Records are meant to be broken, but some of them are on such a level that no one can even come near them. In sports like Football, Basketball, Cricket and more, there are tons of records and some of them have been broken by extraordinary players. But if we talk about boxing, some records are extremely impossible to reach. Whether it involves setting the record for most consecutive wins or longest championship reigns, these accomplishments always highlight the skills of boxers. Let’s have a look at those incredible boxers who set exceptional records in the world of boxing that will probably never be broken.
10. Manny Pacquiao- World Titles in 8 Different Divisions
Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest professional boxers of all time. He has not only made a big name in the boxing world but in basketball and entertainment too. During his boxing career, “PacMan” achieved the remarkable distinction of being the only fighter to claim a major world title in eight different classes. His journey began as a flyweight, and he continued to move up through the weight classes, winning titles in Featherweight, Super Featherweight, Bantamweight, Super Bantamweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight, Welterweight, and Light Middleweight.
9. Muhammad Ali – Three-time lineal champion
The legendary boxer Muhammad Ali is the only three-time lineal champion in the history of heavyweight boxing. He achieved this triumph with victories over Sonny Liston, George Foreman, and Leon Spinks. For those who don’t know, Lineal championship is defined by a fighter defeating the reigning champion in a match at a specific weight class. Due to the disagreements over the continuity and definition of lineal championships, Ali’s accomplishment is a remarkable and possibly unbreakable feat in the boxing world.
8. Bernard Hopkins – Oldest World Champion
On May 21, 2011, Bernard Hopkins created history by defeating Jean Pascal to win the WBC/The Ring light-heavyweight championship. By scoring this victory, Hopkins became the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a major title. At the age of 46 years, 4 months and 6 days, “The Executioner” surpassed the previous record held by George Foreman, who had won the world title by defeating Michael Moorer at the age of 45 years and 10 months. Hopkins continued to defy age and broke his own record in 2013 by defeating Tavoris Cloud and winning the IBF Light Heavyweight title.
7. Wilfred Benitez – Youngest World Champion
Wilfred Benitez holds the record for being the youngest world champion in boxing history. He accomplished this historic feat at just the age of 17. This is definitely an unbreakable record, as in many countries, the minimum age for a professional fighter is now set at 18 years. When Benitez was just 17, he challenged the 30-year-old WBA Light Welterweight Champion, Antonio Cervantes. Wilfred created history on March 6, 1976, by not only defeating Cervantes for the welterweight title but also becoming the youngest world champion.
6. Vic Toweel – Most knockdowns in a world title bout
On December 2, 1950, Vic Toweel sent Danny O’Sullivan to the canvas 14 times in a 10-round bout. So Toweel holds the record for scoring the most knockdowns in a boxing match for a world title. There is a very rare chance of this record getting broken because, in the modern era of boxing, the three-knockdown rule is implemented and a more cautious approach is taken when a boxer suffers significant punishment.
5. Henry Armstrong – Held three world titles simultaneously
Henry Armstrong is the only fighter in boxing history to hold three titles simultaneously in three different divisions. First, in 1937, he defeated Petey Saron to capture the featherweight world title. The following year, Henry defeated Barney Ross for the welterweight world title and in his next bout in 1938, he claimed the light world title as well after defeating Lou Embers. In the modern era of boxing, there is a mandatory defense schedule that requires a boxer to defend titles in each division at least once every nine months, so it is definitely impossible for a contemporary boxer to repeat such a feat.
4. Tony Canzoneri – Shortest Reign as a world champion
On April 30, 1933, Tony Canzoneri defeated Battling Shaw and won the Light-Welterweight title. However, he held the title for just 33 days, making the record for the shortest reign of any world champion in history. He lost the title to Barney Ross in a majority decision. Despite this bizarre record, Canzoneri was a three-division world champion and ranked among the great boxers.
3. Len Wickwar – Most verified professional bouts
Len Wicker holds the record of having most verified professional bouts and most wins among all boxers. He compiled an extraordinary record of 342 wins, 86 losses, and 43 draws from the year 1928 to 1947. In an era where even the most active fighters usually accumulate around 100 fights in their career, Len’s remarkable record stands as a testament to his longevity and durability in the ring.
2. Billy Bird – Most Knockouts in a boxing career
Billy Bird holds the record for most knockout wins in the history of boxing. He accomplished 139 knockouts in his 356 professional bouts during the 20th century. In the modern boxing era, it is unusual for fighters to accumulate so many fights, let alone knockouts. There is a very unlikely chance that any boxer would even come close to Bird’s record.
1. Joe Gans vs. Battling Nelson – Longest World Title Bout
Joe Gans and Battling Nelson etched their names in the history of boxing by engaging in the longest boxing match. On September 6, 1906, their epic fight lasted an astonishing 42 rounds for two hours and forty-eight minutes. However, this contest took place under different rules as compared to modern boxing. In today’s era, the rules limit the fight duration and rounds to 36 minutes and 12 rounds. Given this restriction, the record set by Gans and Nelson will always be unbreakable.
Also Read: List Of 10 Must Watch Documentaries For Boxing Fans
