Boxing has a rich history in the United Kingdom, with many legendary fighters hailing from its shores.
From heavyweight champions to featherweight contenders, British boxers have left their mark on the sport and captured the hearts of fans around the world.
From the hard-hitting power of Henry Cooper to the technical mastery of Lennox Lewis, many boxers represent the best of British boxing.
Today, based on their records, achievements, and impact on the sport, we will take a look at the top 10 greatest British boxers of all time:
10. Carl Froch
Carl Froch is a highly regarded British professional boxer known for his toughness, resilience, and remarkable career in the super-middleweight division.
He held multiple world championships, including the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, during his 12-year professional career from 2002 to 2014.
Froch was renowned for his grit, never quitting attitude, and ability to deliver powerful knockouts, with 24 of his 35 fights ending by knockout.
His memorable fights include victories over Jean Pascal, Mikkel Kessler, and George Groves. Froch was also inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023, recognizing his significance and legacy in the sport.
He was celebrated for his courage, relentless fighting spirit, and contribution to British boxing history.
9. Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 1998. He held the WBO middleweight title from 1990 to 1991 and the WBO super-middleweight title from 1991 to 1995.
Eubank was undefeated for his first ten years as a professional and remained undefeated at middleweight during that time.
He is famous for his fierce rivalry with Nigel Benn, which included two iconic fights, and for his battles with Michael Watson and other top contenders.
He reigned as world champion for over five years and ended his career with a professional record of 45 wins (23 by knockout), 5 losses, and 2 draws.
Eubank is credited for his bravery and his lasting impact on British boxing, inspiring future generations including his son, Chris Eubank Jr..
8. Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua is a British professional boxer known for his remarkable career in the heavyweight division. He won a gold medal in the super-heavyweight category at the 2012 London Olympics. Joshua turned professional in 2013 and quickly rose to prominence.
He won his first world heavyweight title in April 2016 by knocking out Charles Martin in the second round to claim the IBF belt.
He went on to unify the heavyweight titles, holding the IBF, WBA (Super), and WBO championships at different times, and defended his titles successfully multiple times.
Joshua’s most notable victory came against Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 at Wembley Stadium, a fight that broke attendance and viewership records.
His boxing style is known for powerful punches, athleticism, and strong technical skills. Despite some career setbacks like losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua remains one of the most influential heavyweight boxers of his generation with a record of 28 wins and 4 losses, including 25 by knockout.
7. Bob Fitzsimmons
Bob Fitzsimmons was a groundbreaking boxer who became the first fighter in history to win world titles in three different weight classes: middleweight, heavyweight, and light heavyweight.
He won the world heavyweight title in 1897 by knocking out James J. Corbett, becoming the lightest heavyweight champion at 165 pounds.
Fitzsimmons was known for his exceptional punching power and accuracy, famously inventing the “solar plexus punch.”
He had an impressive streak of 32 consecutive knockouts early in his career and held world titles for over a decade, demonstrating sustained dominance.
His contributions to boxing include pioneering techniques and setting standards for multi-weight class champions.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and is remembered as a true pioneer and one of the greatest fighters in boxing history. His courage, skill, and innovation left a lasting legacy on the sport.
6. Henry Cooper
Sir Henry Cooper (3 May 1934 – 1 May 2011) was an undefeated British heavyweight boxer who dominated the British and Commonwealth heavyweight championship scene for twelve years.
Holding the European heavyweight title for three years, Cooper’s left hook, famously known as “Enry’s ‘Ammer,” was his signature move.
Notably, he received the honor of being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year twice. Even after retiring in 1971, Cooper remained a beloved public figure. He stands alone as the sole British boxer ever to receive a knighthood, solidifying his legendary status.
Henry Cooper’s professional boxing career consisted of 55 fights. He emerged victorious in 40 of those bouts, with an impressive 27 wins by knockout.
While he experienced defeat 14 times, he managed to secure a draw in one fight. Cooper’s remarkable record, along with his notable accomplishments, firmly establishes him as one of the greatest British boxers of all time.
5. Ken Buchanan
Ken Buchanan (June 28, 1945 – April 1, 2023) was an iconic Scottish boxer and one of the greatest lightweight champions in boxing history.
He became the undisputed world lightweight champion by winning the WBA and The Ring magazine titles in 1970 after defeating Ismael Laguna, later adding the WBC crown in 1971 with victory over Rubén Navarro, and held these titles until 1972.
Renowned for his technical skill, relentless work rate, and adaptability in the ring, Buchanan fought in prestigious venues, including Madison Square Garden, where he faced celebrated opponents such as Roberto Durán and defended his title against top contenders.
Buchanan never faced Muhammad Ali or Joe Frazier in the ring, so he is not credited with victories over those heavyweights.
Over a distinguished 17-year career, he compiled a record of 61 wins (27 by knockout) and 8 losses.
He was the first British lightweight world champion in more than 50 years and is widely regarded as Scotland’s greatest-ever boxer.
Buchanan was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, cementing his legacy as a national and international boxing legend.
4. Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton was a highly influential British boxer renowned for his tenacity and skill in the light welterweight and welterweight divisions.
He began his professional career in 1997 and quickly rose through the ranks to capture the IBF, WBA (Super), IBO, and Ring magazine light welterweight titles. Hatton earned widespread acclaim after his 2005 upset victory over Kostya Tszyu, then considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters worldwide.
This victory marked the pinnacle of Hatton’s career and established him as a top world champion.
Hatton also became the WBA welterweight champion in 2006 by defeating Luis Collazo, showcasing his ability to compete successfully in a higher weight class.
Throughout his career, he fought some of the sport’s biggest names including Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
Although he suffered three losses, Hatton’s high-intensity style and resilient performances against elite opponents solidified his place as one of Britain’s all-time greatest fighters.
He retired with a record of 45 wins (32 by knockout) and 3 losses and later transitioned into boxing promotion and training, continuing his contribution to the sport.
3. Tyson Fury
Tyson Luke Fury, popularly known as “The Gypsy King,” is a highly acclaimed English professional boxer.
As the current WBC heavyweight champion, Fury has held the title since he triumphed over Deontay Wilder in 2020.
In 2015, he gained significant recognition by defeating Wladimir Klitschko and capturing the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring magazine titles.
With his remarkable achievements, Fury currently holds the top position in the global heavyweight rankings, according to BoxRec and ESPN.
Tyson Fury’s career boasts an array of extraordinary accomplishments. Notably, he holds the prestigious WBC heavyweight championship title, which he clinched in a momentous victory against Deontay Wilder in 2020.
Additionally, Fury’s name is synonymous with multiple world heavyweight titles, including the WBC, WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles.
His unorthodox fighting style, ability to overcome adversity, and captivating personality have contributed to his status as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
2. Joe Calzaghe
Joe Calzaghe, a former Welsh professional boxer, is widely regarded as the greatest British boxer of all time. Competing from 1993 to 2008, Calzaghe was a two-weight world champion holding the unified WBO, WBA (Super), IBF, The Ring magazine, and lineal titles at super-middleweight and The Ring title at light-heavyweight.
He holds the record for the longest reign as WBO super-middleweight champion, defending the title 21 times and remaining undefeated throughout his career.
Calzaghe was ranked in the top 10 of The Ring’s pound-for-pound list between 2006 and 2008, reaching as high as third in January 2009.
He ended his career undefeated with a record of 46 wins (32 by knockout) and no losses. Some of his most notable fights include victories over Chris Eubank to claim his first world title, the unification win against Jeff Lacy, and successful defenses against elite opponents like Bernard Hopkins, Mikkel Kessler, and Roy Jones Jr.. Calzaghe was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014, solidifying his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
1. Lennox Lewis
Lennox Lewis, born September 2, 1965, is a British-Canadian boxing legend widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in history.
He is a three-time world heavyweight champion and two-time lineal champion, known for his tactical prowess, powerful jab, and adaptability.
Lewis’s reign as the last undisputed heavyweight champion marked the end of an era in the division.
He turned professional in 1989, winning several regional titles, including the European, British, and Commonwealth heavyweight championships in his early career. In 1992, Lewis defeated Donovan “Razor” Ruddock, positioning himself at the top of the WBC rankings.
He became the WBC heavyweight champion in 1993 and eventually unified the WBC, WBA, IBF, and IBO titles by 1999 after defeating Evander Holyfield and later regained these titles after some setbacks.
Lewis’s crowning moment came in June 2002 when he decisively knocked out Mike Tyson in their high-profile bout, the highest-grossing pay-per-view fight for five years.
His last professional fight was a successful defense of his heavyweight titles against Vitali Klitschko in 2003 via sixth-round TKO.
These ten British boxers have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Their extraordinary skills, resilience, and impressive records have rightfully earned them a place among the greatest boxers in history.
From Henry Cooper’s powerful left hook to Tyson Fury’s dominance in the heavyweight division, their legacies will continue to inspire generations to come.