The world of boxing is full of elite talent, and the lightweight division is no exception. Here are the top 10 lightweight boxers of all time.
For many, the pinnacle of boxing is achieving a world title, but for the real greats, it’s about fighting the best of the best, and cementing a legacy into the sport.
The lightweight division has been stacked with talent, but here we rank the top ten lightweights to have ever laced up the gloves. The list is in no particular order and combines a mix of fighters from different eras.
10. Henry Armstrong
Henry Armstrong, one of boxing’s all-time greats, defeated legends like Barney Ross and Lou Ambers, with his relentless pressure and volume punching making him nearly unbeatable at his peak.
Armstrong even defied all odds by defeating Barney Ross for the welterweight title whilst weighing only 133.5lbs.
9. Sugar Ray Robinson
174-19-6 is a resume you just would not see in modern boxing, and yet this is the resume of Sugar Ray Robinson, who hit 40–0 before losing his first fight on points to ‘The Raging Bull’, Jake LaMotta.
He did not have another loss on his record until his 134th fight.
8. Freddie Welsh
Freddie ‘The Welsh Wizard’ Welsh, held the world lightweight title for only one year and would lose it to Benny Leonard by knockout defeat, the only stoppage loss on Welsh’s record.
Welsh would share the ring with tough opposition, from Rocky Kansas to Johnny Kilbane, and would defeat the likes of Battling Nelson.
7. Ike Williams
Ike Williams, a 5’9″ powerhouse, reigned as lightweight champion from 1947 to 1951, known for his speed, power, and durability.
He unified the title by avenging a loss to Bob Montgomery and defended it against elite opponents like Beau Jack.
Williams’ career was tainted by the mob’s influence, with speculation of fixed fights affecting his legacy.
Despite this, his dominance in big moments secured his place as one of the division’s greatest, and it is interesting to wonder how his career might’ve been without outside influence.
6. Manny Pacquiao
A household name, Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer to have held world championships across four decades. With wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Marco Antonia Barrera, and more, 62-8-2 ‘Pac Man’ is a deserving member of this list.
His last fight came in 2021, where he lost to welterweight Yordenis Ugas, though it seems he is not ready to hang up the gloves yet as Pacquiao’s promoter teases potential controversial world title fight return.
5. Julio César Chavez
Julio César Chávez reigned as the WBC lightweight champion from 1987 to 1989, making three successful defenses. He dominated tough opponents like Edwin Rosario, knocking him out in his title-winning fight, and is considered by many to be the best Mexican boxer to have ever lived.
Chavez ended his career with a record of 107-6-2, and fought to a draw with the next boxer on the list, Pernell Whittaker.
4. Pernell Whittaker
Pernell Whitaker dominated the lightweight division, unifying the titles and beating top names like Greg Haugen and Azumah Nelson. He finished his career with a record of 40-4-1.
An Olympic gold medallist, ‘Sweet Pea’ controversially lost to Jose Luis Ramirez before avenging the defeat. He remained unbeaten at lightweight before moving up in weight and is widely seen as the best fighter of the 1990s. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2008.
3. Joe Gans
Gans held a record of 120-8-9, losing just two of his first 32 bouts before drawing with Young Griffo, a featherweight legend.
In his first attempt at the lightweight crown he was bested by a cut against Frank Erne, though left no doubt in their rematch, stopping Erne in the first round.
Gans is credited with 14 titles defenses spread over two reigns in the sport.
2. Benny Leonard
With a record of 90-6-1, Benny Leonard has made a name for himself as one of the toughest boxers to enter the ring.
Leonard holds multiple wins over Rocky Kansas, who at the time of their final fight had a record of 102-20-15, as well as Freddie Walsh and Lew Tendler, who boasted a record of 114-8-6 after two bouts against Leonard.
Leonard fought as often as three times a month and also knocked out regining featherweight champion, Johnny Kilbane.
1. Roberto Duran
Roberto Duran reigned over the lightweight division for over six years, and though he finished his professional career with a record of 103-16, his record as a lightweight was 67-1, with that one loss coming at the hands of Esteban De Jesus, who Duran knocked out twice in subsequent encounters.
The four-division champion defended his lightweight titles twelve times, before moving up in weight, not to 140lbs, but to the welterweight division, to engrave his name in the annals of boxing history.
Duran holds wins over Davey Moore, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Iran Barkley (who had beaten Thomas Hearns).