In any sport, it is difficult to determine which athletes are the best the sport has ever known. Partly this is because there is no way to truly compare the fighters from different eras and partly because people have strong opinions about athletes they love or hate. To select the greatest boxers of all time, one must use variables that include overall records and the quality of their competition as well as more subjective areas, such as showmanship.
When you mention boxing, most people probably still think about Muhammad Ali before all other fighters, and he is one of the best known athletes on earth. His impressive career included a 100-5 amateur record, an Olympic gold medal and a 56-5 pro record. His competition was no less impressive as he faced some of the world's best boxers, including Joe Frazier, whom he faced on three separate occasions including a rare career loss. Ali also defeated the likes of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
Joe Louis was similar to Ali as not only was he an extraordinary boxer, he was a beloved American hero. He lost only three bouts, including a famous 1936 fight against German boxer Max Schmeling. Despite the fact that the bout lasted 12 rounds, this loss was touted by the Nazi's as proof of the superiority of the Aryan race. In 1938, Louis faced Schmeling again, this time knocking out his German opponent in just two minutes. This is considered one of the greatest fights in history. In all, Louis won 69 professional boxing matches, knocking out the vast majority of his opponents. He also held the heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949, far longer than any fighter before or after.
With 173 wins and more than 100 of them by knockout, Sugar Ray Robinson is certainly one to be considered as the best boxer. While Muhammad Ali had no shortage of confidence regarding his own excellence as a fighter, even he declared that Robinson was the "King," of boxing. He was a top fighter at welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight, defeating a slew of tough opponents, including Jake La Motta, Kid Gavilan and Rocky Graziano.
Rocky Marciano certainly deserves at least a mention when one is discussing the world's best and toughest boxers. After all, not only did he end his career undefeated, all but six of his 49 pro bouts ended in knockout. Typically, he is not considered the greatest of all time simply because his competition was not at the same level as Ali, Louis and the like.
The 19th century and the turn of the 20th century were not particularly easy time for African Americans, even for top athletes. Sports were segregated and even when black fighters faced white opponents, they were treated with scorn. Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion, certainly faced much opposition until his 1910 win over the former heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries. After that victory, Johnson's critics fell silent, bowing to his undeniable skill as a boxer. Johnson won an impressive 80 fights, 45 of them via knockout.
When you mention boxing, most people probably still think about Muhammad Ali before all other fighters, and he is one of the best known athletes on earth. His impressive career included a 100-5 amateur record, an Olympic gold medal and a 56-5 pro record. His competition was no less impressive as he faced some of the world's best boxers, including Joe Frazier, whom he faced on three separate occasions including a rare career loss. Ali also defeated the likes of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
Joe Louis was similar to Ali as not only was he an extraordinary boxer, he was a beloved American hero. He lost only three bouts, including a famous 1936 fight against German boxer Max Schmeling. Despite the fact that the bout lasted 12 rounds, this loss was touted by the Nazi's as proof of the superiority of the Aryan race. In 1938, Louis faced Schmeling again, this time knocking out his German opponent in just two minutes. This is considered one of the greatest fights in history. In all, Louis won 69 professional boxing matches, knocking out the vast majority of his opponents. He also held the heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949, far longer than any fighter before or after.
With 173 wins and more than 100 of them by knockout, Sugar Ray Robinson is certainly one to be considered as the best boxer. While Muhammad Ali had no shortage of confidence regarding his own excellence as a fighter, even he declared that Robinson was the "King," of boxing. He was a top fighter at welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight, defeating a slew of tough opponents, including Jake La Motta, Kid Gavilan and Rocky Graziano.
Rocky Marciano certainly deserves at least a mention when one is discussing the world's best and toughest boxers. After all, not only did he end his career undefeated, all but six of his 49 pro bouts ended in knockout. Typically, he is not considered the greatest of all time simply because his competition was not at the same level as Ali, Louis and the like.
The 19th century and the turn of the 20th century were not particularly easy time for African Americans, even for top athletes. Sports were segregated and even when black fighters faced white opponents, they were treated with scorn. Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion, certainly faced much opposition until his 1910 win over the former heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries. After that victory, Johnson's critics fell silent, bowing to his undeniable skill as a boxer. Johnson won an impressive 80 fights, 45 of them via knockout.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine loves blogging about mixed martial arts benefits. For more details about boxing in San Diego or to find jiu jitsu classes in San Diego, please check out The Arena MMA site now.
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