From Fighting Carpenter to Blacksmith and Intellectual: Top British Boxers of All Time
Who Never Lost? Who got more knockouts? The list of the best of the best.
If you’re looking to invite criticism, compile a “best of” list. It doesn’t matter if it’s about films, books, or—like in our case—British boxers. Agreed-upon criteria simply don’t exist. After all, even Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali are often missing from some lists of the greatest fighters of all time.
Long before MMA or Conor McGregor, who topped Forbes’ list of the richest athletes in 2021, boxing had already combined sport and entertainment. We’ve compiled our overview from the lists of two distinguished publications that value different aspects of the "noble art." And of course we added our own perspective and attitude.
Our first source is “Boxing News”, the oldest and one of the most respected boxing publications. Think about it: its first issue came out when Agatha Christie wasn’t even 20. Recently, the magazine released a special edition dedicated to the top 100 British boxers, with ranking criteria based on titles, level of competition, career longevity, and fighting style.
The second source is “The Telegraph”. Published since the 19th century, this outlet provides a more journalistic approach, making it equally intriguing. Here, popularity, cultural impact, worldwide recognition, and the number of high-profile fights are prioritized.
One thing both lists agree on is the exclusion of active athletes. However, we couldn’t ignore two of the most talked-about modern British heavyweights, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Don’t worry, though; they’re outside the main ranking!
Tyson Fury
Record: 34-1-1 (24 knockouts)
The "Gypsy King" might not resemble Brad Pitt from Snatch, but otherwise, he seems like a character right out of a Guy Ritchie film. Bold and outspoken, he talks a big game but consistently backs it up. When he promised to bring the title back to Britain and outbox Wladimir Klitschko, he delivered. Standing tall at 6’9”, he wore down his opponent with feints, movement, and head slips. This was Klitschko’s first loss in 11 years, and Fury achieved a historic feat for Britain by unifying the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles, an accomplishment no other British heavyweight had reached before.
Fury has held the WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles multiple times, and he’s been his own best promoter. A perfect example is when he vowed to “chop down” the undefeated Deontay Wilder:
And he did just that, handing Wilder his first career loss and ending his five-year reign as WBC champion. In their second bout, Fury’s punches left Wilder’s corner no choice but to throw in the towel, marking Fury as the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years.
Opinions on Fury are mixed, especially after his loss to Usyk, when the "winner’s immunity" rule no longer applied. Some even point to his knockout rate of around 70% as average. Yet, Fury stands out as more than just a champion and a talented boxer—he’s a man of iron will. In 2016, he briefly left boxing amid doping controversies and personal struggles, famously throwing one of his belts into the toilet. However, he returned, reclaimed his title, and joined the elite 10% of heavyweight champions who have managed such a comeback.
If anyone can stage a comeback, it’s Fury. He’s never lost two fights in a row, and, until his first match against Usyk, had remained unbeaten.
Anthony Joshua
Record: 28-4 (25 knockouts)
"Quadzilla," as Joshua has dubbed himself since building an impressive physique, is undoubtedly a great athlete. A former world champion holding the IBF, WBA, WBO, and IBO titles, Joshua regularly ranks among the top ten heavyweights globally, according to The Ring and BoxRec. He's even been awarded the Order of the British Empire, joining esteemed ranks that include members of the royal family, like King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Despite his accolades, something always seems to hold him back from becoming the definitive champion. Both of his major records are noteworthy but not unique. He’s the second heavyweight after Joe Frazier to win a professional championship while still an Olympic heavyweight champion. He's also the second British heavyweight to become a world champion after an Olympic win, following Lennox Lewis.
This background sets the stage for Joshua's recent loss to Daniel Dubois, which didn’t shock many. In the fight, Dubois landed 91 of 230 punches (46%) with 27 being high-impact, compared to Joshua’s 60 of 139 punches (48%) with 16 high-impact. Dubois knocked Joshua down four times before finishing the fight in the fifth round, echoing flashbacks of Joshua’s earlier defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr., who knocked down the champion-athlete four times.
In rematches, Joshua’s record is split—he defeated Ruiz but lost to Usyk. Given how decisively Dubois shook Joshua in their initial encounter, it's unsurprising that Joshua enters their upcoming rematch as the clear underdog.
8th Place: Chris Eubank
Record: 45-5-2 (23 knockouts)
Chris Eubank's rivalry with fellow Britons Nigel Benn and Michael Watson marked a golden era for British boxing in the 1990s. He held the WBO middleweight and super-middleweight titles from 1990 to 1995 and is recognized by BoxRec as the third-best British super-middleweight boxer of all time.
Eubank maintained his world champion status for over five years and remained unbeaten throughout his first decade as a professional, boasting an immaculate record in the middleweight division. However, his significance extends beyond the ring; he embodied a cultural phenomenon, dressing like a quintessential upper-class figure and appearing on reality television. In surveys for the most eccentric public figure, he was only outdone by Björk.
Inside the ring, he was known for his resilience, earning the nickname "The Dark Destroyer." In his WBC middleweight title fight against Nigel Benn, he absorbed 90 punches and endured intense pressure until the fourth round. Eubank turned the tide of the fight with a few successful hooks, ultimately winning by unanimous decision.
7th Place: Joe Calzaghe
Record: 46-0 (32 knockouts)
Joe Calzaghe is one of the few fighters to have defeated Chris Eubank, even knocking him down early in their bout. Often regarded as the most underrated boxer in the world, his name may not be the first that comes to mind when discussing the greatest fighters. However, the Welshman is the most awarded British boxer of all time.
He held the world championship title in the super middleweight division for over 10 years, from 1997 to 2008, initially with the WBO before unifying it with the IBF, WBA, and WBC titles. In 2008, Calzaghe moved up to light heavyweight and won the WBA world championship. He defended his super middleweight title 21 times, a record in that weight class, earning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2007.
Calzaghe retired undefeated, and his final fight against the legendary Roy Jones Jr. was highly publicized. His preparations were mired in controversy, especially after he parted ways with promoter Frank Warren. It was revealed that Warren had pressured Calzaghe into signing unfavorable contracts while he was starving and dehydrated for weigh-ins. Despite being knocked down in the first round by Jones, Calzaghe quickly regained his composure, leveled the fight, and was ahead on all judges' scorecards by the time Jones suffered a cut that ended the match.
6th Place: Henry Cooper
Record: 40-14-1 (27 knockouts)
Henry Cooper's achievements in British boxing established an exceptional standard, unmatched by any compatriot during or after his era. Throughout his 17-year professional career from 1954 to 1971, Cooper secured 40 victories in 55 matches, with 27 wins by knockout and one draw. His dominance in the British heavyweight scene is highlighted by his unprecedented three Lonsdale belts, awarded for three consecutive British heavyweight title wins. He also held the European and Commonwealth titles and maintained the British title for impressive 11 years.
Cooper's final match, a controversial defeat against Joe Bugner on March 16, 1971, sparked debate among fans and critics, many of whom felt he was denied victory. The points decision by referee Harry Gibbs at Wembley Stadium resulted in Cooper losing all three of his titles, turning the bout into one of the most discussed fights in British boxing history.
Perhaps most famously, Cooper almost knocked out Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) in a 1963 fight, sending Ali to the canvas with a powerful left hook. Following this incident, Ali's corner engaged in some strategic maneuvering. Before Cooper was ultimately stopped due to a cut in the fifth round, Ali’s trainer, Angelo Dundee, admitted to adjusting loose stitches on Ali's glove, extending the round break by six seconds while they pretended to search for a replacement.
5th Place: Bob Fitzsimmons
Record: 50-8-5 (44 knockouts)
The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries was a remarkable period filled with extraordinary events and countless records in boxing history, many of which belong to the legendary Bob Fitzsimmons. In photographs, he may appear awkward with skinny legs hidden under woolen tights, a slender torso, and forearms reminiscent of Popeye the Sailor. Yet, it was within those arms that he possessed incredible knockout power, developed during his years as a blacksmith in his youth. While Fitzsimmons may not have boasted a knockout percentage near 100 like Arthur Beterbiev, the fact that only 6 of his 50 victories came by decision is quite impressive.
Fitzsimmons was often described as having “lightweight legs, a middleweight torso, and heavyweight arms.” Embracing his unusual physiology, Bob conquered three weight classes simultaneously—a feat hard to imagine in today’s boxing landscape. Consider Canelo Álvarez dropping down to fight Devin Haney only to later face Oleksandr Usyk. It raises the question of what odds bookmakers would offer for Álvarez in that scenario. Notably, Fitzsimmons was considered an underdog in his heavyweight title bout against the great "Gentleman Jim" Corbett with odds of 10/6.
Fitzsimmons seemed unconcerned with weight, regularly facing opponents weighing over 100 kilograms while he weighed between 72 to 77 kilograms. One notable adversary, "Big" Millard Zender, tipped the scales at nearly 140 kilograms but fell in the very first round.
Fitzsimmons even holds a place in the Guinness World Records as the lightest heavyweight champion in history. However, he faced challenges in securing a title shot; James Corbett's representatives avoided the fight for two years, fearing the title might leave the United States. Ultimately, Fitzsimmons had to accept U.S. citizenship to get his chance at the crown. The bout itself was historic: Corbett led on points for 14 rounds thanks to his technical superiority until Ruby Bob landed a devastating blow to Corbett's solar plexus, leaving the champion unable to rise before the count ended. Thus, Britain gained its first (and for the next century, only) undisputed heavyweight champion.
4th Place: Ted "Kid" Lewis
Record: 191-32-78 (77 knockouts)
While we felt for Ken Buchanan with his nearly 70 fights, what can we say about Ted Lewis? With 301 bouts under his belt, it raises the question: is that even legal? Although Lewis doesn’t reach the heights of Len Wickwar’s 467 fights, his record still seems surreal for a fighter of his caliber. This was during the early 20th century when not all bouts were meticulously documented. For instance, it remains unclear whether Lewis was 21 or 22 when he became one of the youngest world champions in the welterweight division.
Of course, Lewis's greatness is not solely measured by the number of fights he had. He rightfully earned the title of the welterweight king of his time, winning everything available on his home turf and becoming the European champion. In 1915, he became the first British fighter (while retaining his citizenship) to cross the Atlantic and claim the world championship title from the American Jack Britton, known as the "Boxing Marvel," thereby igniting one of the greatest rivalries in boxing history.
Over six years, these fierce rivals faced each other 20 times, spanning 224 rounds. It’s said that at one point, both boxers would involuntarily shrug their shoulders upon hearing each other's names. Despite this intense rivalry, only one of their fights ended in a knockout; Britton knocked Lewis out in the ninth round of their bout in March 1919. Although the rivalry concluded with Lewis on the losing end, his years in America transformed his fighting style from defensive to aggressive. This shift allowed him to capture the European title in the middleweight division after returning from overseas.
Ted Lewis was an incredible sports longevity, continuing to box until 1925, leaving Britain forever thankful to an unassuming police officer who advised the young Lewis to join a boxing club after witnessing him in a street fight.
3rd Place: Jimmy Wilde
Record: 131-3-1 (98 knockouts)
Now we turn to the king of the flyweight division. Wilde himself claimed to have fought around 800 bouts throughout his career, making him a record-holder. While we can't confirm or deny his statement, boxing historians agree that the actual number of his fights was likely much higher than what's documented in official records, such as those cited by Boxrec.
Known as "The Mighty Atom," Wilde worked in a mine during his youth, often squeezing into spaces where no adult could fit. His agility and mobility, combined with his devastating knockout power, became his trademarks in professional boxing. Some sources credit him with 98 knockouts, while others suggest 99. Regardless, according to The Ring, he ranks among the top three greatest punchers in history—quite a feat compared to Mike Tyson, who has about half that number.
At the very start of his career, Wilde embarked on an unbeaten streak that could have continued indefinitely had he not rushed back into the ring before fully recovering from the flu. Still, he achieved an impressive 103 consecutive fights without a loss, which remains an all-time record.
Between 1915 and 1916, he turned the boxing world upside down. A series of 16 consecutive knockout victories led him to first capture the British flyweight title, and then he became the World Flyweight Champion—historically, the first to do so. In his title fight, he defeated Young Zulu Kid (real name Giovanni LaBarba), and as you might guess, he secured victory by knockout. For seven out of the twelve years of his career, Jimmy held both the National Sporting Clubs British flyweight title and the World Flyweight Championship. At one point, he even added the World bantamweight title to his accolades, although he did not knock out American Joe Lynch in their encounter. Notably, no one ever knocked out Lynch throughout his career.
2nd Place: Ken Buchanan
Record: 61-8 (27 knockouts)
Ken was born in 1945 in Edinburgh, in the Leith area famously depicted later by Irvine Welsh and Danny Boyle in Trainspotting. It was a tough time for lightweight fighters, who on average fought about 30% more bouts than today's boxers. Buchanan seemed eager to kickstart his career and quickly establish himself as a title contender. He fought in small sports clubs and hotel venues before eventually reaching the international stage.
In 1970, in Puerto Rico, the "Fighting Carpenter" defeated the legendary Panamanian Ismael Laguna in a grueling, sticky fight to capture the WBA and The Ring titles. British boxers hadn't won lightweight titles for 23 years prior to his victory. The following year, Buchanan endured a 15-round marathon against aggressive American-Mexican Ruben Navarro, claiming the WBC title.
He maintained distance, utilizing his signature jab to prevent his opponent from launching powerful combinations. Ultimately, the European school of boxing, emphasizing intelligence over raw power, triumphed over the American-Mexican style. Remarkably, Buchanan became Scotland's first undisputed world champion, as the IBF and WBO titles did not yet exist.
One of the greatest lightweights in history, Roberto Durán, recognized Buchanan for having the best jab, the best defense, the quickest legs, and the finest boxing skills. Unfortunately, it was Durán who handed Ken what is arguably the most unjust loss of his career.
As the bell signaled the end of the thirteenth round, Durán landed a punch that many believed struck Buchanan in the groin. This blow caused a rupture in a vein in Buchanan's right testicle, leading to his hospitalization. However, the referee deemed the punch legal and awarded the victory to Durán. The New York Times columnist Red Smith later remarked in his column:
1st Place: Lennox Lewis
Record: 41-2-1 (32 knockouts)
It's hard to keep track of all of Lennox's trophies, even though he's not the most decorated boxer in Britain. It's rare to find such unanimous agreement in the British sports community, perhaps because part of Lewis's greatness is shared with Canada and his historical homeland of Jamaica, where he retired.
Firstly, Lewis is celebrated for his remarkable transition from amateur to professional boxing, winning the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and then becoming an undisputed champion among professionals. He was the first British boxer to unify the WBC, IBF, and WBA titles. Secondly, Lennox is renowned as one of the smartest boxers in history—not just in terms of sports intelligence. He had a keen understanding of his abilities and knew when to step away. After defeating Vitali Klitschko in 2003 due to a cut, he realized that had the fight continued longer, he might not have retained his title. He retired at the peak of his glory. Only three boxers in history have retired as heavyweight champions: Gene Tunney, Rocky Marciano, and Lennox Lewis.
Of course, there will always be detractors who downplay the achievements of great athletes. Some claim that Lennox won the Olympics only because the Cubans boycotted the event. Yet Lewis silenced many of his critics in the ring, including a certain Mike Tyson, who was notorious for his threats.
Lennox Lewis solidified his greatness through two pivotal fights with Evander Holyfield. The first encounter, which was meant to unify their titles, ended in a highly controversial draw. Lewis outperformed Holyfield significantly, landing 348 punches to Holyfield's 130, with a total of 613 thrown compared to Holyfield’s 385. However, two out of three judges ruled it a draw.
In their rematch, Lewis's power shots and control led to a unanimous decision victory, with two judges scoring it 116–112 in his favor. This win granted him the undisputed heavyweight title and was seen by the public as a redemption, solidifying his legacy in the sport.
Another significant moment in Lewis's career was his fight against Mike Tyson, who infamously threatened to "eat Lewis's children." In the ring, Lewis dominated, leveraging his superior reach and technical skills to keep Tyson at bay, ultimately winning by knockout in the eighth round. The statistics highlighted Lewis's control of the fight: he landed 193 of 429 punches (45%) compared to Tyson's 49 of 211 (23%). Lewis's jab was particularly effective, landing over 120 times and neutralizing Tyson's offense. This bout generated approximately $112 million, setting pay-per-view records at the time.
