Boxing
The 10 best boxers of all time: Manny Pacquiao rose in a historic way
In a long-awaited update to its all-time rankings, World Boxing News has elevated Manny Pacquiao to fifth place following his remarkable majority draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19, 2025.
At the age of 46, Pacquiao has defied age and expectations, showing his enduring skill and determination. This fight, which took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, was a testament to Pacquiao’s legendary status in the sport.
The fight ended with a score of 114–114, with one judge awarding Barrios the victory 115–113, allowing the champion to retain his title.
Despite the draw, Pacquiao’s performance was widely praised, with many observers feeling he did enough to win. The result underlined his place in the sport’s elite.
Criteria for the top 10 rankings of all time
The World Boxing News Top 10 list is determined by a comprehensive assessment of a boxer’s professional achievements and impact on the sport.
Key factors include:
World champion title: The number of world championships won by a boxer in different weight classes.
Multi-weight titles: Achievements in multiple weight classes, demonstrating versatility and dominance in various divisions.
Enemy Caliber: The quality and reputation of the opponents you face and victories over top-rated players deserve extra attention.
Way to win: Definitely and style of victories, including knockouts and dominant performances.
Ability and longevity: The skill level of the boxer and the time of his perfect competition.
Activity: Frequency of fights and consistency of results over the years.
The 10 best boxers of all time
1 | Sugar Ray Robinson [174–19–6, 109 KOs]
Robinson’s combination of speed, power and versatility remains unmatched. A four-time middleweight champion and welterweight extraordinaire, he influenced generations of fighters and inspired Hollywood’s Raging Bull. His six legendary fights with Jake LaMotta and lasting legacy make him the undisputed pinnacle of boxing.
2 | Jo Louis [66–3, 52 KOs]
“The Brown Bomber” dominated the heavyweight division for 12 years, making 25 title defenses against a squad of Hall of Famers. Louis combined power, precision and consistency at a time when global competition intensified, making him one of the most powerful champions in history.
3 | Floyd Mayweather [50–0, 27 KOs]
Mayweather redefined defensive mastery in up-to-date boxing. A five-weight world champion, he defeated 16 consecutive world champions, combining precision, strategy and adaptability to remain undefeated. Mayweather’s career remains a model of tactical dominance in the sport.
4 | Muhammad Ali [56–5, 37 KOs]
Ali’s charisma and skills went beyond sports. The three-time heavyweight champion produced some of the most iconic moments in boxing history, including the “Rumble in the Jungle” against George Foreman and the “Thrilla in Manila” against Joe Frazier. His influence in and out of the ring makes him an enduring figure that transcends victories and defeats.
5 | Manny Pacquiao [62–8–2, 39 KOs]
Pacquiao’s record speaks for itself, but it’s his achievements in eight weight classes that really lift him up. Now, at the age of 46, he has tied with Mario Barrios, another historic milestone, the rarest form of longevity in sports. From Asia to Las Vegas, Pacquiao consistently challenged the best of his era, cementing his legendary status as one of the greatest boxing champions of all time.
This year, WBN’s coverage highlighted Pacquiao’s adaptability and fitness, noting his ability to maintain speed, power and tactical sharpness throughout the decades of his career. Analysts praised his corner strategy and mid-fight substitutions, highlighting why he remains competitive with much younger champions.
6 | Rocky Marciano [49–0, 43 KOs]
The “Brockton Blockbuster” remains the only heavyweight to retire undefeated with such dominance. During his four-year reign, Marciano defeated legends such as Jo LouisJersey Joe Walcott (twice), Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore, creating a benchmark of resilience and punching power unmatched for decades.
7 | Willie Pep [229–11–1, 65 KOs]
Pep, a two-time featherweight champion, was the epitome of technical mastery. His early record of 134–1–1 highlights a period of near-perfect dominance, while his longevity and victories over Hall of Famers in over 240 fights demonstrate the skill and intelligence that made him a true performer in the ring.
8 | Ezzard Charles [95–25–1, 52 KOs]
The “Cincinnati Cobra” faced opponents from all divisions, from middleweight to heavyweight, when few would have the courage. Charles went 39-1 over a five-year period, ultimately winning the heavyweight crown and demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt to the era’s top talents.
9 | Archie Moore [183–23–10, 132 KOs]
“The Mongusta” combined extraordinary power with stunning durability. Moore won the delicate heavyweight world title after years of near misses and amassed 132 knockouts – a record that still resonates in up-to-date boxing. His career spanned almost thirty years, a true testament to his durability and skill.
10 | Henry Armstrong [151–21–10, 100 KOs]
His unprecedented simultaneous reign in three weight classes earns Armstrong a place in history in an era when there were only eight recognized world champions. His 27-fight knockout streak remains legendary, and his victories over numerous Hall of Famers cement his reputation as one of the most relentless and prolific champions of all time.
Abstract
The above rankings are based on a combination of factors including achievement, longevity and impact on the sport. Manny Pacquiao’s recent performance against Mario Barrios cemented his place among the greatest fighters of all time.
About the author
Phil Jay is experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global combat scene. How Since 2010, editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN).Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and the most significant boxing evenings in the ring were reported.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
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