986 (losing to Dwight Muhammad Qawi by TKO in the sixth round). As an amateur, Spinks won numerous medals in the light heavyweight division. The first was bronze at the inaugural 1974 World Championships, followed by silver at the 1975 Pan American Games, and gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics; the latter alongside his brother Michael Spinks, who won middleweight gold. Leon served in the United States Marine Corps from 1973 to 1976. Spinks also had a brief career as a professional wrestler in the 1990s, working for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) and holding the FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship in 1992.
- Birthplace: USA, St. Louis, Missouri
- Profession: Actor, Professional Boxer
- Credits: Facing Ali, Ali 70 from Las Vegas,
- 119
Pedro Alcázar
Dec. at 26 (1975-2002)Guillermo Gonzalez, better known as Pedro "El Rockero" Alcázar (16 September 1975 in Zapayal, Panama – 24 June 2002) was a Panamanian boxer who won the WBO Super flyweight championship, and then sustained fatal injuries in the ring.- Birthplace: Panama
- Profession: Professional Boxer
- 120Michael Spinks (born July 13, 1956) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1988. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985, and the lineal heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988. As an amateur he won a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Nicknamed "Jinx", which spawned the nickname of his straight right hand, "The Spinks Jinx", Spinks is the brother of former world heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, and uncle of Cory Spinks, a former welterweight and light middleweight champion. After a successful amateur career, which culminated in his Olympic gold medal win, Spinks went undefeated in his first 31 professional fights, beating Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Marvin Johnson and Eddie Davis en route to becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion. After 10 successful title defenses, Spinks moved up to heavyweight, and as an underdog defeated long-reigning IBF heavyweight champion Larry Holmes; in doing so, Spinks became the first reigning light heavyweight world champion to win the heavyweight title. In his final fight, Spinks was knocked out by Mike Tyson in 91 seconds, the only defeat of his professional career. Spinks has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. The International Boxing Research Organization and BoxRec rank Spinks among the 10 greatest light heavyweights of all time.
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Profession: Professional Boxer
