Sports Illustrated announced that it’s Legacy Award and next cover will be dedicated to the great Muhammad Ali. The award moving forward will be known as Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. An honor for a man that has been inspirational, who fought hard in the ring and continues to fight a battle against Parkinson’s.
Today at Shughal, we would like to take a moment and not only honor a great boxer such as Muhammad Ali, but other boxers, the legendary fighters, who went pound to pound in the boxing arena.
In no particular order here is our list of boxing legends:
1. Muhammad Ali
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” that was his motto. One of the best entertainers in the boxing arena from 1960-1981. Outspoken and an inspiration, he had 56 wins, 37 knockouts and only five losses.
2. Sugar Ray Robinson
Muhammad Ali always said Sugar was the greatest of boxers. Robinson was a sight to see in the square ring from 1940-1965. He had 173 wins, with 109 knockouts, six draws and two no contest matches, the man was just incredible.
3. Joe Louis
Joe was nicknamed the “Brown Bomber”, an American idol. Joe won 66 matches, 52 knockouts and only three losses.
4. Mike Tyson
The youngest boxer to win the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship. This powerful boxer’s era was from 1985 – 2005 during which, he won 50 matches, 44 which were knockouts and lost 6.
5. Sugar Ray Leonard
An amazing boxer who was the first to earn more than $100 million in purses. He won 36 matches, 25 knockouts, with one draw and only three defeats
6. Julio Cesar Chavez
The Mexican legend that had no losses for a decade. Julio’s era was from 1980-2005 during which he had 107 wins, out of which 80 were knockouts and lost only six matches.
7. Oscar De La Hoya
He won 10 world championships and was called the “The Golden Boy”. He won 39 matches of which 30 were knockouts and six losses.
8. Willie Pep
Willie was the ultimate boxer from 1940-1966, he had 229 wins 65 of them were knockouts.
9. Rocky Marciano
The undefeated heavyweight champion, with 49 wins, 43 knockout wins and no losses. He boxed from 1948-1955.
10. Henry Armstrong
He had a total of 150 wins. 100 of those wins were knockout wins. An incredible boxer, he graced the square ring from 1931-1945.
What would your list be for the best boxers?
