Boxing has roots dating back all the way to Ancient Greece and continues to be a popular sport all over the world today. Boxers are known for their brute strength, fierce aggression, and incredible technique. In modern history, many skilled boxers have graced the ring to knock out their opponents and cement their position in the history books.
With that being said, there are a handful of standout boxers that rise above the rest. Their accomplishments and style go beyond national rankings and championship belts. These boxers are renowned for their immense skill and domination of the sport. Here are 3 of the best boxers of all time.
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is one of the most recognizable names in boxing due to his unique fighting style and impressive record. He was a heavyweight fighter that fought his way through the ranks in the division's most prominent era. His boxing career started in 1960. He would go on to win the heavyweight championship at the age of 22 in 1963 and again in 1974. During his career Muhammad Ali fought 61 fights, winning 57 of them. Of those 57 fights, 37 were won by KO.
Also known as "The Greatest," Muhammad Ali had a fierce and energetic attitude in the ring. Despite his large and intimidating size, he was known to be light on his feet. He would dance around his opponent to dodge hits. When he had an opening, Ali would take it to deliver devastating blows. His quote describes his fighting style perfectly: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." During his career, Muhammad Ali created a legacy that has yet to be matched.
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko is a heavyweight mixed martial artist from Russia. His foray into the boxing world started in 2000, where he won 4 straight victories. He's since gone on to win multiple championships throughout Russia, including the gold medal World Championships in 2002, 2005, and 2007. He retired briefly in 2012. He then became part of the Council of Physical Fitness and Sports in Russia and the president of the Russian MMA Union. In 2015, he came out of retirement and continues to fight.
Emelianenko is trained in boxing, judo, sambo, and kickboxing. He's known for his aggressive fighting style and dynamic movements. He often fights in positions that other fighters wouldn't attempt and baits his opponents to create openings. He's a fierce fighter that delivers strong blows after swiftly negating opponents from below. So far in his career, he's won 36 out of 42 fights and is considered one of the greatest heavyweight MMA fighters in modern times.
Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson fought in multiple weight divisions successfully. His performance in the ring prompted the "pound for pound" rankings. He's been compared to fighters of all weight classes and is consistently regarded as one of the greatest fighters in history. Robinson was a versatile fighter that could adapt to many different styles. He had great speed and power in both hands. He was also known to act instinctively, which allowed him to make moves quickly and dominate his opponents.
His career started in 1940. He went on to win 40 matches before losing. In 1946, he won the World championship title in the welterweight division. He held onto this title for 5 years, only giving it up to move into the middleweight division. He won the World middleweight championship in 1951, 1956, 1957, and 1958. His career spanned 25 years with only a brief 2-year retirement. In total, he fought 200 fights and won 173.
These are just a few of history's most prominent fighters. Check out the full list of the world's greatest boxers here.