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| Sugar Ray Robinson |
Welterweight, middleweight
Won world welterweight title in December 1946, and defended it four times before stepping up in weight and winning, in 1951, first of five stints as middleweight champ. Attempted to win light heavyweight title from Joey Maxim in 1952, but was stopped in the 14th round. Born Walker Smith in Ailey, Ga. Was the most complete boxer yet to grace the squared circle. Lost just one of first 123 fights, to Jake LaMotta, a defeat avenged five times in a classic ring rivalry. A near-perfect pugilist at welterweight, was less dominant at middleweight, but was still able to win the title five times, including three times after he had retired for two and a half years. Only stoppage defeat was when challenging Maxim for light heavyweight crown, and then was leading on points until overcome by heat so extreme that it had forced the replacement of the referee in the 10th.
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| Muhammed Ali |
Heavyweight
First to win heavyweight championship of the world three times. Was banned from the ring for three years for refusing induction into the armed forces during the Vietnam War. After ban was lifted, lost to Joe Frazier in "Fight of the Century" in 1971, but stunned George Foreman to regain belt in 1974. Lost title to, and regained it from, Leon Spinks in 1978. Three of defeats came in last four bouts, including two in an ill-advised emergence from retirement, against Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, at 38. Transcended the sport unlike any other boxer. Reinvented the way heavyweights were supposed to fight, deploying a speed and athleticism that was previously unheard of; also alternately bedazzled and appalled America and the world with charisma, showmanship and braggadocio. Viewed progressively over the years as loudmouth, villain, hero and finally a figure of pathos. Remains for many the definition of a champion.
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| Thomas Hearns |
Welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, cruiserweight
With freakish power and an occasionally suspect chin, seemed destined to either knock out or be knocked out in many of his big fights. Won WBA welterweight title with two-round stoppage of Pipino Cuevas in 1980, but failed in unification attempt with WBC champ Sugar Ray Leonard in 1981; leading on points through 12, was knocked down in the 13th and stopped in 14th. Bounced back to win WBC junior middleweight title from Wilfred Benitez in 1982; in second defense, starched Roberto Duran in the second round. Was knocked out in three by Marvin Hagler in thrilling attempt to lift middleweight crown in 1985. Stopped Dennis Andries to win WBC light heavyweight title in March 1987, then dropped back down to middleweight to claim vacant WBC belt. Lost title in shocking three-round knockout at hands of Iran Barkley in June 1988, but came back to score draw in June 1989 rematch with Leonard most observers thought he won. Retired after loss through injury to Uriah Grant in cruiserweight fight in 2000, but staged two-fight comeback in 2005 and 2006.
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| Mike Tyson |
Heavyweight
Knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round in November 1986 to become youngest heavyweight champion in history. Intimidating demeanor and devastating two-fisted knockout power cowed many opponents into submission before the first bell. Tore through heavyweight ranks until being upended by 42-1 underdog James "Buster" Douglas in 1990. Comeback was derailed by a prison sentence for rape from 1992 to 1995. Regained WBC heavyweight belt from Frank Bruno and WBA belt from Bruce Seldon in 1996, but lost to Evander Holyfield in November of that year. Melted down in rematch, biting both of Holyfield's ears. Was beaten badly over eight rounds by Lennox Lewis in 2002. Quit on his stool after six rounds in his last fight, against Kevin McBride, in 2005.
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| Rocky Marciano |
Heavyweight
Only undefeated heavyweight world champion in history and one of the most popular and iconic American athletes of all time. Renowned for ferocious punch and tremendous heart. Won heavyweight championship with 13th-round knockout of Jersey Joe Walcott in September 1952. Made six defenses before retiring in 1956.
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| George Foreman |
Heavyweight
On Nov. 5, 1994, knocked out Michael Moorer in 10th round to become, at 45, oldest heavyweight champion in history, capping improbable career comeback. In first incarnation, was a sullen wrecking ball of a champion, wrenching heavyweight title from Joe Frazier after six knockdowns in two rounds in January 1973. Was shockingly outthought, outfought and upended by Muhammad Ali in the "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire in 1974. After losing to Jimmy Young in March 1977, retired to become a preacher, but returned to ring 10 years later, to initial derision. Fought four more times after defeating Moorer before retiring for good after suffering points defeat to Shannon Briggs in a bout most people thought he won.
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| Sugar Ray Leonard |
Welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight
Olympic gold medalist won WBC welterweight world title with 15th-round stoppage of Wilfred Benitez in November 1979, only to shockingly lose title to Roberto Duran seven months later. Defeated Duran in rematch in the famous "No Mas" bout. Beat Ayub Kalule in 1981 to add WBA 154-pound title before dropping belt to focus on welterweight crown. Unified titles with dramatic 14th-round stoppage of WBA titlist Thomas Hearns in September 1981. Retired in November 1982 after surgery for detached retina. After comeback bout against Kevin Howard in May 1984, retired again after being disgusted with performance. Emerged from retirement to upset "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler to win middleweight crown in 1987. Defeated Donny Lalonde in November 1989 bout that was for both super middleweight and light heavyweight titles. Last two fights were ill-advised comebacks that resulted in defeats: against Terry Norris in 1991 and Hector Camacho in 1997.
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| Floyd Mayweather |
Junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight
Has greater potential than anyone on this list to rise or fall. Blessed with tremendous natural ability, but also a skilled technician. Won WBC 130-pound title with stoppage of Genaro Hernandez in 18th pro fight. Added WBC lightweight belt in 2002, and junior welterweight belt in 2005. Defeated Carlos Baldomir to become welterweight champion last year. Won split decision against Oscar De La Hoya to annex WBC super welterweight crown.
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| Marvin Hagler |
Middleweight
First attempt to win world title came up short when held to draw against Vito Antuofermo in November 1979. In following September, did win title by stopping Alan Minter in three. Defended title successfully 12 times, winning first seven bouts by knockout (including rematch with Antuofermo). Resisted strong challenge over 15 rounds from Roberto Duran in November 1983, and knocked out Thomas Hearns in the third round of one of the most intense and exciting title fights in living memory, in April 1985. Retired after suffering controversial points defeat to underdog Sugar Ray Leonard in April 1987.
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| Joe Frazier |
Heavyweight
Four losses came to two opponents. One of three greatest heavyweights in perhaps greatest heavyweight generation ever. Claimed world title during Muhammad Ali's suspension for refusing the draft, but many regarded Ali as true champion. Met Ali on March 8, 1971, in "Fight of the Century"; Frazier floored Ali in 15th to cement unanimous points victory. Lost title to George Foreman in 1973, and lost on points to Ali in non-title bout the following year. Fought Ali in 1975 a third time in the "Thrilla in Manila," widely regarded as greatest heavyweight title bout of all time. Ali retained title when Frazier's trainer Eddie Futch stopped contest after 14 brutal rounds. Retired after losing again to Foreman in 1976, but came back briefly in 1981, scoring a draw with Jumbo Cummings.
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| Roberto Duran |
Lightweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight
Won lightweight championship from Ken Buchanan in 1972. Snarling, unstoppable ring monster dominated lightweight division for seven years, and then outhustled Sugar Ray Leonard to become welterweight champ in 1980. Quit in the rematch with Leonard five months later. At 32, destroyed Davey Moore to win a junior middleweight belt in 1983, and fought bravely against Marvin Hagler five months later. In 1984, was felled, flat on his face, by Tommy Hearns inside two rounds. In the 21st year of professional career, improbably won a middleweight belt by beating Iran Barkley in 1989.
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| Willie Pep |
Featherweight
Two-time world featherweight champion renowned for legendary defensive skills. Achieved tremendous success despite suffering near-fatal injuries in a plane crash in 1947. Legend that says he once won a round without throwing a punch (he almost certainly did not) is testament to defensive wizardry of "Will o' the Wisp." Won first 63 bouts before losing to Sammy Angott, and then went 72-0-1 before losing again, to Sandy Saddler. Only Saddler was ever truly able to figure him out, winning three of four times in bouts that were frequently brutal and foul-filled.
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| Randolph Turpin |
Middleweight, Light Heavyweight
Better known as the Randy Turpin, was an English boxer who was considered by some to be Europe's best middleweight boxer of the 1940s and 1950s. Turpin became an instant national hero.Then world middleweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson travelled to London and, on 10 July 1951, risked his title against Turpin, who won the world title by beating Robinson on a 15-round decision. His win over Robinson gave him such celebrity that even many people who were not boxing fans knew who he was.
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| Jem Mace |
Middleweight
Made his debut in 1857 and, in 1861, he won the title of Champion of England by defeating Sam Hurst at Medway Island, Kent He successfully defended it in 1862 against Tom King. In 1869 he relocated to the USA where prizefighting was still flourishing. He toured with the celebrated American boxer John C Heenan giving exhibitions of glove boxing. In 1870 he defeated Tom Allen. He defended his title twice against another American Joe Coburn in 1871. He returned to England. In 1876, he was back in America, this time as a glove boxer and, in a historic early clash under Queensbury rules, he defeated Bill Davis at Viginia City, Nevada.
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