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Ring Magazine fights of the year

 

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Ring Magazine fights of the year



 
 
Every year since 1945, The Ring
The Ring (magazine)

The Ring is an American boxing magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing and wrestling magazine. As the legitimacy of professional wrestling came more into question, The Ring shifted to becoming exclusively a boxing oriented publication....
magazine has named a fight as fight of the year, based on the magazine's writers' criteria. Here is a list of fights of the year as selected by The Ring:








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Every year since 1945, The Ring
The Ring (magazine)

The Ring is an American boxing magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing and wrestling magazine. As the legitimacy of professional wrestling came more into question, The Ring shifted to becoming exclusively a boxing oriented publication....
magazine has named a fight as fight of the year, based on the magazine's writers' criteria. Here is a list of fights of the year as selected by The Ring:

Fights of the year by decade


1920s

  • 1922 -- Harry Greb
    Harry Greb

    Harry Greb was a boxer. He was World Middleweight boxing Champion from 1923 to 1926 and American Light Heavyweight title holder 1922 - 1923. He fought a recorded 303 times in his 13 year-career, against the best opposition the talent-rich 1910's & 20's could provide him, frequently squaring off against light-heavyweights and even heavyweight...
     W 15 Gene Tunney
    Gene Tunney

    James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was the List of Heavyweight Champions from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927....
     I
  • 1923 -- Jack Dempsey
    Jack Dempsey

    Jack "Manassa Mauler" Dempsey was an United States boxing who held the List of heavyweight boxing champions from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history....
     KO 2 Luis Angel Firpo
  • 1924 -- Gene Tunney
    Gene Tunney

    James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was the List of Heavyweight Champions from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927....
     KO 15 Georges Carpentier
    Georges Carpentier

    Georges Carpentier was a France boxing. He fought mainly as a light heavyweight and heavyweight in a career lasting from 1908-26. Nicknamed the "Orchid Man", he stood 5 ft 11? in and his fighting weight ranged from 125 to 175 lb ....
  • 1925 -- Harry Greb
    Harry Greb

    Harry Greb was a boxer. He was World Middleweight boxing Champion from 1923 to 1926 and American Light Heavyweight title holder 1922 - 1923. He fought a recorded 303 times in his 13 year-career, against the best opposition the talent-rich 1910's & 20's could provide him, frequently squaring off against light-heavyweights and even heavyweight...
     W 15 Mickey Walker
  • 1926 -- Gene Tunney
    Gene Tunney

    James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was the List of Heavyweight Champions from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927....
     W 10 Jack Dempsey
    Jack Dempsey

    Jack "Manassa Mauler" Dempsey was an United States boxing who held the List of heavyweight boxing champions from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history....
     I
  • 1927 -- Gene Tunney
    Gene Tunney

    James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was the List of Heavyweight Champions from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927....
     W 10 Jack Dempsey
    Jack Dempsey

    Jack "Manassa Mauler" Dempsey was an United States boxing who held the List of heavyweight boxing champions from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history....
     II
  • 1928 -- Tommy Loughran
    Tommy Loughran

    Tommy Loughran was the light heavyweight boxing champion of the world.Loughran's effective use of coordinated foot work, sound defense and swift, accurate counter punching is now regarded as a precursor to the techniques practiced in modern boxing....
     W 15 Leo Lomski
  • 1929 -- Max Schmeling
    Max Schmeling

    Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a Germany boxing who was List of heavyweight boxing champions between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing and became worldwide social events because of their national associations....
     KO 9 Johnny Risko


1930s

  • 1930: Jack Kid Berg
    Jack Kid Berg

    Judah Bergman, known as Jack Kid Berg or Jackie Kid Berg , was an England boxing born in the East End of London....
     W 10 Kid Chocolate
    Kid Chocolate

    Eligio Sardi?as Montalvo , better known as Kid Chocolate, was a Cuban boxing who enjoyed wild success both in the boxing ring and in society life during a span of the 1930s....
     I
  • 1931: Max Schmeling
    Max Schmeling

    Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a Germany boxing who was List of heavyweight boxing champions between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing and became worldwide social events because of their national associations....
     KO 15 Young Stribling
    Young Stribling

    Young Stribling was a professional boxing in the Heavyweight division.He was the elder brother of fellow boxer Herbert Stribling....
  • 1932: Tony Canzoneri
    Tony Canzoneri

    Tony Canzoneri was an United States boxing who was born in the town of Slidell, Louisiana.Canzoneri, an Italian American, was one of the members of the exclusive group of boxing world champions who have won titles in three or more divisions....
     W 15 Billy Petrolle
    Billy Petrolle

    William Michael Petrolle was a world lightweight boxing title contender....
     II
  • 1933: Max Baer KO 10 Max Schmeling
    Max Schmeling

    Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a Germany boxing who was List of heavyweight boxing champions between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing and became worldwide social events because of their national associations....
  • 1934: Barney Ross
    Barney Ross

    Barney Ross, born Dov-Ber Rasofsky was a boxing. After his beloved father, a rabbi, dies in his arms after being shot in a robbery, Ross, a rabbinical student: loses his faith in God and abandons his studies; becomes a street brawler alongside his buddy Jack Ruby; goes to work for Al Capone; transforms himself into the first three weight-cla...
     W 15 Jimmy McLarnin
    Jimmy McLarnin

    James Archibald McLarnin, known as Jimmy McLarnin , was an Irish Canadian professional boxing who became two time List of welterweight boxing champions and an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee....
     I
  • 1935: Joe Louis
    Joe Louis

    Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was a List of Heavyweight Champions.Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, he is considered to be one of the greatest in boxing history....
     KO 4 Max Baer
  • 1936: Max Schmeling
    Max Schmeling

    Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a Germany boxing who was List of heavyweight boxing champions between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing and became worldwide social events because of their national associations....
     KO 12 Joe Louis
    Joe Louis

    Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was a List of Heavyweight Champions.Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, he is considered to be one of the greatest in boxing history....
     I
  • 1937: Joe Louis
    Joe Louis

    Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was a List of Heavyweight Champions.Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, he is considered to be one of the greatest in boxing history....
     W 15 Tommy Farr
    Tommy Farr

    Thomas George Farr was one of the most famous British people boxings of all time. Born in Clydach Vale, Wales and nicknamed "the Tonypandy Terror", he became List of British heavyweight boxing champions and Empire heavyweight champion on 15 March 1937....
  • 1938: Henry Armstrong
    Henry Armstrong

    Henry Jackson Jr. was a world boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong.The son of an African-American sharecropper and an Iroquois Native American, Henry Jr....
     W 15 Lou Ambers
    Lou Ambers

    Luigi Giuseppe d'Ambrosio, AKA Lou Ambers was a lightweight boxer who fought from 1932 to 1941.Managed by Al Weill and trained by Charley Goldman, the "Herkimer Hurricane", as he was known, began his career losing only once in more than three years when he faced future hall of fame lightweight champion Tony Canzoneri on May 10, 1935....
     I
  • 1939: Joe Louis
    Joe Louis

    Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was a List of Heavyweight Champions.Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, he is considered to be one of the greatest in boxing history....
     KO 11 Bob Pastor II


1940s

  • 1940: Ceferino Garcia
    Ceferino Garcia

    Ceferino Garcia was a champion boxing born in the Tondo, Manila, Manila, Philippines. His number of victories are the most ever achieved by a Philippine boxer....
     D 10 Henry Armstrong
    Henry Armstrong

    Henry Jackson Jr. was a world boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong.The son of an African-American sharecropper and an Iroquois Native American, Henry Jr....
     II
  • 1941: Joe Louis
    Joe Louis

    Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was a List of Heavyweight Champions.Nicknamed the Brown Bomber, he is considered to be one of the greatest in boxing history....
     KO 13 Billy Conn
    Billy Conn

    William David Conn , better known in the boxing world as Billy Conn, was a Light-Heavyweight boxing champion famed for his fights with Joe Louis....
     I
  • 1942: Willie Pep
    Willie Pep

    Guglielmo Papaleo was an United States boxing who was better known as Willie Pep. Pep fought a total of 242 bouts during his 26 year career, a considerable number of fights even for a fighter of his era....
     W 15 Chalky Wright
    Chalky Wright

    Chalky Wright was an Mexican-American featherweight boxer and world champion. He was born Albert Wright on February 10, 1912 in Durango, Mexico....
     I
  • 1943: Beau Jack
    Beau Jack

    Sidney Walker, better known as Beau Jack, , was an United States lightweight boxing, he was a world champion twice. One of the most popular fighters during the World War II, he headlined at Madison Square Garden on 21 occasions, a record that still stands....
     W 15 Bob Montgomery
    Bob Montgomery (boxer)

    Bob Montgomery was an American boxer from Philadelphia. He was born in Sumter, South Carolina.Bob Montgomery went undefeated in his first 23 fights, going 22-0-1 and winning the Pennsylvania State Lightweight Title....
     II
  • 1944: Bob Montgomery
    Bob Montgomery (boxer)

    Bob Montgomery was an American boxer from Philadelphia. He was born in Sumter, South Carolina.Bob Montgomery went undefeated in his first 23 fights, going 22-0-1 and winning the Pennsylvania State Lightweight Title....
     W 15 Beau Jack
    Beau Jack

    Sidney Walker, better known as Beau Jack, , was an United States lightweight boxing, he was a world champion twice. One of the most popular fighters during the World War II, he headlined at Madison Square Garden on 21 occasions, a record that still stands....
     III
  • 1945: Rocky Graziano
    Rocky Graziano

    Rocky Graziano, born Thomas Rocco Barbella in New York City , was an United States Boxing. Graziano was considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, often displaying the capacity to take his opponent out with a single punch....
     KO10 Red Cochrane
    Freddie 'Red' Cochrane

    Freddie 'Red' Cochrane, , was a professional boxing in the welterweight division who became World Champion in 1941 in that class. Cochrane was a resident of Union Township, Union County, New Jersey at the time of his death....
     I
  • 1946: Tony Zale
    Tony Zale

    Anthony Florian Zaleski was an United States boxing. Zale was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, a steel town, which gave him his nickname,"Man of Steel." In addition, he had the reputation of being able to take fearsome punishment and still rally to win, reinforcing that nickname....
     KO6 Rocky Graziano
    Rocky Graziano

    Rocky Graziano, born Thomas Rocco Barbella in New York City , was an United States Boxing. Graziano was considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, often displaying the capacity to take his opponent out with a single punch....
     I
  • 1947: Rocky Graziano
    Rocky Graziano

    Rocky Graziano, born Thomas Rocco Barbella in New York City , was an United States Boxing. Graziano was considered one of the greatest knockout artists in boxing history, often displaying the capacity to take his opponent out with a single punch....
     KO6 Tony Zale
    Tony Zale

    Anthony Florian Zaleski was an United States boxing. Zale was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, a steel town, which gave him his nickname,"Man of Steel." In addition, he had the reputation of being able to take fearsome punishment and still rally to win, reinforcing that nickname....
     II
  • 1948: Marcel Cerdan
    Marcel Cerdan

    Marcellin "Marcel" Cerdan was a France pied noir world boxing champion who was considered by many boxing experts and fans to be France's as well as Europe's greatest boxer, and beyond to be one of the best to have learned his craft in Africa....
     KO12 Tony Zale
    Tony Zale

    Anthony Florian Zaleski was an United States boxing. Zale was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, a steel town, which gave him his nickname,"Man of Steel." In addition, he had the reputation of being able to take fearsome punishment and still rally to win, reinforcing that nickname....
  • 1949: Willie Pep
    Willie Pep

    Guglielmo Papaleo was an United States boxing who was better known as Willie Pep. Pep fought a total of 242 bouts during his 26 year career, a considerable number of fights even for a fighter of his era....
     W15 Sandy Saddler
    Sandy Saddler

    Joseph "Sandy" Saddler was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 23, 1926, and died on September 18, 2001. He was a two-time featherweight world champion, and also held the junior lightweight crown....
     II


1950s

  • 1950: Jake LaMotta
    Jake LaMotta

    Giacobe LaMotta , better known as Jake LaMotta, nicknamed "The Bronx Bull" and "The Raging Bull", is a former boxing middleweight champion who was portrayed by Robert De Niro in the film Raging Bull....
     KO15 Laurent Dauthuille
    Laurent Dauthuille

    Laurent Dauthuille was a French people boxing. On September 13, 1950 he fought Jake LaMotta, a boxer he once bested by unanimous decision, for the world middleweight championship....
     II
  • 1951: Jersey Joe Walcott
    Jersey Joe Walcott

    Arnold Raymond Cream , better known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was a world heavyweight boxing champion. He broke the world's record for the oldest man to win the world's Heavyweight title when he earned it at the age of 37....
     KO7 Ezzard Charles
    Ezzard Charles

    Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former List of Heavyweight Champions of the world.He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Georgia , but is commonly thought of as a Cincinnati, Ohio....
     III
  • 1952: Rocky Marciano
    Rocky Marciano

    Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, with forty-three knockouts to his credit , remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to retire having won every fight in his professional career....
     KO13 Jersey Joe Walcott
    Jersey Joe Walcott

    Arnold Raymond Cream , better known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was a world heavyweight boxing champion. He broke the world's record for the oldest man to win the world's Heavyweight title when he earned it at the age of 37....
     I
  • 1953: Rocky Marciano
    Rocky Marciano

    Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, with forty-three knockouts to his credit , remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to retire having won every fight in his professional career....
     KO11 Roland La Starza
    Roland La Starza

    Roland La Starza is a retired United States Boxing and actor. Originally from the Bronx, La Starza fought 66 professional bouts from July 7, 1947 to May 8, 1961....
     II
  • 1954: Rocky Marciano
    Rocky Marciano

    Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, with forty-three knockouts to his credit , remains the only heavyweight champion in boxing history to retire having won every fight in his professional career....
     KO8 Ezzard Charles
    Ezzard Charles

    Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former List of Heavyweight Champions of the world.He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Georgia , but is commonly thought of as a Cincinnati, Ohio....
     II
  • 1955: Carmen Basilio
    Carmen Basilio

    Carmine Basilio, born April 2 1927 in Canastota, New York, better known in the boxing world as Carmen Basilio, is a former boxer of Italy-United States origin....
     KO12 Tony DeMarco
    Tony DeMarco

    Tony DeMarco is a legendary Boxing and world welterweight champion. He was born in Boston and grew up in that city's North End, Boston, Massachusetts community....
     II
  • 1956: Carmen Basilio
    Carmen Basilio

    Carmine Basilio, born April 2 1927 in Canastota, New York, better known in the boxing world as Carmen Basilio, is a former boxer of Italy-United States origin....
     KO9 Johnny Saxton
    Johnny Saxton

    Johnny Saxton was a professional boxing in the welterweight division.Saxton learned to box in a Brooklyn orphanage and had an amateur career winning 31 of 33 fights....
     II
  • 1957: Carmen Basilio
    Carmen Basilio

    Carmine Basilio, born April 2 1927 in Canastota, New York, better known in the boxing world as Carmen Basilio, is a former boxer of Italy-United States origin....
     W15 Sugar Ray Robinson
    Sugar Ray Robinson

    Sugar Ray Robinson was a professional boxer. Frequently cited as the greatest boxer of all time, Robinson's performances at the welterweight and middleweight divisions prompted sportswriters to create "pound for pound" rankings, where they compared fighters regardless of weight....
     I
  • 1958: Sugar Ray Robinson
    Sugar Ray Robinson

    Sugar Ray Robinson was a professional boxer. Frequently cited as the greatest boxer of all time, Robinson's performances at the welterweight and middleweight divisions prompted sportswriters to create "pound for pound" rankings, where they compared fighters regardless of weight....
     W15 Carmen Basilio
    Carmen Basilio

    Carmine Basilio, born April 2 1927 in Canastota, New York, better known in the boxing world as Carmen Basilio, is a former boxer of Italy-United States origin....
     II
  • 1959: Gene Fullmer
    Gene Fullmer

    Gene Fullmer is a former United States middleweight Boxing.Fullmer was born in West Jordan, Utah Utah and raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
     KO14 Carmen Basilio
    Carmen Basilio

    Carmine Basilio, born April 2 1927 in Canastota, New York, better known in the boxing world as Carmen Basilio, is a former boxer of Italy-United States origin....
     I


1960s

  • 1960: Floyd Patterson
    Floyd Patterson

    Floyd Patterson was an American 2-time List of Heavyweight Champions. At 21, Patterson was then the youngest man to win the world heavyweight championship and, later, the 1st to regain it....
     KO5 Ingemar Johansson
    Ingemar Johansson

    Jens Ingemar Johansson was a Swedish people Boxing and former List of Heavyweight Champions. He defeated Floyd Patterson to win the World Heavyweight Championship....
     II
  • 1961: Joe Brown
    Joe Brown (boxer)

    Joe Brown was an accomplished boxer who won the undisputed Lightweight Championship of the World in 1956, making 11 successful defences before losing his crown in his old age to Carlos Ortiz in 1962....
     W15 Dave Charnley
    Dave Charnley

    Dave Charnley was an English lightweight boxer and is considered to be one of the greatest British fighters in his weight class. Known as The Dartford Destroyer the left-handed Charnley had a 10 year career lasting from 1954 to 1964....
     II
  • 1962: Joey Giardello
    Joey Giardello

    Carmine Orlando Tilelli was an United States boxing who was the List of middleweight boxing champions from 1963 to 1965, and was better known by his professional pseudonym of Joey Giardello....
     W10 Henry Hank II
  • 1963: Cassius Clay
    Muhammad Ali

    Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....
     W10 Doug Jones
    Doug Jones (boxer)

    Doug Jones was an American Heavyweight Boxer....
  • 1964: Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali

    Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....
     KO7 Sonny Liston
    Sonny Liston

    Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was a professional boxing who became List of Heavyweight Champions in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round....
     I, see Muhammad Ali versus Sonny Liston
  • 1965: Floyd Patterson
    Floyd Patterson

    Floyd Patterson was an American 2-time List of Heavyweight Champions. At 21, Patterson was then the youngest man to win the world heavyweight championship and, later, the 1st to regain it....
     W12 George Chuvalo
    George Chuvalo

    George Louis Chuvalo, Order of Canada is a retired Canadian heavyweight boxing who was never knocked down in ninety-three professional fights between 1956 and 1979....
  • 1966: Jose Torres
    José Torres

    Jos? Torres, known as "Chegui", was a Puerto Rican people professional boxing. As an amateur boxer, Torres won a silver medal in the junior middleweight at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne....
     W15 Eddie Cotton
    Eddie Cotton

    Eddie Cotton was a former boxer. Cotton was a resident of Seattle, Washington until his death on June 25th, 1990 following a second liver transplant....
  • 1967: Nino Benvenuti
    Nino Benvenuti

    Giovanni Benvenuti , better known as Nino Benvenuti, is an Italy former Boxing who is considered by many, including noted boxing writer Brian Doogan, to be the greatest boxer ever from Italy....
     W15 Emile Griffith
    Emile Griffith

    Emile Alphonse Griffith is a former boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who won world championships in both the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions....
     I
  • 1968: Dick Tiger
    Dick Tiger

    Dick Tiger Member of the Order of the British Empire was a Boxing from Amaigbo, Orlu, Nigeria, was a migrant fighter to Liverpool . Tiger was a member of the Igbo people ethnic group....
     W10 Frank DePaula
  • 1969: Joe Frazier
    Joe Frazier

    Joseph William Frazier, known as Smokin' Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, active mostly from the later 1960s to the mid 1970s....
     KO7 Jerry Quarry
    Jerry Quarry

    "Irish" Jerry Quarry , nicknamed ?The Bellflower, California Bomber,? was an American heavyweight boxing....
     I


1970s

  • 1970: Carlos Monzon
    Carlos Monzón

    Carlos Monz?n was an Argentina boxing who held the world middleweight title for 7 years, during which he made a then-division record of 14 defenses....
     KO12 Nino Benvenuti
    Nino Benvenuti

    Giovanni Benvenuti , better known as Nino Benvenuti, is an Italy former Boxing who is considered by many, including noted boxing writer Brian Doogan, to be the greatest boxer ever from Italy....
     I
  • 1971: Joe Frazier
    Joe Frazier

    Joseph William Frazier, known as Smokin' Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, active mostly from the later 1960s to the mid 1970s....
     W15 Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali

    Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....
     I, see Fight of the Century
    Fight of the Century

    Fight of the Century was the promotional nickname given to the first boxing match between champion Joe Frazier and challenger Muhammad Ali , held on March 8, 1971 at New York's Madison Square Garden....
  • 1972: Bob Foster
    Bob Foster

    Bob Foster is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA whom many boxing critics consider to be one of the greatest Light Heavyweight world champions in history....
     KO14 Chris Finnegan
    Chris Finnegan

    Chris Finnegan Order of the British Empire was an England professional Boxing....
  • 1973: George Foreman
    George Foreman

    George Edward Foreman is an United States two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur.He is the oldest man ever to win a major heavyweight title when, at 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round....
     KO2 Joe Frazier
    Joe Frazier

    Joseph William Frazier, known as Smokin' Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, active mostly from the later 1960s to the mid 1970s....
     I
  • 1974: Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali

    Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....
     KO8 George Foreman
    George Foreman

    George Edward Foreman is an United States two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur.He is the oldest man ever to win a major heavyweight title when, at 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round....
    , see The Rumble in the Jungle
    The Rumble in the Jungle

    The Rumble in The Jungle was an historic boxing event that took place on 30 October 1974, in the Stade Tata Rapha?l in Kinshasa, Zaire . It pitted then world Heavyweight champion George Foreman against former world champion and challenger Muhammad Ali....
  • 1975: Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali

    Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....
     KO14 Joe Frazier
    Joe Frazier

    Joseph William Frazier, known as Smokin' Joe, is a former Olympic and World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, active mostly from the later 1960s to the mid 1970s....
     III, see Thrilla in Manila
    Thrilla in Manila

    The Thrilla in Manila is the third and final famous boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World, fought at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines on October 1, 1975....
  • 1976: George Foreman
    George Foreman

    George Edward Foreman is an United States two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur.He is the oldest man ever to win a major heavyweight title when, at 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round....
     KO5 Ron Lyle
    Ron Lyle

    Ron Lyle was a professional boxing....
  • 1977: Jimmy Young
    Jimmy Young (boxer)

    Jimmy Young was a skilled Philadelphia heavyweight boxing who had his greatest success during the 1970s. His career record was 34-19-2 with 11 knockouts....
     W12 George Foreman
    George Foreman

    George Edward Foreman is an United States two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, and entrepreneur.He is the oldest man ever to win a major heavyweight title when, at 45, he knocked out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in the 10th round....
  • 1978: Leon Spinks
    Leon Spinks

    Leon Spinks is an USA former boxing. He had an overall record of 26 wins, 17 losses and 3 draws as a professional, with 14 knockout wins. While still an amateur, he also became a member of the United States Marine Corps....
     W15 Muhammad Ali
    Muhammad Ali

    Muhammad Ali is a retired United States boxing and former three-time List of heavyweight boxing champions.As an amateur, Ali won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in the light heavyweight division gold medal....
     I
  • 1979: Danny Lopez
    Danny Lopez

    Danny Lopez is a former American Boxing from Fort Duchesne, Utah. Lopez was world Featherweight champion, and a very popular fighter both in television and Southern California, during the 1970s....
     KO15 Mike Ayala


1980s

  • 1980: Matthew Saad Muhammad
    Matthew Saad Muhammad

    Matthew Saad Muhammad is a former Boxing who was the world's light heavyweight champion.Saad Muhammad's mother died when he was 5 years old, and he and his elder brother were sent to live with an aunt....
     KO14 Yaqui Lopez II
  • 1981: Sugar Ray Leonard
    Sugar Ray Leonard

    Ray Charles Leonard is a retired American professional boxing. Named Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s, he is widely considered to be one of the best boxers of all time, winning world titles at multiple weights and engaging in contests with such celebrated opponents as Wilfred Benitez, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler....
     KO14 Thomas Hearns
    Thomas Hearns

    Thomas "Hitman" Hearns , is an United States 8-time world champion professional boxing.Hearns became the first ever quadruple world champion in boxing history....
     I, see Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns
    Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Thomas Hearns

    The two fights between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in 1981 and 1989 were among the most eagerly anticipated confrontations in the history of Boxing....
  • 1982: Bobby Chacon
    Bobby Chacon

    Bobby Chacon in Sylmar, CA, USA, was a two time world boxing champion. Chacon is a native of California, where he campaigned most of his career....
     W15 Rafael Limon
    Rafael Limon

    Rafael Lim?n is a Mexico former boxer who was a world champion in the Super Featherweight /Jr. Lightweight division twice. Limon shares his nickname, Bazooka, with at least two other known world boxing champions: Puerto Rico's Wilfredo G?mez and Ghana's Ike Quartey....
     IV, see Chacon vs. Limon
    Chacon vs. Limon

    The Chacon vs. Limon series of boxing fights between Bobby Chacon and Rafael Limon was a rivalry that made history in the sport. Many sports historians consider Chacon-Limon to be among boxing's fiercest rivalries, alongside Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier, Ali-Ken Norton, Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales,Israel Vasquez-Rafael M?rquez, Arturo Gatt...
  • 1983: Bobby Chacon
    Bobby Chacon

    Bobby Chacon in Sylmar, CA, USA, was a two time world boxing champion. Chacon is a native of California, where he campaigned most of his career....
     W12 Cornelius Boza-Edwards II
  • 1984: Jose Luis Ramirez
    José Luis Ramírez

    Jos? Luis Ram?rez is a Mexico national who was a Boxing and a two time world Lightweight champion.A native of Huatabampo, Sonora and a resident of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Ram?rez climbed slowly but steadily on boxing's rankings....
     KO4 Edwin Rosario
    Edwin Rosario

    Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario , Was born on March 15, 1963 and died on December 1, 1997. Puerto Rico boxing. Unfortunately, his long battle with a suspected drug addiction caused him to die in truth at the age of 34....
     II
  • 1985: Marvin Hagler
    Marvin Hagler

    Marvelous Marvin Hagler , is a former United States boxing. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest middleweights of all time and finished his career with a record of 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts....
     KO3 Thomas Hearns
    Thomas Hearns

    Thomas "Hitman" Hearns , is an United States 8-time world champion professional boxing.Hearns became the first ever quadruple world champion in boxing history....
    , see The War
    The War (boxing)

    The War was the nickname given by promoter Bob Arum to boxing's world middleweight championship superfight bout between Undisputed Champion Marvin Hagler and challenger Thomas Hearns, who was himself the world's junior middleweight champion....
  • 1986: Stevie Cruz W15 Barry McGuigan
    Barry McGuigan

    Finbar Patrick McGuigan Order of the British Empire, more commonly known as Barry McGuigan , nicknamed the Clones Cyclone, is a former professional boxing who became a world Featherweight champion....
  • 1987: Sugar Ray Leonard
    Sugar Ray Leonard

    Ray Charles Leonard is a retired American professional boxing. Named Fighter of the Decade for the 1980s, he is widely considered to be one of the best boxers of all time, winning world titles at multiple weights and engaging in contests with such celebrated opponents as Wilfred Benitez, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler....
     W12 Marvin Hagler
    Marvin Hagler

    Marvelous Marvin Hagler , is a former United States boxing. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest middleweights of all time and finished his career with a record of 62-3-2 with 52 knockouts....
  • 1988: Tony Lopez
    Tony Lopez

    "Tony The Tiger " redirects here. For other uses, see Tony The Tiger . For the article about the cartoon mascot, see Tony The Tiger.Tony "The Tiger" Lopez , is a former professional boxer from Sacramento, CA....
     W12 Rocky Lockridge
    Rocky Lockridge

    Rocky Lockridge , is a former professional boxing....
     I
  • 1989: Roberto Duran
    Roberto Durán

    Roberto Dur?n is a retired professional boxing from Panama, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. During his career he was nicknamed "Manos de Piedra", "Hands of Stone"....
     W12 Iran Barkley
    Iran Barkley

    Iran Barkley is an United States former boxing....


1990s

  • 1990: Julio César Chávez
    Julio César Chávez

    Julio C?sar Ch?vez Gonz?lez is a legendary Mexico professional boxing....
     KO12 Meldrick Taylor
    Meldrick Taylor

    Meldrick Taylor is a former Olympic gold medalist and world boxing champion in two weight classes....
     I, see Thunder Meets Lightning
    Thunder Meets Lightning

    The boxing world championship fight held on March 17, 1990 between World Boxing Council Jr Welterweight world champion Julio C?sar Ch?vez of Mexico and International Boxing Federation world champion Meldrick Taylor of the United States in Las Vegas, Nevada was a historic boxing match....
  • 1991: Robert Quiroga
    Robert Quiroga

    Robert Quiroga was the International Boxing Federation Super flyweight champion from 1990 to 1993. Quiroga successfully defended his title five times and retired in 1995....
     W12 Akeem Anifowoshe
    Akeem Anifowoshe

    Akeem Anifowoshe or just "Kid" Akeem, was a Nigerian Super Flyweight professional boxer. He is best known for his performance in Ring Magazine's 1991 Fight of the Year, which he lost to Robert Quiroga by a close but bruising unanimous decision ....
  • 1992: Riddick Bowe
    Riddick Bowe

    Riddick Lamont Bowe is an United States Boxing and former undisputed heavyweight champion. He is best remembered for his trilogy of fights with Evander Holyfield and two brutal bouts with Andrew Golota....
     W12 Evander Holyfield
    Evander Holyfield

    Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"....
     I
  • 1993: Michael Carbajal
    Michael Carbajal

    Michael Carbajal is a Phoenix, Arizona, Arizona, United States native who is a retired four-time world boxing champion. He is nickname "Little Hands Of Stone," after his favorite boxer, the legendary "Hands Of Stone," Panamanian Roberto Dur?n....
     KO7 Humberto Gonzalez
    Humberto Gonzalez

    Humberto Gonzalez is a Mexico former world boxing champion. Nicknamed Chiquita, he made many admirers during his professional boxing career....
     I
  • 1994: Jorge Castro
    Jorge Castro (boxer)

    Jorge Fernando "Locomotora" Castro , is an Argentina boxing and former Middleweight champion of the world, who is best known for his second defense of the title against John David Jackson in 1994....
     KO9 John David Jackson
    John David Jackson (boxer)

    John David Jackson , is a former professional boxing in the super welterweight division.Jackson was developed as an amateur out of the Tacoma Boys club in Tacoma, WA, USA, and turned pro in 1984....
     I
  • 1995: Saman Sorjaturong
    Saman Sorjaturong

    Saman Sorjaturong was a Thai people former world boxing champion.Sorjaturong turned pro in 1989 and won the WBC and IBF junior flyweight title during his career....
     KO7 Humberto Gonzalez
    Humberto Gonzalez

    Humberto Gonzalez is a Mexico former world boxing champion. Nicknamed Chiquita, he made many admirers during his professional boxing career....
  • 1996: Evander Holyfield
    Evander Holyfield

    Evander Holyfield is a professional boxing from the United States and a multiple world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"....
     KO11 Mike Tyson
    Mike Tyson

    Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson, also known as Malik Abdul, is a retired United States Boxing. He was the List of undisputed boxing champions#Heavyweight and remains the youngest man ever to win a world heavyweight title at just 20 years old....
     I
  • 1997: Arturo Gatti
    Arturo Gatti

    Arturo "Thunder" Gatti is an Italian-Canadian former professional Boxing. Gatti was born in Italy to Italian parents, but his family moved to Canada when he was young and he was raised in Montreal ....
     KO5 Gabriel Ruelas
    Gabriel Ruelas

    Gabriel Ruelas, , was a professional boxing.Ruelas turned pro in 1988 and in 1993 challenged WBC Super Featherweight Title holder Azumah Nelson, losing a close majority decision....
  • 1998: Ivan Robinson
    Ivan Robinson

    Ivan "Mighty" Robinson is a boxer who has compiled a record of 36-10-2 since becoming a professional in 1992. He attended Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia....
     W10 Arturo Gatti
    Arturo Gatti

    Arturo "Thunder" Gatti is an Italian-Canadian former professional Boxing. Gatti was born in Italy to Italian parents, but his family moved to Canada when he was young and he was raised in Montreal ....
     I
  • 1999: Paulie Ayala
    Paulie Ayala

    Paulie Ayala is a Mexico-United States former boxer who is a two time world champion. Ayala is a born-again Christianity, and he professed so by thanking God for his success after virtually each one of his fights....
     W12 Johnny Tapia
    Johnny Tapia

    John Lee Tapia is a five-time world boxing champion. He is nicknamed "Mi Vida Loca"....
     I


2000s

  • 2000: Erik Morales
    Erik Morales

    ?rik Isaac "El Terrible" Morales Elvira is a semi-retired Mexican professional Boxing. He is a former seven-time world champion at WBC / WBO Super bantamweight , WBC Featherweight , WBC Super featherweight, WBC International Super Featherweight , and the IBF Junior lightweight divisions....
     W12 Marco Antonio Barrera
    Marco Antonio Barrera

    Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia is a Mexicoprofessional boxing. He is a seven time world champion in three different weight classes; he is a former world champion at WBO Super Bantamweight , IBO / WBC Featherweight , WBC Super featherweight and IBF Junior lightweight divisions....
     I, see Barrera versus Morales trilogy
    Barrera versus Morales trilogy

    Barrera versus Morales trilogy is one of boxing's famous fight trilogies, involving two of Mexico's most revered boxers, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales....
  • 2001: Micky Ward
    Micky Ward

    "Irish" Micky Ward is a retired junior welterweight professional boxing from Lowell, Massachusetts United States.He is best known for his trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti....
     W10 Emanuel Burton
  • 2002: Micky Ward
    Micky Ward

    "Irish" Micky Ward is a retired junior welterweight professional boxing from Lowell, Massachusetts United States.He is best known for his trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti....
     W10 Arturo Gatti
    Arturo Gatti

    Arturo "Thunder" Gatti is an Italian-Canadian former professional Boxing. Gatti was born in Italy to Italian parents, but his family moved to Canada when he was young and he was raised in Montreal ....
     I
  • 2003: Arturo Gatti
    Arturo Gatti

    Arturo "Thunder" Gatti is an Italian-Canadian former professional Boxing. Gatti was born in Italy to Italian parents, but his family moved to Canada when he was young and he was raised in Montreal ....
     W10 Micky Ward
    Micky Ward

    "Irish" Micky Ward is a retired junior welterweight professional boxing from Lowell, Massachusetts United States.He is best known for his trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti....
     III
  • 2004: Marco Antonio Barrera
    Marco Antonio Barrera

    Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia is a Mexicoprofessional boxing. He is a seven time world champion in three different weight classes; he is a former world champion at WBO Super Bantamweight , IBO / WBC Featherweight , WBC Super featherweight and IBF Junior lightweight divisions....
     W12 Erik Morales
    Erik Morales

    ?rik Isaac "El Terrible" Morales Elvira is a semi-retired Mexican professional Boxing. He is a former seven-time world champion at WBC / WBO Super bantamweight , WBC Featherweight , WBC Super featherweight, WBC International Super Featherweight , and the IBF Junior lightweight divisions....
     III, see Barrera versus Morales trilogy
    Barrera versus Morales trilogy

    Barrera versus Morales trilogy is one of boxing's famous fight trilogies, involving two of Mexico's most revered boxers, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales....
  • 2005: Diego Corrales
    Diego Corrales

    Diego "Chico" Corrales was a former super featherweight and lightweight world boxing champion. He is most noted for his series of bouts with Jos? Luis Castillo....
     KO10 José Luis Castillo
    José Luis Castillo

    Jos? Luis Castillo is a Mexico Boxing. Nicknamed El Temible, Castillo has a current record of 57-9-1 with 49 knockouts. He is best known for his grueling fight against Diego Corrales for the World Boxing Council-World Boxing Organization lightweight title unification on May 7, 2005....
     I
  • 2006: Somsak Sithchatchawal
    Somsak Sithchatchawal

    Somsak Sithchatchawal is a professional boxing in the super bantamweight division.In March 2006, Sithchatchawal took part in what later won Ring Magazine fights of the year when he challenged WBA Super Bantamweight champion Mahyar Monshipour....
     KO10 Mahyar Monshipour
    Mahyar Monshipour

    Mahyar Monshipour is an Iranian-born France boxer who was the World Boxing Association's List of super bantamweight boxing champions for nearly three years between 2003 and 2006....
  • 2007: Israel Vazquez
    Israel Vázquez

    Israel V?zquez Casta?eda is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the current The Ring Super Bantamweight champion after being stripped of his WBC Super Bantamweight championship for being inactive after a retina surgery....
     KO 6 Rafael Marquez
    Rafael Márquez (boxer)

    Rafael M?rquez M?ndez is a Mexican professional boxing. He is a former world champion at the IBF / IBO Bantamweight and WBC Super Bantamweight divisions....
     II
  • 2008: Israel Vazquez
    Israel Vázquez

    Israel V?zquez Casta?eda is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the current The Ring Super Bantamweight champion after being stripped of his WBC Super Bantamweight championship for being inactive after a retina surgery....
     W12 Rafael Marquez
    Rafael Márquez

    Rafael M?rquez ?lvarez is a Mexico football defender and defensive midfielder, who is currently playing for FC Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga and the Mexico national football team....
     III


See also

  • Ring Magazine fighters of the year
    Ring Magazine fighters of the year

    Ring Magazine was established in 1922. Since 1928, it has named a fighter as fighter of the year, based on the magazine's writers' criteria. Here is a list of Ring Magazine's fighters of the year:...
  • Harry Markson Award
    Harry Markson Award

    The Harry Markson Award, known alternatively as the Boxing Writers Association of America Fight of the Year Award, has been conferred annually since 2003 in sports by the Boxing Writers Association of America on the boxing match, irrespective of the weight class or nationality of the fighters and of the nature of the fight, adjudged by...
    , given annually to the fight adjudged by the Boxing Writers Association of America to be the best