In no other sport is a won-loss record as important as it is in boxing. Boxers carry around their record like a career report card for everyone to see. When their names are listed, their record is listed right below it, a sort of calling to attention of the boxers’ triumphs and setbacks. In other individual sports, the participant’s record is not as visible or important. Wrestlers, tennis players, and others seem to escape this constant brandishing of their personal won-loss records, but not in boxing. Also, in no other sport is a loss less tolerated than in boxing. This wasn’t once the case, when boxers would often incur many losses before hitting their groove. Nowadays, a fighter with a handful of losses is relegated to the scrap heap. Here are some of the greatest boxers and their fight records. Keep in mind, these greats fought at a time when losses were a more-accepted part of the game, largely as a result of having fought many more fights. Sugar Ray Robinson Fight Record: Wins: 173 Losses: 19 Draws: 6 KOs: 108 The consensus greatest fighter of all time’s record is one to behold, especially when considering he lost 13 times after 1960, having turned pro all the way back in 1940. At one point, the legendary Sugar Man had a record of 128-1-2. He fought on far too long, therefore making his record a bit less sterling. The former Welterweight World Champion and five-time Middleweight World Champion defeated most worthwhile welterweights and middleweights over the course of two decades. Willie Pep Fight Record Wins: 229 Losses: 11 Draws: 1 Knockouts: 65 A few things jump out about the featherweight great’s phenomenal record. Only one draw in almost 250 fights is quite an anomaly and speaks towards Pep’s level of dominance. Only 11 losses is even more unbelievable when taking into account that Pep took at least a few dives in his career. He began his career at 62-0 and at one point in his championship reign; he had a lights-out record of 134-1-1. Muhammad Ali Fight Record Win: 56 Losses: 5 KOs: 37 While some fighters may have better records, very few had a more demanding schedule. Keeping in mind that Ali lost 3 of his last four fights, his record was an amazing 55-2 before losing his title in 1978. Winning 55 of 57 from 1960-1977, a very deep and dominant era of heavyweight boxing, is something to marvel at. He beat fellow Hall of Fame fighters Archie Moore, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and George Foreman. It doesn’t get any better than that. Rocky Marciano Fight Record Wins: 49 Losses: 0 KOs: 43 The former heavyweight great was no athletic marvel in the ring. He looked like he had two left feet at times, bled copiously, and today would be considered a small cruiserweight. What he did have was unparalleled will, toughness, physical strength, and stamina. It was enough to become the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. Some point to Rocky having fought in a weak era as evidence against his greatness. Hogwash. He cleaned out the division and retired without a compelling contender left in the top ten. Ricardo Lopez Fight Record Won: 51 Lost: 0 Draw: 1 KOs: 38 It’s been said often by experienced boxing observers that if they could be any boxer, they would choose Ricardo Lopez. The perfect fighting machine combined exquisite boxing skills with power and otherworldly toughness to a ten-year reign and a record that shows no losses over 52 fights. Fighting at 105 pounds for most of his career didn’t make him much of an attraction in the States, but “Finito” was as good of a fighter as you would want to see. Roberto Duran Fight Record Wins: 103 Losses: 16 KOs: 70 Duran fought professionally from 1968-2001, fighting in every division from bantamweight (118 lbs.) to light heavyweight (175 lbs.). He dominated the lightweight division for most of the 70’s, and when he moved up and relieved Sugar Ray Leonard of his welterweight title in 1980, he was sitting pretty with a record of 72-1. He was hot and cold from that point, but still went on to win two more world titles and showed he could still provide magic, even well into his 40’s. Gene Tunney Fight Record Wins: 66 Loss: 1 Draws: 1 KOs: 48 Tunney used a scientific approach to dominate the sport. He lost to middleweight legend Harry Greb in his only defeat, but avenged that defeat 3 times. Combine that with his two victories over legendary Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey, and Tunney’s record becomes even more impressive. Other Notable Fighters Records Joe Louis: 66-3 (52 KOs)… lost twice late in his career. The “Brown Bomber” reigned for over a dozen years. Julio Cesar Chavez: 106-7-2 (86 KOs)…undefeated in his first 90 fights. Duilio Loi: 115-3-8 (26 KOs)…unheralded Italian lost only once in his first 110 bouts, and beat legendary Carlos Ortiz 2 out of 3 times. Marvin Hagler: 62-3-2 (52 KOs)…avenged his only two early-career losses, then went on a long unbeaten streak before dropping a controversial decision to Ray Leonard in his final fight. Carlos Monzon: 87-3-9 (59 KOs)…Middleweight legend incurred many early-career draws in Argentina where draws are much more common. Whereas most fighters end their careers badly, Monzon went unbeaten in his final 81 fights! Eder Jofre: 72-2-4 (50 KOs)…Bantamweight and featherweight standout only lost to one opponent, fellow Hall of Famer Fighting Harada, during his nearly-20 year career. Archie Moore: 185-23-11 (131 KOs)…The “Mongoose” fought from 1935-1963, amassing more career knockouts than any fighter in history.
Posted on: Sat, 21 Jun 2014 15:41:26 +0000
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