Comparing boxers is a daunting task and without a doubt subjective. No two people will come up with the same list—which is part of the fun in my book. With that in mind, I’ve selected the ten greatest pound-for-pound white boxers – in my opinion – that ever laced up gloves.
So how do we determine what makes one boxer better than another one? For me, it comes down to a mix of different aspects like ringcraft, technique, career longevity, quality of opposition, titles won, and overall records.
So without further ado, these are my favorites:
- Willie Pep
- Rocky Marciano
- Roberto Duran
- Harry Greb
- Jack Dempsey
- Gene Tunney
- Julio Cesar Chavez
- Oscar De La Hoya
- Wladimir Klitschko
- Joe Calzaghe
Let’s take a look at them individually to see what makes these the best white pound-for-pound boxers.
10. Joe Calzaghe
Competed: from 1993 to 2008
Weight classes: Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight
Record: 46 Wins / 0 Losses / 0 Draws (32 KO)
Height: 6 ft 0 (183 cm)
Reach: 73 in (185 cm)
Championships: WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO, Ring magazine and lineal Super Middleweight titles, as well as the Ring Light Heavyweight title
Career
As a Super Middleweight Calzaghe holds the record of the division’s longest streak of world title defenses (21) and held the WBO world title for over a decade. Although he was not the slickest striker or the hardest puncher, Calzaghe separated himself through excellent ringcraft and a big heart.
While he was a reasonably big puncher at the beginning of his career, brittle hands – and the injuries that often follow as a result – forced Calzaghe to change his style to a more volume based approach.
He’s also one of the few long-reigning world champions that retired undefeated, at the age of 36—after his long-awaited bout against the legendary Roy Jones Jr.
The knock some people have on his title reign is that he faced a lot of the big names on his record when they were already on the decline. I don’t think that’s very fair since he actively chased these fights a long time before they came to fruition.
Most notable wins: Chris Eubank, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr.
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9. Wladimir Klitschko
Competed: from 1996 to 2017
Weight classes: Heavyweight
Record: 64 Wins / 5 Losses / 0 Draws (53 KO)
Height: 6 ft 6 (198 cm)
Reach: 81 in (206 cm)
Championships: WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, Ring magazine and lineal titles—all at Heavyweight
Career
At the end of a successful run as an amateur, Klitschko got his first worldwide recognition by claiming the gold medal as a Super Heavyweight at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He turned professional that same year.
His reign as a Heavyweight world champion – and his boxing style – can be divided into two distinct periods. Klitschko claimed his first major title (WBO) in October of 2000 by beating Chris Byrd. At this point in his career, the Ukraine native predominantly had a power-punching based style.
In 2003 he started working with Emmanuel Steward who was credited for transforming Klitschko’s aggressive style into a more defensive style from behind his jab. In that same period, he lost his title by an upset loss by ko to Corrie Sanders. Another ko loss followed this bout when he lost to Lamon Brewster in 2004.
His most successful campaign as a Heavyweight started in 2006 when he reclaimed a part of the Heavyweight championship (IBO and IBF) by beating Chris Byrd in a rematch. This was the start of a decade long domination of Heavyweight boxing. By now Klitschko perfected his defensive – but also somewhat dull – style that was based on movement and work behind the jab.
With his – for a Heavyweight – uncharacteristic movement Klitschko holds the longest continuous stretch as a Heavyweight champion of all time. wIt lasted a whopping 4,382 days, during which he won 25 title bouts against 23 opponents, a record in heavyweight history.
Most notable wins: Chris Byrd, Hasim Rahman, David Haye, Alexander Povetkin.
8. Oscar De La Hoya
Competed: from 1992 to 2008
Weight classes: Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight, Welterweight, Light Middleweight, Middleweight
Record: 39 Wins / 6 Losses / 0 Draws (30 KO)
Height: 5 ft 10.5 (179 cm)
Reach: 73 in (185 cm)
Championships: WBO Super Featherweight, WBO/IBF Lightweight, WBC Junior Welterweight, WBC Welterweight (2), WBA/WBC (2) Junior Middleweight, WBO Middleweight
The most dominant aspect of Oscar De La Hoya’s career wasn’t the fact he took on all comers and won 10 world titles in 6(!), different weight classes.
As stellar as his record may be, what set him apart from other boxers was his star power. He generated an – then record-breaking – amount of $700 million in pay-per-view revenue.
His style was characterized by constant pressure, moving in-and-out of range and a stinging jab. This enabled De La Hoya to take most of his opponents into deep waters and finish fights by sheer accumulative damage.
After his active career, De La Hoya founded Golden Boy Promotions in 2002. In this capacity, he still promotes fights in multiple disciplines of combat sports to this day.
Most notable wins: Pernell Whitaker, Julio César Chávez, Héctor Camacho.
7. Julio César Cháves
Competed: from 1980 to 2005
Weight classes: Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight, and Welterweight
Record: 107 Wins / 6 Losses / 2 Draws (86 KO)
Height: 5 ft 7.5 (171 cm)
Reach: 66.5 in (169 cm)
Championships: WBC Super Featherweight, WBA Lightweight, WBC Lightweight, WBC Light Welterweight (2), IBF Light Welterweight, The Ring Lightweight
Career
A true icon of boxing, Julio César Cháves started his career with an unbelievable 89-0-1 undefeated streak. Most people view Cháves as the best and most influential boxer Mexico has ever produced. That’s an accomplishment in itself, given the vast amount of talent Mexico has brought us through the decades.
His boxing style is often used as the best example of the “Mexican Style,” a combination of aggressive pressure fighting and usage of the left hook and right straight. Cháves combined this style with his legendary granite chin. But don’t get it twisted, Cháves was not just a brawler. He also possessed great footwork, excellent ringcraft, and was a master ring cutter.
Chávez set the record for the largest attendance for a boxing match: 132,274 during his 1993 win over Greg Haugen at the Estadio Azteca. He was listed by The Ring magazine as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer, from 1990 to 1993.
Most notable wins: Greg Haugen, Hector Camacho, Meldrick Taylor, Edwin Rosario.
6. Gene Tunney
Competed: from 1915 to 1928
Weight classes: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight
Record: 65 Wins / 1 Losses / 1 Draw (48 KO)
Height: 6 ft 0 (183cm)
Reach: 76 in (193 cm)
Championships: World Heavyweight
Career
In a time which most Heavyweight boxers were aggressive sluggers, Tunney was one of the first athletes to dominate fights with a more tactical and measured approach.
Boxing up his opposition predominantly behind his jab, Tunney was never defeated as a Heavyweight. His sole loss came by the hands of the legendary middleweight Harry Greb—a loss that he avenged with multiple victories over Greb.
Tunney is probably best known for beating the all-time great Jack Dempsey twice. In 1928 he became the first fighter ever to be elected Fighter of the Year by Ring Magazine.
Most notable wins: Jack Dempsey, Georges Carpentier, Harry Greb.
5. Jack Dempsey
Competed: from 1914 to 1927
Weight classes: Heavyweight
Record: 65 Wins / 1 Losses / 1 Draw (48 KO)
Height: 6 ft 0 (183cm)
Reach: 76 in (193 cm)
Championships: World Heavyweight, NBA (later WBA) Heavyweight
Career
At the beginning of the 20th century, Jack Dempsey was the face of boxing. “The Manassa Mauler” was as exciting to watch as any Heavyweight boxer you’ll come across. A highly aggressive style with a knockout threat from both hands, Dempsey remains one of the best Heavyweights ever.
He won the Heavyweight championship at age 24 with a 3rd round victory over Jess Willard and held onto it until Gene Tunney eventually beat him by decision. After he bounced back with a ko victory over Jack Sharkey, he lost the rematch with Tunney to retire as one of boxing’s greats.
Most notable wins: Jack Sharkey, Georges Carpentier, Luis Ángel Firpo.
4. Harry Greb
Competed: from 1914 to 1927
Weight classes: Welterweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight
Record: 261 Wins / 17 Losses / 19 Draw (48 KO)
Height: 5 ft 8 (173cm)
Reach: 71 in (180 cm)
Championships: World Middleweight
Harry Greb is nothing less than a true boxing legend. He had a bold, hyper-aggressive style that was just too much for most opponents to deal with. A combination of athleticism, ringcraft, and aggression led him to the World Middleweight championship.
Greb was not only fearless inside the ring, but he also took on every challenger that presented itself, often fighting and beating significantly heavier opponents. This is one of the reasons his record stands out.
Greb is also the only man ever to beat Heavyweight legend, Gene Tunney. He died at age 32 due to complications as a result of surgery to his nose and respiratory tract.
Most notable wins: Gene Tunney, Mickey Walker, Johnny Wilson.
3. Roberto Duran
Competed: from 1968 to 2001
Weight classes: Lightweight, Welterweight, Light Middleweight, Middle Weight
Record: 103 Wins / 16 Losses / 0 Draws (70 KO)
Height: 5 ft 7 (170cm)
Reach: 66 in (168 cm)
Championships: WBA and WBC Lightweight, WBC Welterweight, WBA Junior Middleweight, WBC Middleweight
Career
Roberto Duran, also known as “Manos de Piedra” (Hand of Stone) is widely considered to be the best Lightweight of all time. He is known for his aggressive, brawling style—which he usually combined with a lot of trash talk.
Duran fought every quality contender in his weight class and was not afraid to step up in weight. This led him to be part of the legendary “Fabulous Four.” His bouts with Leonard, Hearns, and Hagler are still considered as a part of the golden age of boxing.
He was the first man ever to beat the great Sugar Ray Leonard. The rematch between both men gave boxing fans arguably the most famous words in boxing history: “no mas.”
His career spans across five decades in which he amassed over 100 professional victories. He retired in 2001 as one of the all-time greats in boxing history.
Most notable wins: Sugar Ray Leonard, Esteban de Jesus, Iran Barkley, Davey Moore, Carlos Palomino
2. Rocky Marciano
Competed: from 1947 to 1955
Weight classes: Heavyweight
Record: 49 Wins / 0 Losses / 0 Draws (43 KO)
Height: 5 ft 10,5 (179cm)
Reach: 68 in (173 cm)
Championships: World Heavyweight
Career
The fact that Marciano is the only Heavyweight champion to retire undefeated should tell you enough about his career. Standing at only 5 ft 10,5 he remains one of the smaller champions in boxing history.
Despite his size, he was known for possessing tremendous power, great stamina and an overwhelming style of boxing. Some of his best weapons are an intelligent left hook, crushing overhand right and a granite chin.
Marciano has the highest knockout ratio of all Heavyweight champion. He finished 43 of his 49 bouts by ko, giving him a knockout percentage of 87.75.
Most notable wins: Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore
1. Willie Pep
Competed: from 1940 to 1966
Weight classes: Featherweight
Record: 229 Wins / 11 Losses / 1 Draws (65 KO)
Height: 5 ft 5 (165 cm)
Reach: 68 in (173 cm)
Championships: World Featherweight
Career
Lightning speed, fearlessness, and durability are some of the most memorable attributes Willie Pep had in his toolbox. With 229 wins on his record, Pep is seen by many as the best featherweight in boxing history.
Ring Magazine’s fighter of the year in 1945 dominated every single opponent in his weight class and held the title until Sandy Saddler beat him in 1948. A loss which he avenged in the rematch.
Because of his dominance, technique, and fearlessness, Willie Pep takes the number one spot of the pound-for-pound greatest white boxer of all time—at least in this list.
Most notable wins: Sandy Saddler, Chalky Wright, Willie Joyce, Manuel Ortiz
Hoya, Duran, and Chavez should not be eligible as they are not white. There has to be some European, and Russian fighters who should be on this list. Maybe Klitschko’s, Lomanchanko, Calzaghe, Triple G.
I think he knows that but considers them ‘white’. Being ‘hispanic’ means you have language, culture, and racial heritage deriving from the European country of Spain. Many Hispanic (not Native American/indigenous) Mexicans and South Americans self-proclaim themselves as white. Though de la Hoya, Durán, and Chávez probably have indigenous blood, they also most certainly have European blood as well. So, it depends on what you consider ‘white’. In many Mexican/South American countries, basically if you aren’t strongly native American (speak a native American language) nor are a descendant of Africa (e.g. Slave trade), then generally you are considered ‘white’. For example, GGG is half white half Korean (father Russian mother Korean). Is he considered white or Korean? Is Oscar de la hoya who probably has something like 70% Spanish and 30% Native American considered white or…? Also, Jack Dempsey was part Native American as well, so, because he is part native American though mostly irish, would that exclude him from the list?
White people only want to claim people like that when it is for greatness. None of those boxers consider themselves White.
Are you screwed?
I hate to say it but the only level of boxing dominated by black fighters is the heavyweight division #1. And thats due to a lack of other races participating not a lack of skill or a racism factor.
#2 all of these fighters do have caucasian ancestors obviously people don’t actually do research on the fighters they claim to know and dont know anything about there history’s.
Spain is Caucasian thats like saying italian is different or norst is different. They are all of European decent.
#3 during the 70s 80s and early 90s there were barely any white fighters as the white guys in the hood were using other means to make an income and black men felt that after all the fighting and the biggest civil rights movments of the 50s and 60s sports and boxing were there way of fighting to the top and making a name for themselves.
Its drive thru and thru
Most white guys in the lighter divisions are guys with a serious things to prove and fight with huge violence hence the domination by whites and Hispanics in the lighter divisions. Black fighters tend to aim for only the heavyweight divisions if they can to make the most money and make the biggest name for themselves its not racist its just how it goes.
Not to mention white fighters are on the rise in the heavyweight division again look at tyson fury for example he beat wilder like a bitch but the world still proclaimed wilder the winner.
Its sad but “racism itsself” its what makes people say crap like white people only take credit when or white people always. Like screw that.
Kind of like when black people claim famous or semi-famous scientists because they are 1/4, 1/8 or even just 1/16 black and the rest white? KYS you racist turd.
😂😂😂
Billy Conn should definitely be in that group; pound for pound. As well as: Benny Leonard and Carmen Basilio
Very much agree about Billy Conn! Light heavyweight champion that went up in weight WITHOUT gaining any additional weight, and damn near beat Joe Louis (who many regard as the best heavy weight of all time). He was well up on points before TRYING TO GO FOR THE KNOCKOUT (when he was at a huge weight disadvantage) and ending up getting knocked out himself. Very very underrated fighter, without a doubt.