Here is a list of the best middleweight boxers of all time, ranked from worst to best, brought to you by Bloody Knockout.
The middleweight division has been graced by some of boxing’s biggest stars and some of the most talented fighters the sport has seen.
The division is capable of delivering highlight reel knockouts to fans, but still keeping the speed and skill the heavier weight classes sometimes lack.
Here we rank the top 10 greatest middleweights to ever grace to sport of boxing.
10. Sergio Martinez
Sergio Martinez is seen as one of the best Argentinian boxers of all time and held the Ring Magazine middleweight title for four years. Martinez defended the championship six times and famously knocked out Paul Williams with one of the most devastating knockouts in history.
The Argentine eventually lost his title to the legendary Miguel Cotto but picked up wins over Kelly Pavlik and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Martinez made a return to boxing in 2020 and won all six of his comeback fights but never fought for a championship again.
9. Jake La Motta
Jake La Motta was the first person to defeat ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson, a fighter many see as the greatest of all time. La Motta had a relentless come-forward style and an incredible chin that meant fans adored watching him fight.
The American showed incredible heart and bravery in his six contests against Robinson, he may have only won one but dropped the great man multiple times. La Motta even had the hit Hollywood film ‘Raging Bull’ made about his turbulent life, starring Robert De Niro.
8. Bernard Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins may not have been the most exciting fighter to watch, but he knew how to get the job done. Hopkins held the undisputed middleweight championship from 2001 to 2005 and had some incredible wins over Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya during that run.
‘The Executioner’ became the oldest boxer in history to win a world title when he defeated Jean Pascal for the WBC light heavyweight championship at the age of 46.
7. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is one of the greatest Mexican fighters to have ever lived. Alvarez may have not competed in the middleweight division for as long as people think, but has a win over the great Gennadiy Golovkin.
The Mexican has won world championships from light middleweight to light heavyweight and is seen as one of the P4P best fighters today. Alvarez was undefeated as a middleweight, only suffering a draw to Golovkin, but many had him losing.
6. Carlos Monzon
Carlos Monzon held the undisputed world middleweight championship for seven years and successfully defended it 14 times. The Argentinian is widely considered one of the greatest fighters to come out of his country and was adored by his fellow compatriots.
Monzon finished his career with a record of 87 wins, with only three defeats, and nine draws, giving him one of the best records of any middleweight.
5. Gennady Golovkin
Gennady Golovkin was not only the greatest puncher the middleweight division has ever seen, but he had one of the best chins too. Golovkin looked unbeatable in his prime, securing devastating knockouts over the likes of David Lemieux and Matthew Macklin.
‘GGG’ held the middleweight championship of the world for eight years between 2010 and 2018, only suffering defeat to ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Golovkin famously boxed Alvarez three times but never had his hand raised against the Mexican. This doesn’t stop the Kazakh from being ranked so highly, as he was very unlucky not to win two of those contests.
4. Roy Jones Jr.
Roy Jones Jr. is probably the most gifted fighter the world has ever seen. The American could do it all in the ring, showing great speed and power to shock his opponents. Jones Jr. was undefeated as a middleweight and won the championship with a win over Hopkins.
The American was so talented that he was able to win titles from middleweight up to heavyweight and was seen as the best fighter ever in his prime. He, unfortunately, carried on his career too long and suffered defeats to low-caliber opponents that tainted his reputation in the sport.
3. ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard
‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard may not have had many fights as a middleweight but he arguably has a win over the greatest one of all time. Leonard won titles in five different weight classes and is regarded as one of the best fighters to have lived.
The American was part of the iconic ‘Four Kings’ era and had iconic battles with his rivals Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, and Tommy Hearns. Leonard showed incredible speed and skills to pick up wins over all three greats.
2. ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson
‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson may have been in the twilight of his career when he graced the middleweight division, but he still won the championship five times. Robinson is regarded as one of the greatest fighters to have ever lived and dominated the sport in his 201-fight career.
From 1943 to 1951 Robinson went on a 91-fight unbeaten streak which is still the sixth-longest in professional boxing history. The fighter’s skills were from way beyond his time and he even inspired the great Muhammad Ali to get into boxing.
1. Marvin Hagler
‘Marvellous’ Marvin Hagler held the undisputed middleweight championship from 1980 to 1987, making 12 successful defenses of his crown. Hagler was one of the biggest punchers the division has ever seen, winning all but one of his title defenses by knockout.
The American is remembered for his iconic fight against Tommy Hearns, where the two men didn’t take a backward step for three bloody rounds. Hagler only suffered one defeat in his entire career, and that was to ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard in a fight many saw him winning.