Boxing Legends

Widely rated the greatest fighter of all time: The Ring placed him No. 1 on its 1997 list of the greatest fighters of the past 80 years, and the term 'pound for pound' was coined by sportswriters to describe him. He held the world welterweight title and won the middleweight championship five separate times.

The first three-time lineal world heavyweight champion, he was named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and BBC Sports Personality of the Century in 1999. His wins over Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman anchor his all-time standing.

The only boxer ever to hold world titles in three weight divisions simultaneously (featherweight, lightweight and welterweight in 1938) - a feat that, given modern weigh-in rules, can never be repeated.

Dominant undisputed middleweight champion who reigned from 1980 to 1987, defending the title 12 times. His brutal war with Thomas Hearns and famous bouts with Leonard and Duran cement him as one of the greatest of all time.

Two-time featherweight champion with a near-mythical 229-11-1 record and legendary defensive skill, famously said to have won a round without throwing a punch. Widely ranked among the greatest boxers ever.

The Pittsburgh Windmill fought roughly 300 bouts and is the only man to ever beat Gene Tunney. A relentless middleweight champion frequently cited as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in history.

Retired undefeated at 50-0, winning world titles in five weight classes from super featherweight to light middleweight. His bouts with Pacquiao and Conor McGregor rank among the highest-grossing pay-per-view events in history.

The only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. The Ring named him Fighter of the Decade for the 2000s and repeatedly ranked him No. 1 pound-for-pound.

Held the world heavyweight title for nearly 12 years (1937-1949), the longest reign in the division's history, with a record 25 successful title defenses. His 1938 first-round knockout of Max Schmeling made him a global icon.

Voted the greatest lightweight of the 20th century by the Associated Press. He won world titles in four weight divisions across a career spanning five decades, headlined by his 1980 decision win over Sugar Ray Leonard.

A then-record 19 consecutive middleweight title defenses and became the oldest man to win a major world title, holding a belt at age 49. A masterful ring technician with a Hall of Fame career spanning nearly three decades.

Heavyweight champion who beat Joe Louis and is regarded by many historians as the greatest light heavyweight of all time. His skill and versatility across weight classes rank him among the finest technicians ever.

Undisputed heavyweight champion who handed Muhammad Ali his first loss in the 1971 Fight of the Century. His devastating left hook and three epic Ali bouts make him an iconic legend.

Won world titles in five weight divisions and was named Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s by The Ring. His 1987 split-decision upset of Marvelous Marvin Hagler is one of the sport's landmark wins.

Reigned as The Ring's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the early 1990s and started his career 89-0 before his first defeat. He retired 107-6-2 as a six-time world champion across three divisions.

The only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated, finishing 49-0 with 43 knockouts. Historians temper his ranking because he fought in a shallow era and at a small heavyweight frame by modern standards.

Became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 in 1986 and unified the division with devastating knockout power. His all-time standing is capped by losses to Douglas, Holyfield and Lewis and the 1997 disqualification for biting Holyfield's ear.

Won the WBA heavyweight title in 1983 by knocking out Michael Dokes, but lost it in his first defense to Greg Page in 1984 and never regained elite standing. A legitimate world champion, but a minor one in all-time terms.

Pulled off the biggest upset in boxing history as a 42-to-1 underdog to dethrone Tyson in 1990, then ballooned to 246 lbs and was knocked out by Evander Holyfield in his only title defense that same year. He is remembered as the ultimate one-fight champion rather than an all-time great.