Legends of the game

Boxing as we know it owes much of its global popularity to the fierce, electrifying, and unforgettable fighters of the 20th century. These legends didn’t just win titles—they defined eras and transformed the sport. Here’s a look at the 25 greatest boxers of the 20th century, with all records and stats sourced from the BoxRec database.

25. Roy Jones Jr.

Record: 66-10-0 (47 KOs)

Roy Jones Jr. is considered one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time. He held multiple championships in four weight classes: middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. In 1999, he became the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title.

23. Marvin Hagler

Record: 62-3-2 (52 KOs)

A dominant middleweight with a granite chin and relentless aggression, Hagler's reign was marked by iconic wins, including a legendary fight against Sugar Ray Leonard.

22. Floyd Patterson

Record: 55-8-1 (40 KOs)

Patterson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 21 and was the first to regain the title after losing it, solidifying his place in the sport's history.

21. Roberto Durán

Record: 103-16 (70 KOs)

Durán, known as "Hands of Stone," was a versatile fighter who dominated multiple weight classes and was famous for his brutal style and epic battles with Sugar Ray Leonard.

20. Jack Johnson

Record: 77-13-8 (39 KOs)

Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion, broke racial barriers in the sport with his combination of skill, power, and confidence, changing the landscape of boxing forever.

18. Sonny Liston

Record: 50-4 (39 KOs)

This one is probably going to be a contentious placing. Liston's intimidating and presence and explosive power made him one of the most feared heavyweights of his era, though his reign as champion cut short by injury and personal issues, as ESPN reported.

17. Archie Moore

Record: 185-23-10 (131 KOs)

Known for his unparalleled knockout record, Moore was one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time, capturing the title and remaining a force in the ring well into his 40s.

16. Evander Holyfield

Record: 44-10-2 (29 KOs)

Holyfield's heart and determination helped him become the undisputed heavyweight champion, with signature victories over Tyson and Riddick Bowe.

15. Oscar De La Hoya

Record: 39-6 (30 KOs)

De La Hoya, "The Golden Boy," became one of the most successful pay-per-view draws in history, winning titles in six different weight classes and becoming a major crossover star.

14. Lennox Lewis

Record: 41-2-1 (32 KOs)

Lewis was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, defeating the best of his era, including Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and Vitali Klitschko. His boxing IQ, combined with his size and skill, made him one of the most complete fighters in history.

13. Mike Tyson

Record: 50-6 (44 KOs)

Tyson's ferocity and unmatched knockout power made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history, though his run-ins with the law and other controversies had surely negatively impacted his overall career.

12. Sam Langford

Record: 179-30-37 (128 KOs)

Langford, often called the "Boston Bonecrusher," was a relentless and powerful fighter who competed across multiple divisions despite being undersized for the heavyweight division.

10. Benny Leonard

Record: 200-19-10 (91 KOs)

Leonard was a boxing master, dominating the lightweight division for over a decade with unparalleled technical skill, making him one of the most beloved fighters of his time, outclassing most of his opponents. His influence is still felt to this day in lightweight fighting styles.

9. Joe Frazier

Record: 32-4-1 (27 KOs)

Frazier's relentless aggression and left hook made him one of the most feared fighters of the 1970s, with his win over Muhammad Ali in their first fight being a career-defining moment, as Sports Illustrated recounted.

8. Rocky Marciano

Record: 49-0 (43 KOs)

Marciano's undefeated record and unmatched knockout power set him apart in the heavyweight division. His relentless style and remarkable endurance allowed him to overcome the best of his era, making him a true legend.

7. Willie Pep

Record: 229-11-1 (65 KOs)

Pep's footwork, speed, and defensive brilliance made him one of the greatest featherweights in boxing history, amassing over 200 victories with only a handful of losses.

6. Sugar Ray Leonard

Record: 36-3-1 (25 KOs)

Leonard was a brilliant technician with remarkable speed and power, claiming world titles in five different weight divisions and producing memorable rivalries with Hagler, Duran, and Hearns.

5. Joe Louis

Record: 66-3 (52 KOs)

Louis, the "Brown Bomber," reigned as heavyweight champion for over 11 years and defended his title 25 times, leaving a legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.

4. George Foreman

Record: 76-5 (68 KOs)

Foreman's raw power earned him the heavyweight title twice—once in his prime and again as a 45-year-old comeback king, solidifying his status as a boxing legend.

3. Jack Dempsey

Record: 61-6-9 (51 KOs)

Dempsey's aggressive, all-out style and devastating knockout power changed the face of boxing, with his reign during the 1920s becoming iconic in both sports and pop culture.

2. Muhammad Ali

Record: 56-5 (37 KOs)

Ali revolutionized boxing with his combination of speed, skill, and charisma, becoming an icon both inside and outside the ring with victories over the best of his era, including Frazier, Foreman, and Liston. We possibly didn't see the best of him, though, as his four-year ban coincided with what many believe to be his peak.