Who are the Greatest Boxers of All Time?
Who are the Greatest Boxers of All Time? The welterweight division in boxing has been home to some of the sport’s most talented fighters. From Manny Pacquiao to Emile Griffith, the welterweight division has seen its fair share of legendary pugilists. Here are the top 10 welterweights in history:
- Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao is one of the most decorated fighters in the sport’s history and made his mark at welterweight. He holds wins over some of the biggest names in the division, including Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley.
- Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Mayweather is perhaps the most polarizing figure in boxing, but there’s no denying his talent. Largely due to his defensive prowess, he was undefeated in his professional career and held multiple world titles at welterweight.
- Oscar De La Hoya: De La Hoya was a fan favorite and a skilled boxer who won titles in multiple weight classes. Known for his excellent combination punching, he holds wins over Felix Trinidad and Pernell Whitaker.
- Thomas Hearns: Hearns was a tall, lanky fighter with a devastating right hand. While he wasn’t a great technical boxer, fans loved his exciting style and knockout power. Hearns held world titles at both welterweight and middleweight.
- Pernell Whitaker: Whitaker was a slick southpaw with excellent defense and footwork. As a result, Whitaker built a reputation for his ability to make his opponents miss. Whitaker held world titles at welterweight, lightweight, and light welterweight.
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- Sugar Ray Robinson: Widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, Robinson was a dominant force at welterweight. After defeating Tommy Bell for the welterweight championship in 1946, Robinson held on to the title until he gave it up in 1951 (after winning the middleweight championship). Overall, his welterweight record of 110-1-2 stands as testament to his greatness in the division.
- Carmen Basilio: Basilio was a tough, no-nonsense fighter with world titles at welterweight and middleweight. He is best known for his epic battles with Sugar Ray Robinson. For this reason, many consider Basilio one of the hardest punchers in the division’s history.
- Henry Armstrong: Armstrong was a nonstop-pressure fighter with world titles at featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. Because of his relentless style, some observers consider Armstrong one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time.
- Emile Griffith: Griffith was a skilled boxer with excellent footwork and a strong jab. He held world titles at welterweight and middleweight and is best known for his trilogy of fights with Benny “The Kid” Paret. Due to the punishment Griffith inflicted on him in their final bout, Paret passed away 10 days later.
- Jose Napoles: Napoles was a powerful puncher with a strong chin. He held the world title at welterweight on two separate occasions and consequently had a reputation as an excellent counter-puncher.