Top 10 boxing heavyweight greats of all-time

(Original Caption) Louis wins by technical knockout in eighth round. New York City: As Champion Joe Louis blocks with his shoulders, Challenger Arturo Godoy misses a right to his face during their title fight in the Yankee Stadium, June 20th. Louis won by a technical knockout in the eighth round. /

8 of 12

(Original Caption) 7/19/1921- Here is James J. Jeffries as he appeared at the height of his career. On June 9, 1899, at Coney Island, New York, he beat Bob Fitzsimmons in 11 rounds. In a return engagement July 25, 1902, he knocked Bob out in an eight round battle at San Francisco. /

5. James J. Jeffries (19-1-2, 16 KOs)

There are a lot of old-time boxing greats that casual fans do not know. John L. Sullivan, Bob Fitzsimmons, James J. Corbett, and Jack Johnson are a few that deserve lasting immortality, but James J. Jeffries was the best of them all.

Some might think that’s a dubious claim considering he lost his last bout to Jack Johnson in 1910 which promoter Tex Rickard billed as the “Fight of the Century.” This fight will always claim an infamous spot in boxing history because it’s a sad reminder of a morally corrupt U.S. This bout was symbolic of racism in the U.S. and showed an ugly side of U.S. history.

Jeffries came out of retirement after six years to fight Jack Johnson. Jeffries was disgustingly referred to as the “Great White Hope,” as racists all over the country hoped to see Jeffries regain the heavyweight title from Johnson who was the first African American to win the heavyweight championship during an era of Jim Crow, racial segregation, and immense prejudice. Jeffries legacy is marred by the disgraceful circumstances surrounding his bout with Johnson.

At 35 years old, Jeffries was in no condition to box. He desperately out of shape. Jeffries had no chance against Johnson. Jeffries should have stayed retired but was lured to the ring by money.

Outside of his fight with Johnson, Jeffries career was sterling. He fought his first professional bout in 1895 at the age of 20. In 1898, Jeffries demolished the excellent Peter Jackson in just three rounds.

He went on to defeat Tom Sharkey twice and handed a pair of losses to Bob Fitzsimmons and James J. Corbett. Jackson, Sharkey, Corbett, and Fitzsimmons are all Hall-of-Famers, and Jeffries dominated them all, which is why he is number five on our list.

Home/Boxing