Boxing has been in existence for a very long time, and so there are a number of great boxers. Various heavyweight boxers have put honored the sport of boxing through their performances. They have proven that boxing is not merely a sport of brute force but that it is also an art.
Muhammad Ali 'Cassius Clay'
• Muhammad Ali (Birth – 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky in USA): Ali, a heavyweight champion won 56 out of 61 matches (37 by Knock Out). First winning was a Gold Medal in light-heavyweight in 1960 Rome Olympic and then heavyweight success against Liston in 1964. His defeat over Frazier in 1971 is known as the “Fight of the Century”. Again, he came out victorious against Frazier in 1975. Ring Magazine has honoured him with “Fighter of the Year” title for the maximum number of times amid the boxers while Sports Illustrated titled him the “Sportsman of the Century” in 1999. He retired in 1981.
Rocky Marciano
• Rocky Marciano (Birth – 1969 in America): Starting his professional career in 1947, Rocky has the honour of winning all the 49 matches (43 by Knock Out) and retiring undefeated in heavyweight championships. Rocky, the Oscar winning movie, was named after him. Ring Magazine ranked him at 14th number among 100 Greatest Punchers of All Time.
Joe Frazier 'Smokin’ Joe'
• Joe Frazier: Blinded in the left eye, Frazier was a heavyweight champion with 32 wins out of 37, famous for the fight “Thriller in Manila against Muhammad Ali in 1975”; he fought lawfully using his right eye only. Presently, he is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Mike Tyson
• Mike Tyson (Birth – 1966 in America): Mike won 50 matches out of 58 (44 by Knock Out). He is famous for speed and precision as well as physical strength. He is a controversial fighter because of his 1997 fight against Holyfield when he bit off his opponent’s right ear in the second round.
Jack Dempsey 'The Manassa Mauler'
• Jack Dempsey (Birth – 1895 in America): Presently, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, he won 62 matches out of 83 (50 by Knock Out and 26 in the first round). He is well known for his first million dollar gate fight against George Carpentier. There is a street near Madison Square Garden named after Dempsey.
George Foreman
• George Foreman (Birth – 1949 in Texas, USA): Starting his professional career in 1969, Foreman won all the 32 matches fought by him until 1971 and was honoured as number 1 player by WBA and WBC. He got the title of World Champion by defeating Frazier by Knock Out in the second round. He took retirement in 1977.
Evander Holyfield
• Evander Holyfield (Birth – 1962 in USA): Known to be one of the greatest heavyweight champions, Evan was successful as a Cruiserweight champion as well. He has the credit of winning bronze medal in 1982 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and then became world heavyweight champion in 1990 and has won the same title four times in his career. Winning 39 out of 49 matches (26 by Knock Out); he is well known for his fight against Tyson and Lewis.
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