Top 10 Boxers

Only one man could top a list of the best 10 boxers of all time - regardless of the author of this list. My top 10 is no different. Cassius Clay or Muhammad Ali, as he was later known, is undoubtedly the greatest boxer of all time, being crowned world heavyweight champion on three occasions and even being nicknamed “The Greatest”. His most famous fights were “The Fight of the Century” against Joe Frazier, “The Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman and “The Thrilla in Manila” against Joe Bugner. Describing his unorthodox style, Ali said his boxing style was to "floated like a butterfly and sting like a bee" and those who witnessed his bouts can testify to exactly that. He was, to quote Tina Turner, simply the best.

Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the finest boxers of all-time and only just missed out on top spot in my list because of the legend of Ali. Unbeaten as an amateur when successful 85 times, Robinson failed to win just three of his 131 professional bouts when competing at welterweight and middleweight. He held the welterweight title from 1946 to 1951 and was also middleweight champion in 1951 before retiring the following year. He returned from two-and-a-half years on the sidelines to lift the title again and ended his career with a near perfect record.

The oldest ever world heavyweight champion has to make my top 10. Having first been at the top of the heavyweight division in the 1974, including when fighting Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in “The Rumble in the Jungle”, he duly regained the world title in 1994 when aged 45 after beating Michael Moorer. Add to that the fact he has a world famous cooking instrument: The George Foreman Lean, Mean, Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine and you have a world famous person deserving of top 10 billing.

A controversial character who spent time in jail, bit opponent Evander Holyfield's ear and has been declared bankrupt, Mike Tyson will also be remembered as one of the best heavyweights to have boxed. Much smaller in height than his opponents, Tyson packed a mean punch, one which would have left the dazed and defeated men with stars and birds flying around their heads had it been a comic strip cartoon. “Iron Mike” Tyson became the youngster heavyweight world champion when winning the WBC belt at the age of 20 separate occasions was the first to hold three titles at one time.

Although Muhammad Ali has the nostalgic image as the best boxer, Manny Pacquiao has definitely surpassed him. it is surprising that no one else has even given him mention in their top tens. He can't be beat.

The only heavyweight boxer to finish his career unbeaten, Italian-American Rocky Marciano won 43 of his 49 bouts by knockout and held the heavyweight world title between 1952 and 1956. His unbeaten career included victories over Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott and Archie Moore, with victory over the latter prompting Marciano to head into retirement with an unblemished record.

One of the toughest boxers around, the lightweight Panamian often punched above his weight, winning titles at four different weights – lightweight, welterweight, junior middleweight and middleweight. His aggression in the ring coupled with a powerful punch earned his the nickname “Hands of Stone”. Duran is the only boxer to have boxed in five different decades, finally retiring at the age of 50 in 2002.

An Olympic champion for Canada, Lennox Lewis went on to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when fighting as a British boxer. Epic contests with Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko and of course Mike Tyson saw him come out on top on each occasion as he retired at the top of his game having been one of only five boxers to be crowned world champion on three separate occasions.

Also known as the “Brown Bomber” Louis is probably one of the names on this list that you are more familiar with. At 6′ 2″ he was an intimidating prospect for anyone and add to that the sheer brilliance he had in the ring and you have a highly impressive record of 65 Wins (51 knockouts, 13 decisions, 1 disqualification), 3 Losses.