There are many great boxers, but who are the best? Listed below are four men who deserve to be on your list of Boxing greats. Each one is a legendary athlete in his own right. Read on to learn more about their legacy and what makes them so great. And remember, there are many more out there! For more great boxing stories, check out these websites and social media accounts! They are sure to make you laugh!
Roberto Duran
Born in the slums of El Chorillo, Panama, Roberto Duran Samaniego was raised by his single mother. His father, a Mexican American, had been stationed in Panama at the time of his birth. Soon after his birth, his father returned to Arizona, leaving his mother to raise Roberto alone. He was raised in a slum called El Chorrillo, a few steps away from the Panama Canal. His father had served in the U.S. Army, and had left shortly after Roberto was born.
Willie Pep
In the 1950s, Willie Pep was one of the top fighters in boxing. He was known as a “wonder boy,” and he had an impressive career. Pep called his fight with Jock Leslie the best of his career, and he defended his featherweight title by scoring a technical knockout in the 12th round. The same feat would be achieved again on 24 February 1948 against Humberto Sierra.
Willie Meehan
“Butterbean” Esch flaunted his fat with remarkable success during the 1990s. He never struggled with his weight, but ballooned to 417 pounds later in his career. He gained fame as boxing’s jolly fat man, and became a minor millionaire in the process. While Esch was more of a sideshow than a serious fighter, he still managed to claim the title “King of the Four-Rounders.” Meehan, a portly fighter, was no different.
Willie Bloomfield
Born in Connecticut, Willie Bloomfield fought for many years, and was a top featherweight contender. His career ended with a 29-2 record. He later returned to college to earn graduate degrees in holistic healing and education, and now teaches at a local high school in Hartford. He was a former Captain of the 1996 Olympic Boxing Team. Read this bio to learn more about this boxing great and his career.
Gene Tunney
There are many things to admire in the life of boxing great Gene Tunney. First and foremost, he was handsome, intelligent, and well-read. Second, he fought conservatively and did not indulge in cruelty, instead opting for clean, crisp punches and staying out of the opponent’s face. While some may think that cruelty is an attribute boxers should have, Tunney never let his opponent hurt him more than was necessary.
Larry Holmes
A former professional boxer, Larry Holmes was in the ring for nearly two decades, competing from 1973 to 2002. He fought in the big time and claimed that his generation of boxers were the best of all time, and he beat Muhammad Ali in the temporary arena outside of Caesars Palace in 1980. However, this era didn’t give Holmes a lot of quality opponents. Holmes has gone on to be inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Landon Jones
The legendary knockout artist, Landon Jones, turned professional in 1923. He trained with Joe Stanley and Stephen “Suey” Welch. In 1925, Jones won the National Boxing Association World Middleweight Title, but lost it to Frenchman Marcel Thil. Jones also won the NBA Middleweight Boxing Championship of the World and the NBA Middleweight Boxing Championship of America, but lost in the third round to Freddie Steele.
Mike Tyson
Despite his age of 53, Mike Tyson remains one of the greatest boxers of all time. The heavyweight champion held three titles at one time and became the first fighter to unify all three belts in succession. In 1986, he stopped WBC champion Trevor Berbick in two rounds and became the undisputed heavyweight champ of the world. However, despite his dominating performance in boxing, Tyson failed to live up to his potential and lost his next two fights to journeyman fighters.
Muhammad Ali
In boxing, Muhammad Ali is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats. Despite his massive frame, Ali was never afraid to make his opinions known, claiming that Sugar Ray Robinson was a better boxer. His personality, his charisma and his picturesque figure drew a lot of admiration. Listed below are some of the things that make Ali one of the greatest boxers in history.
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