All-time boxing greats: Top 5 best male boxers in history

1. Henry Armstrong (152-22-9, 101 KOs)

Henry Armstrong is a legend who doesn’t get nearly enough credit.

No one could have foreseen what Armstrong would become, especially since he lost four of his first five professional bouts.

Like Duran, Armstrong was a kinesthetic learner. He needed to experience situations in the ring to learn from them. Eventually, Armstrong would go on to be the first boxer in history to hold titles in three weight divisions at the same time.

Armstrong’s intelligence as a fighter needs to be applauded. He also possessed a rare combination of speed and power that made him an outlier.

Armstrong became a champion for the first time in 1937 by stopping Petey Sarron in six rounds to win the featherweight title. He would make his most significant impact on the sport as a welterweight.

Armstrong won the welterweight title in 1938 by defeating fellow great Barney Ross. He dropped down a division to challenge lightweight champion Lou Ambers, whom he defeated to earn his third concurrent title.

Lou eventually got his revenge, winning their rematch in 1939, but Armstrong continued to successfully defend his welterweight championship until losing to Fritzie Zivic in 1940.

Armstrong continued to box for another seven years but never won a championship again. He won most of his later contests and didn’t badly fade like so many other former champions. Armstrong deserves to be celebrated because of his unique accomplishments. He wasn’t blessed with size, but he could punch, box, and out-think most of his opponents.