Boxing is grueling and tests your physical, mental, and emotional limits like no other sport on Earth.
This post commemorates top male boxers who have dominated their opponents over the years. For more information, see the list below of these powerful men and how they won many matches.
Key Takeaways
- The article highlights some of the most famous male professional boxers in history.
- It includes legends like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- The list is sorted by level of prominence and includes information like weight class and record.
- The article also includes rare photographs of some of the boxers, including a young Mike Tyson.
- It’s a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about the history of professional boxing and its most notable figures.
1. Devin Haney – United States Boxer
| Devin Miles Haney | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Devin Miles Haney |
| Nickname | The Dream |
| Weight | Lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing Record | Total Fights: 30 |
| Titles | – Current Undisputed World Champion at Lightweight |
| Rankings | – Ranked as the World’s Best Active Lightweight by ESPN |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthdate | November 17, 1998 (age 24) |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Religion | Practicing Muslim |
Devin Haney was born in 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a trained boxer from the United States. He has held the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and Ring titles since 2019, making him the undisputed lightweight champion at the moment. As of June 2022, ESPN, BoxRec, and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board all place him as the top active lightweight in the world.
Nationality: American.
Born in: 1998.
Weight class: Lightweight.
Pro boxing record: 28 wins (15 knockouts). Zero losses.
2. Josh Taylor – Scottish Boxer
Born in: 1991
Born in: Edinburgh, Scotland.
Josh Taylor is a Scottish professional boxer. He is the current WBA Super and WBC International super lightweight world champion, having held the latter title since July 2017. He is now ranked sixth by The Ring and first by BoxRec as the finest active super lightweight worldwide as of June 2022.
Nationality: Scottish.
Weight class: Lightweight (135 lbs ).
Pro boxing record: 16 wins (13 knockouts). No losses. One draw.
3. Artur Beterbiev – Russian Boxer
Artur Beterbiev was born in: Russia.
He is a Russian professional boxer who held the WBA (Regular) light heavyweight title from March 2017 to November 2023. He is listed as the top active player worldwide as of June 2022. light heavyweight by BoxRecand second by The Ring.
Nationality: Russian.
Born in: 1985.
Weight class: Light heavy (175 lbs ).
Pro boxing record: 9 wins (2 knockouts). 2 losses. One draw.
4. Dmitry Bivol – Russian Boxer
| Dmitry Yuryevich Bivol | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dmitry Yuryevich Bivol |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Date of Birth | December 18, 1990 |
| Age | 32 |
| Birthplace | Tokmak, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyrgyzstan) |
| Weight Class | Light-heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Professional Debut | November 2014 |
| Boxing Association | World Boxing Association (WBA) |
| Professional Record | Total Fights: 21 |
Dmitry Bivol is a Russian professional boxer, current WBA, and IBF light heavyweight champion. He is the former WBA (Regular) light heavyweight titleholder, holding the title from June 2017 to 2018. As of June 2022, he is sixth by BoxRecand, second by The Ring.
Nationality: Russian.
Born in: 1990.
Weight class: Light heavy (175 lbs ).
Pro boxing record: 18 wins (7 knockouts). One loss.
5. Jermell Charlo – American Boxer
Jermell Charlo is an American professional boxer. He is the current WBC, “The Ring” and Lineal super welterweight champion, having held the latter title since July 2018. According to BoxRec, he is the best super welterweight in the world as of June 2022 and is ranked third by The Ring.
Born in: 1990.
Nationality: American.
Weight class: Super welterweight.
Pro boxing record: 35 wins (19 knockouts). One loss.
6. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – Mexican Boxer
Mexican professional boxer Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is a former WBC Super World middleweight champion. He is listed as the world’s No. 1 athlete as of June 2019, the best active middleweight by BoxRecand second by The Ring.
Nationality: Mexican.
Born in: 1990.
Weight class: Middleweight ( 168 lbs ).
Pro boxing record: 57 wins (29 knockouts). 2 losses . 2 draws.
7. Naoya Inoue – Japanese Boxer
Naoya Inoue is a professional Japanese boxer. He is a three-division world champion and a unified bantamweight world champion, having held the WBA (Super), IBF, and Ring magazine titles since 2019 and the WBC title since June 2022. He previously held the WBO junior-bantamweight title from 2014 to 2018 and the WBC light-flyweight title in 2014.
Nationality: Japanese.
Born in: 1993.
Weight class: Cruiserweight (200 lbs ).
Pro boxing record: 23 wins (20 knockouts). 0 loss.
8. Terence Crawford – American Boxer
| Terence Allan Crawford | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Terence Allan Crawford |
| Nickname(s) | Bud |
| Weight Classes | Lightweight, Light welterweight, Welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in |
| Reach | 74 in |
| Birthdate | September 28, 1987 (age 35) |
| Birthplace | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing Record | Total Fights: 39 |
| World Championships | WBO Welterweight Title: Since 2018 |
| Undisputed Champion | August 2017 (Light Welterweight) |
| Pound for Pound Rankings | ESPN: Ranked #1 |
| Fighter of the Year Awards | Boxing Writers Association of America: 2014 |
| Notable Achievements | First male boxer to simultaneously hold all four major world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO) since Jermain Taylor in 2005 |
| Amateur Career | Fought 70 official bouts |
| Professional Debut | March 14, 2008 (knockout victory) |
| Stylistic Traits | Ring IQ, Counter-punching abilities, Switch-hitting (orthodox to southpaw) |
American boxer Terence Crawford competes professionally. He has held the unified world title in two weight classes, WBO, WBC, IBF, “The Ring” magazine, and lineal light welterweight titles since 2018 and the unified WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, and lineal welterweight titles since 2019.
Born in: 1987.
Weight class: Welterweight.
Pro boxing record: 33 wins (25 knockouts). 0 loss.
9. Errol Spence – American Boxer
| Errol Spence Jr American Boxer | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Errol Spence Jr. – American Boxer |
| Nickname | The Truth |
| Weight Division | Welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing Record | Total fights: 28 |
| Amateur Accomplishments | Three-time United States national champion in the welterweight division |
| Professional Debut | November 9, 2012 |
| Championships | Unified champion in the welterweight division |
| Pound-for-Pound Ranking | Ranked as the world’s third best active boxer, pound for pound |
| Knockout-to-Win Ratio | Knockout-to-win ratio of 78% |
| Professional Highlights | Notable victories against Ronald Cruz, Javier Castro, Samuel Vargas, and Chris van Heerden |
American boxer Errol Spence competes professionally. He held the unified world title in two weight classes, IBF and IBO welterweight, from 2019 to 2021 and the unified WBA (Super) and IBF welterweight titles since January 2023.
Nationality: American.
Born in: 1990.
Weight class: Welterweight.
Pro boxing record: 24 wins (21 knockouts). 0 loss.
10. Terry Flanagan – English Boxer
| Terry Flanagan English Boxer | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Terry Flanagan – English Boxer |
| Nickname | Turbo |
| Weight Classes | Super-featherweight, Lightweight, Light-welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 9+1/2 in (177 cm) |
| Nationality | British |
| Born | 11 June 1989 (age 34) Manchester, England |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing Record | Total fights: 38 Wins: 36 Wins by KO: 14 Losses: 2 |
| Notable Achievements | – Held the WBO lightweight title from 2015 to 2017, becoming the first Englishman to win a world title in that weight class – Winner of the Prizefighter lightweight tournament in 2012 – British lightweight titleholder in 2014 – Challenged for the WBO light-welterweight title in 2018 |
| Current Ranking | Ranked as the world’s number twelve best active light-welterweight by BoxRec |
| Early Career | Had his first professional fight in 2009, defeating Danny McDermid on points |
| Prizefighter Series | Winner of The Lightweights II tournament in 2012, defeating Gary Sykes in the final |
| WBO Lightweight Title Win | Claimed the vacant WBO lightweight title in July 2015, winning on a technical decision against Jose Zepeda due to a shoulder injury sustained by Zepeda |
| Successful Defenses | Successfully defended the WBO lightweight title against Diego Magdaleno in 2015 and Mzonke Fana in 2016 |
| Current Pursuits | Ranked number 1 by WBO in the light-welterweight division, positioning him as a contender for the vacant title |
| Future Aspirations | Seeking big-name fights and unification bouts to establish himself as the best in his division |
| Notable Mention | Highly anticipated fight with Jorge Linares |
| Record | Has a record of 31 successive wins |
English boxer Terry Flanagan competes professionally. He had held the titles for two weight classes in the globe the WBO lightweight title from 2017 to 2018 and the super lightweight title since June 2022.
Born in: 1989.
Weight class: Super lightweight.
Pro boxing record: 38 wins (29 knockouts). 0 loss.
11. “Sugar” Shane Mosley – American and Mexican Boxer
Shane Mosley is a former American and Mexican professional boxer. He held the Lineal and WBC super welterweight titles twice between 2000 and 2005; the Ring magazine, WBA, “The Ring “Lineal, WBC, and “The Ring “Super welterweight titles from 2001 to 2003; and the IBA lightweight title in 1993.
Nationality: American.
Born in: 1969.
Weight class: Super welterweight(160 lbs).
12. Larry Holmes – American Boxer
Larry Holmes is a former American professional boxer. He held the Lineal and WBC heavyweight titles from 1980 to 1986; and the WBC light-heavyweight title in 1986. In 1991, he entered the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Born in: 1949
Weight class: Cruiserweight (200 lbs).
Pro boxing record: 69 wins (44 knockouts). And six losses.
13. Joe Louis – American Boxer
Joseph Louis Barrow was born in 1914. From 1934 through 1951, he was an American professional boxer engaged in the competition. Louis, often known as “the Brown Bomber,” is one of history’s best and most influential fighters. From 1937 until his 1949 short retirement, he was the heavyweight world champion. He won 25 straight championship defenses, a record across all weight divisions. The longest single reign as champion in boxing history belongs to Louis.
Born in: 1914
Weight class: Heavyweight (200 lbs).
Pro boxing record: 66 wins (25 knockouts). Three loss.
14. Roberto Duran – Panamanian Boxer
Roberto Duran was a Panamanian professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 1988 and is widely considered one of the greatest light heavyweights and pound-for-pound boxers of all time. He held world championship titles in two weight classes, including the lineal and undisputed flyweight titles from 1972 to 1980 and the WBC, WBA, IBF, and lineal welterweight titles from 1980 to 1981. In 2002, Duran became a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Born in: 1951.
Weight class: Light welterweight (140 lbs).
Pro boxing record: 103 wins (70 knockouts). 16 loss.
15. Jack Dempsey
| Jack Dempsey | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jack Dempsey |
| Real Name | William Harrison Dempsey |
| Nickname(s) | Kid Blackie, The Manassa Mauler |
| Weight(s) | Light heavyweight, Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm) |
| Born | June 24, 1895 |
| Birthplace | Manassa, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | May 31, 1983 |
| Death Location | New York City, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Total Fights | 85 |
| Wins | 68 |
| Wins by KO | 53 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 9 |
John Arthur “Jack” Dempsey was a professional boxer who competed from 1915 to 1926. From 1919 to 1926, he was the World Heavyweight Champion and is regarded as one of the most versatile fighters in history. Nicknamed “Manassa Mauler”, he is an inductee of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Born in: 1895
Weight class: Heavyweight (200 lbs).
Pro boxing record: 64 wins (53 knockouts). And six losses.
16. Mike Tyson
| Mike Tyson | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mike Tyson |
| Nickname(s) | Iron Mike, Kid Dynamite, The Baddest Man on the Planet |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | June 30, 1966 |
| Weight Class | Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Undisputed Champion | 1987-1990 |
| Youngest Heavyweight | Won title at age 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days |
| Titles Held | WBA, WBC, IBF, Lineal Heavyweight Championships |
| Knockout Record | 44 wins by knockout |
| Career Wins | 50 |
| Losses | 6 |
| No Contests | 2 |
| Notable Fights | Defeated Trevor Berbick to become youngest heavyweight champ |
| Spouses | Robin Givens, Monica Turner, Lakiha Spicer |
| Children | 7 |
| Legal Troubles | Convicted of rape, served three years in prison |
| Legacy | Regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time |
Michael Gerard Tyson was born in 1966. He is an American former professional boxer and actor. He competed from 1984 to 2005, with a peak in his career in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Tyson was called “Iron Mike” because he was so tough. He had an impressive record of 76 wins and 3 losses, with 68 knockouts. Read more about Mike Tyson’s height and his body measurements.
17. Canelo Álvarez
| Canelo lvarez | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán |
| Nickname(s) | Canelo (“Cinnamon”) |
| Weight(s) | Welterweight, Light middleweight, Middleweight, Super middleweight, Light heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Reach | 70+1⁄2 in (179 cm) |
| Born | 18 July 1990, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing Record | Total fights: 63 |
| Achievements | Multiple world championships in four weight classes |
| Pound for Pound | Ranked as the world’s best active boxer by various organizations |
| Family Background | Youngest of eight children from a family of professional boxers |
| Cultural Influence | Nickname “Canelo” associated with red hair and Irish ancestry |
| Overcoming Bullying | Overcame childhood bullying with determination |
| Amateur Career | Started boxing at around 13 years old |
| Professional Career | Turned professional at a young age |
| Notable Fights | Victories over Miguel Vázquez, Carlos Baldomir, and Austin Trout |
| Prominence | Fought on major networks such as Showtime and HBO |
Canelo Álvarez Sánchez was born in 1990, commonly known as Canelo or Canelo Alvarez. He is a Mexican-born boxer. He has won the lineal and secondary titles in four weight classes and been the WBC and WBA Welterweight Champion twice. He has also won the unified world title three times. In 2015, The Ring Magazine ranked him as the best boxer in the world. You might be interested in learning about Canelo lvarez Sánchez’s height.
If you’re curious about how tall Floyd Mayweather is, visit https://www.hoodmwr.com/floyd-mayweather-height/ to find out his height. Mayweather’s height has often been a topic of conversation, especially during his boxing career, and knowing his height may give insights into his boxing style and why he was so successful.
18. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
| Floyd Mayweather Jr | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Floyd Mayweather Jr. |
| Nickname(s) | Money |
| Weight(s) | Super featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in |
| Reach | 72 in |
| Born | February 24, 1977 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing Record | Total fights: 50 |
| Medal Record | Olympic Games, 1996 Atlanta, Featherweight |
| Achievements | Undefeated record |
| Accolades | Fighter of the Decade for the 2010s |
| Rankings | Ranked greatest pound-for-pound boxer by ESPN (2016) |
| Defensive Skills | Regarded as the best defensive boxer in history |
| Pay-Per-View | One of the most lucrative pay-per-view attractions |
| Promotions | Founder of Mayweather Promotions |
| Earnings | Topped Forbes and Sports Illustrated highest-paid lists |
| Family Background | Comes from a family of boxers |
| Childhood | Overcame a challenging upbringing |
| Amateur Career | Olympic bronze medalist |
Floyd In 1977, Joy Mayweather Jr. was born. He is an American former professional boxer, widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time and undefeated as a professional; his record currently stands at 50 wins and no losses, as well as 40 wins by KO.
19. Manny Pacquiao
| Manny Pacquiao | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manny Pacquiao |
| Nickname | PacMan |
| Birthdate | December 17, 1978 |
| Birthplace | Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines |
| Political Career | Senator of the Philippines (2016-2022) |
| Professional Boxing Career | Eight-division world champion |
| Major World Titles | Twelve |
| Lineal Championship | Won in five different weight classes |
| Oldest Welterweight Champion | Won WBA (Super) welterweight title at the age of 40 |
| Pay-Per-View Revenue | Fights generated $1.2 billion in revenue from 25 pay-per-view bouts |
| Accomplishments | Regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time |
| Spouse | Jinkee Jamora (m. 1999) |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma Mater | Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, University of Makati, Philippine Christian University |
| Total fights | 72 |
| Wins | 62 |
| Wins by KO | 39 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Height | 5 ft 5+1⁄2 in (166 cm) |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Films and Television | Starred in films and presented television shows |
| Music | Released multiple platinum albums and songs |
| Other Roles | Evangelical Christian preacher, philanthropist, and entrepreneur |
Manny Pacquiao was born in 1978. He is a Filipino boxer who has served as a senator for Philippine Islands. Only he has won a global championship across eight professional boxing sports and is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Pacquiao has been considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. His speed and agility in the ring are what make him standout. If you want to learn more about Filipino celebrities, check out this list of 50 Famous Filipino Celebrities on Hood MWR. You might be surprised to see who made the list!
20. Wladimir Klitschko
| Wladimir Klitschko | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wladimir Klitschko |
| Birthdate | March 25, 1976 |
| Birthplace | Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union (now Semey, Kazakhstan) |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Partner | Hayden Panettiere (2009–2011; 2013–2018) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Vitali Klitschko (brother) |
| Nickname(s) | Dr. Steelhammer |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) |
| Reach | 206 cm (81 in) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing Record | Total fights: 69, Wins: 64, Wins by KO: 53, Losses: 5 |
| Notable Achievements | Olympic Gold Medalist in the Super-heavyweight division, Former unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and Ring magazine heavyweight champion, Regarded as one of the best heavyweight champions of all time, Known for exceptional knockout power, strategic and intelligent boxing style, Holds records for the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign and most fighters beaten for the world heavyweight championship, Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. |
Wladimir Wladimirowitsch Klitschko was born in 1976. He is a Ukrainian heavyweight champion and former WBA, IBF, and WBO champion boxer. He has held the unified WBC, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles since November 2010 and the WBA (Super) titles from 2011 to 2013.
21. Evander Holyfield
| Evander Holyfield | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evander Holyfield |
| Nickname(s) | The Real Deal |
| Weight(s) | Light heavyweight, Cruiserweight, Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 2+1⁄2 in |
| Reach | 77+1⁄2 in |
| Born | October 19, 1962 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing Record | Total Fights: 57 |
| Medal Record | Men’s Amateur Boxing |
| Professional Career | Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion in the late 1980s |
| Retirement and Legacy | Retired in 2014 as one of the greatest boxers of all time |
| Early Life and Amateur | Started boxing at a young age and won a bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics |
Evander Holyfield was born in 1962. He was a former professional boxer from the United States who competed from 1984 until 2011. He reigned as the undisputed champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. As an amateur, he represented the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division.
FAQs
Who is considered the greatest male professional boxer of all time?
According to many boxing experts and fans, Muhammad Ali is considered the greatest male professional boxer of all time.
Who are some of the most famous male professional boxers in history?
Some of the most famous male professional boxers in history include Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Who are the current top male professional boxers in the world?
As of 2023, the current top male professional boxers in the world include Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Vasyl Lomachenko, and Errol Spence Jr.
Who is the boxer with the most wins in professional boxing history?
The boxer with the most wins in professional boxing history is Julio Cesar Chavez, who won 107 out of 115 matches.
Who is considered the best pound-for-pound male professional boxer of all time?
The best pound-for-pound male professional boxer of all time is a highly debated topic, but some of the most commonly mentioned boxers include Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao.