Lightweight boxing is one of the most exciting and competitive divisions in the sport of boxing. It is a weight class that ranges from 130 to 135 pounds (59 to 61 kg), and has produced some of the greatest fighters of all time. Lightweight boxers are known for their speed, skill, power, and heart, and have entertained and inspired millions of fans around the world. In this article, we will rank the top 10 best lightweight boxers of all time, based on their winning stats, legacy and dominance in their weight class. We will also explore their achievements, records, and impact on the sport and the society. Without further ado, here are the top 10 best lightweight boxers of all time:
10. Alexis Arguello (Nicaragua)
Alexis Arguello was a Nicaraguan boxer who was nicknamed “The Explosive Thin Man” for his slender physique and devastating punching power.
He was a three-weight world champion, and one of the best fighters of the 1980s.
He won the WBA lightweight title in 1981, and defended it four times, before moving up to the junior welterweight division.
He defeated top contenders like James Busceme, Ray Mancini, Andy Ganigan and Bobby Chacon, and defended his WBC title four times.
He is widely regarded as the greatest Nicaraguan boxer of all time, and one of the greatest Latin American boxers of all time. He had a career record of 82 wins (65 by knockout) and 8 losses.
9. Henry Armstrong (United States)
Henry Armstrong was an American boxer who was nicknamed “Homicide Hank” for his relentless and aggressive style.
He was the only boxer to hold world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously and one of the best fighters of the 1930s and 1940s.
He won the NBA lightweight title in 1938, and unified it with the New York and California titles in 1939, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion of the world.
He defended his lightweight title once, before vacating it to focus on the welterweight division. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, and one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of all time. He had a career record of 151 wins (101 by knockout), 21 losses, 9 draws, and 1 no contest.
8. Julio Cesar Chavez (Mexico)
Julio Cesar Chavez, a Mexican boxer known as “El Gran Campeon Mexicano” (The Great Mexican Champion), was a six-time world champion in three weight divisions and one of the best fighters of the 1980s and 1990s.
He won the WBC lightweight title in 1987 and defended it nine times before moving up to the junior welterweight division.
Chavez’s impressive career record included 107 wins (86 by knockout), 6 losses, and 2 draws, showcasing his aggressive style, devastating body punches, and relentless pressure.
His performances against top contenders like Edwin Rosario, Rodolfo Aguilar, and Hector Camacho solidified his status as a legendary figure in the sport of boxing.
7. Carlos Ortiz (Puerto Rico)
Carlos Ortiz was a Puerto Rican boxer who was nicknamed “The King of the Lightweights” for his dominance and longevity in the division.
He was a three-time world champion in two weight divisions and held the WBA and WBC titles from 1965 to 1968.
He won the WBA and WBC lightweight titles in 1965, and unified them with the New York and California titles in 1966, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. He defended his lightweight title 10 times, before losing it in 1968. He regained the WBC lightweight title in 1969, and defended it four times, before losing it in 1972.
He defeated great fighters like Joe Brown, Ismael Laguna, Flash Elorde, and Sugar Ramos, and defended his titles six times. He had a record of 61 wins (30 by knockout), 7 losses, and 1 draw, and was known for his boxing skills, speed and durability.
6. Tony Canzoneri (United States)
Tony Canzoneri was an American boxer who was nicknamed “The Italian Stallion” for his heritage and charisma.
He was a five-time world champion in three weight divisions and one of the best fighters of the 1930s.
He won the NBA and New York lightweight titles in 1930, and unified them with the NYSAC and California titles in 1931, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion of the world.
He defended his lightweight title six times, before losing it in 1933. He regained the NBA and New York lightweight titles in 1935, and defended them once, before losing them in 1936.
The Italian-American star was a three-division world champion who ruled the lightweight division in the early 1930s.
He won the undisputed title in 1930 by knocking out Al Singer in one round and defended it five times against top challengers like Billy Petrolle, Jack Kid Berg, and Barney Ross.
He had a record of 137 wins (44 by knockout), 24 losses and 10 draws, and was known for his aggressive style and ring smarts.
5. Ike Williams (United States)
Ike Williams was an American boxer who was nicknamed “The Jersey Express” for his speed and power. He was a two-time world champion in the lightweight division and one of the best fighters of the 1940s and 1950s. He won the NBA lightweight title in 1945, and unified it with the New York and California titles in 1947, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. He defended his lightweight title eight times, before losing it in 1951.
He defeated great fighters like Bob Montgomery, Juan Zurita, Jesse Flores, and Jimmy Carter, and defended his title eight times. He had a record of 127 wins (61 by knockout), 24 losses and 5 draws, and was known for his explosive power and speed.
4. Pernell Whitaker (United States)
Pernell Whitaker was an American boxer who was nicknamed “Sweet Pea” for his slick and elusive style. He was a four-weight world champion and one of the best fighters of the 1980s and 1990s. He won the IBF lightweight title in 1989, and unified it with the WBC and WBA titles in 1990, becoming the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. He defended his lightweight title six times, before moving up to the junior welterweight division.
He defended his titles six times against top contenders like Azumah Nelson, Freddie Pendleton, and Jorge Paez, before moving up to junior welterweight. He had a record of 40 wins (17 by knockout), 4 losses, and 1 draw.
3. Joe Gans (United States)
Joe Gans is widely considered one of the greatest lightweights in boxing history due to his exceptional skill, accomplishments, and influence on the sport. Known for his masterful technique, high reputation, and devastating punching power, Gans won the lightweight title in 1902 and held it until 1908, making him the first man to win the title and defend it three times. He defeated numerous top contenders and legendary fighters during his career, including James Busceme, Ray Mancini, Andy Ganigan, Bobby Chacon, Benny Leonard, and Sam Langford. Gans was highly regarded by boxing experts, with multiple historians ranking him as the greatest lightweight ever. His innovative tactics, such as the use of the uppercut, had a lasting impact on the sport of boxing. He had a record of 145 wins (100 by knockout), 10 losses, and 16 draws.
2. Benny Leonard (United States)
Benny Leonard was an American boxer who was nicknamed “The Ghetto Wizard” for his Jewish heritage and brilliant style. He was a two-time world champion in the lightweight division and one of the best fighters of the 1910s and 1920s. He won the world lightweight title in 1917, and defended it 12 times, before retiring in 1925. He came back in 1931, and won the NYSAC lightweight title, before retiring again in 1932.
He defeated great fighters like Freddie Welsh, Rocky Kansas, Richie Mitchell, and Lew Tendler, and defended his title seven times. He had a record of 89 wins (70 by knockout), 6 losses, and 1 draw, and was known for his speed, power and ring generalship.
1. Roberto Durán (Panama)
The Panamanian legend was one of the most feared and respected nicknamed “Manos de Piedra” (Hands of Stone) for his devastating punching power.
Roberto Durán is widely considered the best lightweight boxer of all time who dominated the lightweight division from 1972 to 1979.
Durán’s impressive career record included 103 wins (70 by knockout), 16 losses, and no draws, showcasing his ferocious power, relentless pressure, and iron chin.
He defended his titles 12 times against top contenders like Ray Lampkin, Guts Ishimatsu, Edwin Viruet, and Hector Thompson, before moving up to welterweight.
He had a record of 103 wins (70 by knockout), 16 losses, and 0 draws, and was known for his ferocious power, relentless pressure and iron chin.
