The Boxing ring has been the meeting place for many distinguished pugilists, but certain fighters from the Lightweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, and Heavyweight divisions significantly outclassed their counterparts.
Could we compare this age-old sporting pastime to the more newly birthed one of Australian pokies games? Perhaps, albeit with a bit of a stretch! Both boast hundreds of entrants for the Best Ever title, but several greats didn’t even realise they were in a competition. They just delivered the adrenaline-pumping action, and, for bettors who made the right choice, great returns!
Joe Louis
Nicknamed The Brown Bomber, Louis dominated the world of Boxing and his influence has spanned multiple generations. He held the Heavyweight title for 11+ years, a record, and took part in 27 Heavyweight fights, another feat only he’s managed to do so far.
He fought 72 times and won 69 of these meets with an astonishing 55 victories by knockout. He only lost three times in his whole career.
Mike Tyson
Iron Mike Tyson, as he was known, came to be possibly the most feared Boxer in history. He was the undisputed Champion of the Heavyweight division for more than two years and is additionally famous for various controversies in and outside of the ring. Tyson was convicted of the rape of the 18-year old Desiree Washington in 1992 and was disqualified for biting a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear off during a match in 1997.
He won 50 of the 58 fights he took part in and knocked out 44 of his opponents. He lost just six times and saw two No Contests.
Muhammad Ali
Possibly the best-known boxer of all time, Ali was an Olympic Gold Medallist and a Heavyweight Champion. He was famous for his teasing cockiness, billing himself as The Greatest, and his clever quotes, like Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
He was very popular during his prime and earned respect for his integrity even from people who didn’t care for Boxing particularly. He didn’t back down if he believed in an issue, like the time he refused to fight in the Vietnam War because of his beliefs, and he stood firm even when this resulted in a temporary ban from his job.
He fought 61 matches and won 56, knocking out his opponent 37 times. He suffered just five losses, most of which occurred during the twilight of his career.
Sugar Ray Robinson
Walker Smith Jr, better known to his millions of fans as Sugar Ray Robinson, fought at Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight ranges and did so well he earned the title of Fighter of the Decade in the 1950s. He was a World Middleweight Champion five times over, and several of the top fighters of all time have acknowledged him as the best, including Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali.
He fought 202 fights, won 175 and stands as one of the few boxers to have knocked out 100+ people. His KO total stands at 108; he lost 19 matches, drew six, and saw two No Contests.
